After the Storm by Isabella Muir Narrator: Charles Johnston
Series: Giuseppe Bianchi #2
Published by the author on March 4, 2021
Source: Rachel's Random Resources
Genres: Mystery
Length: 6 hrs 57 mins
Pages: 260
Format: Audiobook
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When a violent storm blasts England’s south coast, it’s up to retired Italian detective Giuseppe Bianchi to sift through the devastation and piece together the tragic events left behind in the storm’s wake.
Giuseppe Bianchi’s brief visit to Bexhill-on-Sea has become an extended stay. He is loath to return to his home in Rome because of the haunting images that made him leave in the first place.
During his morning walks along the seafront with Beagle, Max, he meets Edward Swain, who becomes Giuseppe's walking companion. They form a friendship of sorts and find they have a similar outlook on life.
But the devastating events of a single night lead Giuseppe to question the truth about Edward Swain. Teaming up with young journalist Christina Rossi - his cousin's daughter - Giuseppe learns about the brutal reality lurking behind the day-to-day life of families in the local community. And as the story unravels Giuseppe is reminded how anger and revenge can lead to the most dreadful of crimes.
After the Storm is the second novel in the Giuseppe Bianchi mystery series - the much-awaited sequel to Crossing the Line.
After the Storm is the second mystery starring Giuseppe Bianchi and his niece, Christina Rossi. Giuseppe has been in England visiting his cousin for several months now. He has been in England for several months, when a new friend, Edward Swain, dies during a storm. Edward owned a large rambling house. He lived in part and rented parts to two young adults. The lodging house is in poor condition, and the storm strikes down a tree that lands on and destroys a summer house in the back yard that lands on his Edward, killing him. Locals believe the death to be the result of a tragic accident, but Giuseppe thinks his friend was lured to the summer house, leading to his death.
Giuseppe and Christina, a reporter, talk to Edward’s tenants and look into their backgrounds. look into the backgrounds of Edward’s house guests. The mystery itself was fine, but the characters carried the book.
We also get a peek into the time period. The story is set in 1964, and we see the clashes between “rockers” and “mods.” Many of the issues touched on are still relevant today: storm damage, inadequate housing, domestic abuse, propaganda for a general election, distrust of politicians, media looking for stories, economic deprivation. The story doesn’t dwell on them, but it doesn’t ignore them either.
About Isabella Muir
Isabella is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of the 1960s. Researching all aspects of family life back then formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. Isabella rediscovered her love of writing fiction during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing and since then has gone to publish six novels, two novellas and a short story collection.
This sounds really good. I’ve been looking for audio books. I’ll have to check this one out.
I do think the narrator takes a little bit of getting used to. I can’t put my finger on why though.
I seem to remember my sister in law listening to the first book in the series, I wonder if she is aware of this, the second book.
Not a book that particularly appeals to me … I think its the 1964 setting that puts me off.
I don’t actually read many books set in that era.