Touched by the Dead [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Robert Barnard (Author), Peter Barker (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

The latest subtle and absorbing mystery from Robert Barnard, a leading British crime writer who 'has the habit of delighting his readers' -- Donna Leon, Sunday Times Those two days in May seem to be a highpoint in Colin Pinnock's life: a stunning election victory, a new govenment, and junior office for himself. But among the many congratulations he receives is one hostile message, a grubby card asking 'Who do you think you are?' Is this merely someone putting him back in his place, or do the words have a more profound meaning? Who, indeed, is he? And who were his real parents? As Colin investigates these questions he is led back in time to an old political scandal: a murder case which led to a politician's downfall and disappearance. Events in the present, however, start tangling with those of the past, and he finds himself the object of a series of incidents that at first seem designed to bring down his career with ridicule, but later actually threaten his life. A beautifully written, intriguing mystery in which past crimes come back to haunt today's innocents.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Barnard's graceful prose and keen wit add greatly to the joy to be had from the book, and, as always, he manages to pull off at least one shocker' Sunday Times (of The Corpse at the Haworth Tandoori) 'Robert Barnard is always original, never repeats himself and has a delectable wit' Jessica Mann, Daily Telegraph 'He plots a mystery as well as any writer alive' Time Magazine 'Barnard never disappoints. The psychological suspense is chilling' The Times --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Robert Barnard was born and brought up in Essex. After leaving Oxford he worked as a university lecturer in New South Wales, and then taught in Norwegian universities for seventeen years, returning to England in 1983 to write full time. He and his wife now live in Leeds. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette: 282 pages
• Publisher: Soundings Ltd; Unabridged edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 186042712X
• ISBN-13: 978-1860427121
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,893,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Kept Me Entertained, August 26, 2007

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Touched by the Dead (Hardcover)

Robert Barnard, currently lives with his wife in Yorkshire. He was born in Essex on 23 November, 1936. Educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College, Oxford, taking his Ph.D. from the University of Bergen, Norway, in 1972, he spent many years as a distinguished academic while establishing himself as one of today's most distinguished crime writers. His fascination with the pure detective story is evident in his many novels.

It is May, spring is in the air and everything in the garden is rosy for Colin Pinnock, at least that is how it seems to him. A stunning election victory followed by a new government and a junior office for himself. Bit amid all the congratulations that he receives there is one hostile message, asking: "Who do you think you are?"

Is this merely a jealous rival or even somebody trying to make sure his feet stay on the ground. Or does the statement have a more sinister meaning? Indeed' who is he, really? and who were his biological parents? As Colin begins to investigate these question he is led back to an old political scandal. Events from the past begin to intertwine with the present and Colin finds himself the object of a series of incidents that at first threaten to affect his career, but later actual threaten his very being . . .