Ragdoll

A Novel

By: Daniel Cole

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

William Fawkes, a controversial detective known as The Wolf, has just been reinstated to his post after he was suspended for assaulting a vindicated suspect. Still under psychological evaluation, Fawkes returns to the force eager for a big case. When his former partner and friend, Detective Emily Baxter, calls him to a crime scene, he’s sure this is it: the body is made of the dismembered parts of six victims, sewn together like a puppet—a corpse that becomes known as “The Ragdoll.”

Fawkes is tasked with identifying the six victims, but that gets dicey when his reporter ex-wife anonymously receives photographs from the crime scene, along with a list of six names, and the dates on which the Ragdoll Killer plans to murder them.

The final name on the list is Fawkes.

Baxter and her trainee partner, Alex Edmunds, hone in on figuring out what links the victims together before the killer strikes again. But for Fawkes, seeing his name on the list sparks a dark memory, and he fears that the catalyst for these killings has more to do with him—and his past—than anyone realizes.

With a breakneck pace, a twisty plot, and a wicked sense of humor, Ragdoll announces the arrival of the hottest new brand in crime fiction.

Excellent story and excellent narration

This is an excellently written and gripping story that blends a perfect balance of darkness and adventure... the sort of book that would make a great David Fischer film.

Alex Wyndham does a fantastic job of translating this same balance into his narration. His gruff tone to start helps to foster the image of a darker and more sinister world for the audience but it evolves as the characters (and the listener's empathy with them) arc through the story.

He also doesn't intrude on the story like so many narrators do, allowing the narrative to take center stage rather than his narration.

Some Listen! Excellent.

What made the experience of listening to Ragdoll the most enjoyable?

A combination of the sly wit and on the button social commentary of the author and the ever excellent Alex Wyndham's narration.

What does Alex Wyndham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He just has a natural grasp of how to tell a story, performing all the characters impeccably and with real heart and drawing you right in. There's no better narrator for out there for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I thought it was really intense and one I needed to pace myself with.

Any additional comments?

I think it's a cut above your average procedural, with a real eye for detail and character in it's London setting. The humour and characterization are so subtle and self-aware - rare to find in a thriller, but I guess that's why it got so much attention. Straight up one of the best audiobooks I've listened to. Gave me shivers.

Really enjoyed it.

Great book. Surprised it doesn't have more buzz. Reminded me a lot of The Fourth Monkey.

Ragdoll

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read! The book keeps you riveted from the beginning to the end.

odd narration but good book

I really enjoyed the book. It reminds me a lot of old school Law and Order.