I have before that this series would make a brilliant TV show and this audio is simply the best making you feel part of the investigation. I have always said that this series would make a brilliant TV show now I think that even more. Close your eyes for a second while watching your favourite programme and just listen to the words…..This is exactly what The Infirmary is like. watching a thriller without the TV, you will know what I mean when you listen to it. To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’. A little confession is that I sometimes use Audible books to help me drift into sleep after a busy shift at the hospital. But no sleep with this one! The set up was so interesting and the characters and performances especially the Northumberland accents grabbed my attention immediately so I sacrificed my slumbers and had to listen. I was surprised by some of the description of the torture scenes but this made the excellent dramatisation by Michael Eaton remain true to the book and allowed me insight into the serial killer’s modus operandi. There is an event that happens in Ryan’s past that the author touches on in the series and this has been something I have been dying to read about. Well the author did not disappoint. My goodness what an absolute roller coaster of a read!

The Infirmary (DCI Ryan Mysteries, book 11) by LJ Ross

If, like me, you are a DCI Ryan fan then you will already know what this story is about. If you haven't yet met DCI Ryan and his crew then you are in for a treat as this starts the series off in the most chilling of ways. It was one of those books (and I have read at least a thousand in my lifetime so far (85 years and counting) that had me completely hooked. In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries. Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.This book is a prequel to all the rest, and I knew how it would end, that didn't detract from the story. For anyone new to Ryan this would be a great place to start, and the story ends where Holy Island begins - and you will fall in love with Ryan!. For anyone who has read the other DCI Ryan books this is a must-listen. The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category. This is one hell of an engaging story, once you start it you won't be able to stop it is utterly addictive. Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced crime thriller, set amidst the iconic North-Eastern landscape. ​

The Infirmary (DCI Ryan Mysteries series prequel) by L.J

Now, this really is a star studded affair. Featuring Tom Bateman as DCI Ryan and Kevin Whately as Frank Phillips, you are sure of a stunning performance. For me they both captured the characters perfectly, Whately especially making a brilliant Frank. Alun Armstrong was almost unrecognisable as Gregson but again a superb performance, and fantastic narration by Hermione Norris throughout the book, all of them keeping listeners on the hook from beginning to end. I don't think I could imagine a better cast for this to be fair and can only hope that there are more audio productions in the future to reunite (most of) them again. As I said, this is my introduction to the series, I was hooked, captivated and excited by it all. This will easily be a series I fall in love with and DCI Ryan, well is it too early to have a crush? It is so hard to review this audiobook without giving things away. With all the thrills and spills of your favourite DCI Ryan novels, brought to life by a stellar cast, this book will hook you from the action filled opening, through the story's dark and chilling heart, to its sad but inevitable conclusion.The pacing is perfect, the tension, at times, taking you to the very edge of your seat and the sense of menace ... Off the charts. I already knew how this book would end but still, the way in which the drama built up, the way I got to reconnect with characters I already loved in brand new ways, I couldn't help but wish that the ending could be different. That Frank or Ryan could make the connections just that little bit sooner, act that little bit differently. But then, if they had, the rest of the journey wouldn't be the same now would it? Brilliant story, with great characters, a superbly played evil psychopath, all put together by a great performance.Listen all you want to the Plus Catalogue of Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts, including this title

The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery (Multicast Drama): An The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery (Multicast Drama): An

In the stifling summer heat of 2014, a killer has been stalking the streets of Newcastle causing city-wide panic. When the officer in charge of the case turns up dead, it falls upon Detective Chief Inspector Ryan to take up the baton and find the person responsible. This Audible Original drama stars Tom Bateman (Murder on the Orient Express, Jekyll & Hyde, Snatched), Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster, Les Misérables), Hermione Norris (Spooks, Cold Feet) and Kevin Whately (Lewis, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet) and is a prequel to the DCI Ryan series. I can't recommend this and indeed the rest of the series enough. In fact those new to this series may benefit from listening to The Infirmary first.

I also liked seeing how Ryan’s relationship with Phillips started and I was pleased to see they’ve always got on well. In the stifling summer heat of 2014, a killer has been stalking the streets of Newcastle causing city-wide panic. When the officer in charge of the case turns up dead, it falls upon Detective Chief Inspector Ryan to take up the baton and find the person responsible.​ As everyone becomes a suspect, Ryan and his team get drawn further and further into the case, but for Ryan the nightmare gets closer to home than he could ever have imagined.

The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery (Multicast Drama) The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery (Multicast Drama)

If, like me, you are a DCI Ryan fan then you will already know what this story is about. If you haven't yet met DCI Ryan and his crew then you are in for a treat as this starts the series off in the most chilling of ways. I could feel the goose bumps rising, my skin crawling as you got that absolute detachment, especially from Bertie Carvel as he divulged the killer's thoughts to the listener. With all the thrills and spills of your favourite DCI Ryan novels, brought to life by a stellar cast, this book will hook you from the action filled opening, through the story's dark and chilling heart, to its sad but inevitable conclusion.” – Jen, Audible member LJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide. It is a quality production. Many of the cast are household names - Tom Bateman as Ross, Kevin Whately as Phillips, and Bertie Carvel was absolutely chilling when speaking the killer's inner thoughts! The dialogue felt completely natural and the story moves along at a good pace. Hermione Norris's narration was also impeccable. I could listen to her all day! In fact I did! Nothing much got done yesterday so that I could give all my attention to this! Introducing a new multicast drama by L. J. Ross, the author of the international number one best-selling series, the DCI Ryan mysteries.

Ryan and Phillips make great partners and I love the banter between both. There is something about the pair that just make them so endearing as characters. I know that probably sounds weird but it’s like Columbo or Poirot and Hastings, they have become much loved characters.