The Calling

By: Jane R Goodall

Narrated by: Nicki Paull

It is the fierce English summer of 1976 and the Punk movement is on the rise.

'Chaos' is the catch cry down in its heartland at the World's End of London, and Detective Briony Williams wryly observes that though 'they stick pins in themselves, wear leather masks and insult the Queen', most of this is not against the law. But things take a darker turn as a new group calling itself ‘Sudden Deff’ shows signs of wanting to live up to its name.

When Briony learns that she and her colleagues have appeared on 'Deff Row' in the group's fanzine, she is drawn into a fatal game with adversaries who always seem to be two moves ahead. And when Sharon, a young runaway, moves into a squat with her new punk mates, she enters a sinister world and unknowingly puts her own life in danger.

Can Briony uncover the leader Sudden Deff before anyone comes to harm? Or will she be too late to stop chaos from being unleashed?

©2007 Jane R Goodall (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'A wonderful selection of mostly British characters awaits you in this story of London in the 1970s. A punk band that attracts large crowds with its fiery displays publishes a fanzine with pictures of police officers marked for death. When her beloved commander is attacked, Inspector Briony Williams (also targeted) investigates. Nicki Paull does all the voices--the Scottish commander, band members, two female hangers-on, an American journalist--with individuality and assuredness. As Briony herself-feisty in her job but vulnerable romantically-Paull is not afraid to emote. She keeps three intertwining plots going until they culminate in a tension-filled conclusion. A stand-out Australian production.' (AudioFile Magazine)

This may be a good book

The story seemed interesting. The characters may or may not have been well defined. Both were obscured by very poor narration. Voice characterization was often inconsistent and contextually inappropriate. Listening to screeching is not pleasant. Here it might have been necessary to one or more characters/situations. However, it should be used sparingly whatever the purpose. There was far too much of it in this narration.