Holding

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What to expect

Duneen is a quiet place, far enough from the big towns to have kept its own rhythms. Its residents include castdown policeman PJ who lives a lonely, uneventful life punctuated only by the next meal - until now; the beautiful and mysterious family of three spinster sisters each with their own secrets and sorrows; and of course, the town's gossip who think she knows the answers. When a grim discovery is made on a building site up by the old school, it becomes the catalyst for long buried secrets and rivalries to come to light and this silent, once innocent and repressed-seeming town is revealed to have a much darker, hungrier undertow.

Critics Review

Poised and perceptive
the Sunday Times
Deeply accomplished, with brilliantly observed, entertaining characters and an atmospheric setting
Good Housekeeping
Heartwarming and observant
Stylist
Strenuously charming...surprisingly tender
Metro
One of the more authentic debuts I've read in recent years... A fine novel.
The Irish Times
An undercurrent of black comedy accompanies the ripples that ensue - but with a pathos that makes this deftly plotted story as moving as it is compelling.
Sunday Mirror
charming...thoughtfully done...highly enjoyable.
the Guardian
Full of emotion and tense moments. You will be gripped from the first page.
Woman's Own

User Reviews

Book 4.6
Narration 5.0
5.0
5.0
Love Graham Nortons books. They are a complete delight to read. His characters with all their differing personalities are so real.
Jane B 25/09/2025
4.0
5.0
Beautifully written and read by Graham Norton. A compelling mystery set in a rural Irish village community with its dramas and scandals.
Lucie20 05/08/2025
5.0
5.0
A Captivating and Warmly Narrated Experience

Graham Norton's Holding is a beautifully written story, rich in character and atmosphere. The small Irish village setting and its well-developed characters draw you in, and Norton’s narration takes it to the next level. As someone who’s picky about narrators and voices, I was impressed by his skill—he brings each character to life with unique voices and accents without ever sounding over-the-top. His warm, engaging voice made it a perfect listen before bed, and I looked forward to it every night.

Now that it’s over, I’ll miss the comforting experience of hearing Norton’s voice. I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves immersive storytelling and a narrator who can truly elevate the listening experience.
emmay 02/08/2025
5.0
5.0
Nelly66 02/05/2022
4.0
5.0
g_pritch 27/04/2022

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