Mystery

Holding

Holding

  • Downloads：8496
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-03-16 00:54:02
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Graham Norton
  • ISBN：1444791982
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

From Graham Norton， the BAFTA-award-winning Irish television host and author of the “sparkling and impish” （Daily Mail） memoirs The Life and Loves of a He Devil and So Me， comes a charming debut novel set in an idyllic Irish village where a bumbling investigator has to sort through decades of gossip and secrets to solve a mysterious crime。

The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama but when human remains are discovered on an old farm， suspected to be that of Tommy Burke—a former lover of two different inhabitants—the village’s dark past begins to unravel。 As the frustrated sergeant PJ Collins struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life， he unearths a community’s worth of anger and resentments， secrets and regret。

In this darkly comic， touching， and at times heartbreaking novel， perfect for fans of J。K。 Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy， Graham Norton employs his acerbic wit to breathe life into a host of loveable characters， and explore—with searing honesty—the complexities and contradictions that make us human。

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Reviews

Faith ，

I had bought this a couple of years ago and it was happily waiting in my TBR section on my Kindle。 I saw the TV show was going to be televised so wanted to read it before I saw the programme。 I wasn’t disappointed， such a great book。 PJ Collins is a lovely bloke who is the villages Police Force。 When a body is discovered he needs to up his game to prove his worth。 Definitely worth reading and I’ll be looking out for more books by Graham as he has a lovely style of writing。

Dave Appleby ，

A murder mystery set in a small village in Ireland， a place full of lonely people with unfulfilled destinies。 Whose are the bones that are discovered when a new housing estate is being built？ How do they relate to a love triangle from thirty years ago？ Is the local policeman capable of investigating？Despite the overwhelming sadness surrounding most of the characters， I felt that this was an attempt at a comedy murder mystery。 The characters were stereotypical : the fat policeman， the alcoholic h A murder mystery set in a small village in Ireland， a place full of lonely people with unfulfilled destinies。 Whose are the bones that are discovered when a new housing estate is being built？ How do they relate to a love triangle from thirty years ago？ Is the local policeman capable of investigating？Despite the overwhelming sadness surrounding most of the characters， I felt that this was an attempt at a comedy murder mystery。 The characters were stereotypical : the fat policeman， the alcoholic housewife， the cheating husband， a whole chorus-line of unfulfilled spinsters etc and although there were attempts to give them more dimensions， the fact that these too were from the stock of the genre failed to make any of them come alive for me。 The story was told in the past tense from the multiple perspective of several of the main characters。 。。。more

Sylvia Lamble ，

Great storyEnjoyed every page and character in this book。 So well told。 Keep this up。 Am sure any future books will be as well receivedv。 。

John Rossington ，

I was very pleasantly suprised how well this book was constructed with very well drawn characters。 A very satifying read。

Nic ，

Holding is Graham Norton’s fiction debut。 It is an accomplished book。 Well imagined characters， warm， funny and tackling some darker subject。 PJ is the Guarda in Dundeen， a sleepy Irish village where little happens。 When some bones are found at a local farm， decades of secrets and strife start to unravel。 And as the case goes cold， a second set of bones add to the intrigue。 I found the plot to be a bit too convoluted。 It likely would have benefited from fewer characters or side issues。 However i Holding is Graham Norton’s fiction debut。 It is an accomplished book。 Well imagined characters， warm， funny and tackling some darker subject。 PJ is the Guarda in Dundeen， a sleepy Irish village where little happens。 When some bones are found at a local farm， decades of secrets and strife start to unravel。 And as the case goes cold， a second set of bones add to the intrigue。 I found the plot to be a bit too convoluted。 It likely would have benefited from fewer characters or side issues。 However it was an enjoyable read/listen。 The audiobook is narrated by Graham Norton and is hugely entertaining。 I have read Graham’s next 3 books and they have all been brilliant。 。。。more

Emma Dargue ，

This was a really good fiction book about a sleepy Irish town that has dark secrets to uncover。 The characters were brilliant although in the middle the plot meandered which confused the hell out of me but on the whole I enjoyed this and will read more of Graham Norton s work。

Raonaid ，

4。5 stars

Tonie Hewitt ，

I’d give this 3 1/2 stars。I found， as with many mystery books， that things dragged on a little！But a good read - would recommend

Rose ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I saw this book in the library by chance and， drawn by its cover and the author’s name （“Is it *the* Graham Norton？ Huh…”）， I decided to give it a go。 Despite the novel’s slow start and thin plot， overall it was an entertaining read with surprisingly relatable flawed characters and a satisfying denouement。

