Needless Alley cover art

Needless Alley

William Garrett, Book 1

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Needless Alley

By: Natalie Marlow
Narrated by: Paul Dela Ross
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About this listen

An outstanding piece of literary noir and the first in a PI series set in 1930s Birmingham.

An FT Best Summer Thriller 2023

BIRMINGHAM, 1933.

Private enquiry agent William Garrett facilitates divorces for the city's male elite. With the help of his best friend - charming, out-of-work actor Ronnie Edgerton - William sets up honey traps. But photographing unsuspecting women in flagrante plagues his conscience and William heaves up his guts with remorse after every job.

William's life changes when he meets the beautiful Clara Morton and falls in love. Little does he know she is the wife of a client - a leading fascist with a dangerous obsession. Soon, what should have been another straightforward job turns into something far more deadly.

Drenched in evocative period atmosphere and starring an unforgettable cast of characters, Needless Alley takes the reader from seedy canal-side pubs, to crumbling Warwickshire manor houses, and into the hidden spaces of Birmingham's Queer, bohemian society.

2024, Crimefest Specsavers Crime Fiction Debut Award, Short-listed

©2023 Natalie Marlow (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Crime Thrillers Fiction Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense Thriller Crime

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Critic reviews

"Crafted with all the style and elegance of classic hardboiled fiction, lovingly splashed in the grubbiness and grime of interwar Birmingham's cuts, alleys and back streets. A smart, ripping yarn (with) some shocking and moving revelations." (Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street)

"Deftly plotted, beautifully written, Needless Alley is a delicious slice of Chandleresque Midlands noir." (Mark Wightman, author of Waking the Tiger)

"Marlow beautifully distils 1930s Birmingham into a seamy world of moral corruption: anyone can fall and few are left clean. Gripping, confident and atmospheric." (Kate Mascarenhas, author of Hokey Pokey)
All stars
Most relevant  
A private detective with an office at Needless alley receives a visit from a client who believe his wife is unfaithful. This is the start of a series of events that involve the detective falling in love with the wife, and with the help of his friends he tries a dangerous and deadly plan to double cross his client.

Great story about Birmingham’s dark history

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A Brummie photographer gets involved in murky goings on. The story is great and very atmospheric. My only criticism is that the narrator mispronounced a lot of very common words. My favourite was a woman’s brasserie. Surely someone should have picked these up.

Superbly downbeat

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Very atmospheric
Very dark
Excellent writing
Moody and very authentic
on the car media played all bass and mid totally off and treble fully up - the resonant male voice was difficult to hear without major EQ adjustments.
Highly recommended if you can get the voice more listenable

Gripping and grusome

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Had no idea what to expect, but really well written, great story and satisfying ending (in terms of how it's written, not what happens to the characters of course).
Really looking forward to the next one!

Fantastic Story and performance

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The characters were so vivid. Absolutely loved the book from start to finish. The narrator brought the book to life. Can’t wait for the next

Atmospheric story

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