Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Narrator: Simon Mattacks
Series: DI NIck Dixon #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on July 11, 2023
Genres: Mystery
Length: 3 hours, 57 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm




Rock climbing is now a blood sport.
Detective Inspector Nick Dixon's former climbing partner, Jake Fayter, is dead. Killed in a fall whilst practising a new route on High Rock, Cheddar Gorge. Convinced that Jake would not have made such a simple mistake, Nick Dixon starts digging and uncovers a web of intrigue and criminal activity that will rock the sleepy seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea to its core.
As the body count rises, Dixon is forced to break every rule in the book and put his own life on the line to bring the killer out into the open.
The DI Nick Dixon series has been out in ebook for about 10 years and now is making its way to rereleased audio versions. The books and audio are in Kindle Unlimited. I used a bit of my new style of reading and listening as it fit my activities.
As the Crow Flies is shorter, maybe two-thirds of a usual book length. I still felt it was a reasonable introduction to the world and characters, but only a start. I like the main character who is in a new position and we learn about things there as he does. He is smart, and rather skilled at his work and investigations. I look forward to getting to know him a bit better as I read more in the series.
The mystery had plenty of interesting aspects. The first death was a climber so I was drawn into that sport and terminology. He turned out to have been probably involved in some criminal activities so that was the next thing to learn. I had a niggle of who the killer might be but didn’t really figure it all out. There is such a competent, detailed flow of the investigations and Nick running the team in their roles.
I enjoyed this easy, captivating read and am already on to reading the next book, Head in the Sand.  The stories so far are not too complex or emotional but I think I am on the road to attachment to the characters. This doesn’t mean it didn’t make me feel, only that the tone was somehow very English, “stiff upper lip” but slyly witty.
Narration:
I have not previously heard this narrator. I really loved the feel of how straightforward and English it felt, while yet slipping in emotional or sarcastic bits.  I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
This sounds interesting! I like that it is a bit shorter and it is available in KU. I will have to keep it in mind.
I read the second one in ebook last night. I really like the cases and investigation and the way Dixon directs his team. The personal side is a bit weird but I can’t decide if that makes it more or less realistic. There’s a a bit of cheeky humor. I like them so far.
This sounds like something I’d enjoy. Good to know they’re KU audios!
They are short and enjoyable. The police investigation is well done, the personal life is a bit odd. But I really liked it and I have read the second one also now.
I almost gave this a shot! Wonderful review, Anne💜 I shoulda taken a chance.
It’s in KU if you get interested. These are short and good police investigations. I especially like how Dixon directs his team.
This cover reminds me of the 24 Hours movie (or whatever its called) with James Franco
I’ve read one of his later books in this series, SwanSong, and totally loved it. I need to go back and read this first one.
There’s something about these that I really like.