
The Diggers Rest Hotel
Charlie Berlin, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Peter Byrne
About this listen
In 1947, two years after witnessing the death of a young Jewish woman in Poland, Charlie Berlin has rejoined the police force a different man. Sent to investigate a spate of robberies in rural Victoria, he soon discovers that World War II has changed even the most ordinary of places and people. When Berlin travels to Albury-Wodonga to track down the gang behind the robberies, he suspects he's a problem cop being set up to fail.
Taking a room at the Diggers Rest Hotel in Wodonga, he sets about solving a case that no one else can - with the help of feisty, ambitious journalist Rebecca Green and rookie constable Rob Roberts, the only cop in town he can trust. Then the decapitated body of a young girl turns up in a back alley, and Berlin's investigations lead him ever further through layers of small-town fears, secrets and despair.The first Charlie Berlin mystery takes us into a world of secret alliances and loyalties - and a society dealing with the effects of a war that changed men forever.
©2010 Geoffrey McGeachin (P)2010 Bolinda PublishingListeners also enjoyed...
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Editorial reviews
After World War II, young police detective Charlie Berlin fights off post-traumatic stress disorder. While on a murder investigation, he stops at the Diggers Rest Hotel. The body of a young girl appears in the back alley, and Berlin must tear apart this small-town world to get to the bottom of this heinous crime. Australian actor Peter Byrne embodies this tough but self-doubting detective. His serious tone suits postwar Australian themes. Fans of this engaging audiobook will be glad to know that it is the first of the Charlie Berlin mysteries.
Great story
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The narration us clear and concise and the reader does a good job with the accents and pacing - a few of the books I've listened to recently have been read with such slowness that it's been jarring to listen to them at times, which isn't the case with this book.
Exciting slice of period Australian life
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Would you listen to The Diggers Rest Hotel again? Why?
i would listen to this again, even though I already know how it ends.What did you like best about this story?
the different twists in the story line kept me guessing almost all the way to the end.What does Peter Byrne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
the different tone in his voice added to the story, I get tired of hearing myself talk. It's nice to hear someone else.If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
bandits in a small town, where will they hit next.Interesting story
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Any additional comments?
It was a good mystery, a great historical and a fine read. I felt like the author did a ton of research but didn't shovel it down our throats--only let the it shine through with the details, making the book's world vivid (and grim). I'm going to find the rest in the series. The only criticism I have is that dialogue uses names too often as in "Hello, DC Berlin" and that's not how people talk.Some pronunciations were odd, and I wonder if it's Australian vs US (and British)
best book I've heard for a while.
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes- very entertaining. Learning experience about rural North AustraliaWhat other book might you compare The Diggers Rest Hotel to and why?
The other Charlie Berlin booksHave you listened to any of Peter Byrne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
NoWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
PossibleAny additional comments?
Entertaining murder mysteryAustralia post World War 2- Murder mystery
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What made the experience of listening to The Diggers Rest Hotel the most enjoyable?
Back to the old daysNarrator does a good job with the story and it potrays life in country Victoria and the laid back Australian way
A few twists and turns along the way to the plot and the story itself makes for a great listen
Recommended
Who was your favorite character and why?
Charlie - down to earth, common sense and willing to take people as he sees themWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes - but with over 8 hours a good listen when commutingVery enjoyable
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A solid listen
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From WWII Bomber to Down Under Detective
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A good book - Australian location
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I would recommend.
Historical and interesting
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