1989 cover art

1989

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1989

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Katie Leung
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About this listen

The second thrilling novel in Val McDermid's new Sunday Times best-selling series.

It's 1989, and Allie Burns is back.

Older and maybe wiser, she's running the northern news operation of the Sunday Globe, chafing at losing her role in investigative journalism and at the descent into the gutter of the UK tabloid media.

But there's plenty to keep her occupied. The year begins with the memorial service to the victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, but Allie has barely filed her copy when she stumbles over a story about HIV/AIDS that will shock her into a major change of direction.

The world of newspapers is undergoing a revolution, there's skulduggery in the medical research labs and there are seismic rumblings behind the Iron Curtain. When kidnap and murder are added to this potent mix, Allie is forced to question all her old certainties.

©2022 Val McDermid (P)2022 W F Howes
Historical Mystery Exciting Fiction Suspense

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Critic reviews

"McDermid is at her considerable best." (Guardian)

"Irresistible." (Patricia Cornwell)

"A brilliant novel by a supremo of the genre." (Peter James)

What listeners say about 1989

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Loved the characters

I favourite Val McDermid so far. Great story, and although I was I my early teens in 1989 I felt close to the descriptions of the scene and recognised the excitement of a sat night out dancing.

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Couldn't put it down!

Great narrator! Gripping story and really connected with the characters.
Really enjoyable, at times emotional, mix of fiction and fact, made the book difficult to pause. Every time I had to stop, I felt I was waiting for my next quiet moment to be able to pick it up again.

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Recommend listening

Great story. Characters are interesting and complicated. Recommend listening. I’m new to Val McDermid and enjoyed this book.

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

Not her best

I found this storyline less gripping than 1979. It might have been partly due to the narrator - very monotonous and so quiet that I had to turn the volume up full at times.
I also got the characters muddled up.
Much prefer the narrator in the Karen Pirie series.

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A Race Against Time.

After listening to 1979 and the world of Allie Burns the Journalist, I eagerly anticipated Book 2. It was packed full of action and quite a few different countries and locations were used this time, with Manchester being a focal point ,introducing Allie's new house as she moved from Glasgow. The Narrator was very good , however I didn't really like her German accents but this did not spoil my enjoyment of this audible.The transition from Journalism to Private Investigator was exciting as she tried to meet her deadlines. I loved the Epilogue where the playlist in the top 40 for 1989 was read out -memories!Looking forward to Book 3 in the series.

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Note to self

This was a very slow burn, I listened to another book in the middle because it was getting tedious. However the last maybe third seemed to pick up and engage me and I quite enjoyed it.

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gripping storyline

it was a gripping storyline with twists and turns. Even better than 1979 book1.

Cant wait

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Wow - it’s been a while since a book was this unmissable

Binge listened to this straight after same with 1979. Just Wow - gripping from first chapter til last. The only way I could have improved the experience was if I’d listened to the recommended soundtrack (last section) and had that as a play list in the background. Skilful and inspired writing, beautifully performed. Thank you both for a fantastic 2 days

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recommended

I really enjoyed it, well paced and captures the spirit of '89. narrator was good

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Fresh approach to murder story with no gory bits.

I really enjoyed this book. It totally gripped me so much so I listened to it over 2 days. I found the twists and turns refreshing.
I enjoyed the platonic relationship between the 2 main characters. I liked the way emotional responses were written.
Really good story without having to resort to describing grisly torture and the inner dialogue of psychopaths.
Well written as you expect from Val Mcdermid but the narrator drove me to despair as she droned on and on in a dull monotone but towards the end she livened up a bit and portrayed the voices well. I would have given up but got totally engrossed with the story.

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