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  • High Force

  • The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 5
  • By: LJ Ross
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
  • Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,537 ratings)

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High Force cover art

High Force

By: LJ Ross
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Summary

Hell has unleashed a demon - and he's coming for you....

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan's worst nightmare has just become a reality. Notorious serial killer The Hacker has escaped prison and kidnapped one of his best detectives from her own home. His brutality is the stuff of legend - Ryan lost his sister and nearly his own life bringing the man to justice first time around. Can Ryan do it again to save his friend?

There's a nationwide manhunt underway but the trail has gone cold and fear spreads like a virus. Ryan and his team must find The Hacker before he takes another life - but are they too late?

The clock is ticking....

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

©2016 LJ Ross (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"A literary phenomenon." ( Evening Chronicle)

What listeners say about High Force

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrifying

I knew High Force as a child in County Durham before it was made into a sort of theme park ! The noise of the fall and the sheer scale of it made a deep impression on me !! Jonathan Keeble's narration is superb ! So many characters he portrays and I know ( in my mind's eye ) he looks just like Ryan !!!! I have become such a fan of LJ Ross only discovering the author last year !! Penelope Gill

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

Spoiled by repetition

I've enjoyed the first books in this series but this one spent too much time repeating what was already known from the previous two. I look forward to reading the next book knowing that 'the hacker' has gone and something new will be introduced.

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

Great series

Another great story by LJ Ross in the DCI Ryan series, grippingly narrated. Couldn't stop listening.

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

What an ending

This story was real end of your seat stuff. I held my breath for the last few chapters. Can't download the next installment quickly enough.

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

The storytelling is faultless

Following the escape from prison of murderer Keir Edwards, one of DCI Ryan’s best detectives is missing. Kidnapped from her own home by the notorious serial killer, Ryan knows Edwards will flaunt his new-found freedom and won’t hesitate to slice up his most recent captive. With Detective Sergeant Frank Phillips at his wits end over the disappearance of his partner, Ryan’s team struggle for answers while striving to stay on top of the investigation. Can the canny copper keep the team together in the search for the missing detective, as well as dealing with the macabre results of the killer’s desire for revenge?

This is book 5 in the DCI Ryan series, and Ms Ross notches up the action very nicely. As well the development of characters such as Lowerson, and revealing more about Ryan’s background, the plot thrums along at a speedy pace, maintaining a high sense of anticipation from start to finish. The denouement was exciting and had me chomping at the bit to find out what would become of nasty Mr Edwards.

Though Ms Ross still has a tendency to pop in the occasional clichéd phrase here and there, her storytelling is faultless and continues to engage me five books in. Which is nice.

The audio book is superbly read by Jonathan Keeble.

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

Great story with lots of drama

Great story with lots of drama and suspense. Interesting characters including an insight into the bad guys.
Occasionally the audio dipped so low I couldn't make it out , I listen in a car so lots of background noise.

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

DCI Ryan does it again

Another superb book in the series. On to the next one straight away. Always a good listen.

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

very good

What made the experience of listening to High Force the most enjoyable?

the narrator was really good and brought the book to life

Who was your favorite character and why?

Denise, strong female character

Any additional comments?

Very good indeed. I enjoyed the narration, the descriptions of the Pennines which I have never visited, the characters. Although the is the fifth in a series and the first I have read, there was enough information to not get confused. There is some drama going on as the team hunt down The Hacker who is a character from the previous books. He is real nasty person indeed. There are parts which are very emotional, the parts where the detective is kidnapped, I thought they were the most enjoyable, so that says loads about me also, I enjoy the sadistic and gruesome parts. There is plenty of drama, details and gripping

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

High Force

This is the 5th book in this series. It has been compelling reading. You really need to start at book one to get the benefit. Gripping.

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

Excellent Listen

If you could sum up High Force in three words, what would they be?

Good listen and very good narration

What other book might you compare High Force to, and why?

Cuckoo's Calling

What about Jonathan Keeble’s performance did you like?

Excellent characterisation

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Enjoyed everything

Any additional comments?

If you are thinking of listening to this author you will not be disappointed

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