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The Deadwood Encore

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The Deadwood Encore

By: Kathleen Murray
Narrated by: Naoise Dunbar, Enda Oates
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About this listen

 A brilliantly inventive and witty novel about legacy and birthright from Kathleen Murray, Ireland’s brightest new literary voice.

Frank Whelan is the seventh son of a seventh son, so by now should have inherited his father’s legendary healing power, but still hasn’t managed to graduate beyond small-time skin afflictions.

He already feels adrift when his twin, Bernie, reveals a life-changing decision that calls into question everything Frank thought he knew about his place in the family. And then he discovers his father had been keeping secrets of his own.

And so Frank turns to an unlikely source for guidance and finds himself on a quest for answers… from this world, and the next.

A boundlessly inventive novel about the past’s hold over the present, set in an Irish community alive with old magic and extraordinary possibility, The Deadwood Encore is an electrifying debut from one of Ireland’s most acclaimed short-fiction authors.

©2022 Kathleen Murray, HarperCollins Publishers (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Scary

Critic reviews

"A flat-out page-turner. There's so much here to delight in—fizzing dialogue, offbeat characters, flights of fancy and mad escapades.... Kathleen has the guts to take on what's miraculous and eerie, and spins Frank's story shrewdly, irreverently and fondly." (Lisa McInerney)

"So much to admire in The Deadwood Encore: a free-wheeling, demotic freshness of manner, a sustained emotional intensity—and a small Irish town brought to life with vividness and bone-dry wit. What a remarkable debut from Kathleen Murray." (Neil Hegarty)
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Rambling slightly whimsical tale that doesn't go far. The narrator for the main character, mumbles a lot, which adds to the feeling of slowness. The voice of the father is much clearer. but they're burdened with the final chapter, which is a long and tedious stream of consciousness ramble. not a strong finish, which leaves a rather dull taste in the mouth for the whole book.

Rambling story - pleasant enough

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This was a really enjoyable audible listen, an original story that was exceptionally narrated. Set in Cavan, Ireland in the present day the plot revolves around Frank Whelan - the 7th son of a 7th son. There's a bit of mystery and magic (in an "is it, isn't it" sort of way) but really it's a coming of age story.

I think the author has a fantastic grasp of dialogue, the banter was easy and familiar and the characterisation was strong. Really interesting exploration of familial relationship and friendship and growing up. I did think the plot lost its way about 2/3 of the way in, hence the 3 stars.

Excellent Narration, Plot loses it's way

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