Luther

The Calling

By: Neil Cross

Narrated by: David Bauckham

A brilliant stand-alone crime novel and prequel to the acclaimed BBC series by the show's creator and sole writer....

Meet Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. He's a murder detective with an extraordinary case clearance rate. He's obsessive, instinctive, and intense. Nobody who ever stood at his side has a bad word to say about him. And yet there are rumors that Luther is bad - not corrupt, not on the take, but tormented. He seethes with a hidden fury that at times he can barely control. Sometimes it sends him to the brink of madness, making him do things he shouldn't - things well beyond the limits of the law.

Edgar Award-winning writer Neil Cross has created one of the most compelling characters in modern crime fiction - a man who may be a force for good or hell-bent on self-destruction. For fans of the award-winning series starring Emmy-nominee Idris Elba, and for all lovers of crime fiction, Luther is hailed by The Guardian as "Britain's own Stephen King."

©2011 Neil Cross (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Luther is to crime fiction what his historical counterpart was to religion.... Gripping, taut fiction by a new master in the genre” (Guillermo del Toro)

Amazingly dark and rich

What did you love best about Luther?

I am a fan of the show and it provided even more insight into the main character

What did you like best about this story?

The details. It describes each of the crimes and victims vividly.

Fabulously entertaining

I've just begun to explore audio books. This book was entertaining and addictive. Great story and well read. Luther has been a favorite of mine for a long while; wish there was more!

So dark -

So dark - so engaging - so British - so supetbly performed. It is absolutely unforgettable!

Dark and disturbing

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

I loved the authors attention to detail without getting too verbose! One example that stuck in my mind was " the smell of old dust on a warm lightbulb" .

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Very graphic and dark story, but I like those kind! Very fast paced with lots of action. He does a great job of portraying a very sick and twisted mind.

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

I loved all the subtle differences in the British dialects.

Any additional comments?

I loved the tv series, which did a very good job of bringing Luther to life, but the detail in the book is wonderful. Great author. Can't wait for the next one!

Great listen

Where does Luther rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a great listen. Possibly only average but then I listen to many many audios. It was well worth the credit I used to obtain it.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Certainly not in the middle of the seat.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Luther came across his suspect face to face

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His female partner made a big impact on the story line.

Any additional comments?

I would suggest this audio to others. It is worth the listen. Entertaining and keeps you guessing where Luther might end up

Weak

I bought this book based upon the strong reviews, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The character development of the villain was very weak. First, the author wants us to believe he is this methodical, careful, experienced killer, then we see the guy wailing on people out on the sidewalk. What? Really?

The plot wasn't all that strong, either. I came very close to shutting it down with about 2 hours left, but somehow managed to stick it out.

There are better murder mysteries out there.

Luther's Beginnings

Any additional comments?

I'm guessing that the majority of people who get this audio book are fans for the BBC mini series "Luther" like I am. If so then this book is really for you. This is the story of Luther that's alluded to in the very first series. That series begins with Luther hanging on to a serial killer up in a warehous and the either losing his grip or letting him go. This book is the story that led up to that beginning.

This should have been the first series, but someone said this wasn't developed until later. None the less this is a great introduction to the brilliant and very troubled Luther. In the series we get the impression that some of the guilt is because of the actions in that first scene, but in this book we find his psychological break down was occuring long before that scene. That Luther was both driven and pained from all that he'd seen as a homicide detective. what we get a small bit of in the series is brought up in force in this book.....If you're a fan...You want this book...

Now That's Dark and Creepy

A very good read, and leads into the TV series quite seamlessly... This isn't a book for anyone w/ delicacy of thought or sensibility... It's quite dark and gruesome and at times uncomfortably real and deviant... WARNING!!! If you cannot handle any sort of animal abuse in your fiction run, don't walk away from this one... The descriptions of such are exceedingly discomfitting... The violence overall, while not gratuitous, certainly gives a large dose of ajita... It has excellent and at times an intense pace, great characters, and a nicely overlapping set of story arcs... The main mystery is nicely constructed and satisfactorily concluded... I thought the narration was adequate if unexceptional... Would have been a. Much better read w/ better production, but still worth it...

Great listen! it kept me quite occupied at work! I recommend to any one that loves crime novels

Incredible prequel to the television show.

A fantastic view in to the world of Luther. This book plants the seeds for almost every major conflict in the show and ends where episode one begins. Any fan of the show will surely love reading or listening to this book.