The Infirmary (The DCI Ryan Mysteries)

by LJ Ross

[zooloo1983]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG What a bloody production!!! Before I rave about the story, I really do have to gush about the production of this audiobook. This is how every audiobook should be done, with multiple people. I mean flipping heck, I really can not tell you how epic this was! The minute details, where you have people walking in the background, answering the phone, running in the street all added to the story.


I loved Hermione Norris narrating this, as the tempo and the threat of the book increased, so did her narration just like it would if you were reading the book by yourself. The panic knowing what was happening, it was there, the fear of what might happen, it was there. My god it was just epic (I have said that already!)

But no matter the production (which was epic) if the storyline was rubbish then what is the point. But guess what….it was NOT rubbish, yup you got it, word of the post, it was EPIC!

I am new to the series and DCI Ryan and his team, but I read a review by Jen (read it here) and I knew my next credit from audible was going on this book! I am now a huge fan of DCI Ryan, and I am glad I had this book before I delved into the series. I learned of the man, some of his history and his fierce determination to get to the truth. He works so hard to solve the killings before another victim turns up, but will he be too late? Working with people lying to him, minimal clues, I came to the same discovery he did, especially when it came to the sad demise of one of the victims.

I played detective alongside Ryan, recently moving from London, in a position which a lot of people resent him for. Set in Newcastle, there is a killer on the loose, and the scenes where it is about him and his victim were chilling, more so with the distorted voice! It was shocking, it was terrifying and it was just so damn good! Listening to this was like it is on the TV but you just couldn’t see the picture. This production demands your attention, as Ross flies you through Newcastle, as Ryan and the killer play cat and mouse.

The killer is one slippery and smooth character, and Bertie Carvel perfectly voiced the internal thoughts of the killer, I love this actor anyway, but now listening to him it gave me chills. Too many!!!


I keep getting distracted by talking about the production and not the story, I can only apologise! Because to be honest they go hand in hand, the storyline was epic, the killer on the loose was scary as hell, how was he getting to the victims, and when one is way way way too close to home, well things go a bit crazy.

The story itself is addictive, and if I was reading this, I would pick this up and no way would I put it down until I finished it. Unfortunately, I could not listen to it in one sitting, but every opportunity I got I was listening. I love the writing of Ms Ross, which is why I am so excited about starting this series. I have been sucked into his world.

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?

(Sorry for the rambles, not quite sure how to make a succinct review of this without just brain dumping everything! Hope it made some sense!!)