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A Poison Tree: A DCI Will Blake Novel, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

J.E. Mayhew (Author), Owen Welsh (Narrator), Jon Mayhew (Publisher)
4.1 out of 5 stars 4,359 ratings

Would you forgive your child anything?

The murder of a young girl found barefoot in a country park and the re-emergence of shoes from the victims of a serial killer from over 40 years ago. A coincidence or a connection?

Will Blake is determined to find out, but as he unearths the past, questions are raised about the original investigations, and it becomes clear that The Wirral has a killer on the loose, once again.

Victor Hunt, father of Drucilla, the last victim back in the '80s, lies in a hospice, with weeks to live. The truth lies hidden in Hunt’s tangled family tree and the actions of his wayward daughter. Time is against Blake and his fractious team. If they don’t get to the root of past crimes, then innocent blood will flow again.

A Poison Tree is the first thrilling mystery in the Will Blake crime series. A great listen for fans of Luca Veste's DI Murphy and JD Kirk’s Jack Logan series.

Discover A Poison Tree and get involved in this exciting investigative series today.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 26 minutes
  2. Author
    J.E. Mayhew
  3. Narrator
    Owen Welsh
  4. Audible release date
    August 10, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Jon Mayhew
  7. ASIN
    B08FJ2TS3K
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 26 minutes
Author J.E. Mayhew
Narrator Owen Welsh
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 10, 2020
Publisher Jon Mayhew
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08FJ2TS3K
Best Sellers Rank #198,945 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#3,811 in Police Procedural Mysteries
#4,179 in Crime Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#4,889 in Police Procedurals (Books)

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4,359 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this crime mystery novel engaging with its intriguing storyline and multiple characters. The writing quality receives positive feedback for its brilliant skills, and one customer particularly appreciates the well-developed police team.

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15 customers mention "Storyline"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, describing it as a great crime fiction novel with an intriguing plot and many players.

"...A well defined plot that wasn't too intricate with characters that you could be weighed down by or just get lost in the fog of story telling...." Read more

"...Nothing overwhelming though. I recommend the book as it's a great who done it mystery. I plan on reading the next in the series...." Read more

"...The shoes figure largely in the story. This story engaged me from the beginning and held my attention to the satisfying ending...." Read more

"...It is well written, with relatable characters an a nice twisty mystery. Looking forward to another book soon." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"10 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, particularly praising Will Blake and the police team's development.

"I very much enjoyed the protagonist SCI Blake and the story was so intricately woven it just pulled me in...." Read more

"...I plan on reading the next in the series. The author does good at building up the characters, making you want to know more of their story while also..." Read more

"...believable characters, with a few plot holes that didn't detract from the tale...." Read more

"...The main character is not explained or described well enough to make the reader get a good mental picture of him; the same for the other..." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as brilliant and noting it's a quick read.

"...Brilliant writing skills. I look forward to reading more in this series. If this is genre you enjoy, then you won't be disappointed...." Read more

"Good book and quick read. A few times I felt like it drew on or was a little flat. Nothing overwhelming though...." Read more

"...It is well written, with relatable characters an a nice twisty mystery. Looking forward to another book soon." Read more

"...Thank you for well written novels and I am very grateful that you have done it without taking it into graphic dark places and explicit sex!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Interest"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with one mentioning how it kept their attention throughout.

"...protagonist SCI Blake and the story was so intricately woven it just pulled me in...." Read more

"...Each book in this series has kept my attention and kept me looking forward to the next...." Read more

"Enjoyed the personal interest, the cat being a large part, and the surprise ending (at least I was surprised)...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Margo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Written British Police Case
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I very much enjoyed the protagonist SCI Blake and the story was so intricately woven it just pulled me in. A well defined plot that wasn't too intricate with characters that you could be weighed down by or just get lost in the fog of story telling. Brilliant writing skills. I look forward to reading more in this series. If this is genre you enjoy, then you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend as an excellent book that is a great escape from the muddle of covid times.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good quick read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Good book and quick read. A few times I felt like it drew on or was a little flat. Nothing overwhelming though. I recommend the book as it's a great who done it mystery. I plan on reading the next in the series. The author does good at building up the characters, making you want to know more of their story while also focusing on the case at hand.
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  • Barry Clifton
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story ...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    ... believable characters, with a few plot holes that didn't detract from the tale.

    But I couldn't get past the appalling use of punctuation! Hopefully the writer employed a half-decent proofreader for the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • L. Mary Sigley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Merry Chase
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There isn't much "merry" in this tale of 40 years of psychosis and betrayal. But it is a chase for Will Blake and his team. And of course there's Serafina the naughty cat who makes Will's life a bit miserable but brings a new lady into his life. Then there's the various shoes with names of murder victims on them, all found at a charity shop (thrift store). The shoes figure largely in the story. This story engaged me from the beginning and held my attention to the satisfying ending. Yes, there is quite a bit of action 3/4 of the way through. And takes place in a locale I'd never heard of before, The Wirral. It's a rectangular peninsula just south of Liverpool, England, where my father was from. If you want an interesting and offbeat take this is it. Enjoy!
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  • Reston Reviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice twisty mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this first installment of the DCI Will Blake mysteries. It is well written, with relatable characters an a nice twisty mystery. Looking forward to another book soon.
    One person found this helpful
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  • october
    5.0 out of 5 stars I’m addicted!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful series for those who love British crime novels. Each book in this series has kept my attention and kept me looking forward to the next. Thank you for well written novels and I am very grateful that you have done it without taking it into graphic dark places and explicit sex! Well done!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Auntie Annie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Strong characters, intricate plot
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Probably actually a 4 1/2 stars. I liked the protagonist, and hints were given that his past is complicated. I guess more will come out in the following books. I had a bit of trouble keeping straight the relationships of one character to another -- the book spans two generatiions of several families, the earlier generation as cold case flashbacks. The characters of the other detetives on Blake's team were just beginning to develop at the end of the book. A poison tree is indeed a great title, as the family tree in question has several cold blooded murderers on it.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great mystery with lots of players
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting plot with many players, sometimes hard to keep track of all of them. Well written and good character development of the police team. Enjoyed the backdrop and history too.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Maree Croxon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tangled web
    Reviewed in Australia on October 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    So many twists and turns in this story it was hard to know who did it. History repeats its self.
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  • Ignite
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to a series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first of a series and, unusually for me, I’ve gone straight on to the second. The book begins with a collection of old shoes in a charity shop. A young girl has been murdered after buying one of the pairs. There’s obviously a connection, which becomes apparent later. There’s a big cast in here but they are easy to differentiate. Blake, the detective, finds himself with a lot on his plate – including his mother’s ferocious cat. I enjoyed the way the story panned out, with connections made, and wheels within wheels, so to speak. It’s a well thought-out story with an interesting cast of detectives. I’ve started the second and that’s going well too.
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  • S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
    Reviewed in India on January 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was one interesting story...engrossing through out.The old and new intertwined really well.I would recommend this book for those who like this genre.
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  • Mach1
    4.0 out of 5 stars A steady story!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    My first read by this author. I liked the story, on the whole. DCI Blake and team are after a murderer! The story read easily. The most fast moving part was towards the end. My only minus was there seemed to be too many characters, all intertwined which sometimes made it hard to separate. For a "first" for me, not too bad a story. I will try book 2 next!!
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  • Tiffin
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not good
    Reviewed in Australia on June 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The story started off well and seemed promising. Sadly it soon deteriorated into confused rubbish. I battled on to the end hoping that things would improve but unfortunately they didn't. This is my first read by this author and it will certainly be the last.
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