Five star thrills all the way

Would you listen to Plain Dealing again? Why?

Yes. Gripping and realistic and original. The characters are all convincing and the action is really reflective of the real world.

What other book might you compare Plain Dealing to, and why?

The Bourne Trilogy. Same action and sparse dialogue and real emotions.

Which character – as performed by Ian Patrick – was your favourite?

Mashego was great, I thought, but probably Ryder. He didn't handle the women as well.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

For sure. There are some really emotional bits. Especially in the second-last chapter. Well, in the last chapter, too.

Any additional comments?

Very nice. Will get the others in the series, I think.

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6 people found this helpful

Best of the series

Would you listen to Plain Dealing again? Why?

Very clear narration. Good speech. Good accents. Good resonant voice. Excellent studio quality.

What did you like best about this story?

There is a fantastic second-last chapter where there are car chases, shoot-outs, cliff-hanging clashes, and just when you think it's all over, with a lovely denouement, there's another up-tick of excitement in the very last chapter. Beautifully structured. Lovely characters. Great dialogue. Final lines are like music.

What about Ian Patrick’s performance did you like?

Easy, knowledgeable, laid-back and richly resonant.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The end of the second-last chapter is very moving. Well, the same goes for the chapter - I forget the number - at the end of Wednesday, where there is a really sad scene involving a woman cop.

Any additional comments?

This is really good from the very first moment right through to the closing moment.

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10 people found this helpful

Totally plausible

Where does Plain Dealing rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best

What other book might you compare Plain Dealing to, and why?

The Shield, or The Killing, or any of the Scandinavian thrillers

What about Ian Patrick’s performance did you like?

Very real and just like the characters I know from that area

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I like to hear it in big hefty pieces. So it took me three or four days. But I was gripped all the way.

Any additional comments?

Exciting and real and totally plausible. Like a documentary, really.

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4 people found this helpful

In the top caliber

What made the experience of listening to Plain Dealing the most enjoyable?

I got the audiobook some time ago but forgot to listen to it (family trauma and all that). Then I saw a review just a few days ago saying that this was in the same league as James Patterson and John Grisham, so thought it was time. I both listened and read at the same time. One night straight through. I kid you not. This was brilliant. Most definitely in the same league as Grisham (I don't know Patterson). The accents and narration were top drawer, and the structure of the plot is cliff-hangingly brilliant.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Ryder and the forensics woman Nadine, but to tell you the truth I thought Mashego was outstanding. He is a no-nonsense guy with a deep and disturbed history. He was fascinating.

What does Ian Patrick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The accents were great and the voice was rich and resonant with clear speech and lots of dramatic subtext.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. And I did!

Any additional comments?

Got to get the rest of the series now. And next time I won't wait for so long before getting down to it.

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8 people found this helpful

Outstanding

Would you consider the audio edition of Plain Dealing to be better than the print version?

Both the same, I would say. Both excellent.

What other book might you compare Plain Dealing to, and why?

The Bourne Identity. Exciting, thrilling. Lots of action. Nice characters.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The chapter on the Wednesday. Last few pages. So traumatic. So exciting. So good for action-women!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Most definitely.

Any additional comments?

I love this style of writing. Very real and very exciting. Documentary feel, really.

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6 people found this helpful

Exciting and authentic

Would you listen to Plain Dealing again? Why?

Yes. Very exciting and nice different accents

What other book might you compare Plain Dealing to, and why?

The Bourne trilogy

Which scene did you most enjoy?

So many, really. The Wednesday carnage in the bush near Virginia is great

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I like this series very much

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6 people found this helpful

Thrilling analysis of the real world of crime

Where does Plain Dealing rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quite the best so far

What other book might you compare Plain Dealing to, and why?

Anything by Lee Child or Michael Connelly, really

What about Ian Patrick’s performance did you like?

Very commanding and quiet and firm, with lovely hints of characters without trying to do the full Monty

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are two or three very sad scenes that definitely bring forth some tears. Very moving indeed.

Any additional comments?

I like the Detective Mashego guy. I think I understand him, especially given what's happening in the world of crime these days.

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5 people found this helpful

Very fast-paced and riveting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, definitely. Very fast, breathless action and quite traumatising in places.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Plain Dealing?

The shoot-out next to the airport was wonderfully exciting

Have you listened to any of Ian Patrick’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Never heard of him before this

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, although I didn't.

Any additional comments?

Very clear diction from the narrator, and nice accents.

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2 people found this helpful

A very realistic novel

I read this novel four years ago and having heard the audio version I can now repeat what I felt the first time. Goodness. This was exciting, and all about places I know so well. Very, very exciting. Lots of action and very interesting characters. What brave people they are, these policemen and women. Very nice writing and nice local slang and little phrases of vernacular. Very good.

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1 person found this helpful

Vengeance and Thrills

What made the experience of listening to Plain Dealing the most enjoyable?

This was very satisfying because the bad guys get their just deserts, but the route to that end if very rocky with lots of surprises, twists and turns and reversals. Very exciting all the way.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Plain Dealing?

The scene next to the airport was riveting beyond measure.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The very final scene of the book is a n ice one. Action there, too, but a good denouement right at the end, like a spinning top finally slowing down after a really energised spell.

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

The woman constable over the body of another co was very sad.

Any additional comments?

Looks like a very good series, this. I just got the next one.

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1 person found this helpful