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The Cracked Mirror

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The Cracked Mirror

By: Chris Brookmyre
Narrated by: Sarah Barron, Russ Bain
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About this listen

FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW

THIS IS NOT THAT CRIME NOVEL

You know Johnny Hawke. Hard-bitten LAPD homicide detective. Always in trouble with his captain, always losing partners, but always battling for the truth, whatever it takes.

You know Penny Coyne. The little old lady who has solved multiple murders in her otherwise sleepy village, despite bumbling local police. A razor-sharp mind in a Sunday best hat.

Against all the odds, against the usual story, their worlds are about to collide. It starts with a dead writer and a mysterious wedding invitation. It will end with a rabbit hole that goes so deep, Johnny and Penny might just come to question not just whodunnit, but whether they want to know the answer.

A cross-genre hybrid of Agatha Christie and Michael Connelly, The Cracked Mirror is the most imaginative and entertaining crime novel of the year, a genre-splicing rollercoaster with a poignantly emotional heart.

©2024 Chris Brookmyre (P)2024 W. F. Howes Ltd Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Women Sleuths Heartfelt Witty

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All stars
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I would be quite happy with the actual story without all the sci-fi stuff. It all got a bit convoluted for my taste

A bit to tricksy

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The twist is pretty easy but that doesn’t detract from the story. Russ Bain is excellent

Very well conceived

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I am a massive fan of Chris Brookmyre but unfortunately this book disappoints. One reason is that the massive twist near the end is so easy to guess - won't say more as it would be a spoiler. However, even before this, his attempts to marry two genres, the Miss Marple-style old lady solving crimes with the hard-boiled American cop style just jars, even later when you know the reason for it, but especially in the earlier part of the book. The narrators try hard but when you have the female narrator comfortable with the upper class Scottish accent trying to transform into the hard-bitten cop and the male narrator obviously more used to the Sam Spade type of narrative trying to ape the soft Scottish accent, it just doesn't work. Sorry, Chris, this experiment just didn't work for me

Not up to his usual standard

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My heart sunk when I thought it might be a 'cosy murder' but I persisted and it was worthwhile. The difficult of reviewing it is that referencing Brookmyre's previous work and others he has alluded to would give it all away. But an excellent and satisfying listen.

A difficult one to review

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The story took a while to get into but paid off in the end. The narration was really good

Really good book

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Sorry but the premise is just too unbelievable for a late 80 year old woman.

Unbelievable

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Genuinely likable characters, a fantastic set up and a really intriguing mystery. This book had everything… but then it started to get very muddled and a little bit too clever for its own good. It also started telegraphing the ending with twists and turns that felt contrived and derivative. The ending in particular felt like something I had read many times before, it also slightly undermined all the character building that had come before. I think this would’ve been a much better beginning of a series had the author not decided to opt for the final twist.

Great story that ends up getting muddled and derivative by the ending.

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A fabulous Brookmyer ride weaving the two main characters together with a not too surprising main twist. Beautifully crafted, great narration and a satisfying end. You can't go wrong with this author.

Maverick PI meets Miss Marple

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what an absolute belter, narration was perfect and the story keeps you gripped from begining to end, loved it!

Chris Brookmyre strikes again

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I really enjoyed The Cracked Mirror - it was such an absorbing plot and the two main characters were well written. Demands concentration but well worth the investment. A big shout out to the two narrators who did a brilliant job.

Engrossing

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