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Black Widow cover art

Black Widow

By: Chris Brookmyre
Narrated by: Angus King,Scarlett Mack
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Summary

There is no perfect marriage. There is no perfect murder.

Diana Jager's life crumbles when her details are released on the Internet as revenge for her antisexism blog. Then she meets Peter. Within six months, they are married. Within six more, Peter is dead in a road accident - a nightmare end to their fairy-tale romance.

But Peter's sister, Lucy, doesn't believe in fairy tales and tasks maverick reporter Jack Parlabane with discovering the dark truth behind the woman the media is calling 'Black Widow'.

©2016 Christopher Brookmyre (P)2016 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Tense, intense and quite, quite brilliant." (Jenny Colgan)

What listeners say about Black Widow

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Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great listen

This book captures much of what it is like to be a doctor and much of what it is like to be in an uncertain new relationship. Apart from the realities that are presented in the book there is a great plot. The actors reading the book breathe life into it. Worth a listen and as good as Brookmyre at his best.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, poor narration

This is without doubt the most disappointing Audible book I've experienced. A well-written, fast-moving and totally enthralling tale, just what you would expect from this author.
But completely let down by the audio. For me, the choice of actors was wrong, the accents embarrassing and there was a failure to maintain individual character's accent, many of which were wrongly pitched from the outset. So much of the story is set in Inverness but I've yet to hear even an approximation of a Highland accent. And so many wrong pronunciations - Formica, Royal, Monifeith, Cromarty - that I found myself on edge waiting for the next one.
If you are thinking about getting this book, and if you are a Jack Parlabane fan you should, get the paper version .

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing twists

I absolutely loved this book. Had to get used to the male narrator and the Scottish accent at first but was soon immersed and did not want it to end. Brilliant writing style, educated and smooth. Would definitely recommend and am looking forward to read more by this author.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mostly Great

I was somewhat disappointed by this book. I usually find this author wonderful from start to finish, but I found too much of this predictable. By the time we got to the 'big reveal' of the 'dramatic twist' I was actually cringing, it had been so obvious for so much of the book that I had hoped I was completely wrong.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I guessed every outcome but was always wrong!

Any additional comments?

A very complicated and detailed storyline which was well constructed. I liked the reporter who came across as a human being rather than a hack although the main characters were not likeable. Nevertheless - a very good and surprising ending.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Brookmyre

Where does Black Widow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to so many, it is difficult to say. The last half-a-dozen I've listened to have all been of excellent quality, and now includes this one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Diana Yaeger. A very difficult character to pigeon hole. Is she the victim, the perpetrator? You need to hang in there until all is revealed at the climatic conclusion.

Have you listened to any of Angus King and Scarlett Mack ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't no, but I'll keep an eye out. Quality performance from both.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, never do. Leaves you wanting for more if you break away after an hour or so.

Any additional comments?

I love Chris Brookmyre books. It is the first of his I've listened to though and I might down load another (old or new) for another dose to feed my addiction

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A delight to listen o

I've always enjoyed Christopher brookmyre's books and this was no exception. I found myself taking the long routes on walks just so I could enjoy more of the book!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Firstly it was a really well narrated book - real emotion felt and at great pace.

I have long been a Chris brookmyre fan and this is one of his best. I did not see the final twist coming and it was worth waiting for. Very cleverly constructed and I couldn't stop listening to hear what was coming next.

I loved it

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing, gripping Scottish Noir

Considering how many books the author has written, I’m surprised I haven’t read one of his novels before, but, on the strength of this one will certainly be seeking out more of Chris Brookmyer’s books. Black Widow develops into a cracking good story. From the very beginning we know that the main character, consultant surgeon Diana Jager will end up in Court on a serious charge. On route to this scenario there are many false leads and surprises.

I now know that this novel is the second in a series featuring the investigative journalist, Jack Parlabane, and, although the novel ends up as a story of detection by him, and to a lesser extent the Inverness police, other themes are explored that make the book more interesting and the characters more real. For example, the pressures on women who take up the male-dominated medical specialty of surgery; the tensions in marriages where both have careers involving long and unsocial hours; the difficulties experienced by children of successful and/or very wealthy parents; and the downside and misuse of the internet features strongly in the later parts of the story.

An outstanding example of its genre that kept me listening eager to find out what would happen next.

The two narrators brought the various characters to life.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ms
  • 22-03-16

Brilliant Gripping thriller Drama

Loved it and found it totally gripping. Tails of a little towards the end but nothing that could spoil the story in any way Excellent story. Great narration.

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9 people found this helpful