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Cry Baby

By: Mark Billingham
Narrated by: Mark Billingham, Robert Glenister, David Morrissey, Full Cast
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Summary

A full-cast, unabridged production of Cry Baby, the gripping prequel to Mark Billingham's acclaimed debut, Sleepyhead. Starring David Morrissey, Robert Glenister and a full cast of actors, with the narrator played by Mark Billingham.

Cry Baby is the shocking first case for one of British crime fiction's most iconic detectives.

It's 1996. Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne is a haunted man. Haunted by the moment he ignored his instinct about a suspect, by the horrific crime that followed and by the memories that come day and night, in sunshine and shadow.

So when seven-year-old Kieron Coyne goes missing while playing in the woods with his best friend, Thorne vows he will not make the same mistake again. Cannot.

The solitary witness. The strange neighbour. The friendly teacher. All are in Thorne's sights.

This case will be the making of him...or the breaking.

Full cast list: Mark Billingham, David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Candida Gubbins, Nathalie Buscombe, Mandy Weston, Rachel Atkins, Rupert Farley, Homer Todiwala, Nigel Pilkington, David John, Will Kelly, Glen McCready, Bhavnisha Parmar, Henley Ingall, Luke Stoneham.

2021, Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, Long-listed

©2020 Mark Billingham (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK
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Critic reviews

"Cry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thorne's 20 years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is." (Val McDermid)

"Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene - making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever." (Ian Rankin)

"Billingham is always a must [listen]." (Harlan Coben)

What listeners say about Cry Baby

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

Riveting Story told Vividly

Absolutely loved the use of a variety of voices. It helped distinguish the characters and created a real vibrancy to the read and the story. I hope more books are done like this. I would have given it five stars for performance because Mark Billingham as the main narrator was assured and easy to listen to but David Morrissey was so obviously not a Londoner! Which would not matter but it is referred to on occasion. The editing was first class - did not always rush through paragraphs or chapters but at the right moments knew when to keep silent and allow us to think about what we have just heard.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Another great Thorne

Loved the story but it took some getting used to a cast performance ( I personally prefer just having the narrator ) but it helped that David Morrissey played Tom on tv. Nice to meet all the old characters in there early days, and meet his mum!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Brilliant story Brilliantly written Brilliantly read Brilliantly performed Billingham at his Brilliant best .

- A must read for crime fiction fans everywhere

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

Good story, well told but

The story is well written and performed with a few twists to avoid too much predictability.

But, for me, the overall effect was a bit depressing and jaundiced.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Flew by. Likes the quick chapters, and big cast

Really enjoyed it, short enough for a few long car journeys. I liked the references toobile phones, Saville etc and the cast were excellent.


Narrator seemed to know his stuff too.

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

Strong storyline - decent production

Hadn't appreciated it was a prequel when ordered or until last chapter - just thought I'd ordered an early title that had been converted to audio.
Never the less a good storyline in the usual Billingham genre.
The full cast production doesn't particularly add anything not detract.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story but I find full cast distracting.

It's a completely personal preference but I just can't enjoy a full cast production as much as a single narrator. Especially when I've got this far through a series, excellently narrated by the author; I found it jarring and distracting.
The story was great, and although I hadn't realised it was a prequel, I enjoyed meeting Hendricks for the first time and I can only hope, he wrote the whole book, just to throw in references to phone cards!
On to the next one, fingers crossed we're back to Mark Billingham.

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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

A wonderful listen

A wonderful storyline in the series, a prequel , brilliant characters and plot. The narration was absolutely perfect th brought the characters to life.

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3 people found this helpful

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

I enjoyed the story but not the performance. I found it difficult to hear David Morrissey, he was quiet and mumbled.

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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

Excellent

One of the best of Mark Billinghams Tom Thorne books going back to his early police career meeting Phil Hendricks. Best Audible book I have listened too. Narrated by Nark Billingham with a full cast. Really enjoyable.

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