The Stranger Times Audiobook By C. K. McDonnell cover art

The Stranger Times

The Stranger Times, Book 1

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The Stranger Times

By: C. K. McDonnell
Narrated by: Brendan McDonald
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

STOP PRESS! The Stranger Times wins the 2023 British Fantasy Award for Best Audio Work!

There are dark forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular), so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them . . .

A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but mostly the weird), it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable.

At least that's their pitch. The reality is rather less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered and foul-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little of the publication he edits. His staff are a ragtag group of misfits. And as for the assistant editor . . . well, that job is a revolving door - and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who's got problems of her own.

When tragedy strikes in her first week on the job The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious investigating. What they discover leads to a shocking realisation: some of the stories they'd previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker forces than they could ever have imagined.

The Stranger Times is the first novel from C.K. McDonnell, the pen name of Caimh McDonnell. It combines his distinctive dark wit with his love of the weird and wonderful to deliver a joyous celebration of how truth really can be stranger than fiction.

©2020 C.K. McDonnell (P)2020 Penguin Audio
Contemporary Crime Thrillers Fantasy Fiction Humorous Paranormal & Urban Supernatural Thriller Thriller & Suspense Urban Paranormal Comedy Witty Crime Mind-Bending Feel-Good

Critic reviews

A filmic romp with great characters, a jet-propelled plot, and a winning premise. (Eric Brown)

I tore through The Stranger Times. Like an entertaining collision between the worlds of Mick Herron and Charlie Stross, it's a novel that proves ancient eldritch horror is no match for old-school journalism. (CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE, bestselling author of Fallen Angel)
There are weird happenings in Manchester; good job the drunk and dysfunctional journalists of The Stranger Times, a newspaper dedicated to paranormal and the unexplained, are on hand . . . terrific, easygoing fun. (Robert Millen)
Humorous Storyline • Quirky Characters • Imaginative Premise • Witty Writing • Skilled Accent Portrayal
Highly rated for:
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One of the funniest books I’ve listen to in a long time. Made me laugh out loud! The narrator, the wonderful Brandon McDonald, does an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life. I have read this charming Man also and found even funnier to the point where my husband wanted to know what in God’s name I was laughing at ha ha. Sure hope Brandon narrates the third one. Thank you, C.K.for this wonderful series

Absolutely hilarious!

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I love this book, story, cast of characters and narrator. if you want mystery and, laughter this is the book for you. Love Love it!!

Absolutely my favorite

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A very entertaining, fast moving story made even better by a great narrator. There are many characters in the story which could be confusing, but narrator crafts each character so as to make it easy to follow. I hope the author makes this a series with all these wacky characters and witty writing.

Quirky, Entertaining story - Great narration

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Also a really excellent narrator, with a fantastic grasp of accents, both male and female. Look forward to the next in the series.

Great fun

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An amazingly funny, engrossing romp through a magical Manchester England. The wit and humor left me laughing out loud which gets you looks in the grocery store. Bugger off, I am enjoying my “Stranger Times”!

“Rivers of London” Look Out!

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Everything about this book was enjoyable. The start was a little bumpy because the entire office cast was introduced warts and all. The story leveled out with the introduction of the villain and a murder mystery. Looking forward to more of this series.

Enjoyable Cast of Characters

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I found this book because I was looking for similar vibes after I finished Thursday Murder Club. Bought it on a whim praying it would be a good book. Definitely worth it. So much more fun than I expected and I fell in love with all the characters. Get this book!

So. Much. Fun.

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An imaginative, original premise, endearing characters, humor, heartbreaking moments, well-paced writing and engaging storytelling. This little gem has everything. This was my introduction to Mr. McDonnell’s writing, and he is now among my very favorites. I recommend this one highly!

Wow! Just wow!

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I am a huge fan of the Dublin trilogy but did not think I would like this book. I was wrong! I love the book. Excellent audio listen and will need hard copy too.♥️ this author!

💞

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What a fun romp! I had finished Red Side Story and needed new to me FUNNY.
A paranormal conundrum that introduces us to an amazing cast of characters.
Wonderful and well paced narration.
Book 2 was an instant must listen

For the lovers of humor and convoluted mystery

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