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  • Report for Murder

  • Lindsay Gordon Crime Series, Book 1
  • By: Val McDermid
  • Narrated by: Caroline Guthrie
  • Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (365 ratings)

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Report for Murder cover art

Report for Murder

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Caroline Guthrie
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Summary

The first novel in the Lindsay Gordon series.

Freelance journalist Lindsay Gordon is strapped for cash. Why else would she agree to cover a fund-raising gala at a girls' public school? But when the star attraction is found garrotted with her own cello string minutes before she is due on stage, Lindsay finds herself investigating a vicious murder.

Who would have wanted Lorna Smith Cooper dead? Who had the key to the locked room in which her body was found? And who could have slipped out of the hall at just the right time to commit this calculated and cold-blooded crime?

©1987 Val McDermid (P)2018 W.F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"The real mistress of psychological gripping thrillers; no one can plot or tell a story like she can." (Daily Express)

"The Queen of Crime reigns." (Independent)

What listeners say about Report for Murder

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not up to Val Mc Dermid’s usual standard

Love Val McDermid’s writing, her use of language, intelligently constructed plots and in-depth research. Clearly a fan. I found this book light weight and was disappointed on so many levels. More ‘chick-lit’ than gritty crime writing. Sorry Ms McD but not one of your best.

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3 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

Another great book from Val McDermid

This was a really great listen from a master of Scottish crime novels. I can never wait to find one that I haven't already listened to.

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

Very interesting plot

Plot and characters' roles were sometimes confusing due to lack of Val's usual clarity and the narrator's loss of consistency in separate characters' voices. Lindsay's and Cordelia's voices, however, were very good.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Disappointing

I love listening to Val McDermid's books but was disappointed by this one. I am not sure whether it was the setting and / or lack of action. Overall hard going!

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

Disappointing

I love Val McDermid but was disappointed with this book. It's great to have a series with an investigator who isn't a policeman. In this case Lindsey Gordon is a journalist. Unfortunately the book, with it's public school setting seems very old fashioned. It read like an adult version of Enid Blyton's Malory Towers books. Lindsey was quite an unlikeable character who came across as self opinionated and preachy. I recently listened to 1979 by the same author, which is also about a female journalist, and that book was much superior.

I will give the second book in the series a try though in the hope that Lindsey Gordon in a different setting is more likeable!

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

Least favourite so far, narration unconvincing

Who narrates an audiobook is key to the story being portrayed convincingly and can be a personal preference too for the listener. Unfortunately the voice grated on me when English accents were used. I did not find Lindsey’s partner’s character or voice had any depth whatsoever. Shame as I’ve always enjoyed Val McDermid books

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9 people found this helpful

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

a good listen

after reading all the not so complimentary reviews on this book I almost returned it unread, I am so glad I didnt. although it wasn't as gritty as some of he authors other books it was an enjoyable listen

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4 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

Excellent

Very good as always. Guessed the villain for a change! Look forward to the next one.

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

Riveting, witty and brilliant as always

McDermid is funny and entertaining as ever in this first book of the series. She has never disappointed me yet. A great listen if you like an intelligent, female detective and a Scottish accent

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • jh
  • 17-11-21

Great writer awful narrator

I loved The authors Karen Pirie series and was looking* forward to this. Unfortunately I couldn’t continue with the audio book after the first hour. The story was good but the narrator sounded like she was reading our load in a school class. It really detracted from the story for me. I have resorted to the hard copy.

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