It’s rarely that I come across both in audio books; often find impressive writing and good narration, and equally often find OK writing with terrific narration.
But of late I discovered the writings of a bloke called Peter Grainger; an English writer of my favourite genre, British police detective stories. I never tire of them, for some reason .. There are already many favourites in my audiobook library from Audible: Nick Louth, Angela Marsons, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Bryndza, Dylan Young and the totally excellent Tim Sullivan – which is not to mention Richard Osman’s superb series about The Thursday Murder Club !
(I wish I could understand why I am so keen on detective stories – really good ones ! – but I’ve thought and thought about it and not come up with a reason.)
Anyway, back to Peter Grainger and his narrator, an actor with the improbable name of Gildart Jackson. There are many actors doing audiobook narrations, and they are mostly very good at it; but Jackson is much better than that – he is simply superb at taking Grainger’s words and putting into them .. well, feeling. Not corny ham-fisted ‘acting’ feeling – just the feeling that the words want to express. I am in love with his reading.
And, of course, I am also in love with Grainger’s plots, character development, series development and – EVERYTHING !
Three series, and I’m on the fourth and currently final one of the Kingslake series. Before it came the DC Smith series (it’s his name, the “DC”; so you will comprehend my partiality for him) and now there is another which I’ve bought but have yet to read (hooray !), the Willows & Lane series.
I can only hope that this writer and this narrator will continue on, hand in hand so to speak, into my future – what remains of it – as do Jodi Taylor and Zara Ramm, or JD Kirk and Angus King.
DOWNUNDER WITH BOODZ 
I must ask my crime fiction reading friends about Peter Grainger. The name rings a bed. I don’t read much crime but I occasionally buy it for people.
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He’s been at it for a while, but I’ve only just discovered him. Finding a new writer is fraught with danger (read: returns), but obviously brings joy, sometimes ! :D
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Yes, I know – but we all love finding new authors.
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Maybe you like them because they make you think … and think. Always good to keep the brain cells working.
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Goodness ! – I hadn’t thought of that, Susan ! :)
And yes, anything that interrupts the process of forgetting stuff is SEHR GUT !!
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So much thinking!
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In my case, at least, it’s to balance up the almost total lack thereof during my palmy days. [grin]
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There’s nothing better than an English whodunit when I’m knitting. A definite favorite!
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Well, m’dear, your knitting results, if aided by them, serve to point up their excellence !
Thanks a lot, Kristin ! :D
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We definitely share a love of the same genre, M-R. I love detective stories/mysteries, but do NOT know these authors. I’m taking note. We watch so many British detective series on television, many of them quite old before they’re available for streaming in the US, but we still like them. But in books I primarily have American authors, likely because I know them more popularly here. I don’t know why I love them as I do either, to be honest, but believe me, I understand your passion. Me, too! :-)
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What else would I expect from you, my lamb ? :D
We appear to be something like soulmates !!!
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