DC Smith

Book Review: But for the Grace

/ Kristi / Leave a comment

But for the Grace
DC Smith #2
by Peter Grainger
read by Gildart Jackson

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Detective procedural, mystery

When the resident of a care home dies from a heroine overdose, DC Smith sets out to figure out whether it was murder, suicide…or something in between.

I liked this story overall, with the slower pace, lack of unnecessary flash and fluff, and Smith matching wits with an adversary. Part of what has made this series intriguing to me is the hints dropped here and there that there was a major case in DC’s past that didn’t go well. The shadow hangs over him, along with the shadow of his (somewhat?) recently deceased wife, and I appreciate the little crumbs of both of these situations. Though I’m not sure I quite have a handle on DC yet, that might just be because I made assumptions about him from the beginning based on tropes, and he’s turning out to be more unique than that. I don’t know if the author, then, isn’t putting him across clearly or if it’s my own issue.

I found myself getting lost here or there, either not remembering who some characters were and wishing for a reminder or sometimes due to the Britishness of the story. But overall, this was another good read/listen, and Gildart Jackson unsurprisingly does a great job as narrator. I recommend it for fans of procedural crime dramas, especially with a seasoned detective and set in a small-town area of England.

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Book Review: An Accidental Death

/ Kristi / Leave a comment

An Accidental Death
DC Smith #1
by Peter Grainger
read by Gildart Jackson

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: Detective procedural, mystery

When DC Smith returns to work after being away following a case that went badly, he has to dodge the hints that it might be time for him to retire, because he isn’t ready to give up policework yet. He’s eased back in with busy work, which includes being asked to sign off on an accidental death report that his superior isn’t sure is quite as open and shut as it seems. So Smith begins to investigate, with the aid of a younger detective named Waters, and it turns out there is indeed more going on than meets the eye.

I came across this series when I discovered that it’s narrated by Gildart Jackson, who narrates as series called Fireside Readings that I’ve enjoyed a few of so far. I like his narration style and I like mysteries and police procedurals, so I decided to give this a try. And though I have to admit to being confused or lost here or there in the cultural differences that I didn’t understand, I enjoyed the story overall. DC Smith (DC are his initials, not his rank) is experienced and wise, and his teaming up with the young Waters provides a great dynamic. Smith has recently lost his wife, which gives the story some heart that I appreciated. Smith is a pretty rounded character and not just a procedural-detective cliche. So overall, I enjoyed the story quite a bit, and Gildart Jackson unsurprisingly does a great job as narrator. I’ll definitely be continuing this series and recommend it for fans of procedural crime dramas, especially with a seasoned detective and set in a small-town area of England.

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If you’ve read this book, or read it in the future, feel free to let me know what you think!