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Digital Audiobook
Holding by Graham Norton

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Holding

Author
Graham Norton
Narrator
Graham Norton
Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton
Publish Date
6 October 2016
Run Time
7 hours 27 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Crime and / or mystery fiction
Rating
4.6 (5 reviews)

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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

See more reviews
  • 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 2025-09-25
  • 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 2025-08-05
  • 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 2025-08-02

Details
Author
Graham Norton
Narrator
Graham Norton
Duration
7 hours 27 minutes
Release Date
6 October 2016
ISBN
9781473631557
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton
Genre
Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Crime and / or mystery fiction
Rating
4.6(5 reviews)
Narration
5.0(5 reviews)

Synopsis

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.

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