Author:David Ashton,Brian Cox,Siobhan Redmond,Full Cast
Nine episodes of the popular BBC Radio 4 Victorian detective drama starring Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond – including a remake of the original pilot episode, Meet James McLevy.
Inspired by the real-life memoirs of one of Scotland’s first policemen, this gripping series sees James McLevy prowling the dark streets of 1860s Edinburgh bringing criminals to justice, with the assistance of Constable Mulholland and Lieutenant Roach.
A Price to Pay: The mild-mannered wife of a town councillor admits to murdering her husband.
The Seventh Veil: An exotic dancer arrives in town, and Jean Brash pays some old debts.
The Night Walker: A lodger dies in his room, and McLevy finds a woman unconscious in the street.
The Devil Makes a Move: McLevy protects a young woman, and Jean Brash’s life is in danger.
Meet James McLevy: How it all began – McLevy investigates when a bank manager is found dead.
A Matter of Balance: A high-wire circus artiste receives a death threat.
A Man of Honour: Mullholland is challenged to a duel, and McLevy is out of favour with Jean Brash.
He Who Waits: The grand opening of the new Leith docks attracts bigwigs – and saboteurs.
The Last Goodbye: After the opening of the docks, nothing will ever be the same again for McLevy.
Brian Cox and Siobhan Redmond star as Inspector McLevy and Jean Brash, with Michael Perceval-Maxwell as Constable Mulholland and David Ashton as Lieutenant Roach. Duration: 7 hours approx.
Precious Blood is a brilliant debut . . . an intelligent thriller that takes you down the meanest streets, peopled by complex characters, pacing that doesn't let up until you've turned the last page, and dialogue that crackles and cuts to the bone
—— Linda Fairstein author of the New York Times bestsellers Bad Blood and Death DanceTaut and chilling . . . a fast-paced thriller written by a real player in the game of forensic sleuthing.
—— Kathy ReichsPrecious Blood carves out a new, wonderfully literary space in the world of crime and thriller fiction. Jonathan Hayes has written a startling debut, demonstrating his mastery of suspense, characters, dark details and beautifully evocative language. Once you've read it you'll be pacing anxiously for the arrival of his next book
—— Glenn Cooper, author of The Library of the DeadFans of CSI and the like would definitely like this one
—— Library JournalThrilling, breathless stuff
—— ObserverThe dark, gritty underbelly of Manchester is captured with eviscerating authenticity in this debut . . . This is urban noir at its freshest and most ferocious.
—— Daily MailA noir in that great tradition of the American writers James M Cain and Dashiel Hammet . . . it reminded me a bit of Chandler’s LA, the whole city is corrupt, the authority figures are as bad as the criminals.
—— Jake Kerridge on Open Book, Radio 4Jumps straight into the top league of English noir.
—— The TimesManchester throbs with lowlife in this startling debut . . . a page-turner with a beating heart. I loved it.
—— Sarah HilaryThis is an excellent read; it feels both classic and completely new and is remarkably assured for a first outing.
—— StylistGripping, powerfully compelling debut
—— Daily ExpressWaits’ first fictional outing is a shadowy, disturbing narrative and once you start reading it’s hard to resist the call. Sirens is the best British crime debut of the last five years.
—— Crimescene MagazineA fierce, assured and utterly compelling debut . . . A Ross MacDonald for the 21st century.
—— Stav SherezGreat read. A powerful piece of Manchester noir, brutal, poignant and dark as tar.
—— Cath StaincliffeFresh and darkly stylish, Sirens is a striking debut that marks the arrival of a major new crime writing talent.
—— Chris EwanSirens immediately feels like a classic, not a debut . . . a book for every crime fan.
—— Julia Heaberlin, author of Black Eyed SusansAn amazing thriller. Sexy, stylish suspense.
—— A. A. DhandA dark, dangerous noir, Sirens will be one of 2017’s smash hit debuts.
—— Nick QuantrillA down and dirty slice of Manchester noir . . . Impressively bleak.
—— Shots MagazinePage-turner is the only word for it.
—— Press AssociationBrooding, blistering. Sirens is a remarkable literary thriller, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin and James Lee Burke
—— A.J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowIf you loved The Girl on the Train, then this debut psychological thriller is for you ... dark, thrilling and full of unexpected twists and turns
—— Take A BreakVery different from every other psychological thriller I have read ... the perfect book for a book club
—— Irena_BookDustFull of tension, questions, secrets and lies... a spectacular finish with fireworks and an unbelievable turn
—— @Agi_mybookshelfA gripping and meaty book ... a must read for anyone who loves a domestic psychological thriller.
—— @LynseyMummaDuckA terrific book - compelling and exquisitely told by an author with exceptional talent
—— Bestselling author, Susan LewisA great read with an astonishing twist
—— People's FriendGoes straight on the shelf marked 'unputdownable'... scenes of great beauty and moments of great drama ... a splendid debut.
—— Robert Miller , Redburn ReviewA great thing to read
—— Inside SoapA fast-paced mystery thriller ... Thanks to Cotterell's convincing characters, you'll find yourself questioning right and wrong, and how far a woman should go to protect her family.
—— CosmopolitanAll I can say is WOW! If you are a fan of the psychological thriller genre, then this needs to go on your 'must get' list... Excellent.
—— @bookkazThe story is clever, well-paced and well-constructed
—— Irish IndependentThe Book of Mirrorsis a very clever and well written novel
—— Reading in WelliesIt keeps you guessing right to the last page and, even afterwards, leaves you wondering how much of what we accept as reality exists only in our own minds
—— Bridport NewsI found The Book of Mirrors extremely difficult to put down
—— For Winter Nights blogAn entertaining, clever story, told in an engaging manner that fit the story. I’ll be keen to read more work by EO Chirovici in the future
—— From First Page to Last bloThis is an interesting, well-written book with plenty of layers and depth ... E.O. Chirovici writes really well, and creates a novel which you’ll want to keep reading. It’s different and deliciously deep, drawing you in as you try to unravel the details
—— Snazzy BooksSet for global success
—— Daily ExpressThis intelligent multi-layered psychological thriller examines human memory, recollection, self-delusion and how memories can be manipulated. If you want to immerse yourself in a compelling ‘whodunit’, this book will not disappoint!
—— CandisAn absorbing thriller
—— Fantastic Fiction blogI couldn't put it down
—— Brew and Books Review blogThis is cerebral crime in the manner of Umberto Echo and Paul Auster ... Readers will be spurred on to keep turning the pages by feeling that the ending will reveal not just what the truth is, but what is Truth
—— Daily TelegraphA gripping yarn
—— Sunday Times (Ireland)There’s so much to like about The Book of Mirrors. The story is clever, well-paced and well-constructed
—— Belfast TelegraphEven the twists have twists
—— i paperChirovici has written a very clever book. The plot twists and turns, backtracks and goes round in circles, so you can never be quite sure where it’s going to go next.
—— Watford ObserverThe Book of Mirrors will keep you up until you’ve finished it
—— MetroTwisty novel full of unexpected developments and untrustworthy characters
—— Sunday Times CultureChilling
—— Steph’s Book Bloga must read
—— FeminaAn intriguing whydunit underpinned by a treatise on memory, as a number of witnesses create a cat’s cradle of conflicting testimony designed to keep the reader guessing to the very end
—— Irish TimesThe Book of Mirrorsengages on a number of levels. Chirovici delights in leading the reader down various blind alleys and keeps us turning the pages
—— Times Literary Supplement