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Gentlemen & Players
- Author
- Joanne Harris
- Narrator
- Steven Pacey
- Publisher
- Random House
- Publish Date
- 23 December 2010
- Run Time
- 13 hours 28 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Rating
- 5.0 (1 review)
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What to expect
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Susan Hill, Nicci French and Val McDermid, this is an astute and intelligent psychological thriller centring around obsession and rage from international multi-million copy seller Joanne Harris. Fast paced with unexpected twists and turns, it will get right under the skin...
'[A] gripping psychological thriller... Harris is one of our most accomplished novelists and Gentlemen & Players, with its pace, wit and acute observation, shows her at the top of her form' -- DAILY EXPRESS
'[A] delicious black comedy ... the plot is so cleverly constructed, the tension so unflagging, you'd think she'd been writing thrillers all her life' -- DAILY MAIL
'It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was thinking about it long after I turned the last page' -- ***** Reader review
'An intricate, engrossing novel' -- ***** Reader review
'Wonderfully, horribly plausible' -- ***** Reader review
'I read it in three days which is as close as I get to "couldn't put it down"' -- ***** Reader review
'Well written and enthralling' -- ***** Reader review
'A must read....' -- ***** Reader review
'Absolutely loved this book!' -- ***** Reader review
*******************************************************************************************
At St Oswald's, a long-established boys' grammar school in the north of England, a new year has just begun. For the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world; and Roy Straitley, the eccentric veteran Latin master, is finally - reluctantly - contemplating retirement.
But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs.
And a bitter grudge, hidden and carefully nurtured for thirteen years, is about to erupt.
The trilogy continues with blueeyedboy and Different Class.
Critics Review
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[A] gripping psychological thriller... Harris is one of our most accomplished novelists and Gentlemen & Players, with its pace, wit and acute observation, shows her at the top of her form
DAILY EXPRESS
-
[A] delicious black comedy ... the plot is so cleverly constructed, the tension so unflagging, you'd think she'd been writing thrillers all her life
DAILY MAIL
-
With a lightness of touch, Harris illuminates just how resentment of privilege and exclusion can lead to violent resolutions... Marvellously mischievous
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
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[A] clever story of obsession and revenge... Ms Harris has scored another success
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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A classic whodunnit with the characters carefully crafted and the tension at a knife edge
SUNDAY EXPRESS (TOP TEN FICTION 2005)
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A terrific and absorbing suspense novel, with a cast of characters you come to really care about and enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes
PETER ROBINSON
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Book groups of the world, watch out
GUARDIAN
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A wonderfully clever book, rich in atmosphere, crawling with fascinating characters, and packing a terrific surprise as well
Elizabeth George
-
[A] literary gobstopper with an aniseed heart ... wildly entertaining
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
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A diverting and absorbing story which will delight her legions of fans
THE SCOTSMAN
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
A very clever mystery which completely immerses the listener in the closed world of a traditional boys' grammar school. The story is told through two people - the villain (who gives a personal history as well as an account of current plans and actions) and a classics schoolmaster close to retirement. We surmise that the villain must be someone else working at the school but can only gather clues as to their identity through the perceptions of the old classics master - an ingenious plot device! I found it rather slow moving at first but it gathers pace in the second half after a dramatic rooftop scene. There is a shocking revelation before a very satisfying resolution.
jackdor 2025-05-14
Details
- Author
- Joanne Harris
- Narrator
- Steven Pacey
- Duration
- 13 hours 28 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 December 2010
- ISBN
- 9781446454152
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Random House
- Genre
- Psychological thriller, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
- Rating
- 5.0(1 review)
- Narration
- 5.0(1 review)
Synopsis
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Susan Hill, Nicci French and Val McDermid, this is an astute and intelligent psychological thriller centring around obsession and rage from international multi-million copy seller Joanne Harris. Fast paced with unexpected twists and turns, it will get right under the skin...'[A] gripping psychological thriller... Harris is one of our most accomplished novelists and Gentlemen & Players, with its pace, wit and acute observation, shows her at the top of her form' -- DAILY EXPRESS'[A] delicious black comedy ... the plot is so cleverly constructed, the tension so unflagging, you'd think she'd been writing thrillers all her life' -- DAILY MAIL'It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was thinking about it long after I turned the last page' -- ***** Reader review'An intricate, engrossing novel' -- ***** Reader review'Wonderfully, horribly plausible' -- ***** Reader review'I read it in three days which is as close as I get to "couldn't put it down"' -- ***** Reader review'Well written and enthralling' -- ***** Reader review'A must read....' -- ***** Reader review'Absolutely loved this book!' -- ***** Reader review*******************************************************************************************At St Oswald's, a long-established boys' grammar school in the north of England, a new year has just begun. For the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world; and Roy Straitley, the eccentric veteran Latin master, is finally - reluctantly - contemplating retirement.But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs.And a bitter grudge, hidden and carefully nurtured for thirteen years, is about to erupt.The trilogy continues with blueeyedboy and Different Class.
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