Maggie ，

This novel was hard to get through。 None of the characters were relatable or even likeable。 PJ was the closest to being a character the reader cared about， but sadly most of his inner dialoge was him fat shaming himself。 And if it wasn't him it was the other character's inner dialoge fat shaming him。 Actually it felt like half the story was the mystery and the other half was residents or PJ's commentary at how overweight he was。 This was constant all through the book。Here is just one of the many This novel was hard to get through。 None of the characters were relatable or even likeable。 PJ was the closest to being a character the reader cared about， but sadly most of his inner dialoge was him fat shaming himself。 And if it wasn't him it was the other character's inner dialoge fat shaming him。 Actually it felt like half the story was the mystery and the other half was residents or PJ's commentary at how overweight he was。 This was constant all through the book。Here is just one of the many examples from the book。 "[The bed] made PJ look even more enourmous the usual。 Linus was reminded those nature documentaries where they had to transport giant mammals under sedation back to their natural habitat。"Just horrible。 If the author had spent his time developing characters this book could have been much more interesting。 If you want to read one of Graham Nortons novel's I suggest skipping this one and checking out A Keeper。 。。。more

Harriet Packer ，

I read Home Stretch last year and was surprised by how much I liked it。 I sometimes struggle with celebrities writing books as it feels like a bit of a publicity stunt。 However， I was glad to be proved wrong with Graham Norton。 I got this one out of the library because it was written by Graham Norton and I enjoyed Home Stretch and I enjoyed this one almost as much （though not quite as much）。 Norton writes very character driven fiction and I find it all the more interesting for it。 All of his cha I read Home Stretch last year and was surprised by how much I liked it。 I sometimes struggle with celebrities writing books as it feels like a bit of a publicity stunt。 However， I was glad to be proved wrong with Graham Norton。 I got this one out of the library because it was written by Graham Norton and I enjoyed Home Stretch and I enjoyed this one almost as much （though not quite as much）。 Norton writes very character driven fiction and I find it all the more interesting for it。 All of his characters are not only likeable but real and I find myself thinking of them as real people even once I’ve finished the book。 Though the primary plot surrounds a decade old mystery， it’s the characters that capture your interest and their own issues outside of the mystery。 Norton doesn’t keep you guessing all the time and it does get wrapped up in a way that is satisfying but not ultimately shocking。 That’s okay though as the book isn’t about that。 It’s about the love we have as children and young adults， how it affects our lives in later years and how each person handles such love differently。 That’s what makes it so interesting。 There’s an ITV series based on the book out this year and I will definitely be watching it。 。。。more

Ghostly_pale26 ，

CAWPILE- 6。43

Marie-Anne ，

Bit bleak， but not bad。

Elizabeth Corfield ，

I'm usually put off celebrity novels thinking would they have been published if they'd written as Jo Bloggs。 I overcame my scepticism though for Graham Norton's debut novel which I enjoyed， finding it a darkly comic murder mystery。 The take on remote village life seemed very likelike。 I read this at one sitting and considering the ending wonder if there's another novel in the pipeline with some of the same characters。 I'm usually put off celebrity novels thinking would they have been published if they'd written as Jo Bloggs。 I overcame my scepticism though for Graham Norton's debut novel which I enjoyed， finding it a darkly comic murder mystery。 The take on remote village life seemed very likelike。 I read this at one sitting and considering the ending wonder if there's another novel in the pipeline with some of the same characters。 。。。more

Teresa Gosling ，

My husband bought me this book for Christmas and I was worried it would not be as good I had enjoyed Home Stretch enormously。 However I needn't have worried as this was a warm， gentle story with rich characterisations。 It has an Irish flavour but anyone from a small town would recognize these people。 Excellent read。 My husband bought me this book for Christmas and I was worried it would not be as good I had enjoyed Home Stretch enormously。 However I needn't have worried as this was a warm， gentle story with rich characterisations。 It has an Irish flavour but anyone from a small town would recognize these people。 Excellent read。 。。。more

Katrina Peed ，

5/10 - Did y'all know Graham Norton wrote novels？ Because I didn't until I listened to his episode of Bad on Paper from the archives！ This was his first novel and well done。 I didn't LOVE it， but I am super excited for the ITV show that should come out this month starring Conleth Hill （GOT） and Siobhan McSweeney （Sister freaking Michael on Derry Girls）！I didn't love how the main character's defining characteristic and personality was being like hella fat （and don't get me started how they didn't 5/10 - Did y'all know Graham Norton wrote novels？ Because I didn't until I listened to his episode of Bad on Paper from the archives！ This was his first novel and well done。 I didn't LOVE it， but I am super excited for the ITV show that should come out this month starring Conleth Hill （GOT） and Siobhan McSweeney （Sister freaking Michael on Derry Girls）！I didn't love how the main character's defining characteristic and personality was being like hella fat （and don't get me started how they didn't at least cast a hella fat actor to play him） nor did I love the statutory rape scene， but all in all it was an easy read that will make a nice little Irish Detective program。I loved having Graham Norton in my ear the past few weeks telling me a story （he reads the audiobook）。 Has that Irish frankness we know and love。CW: depictions of sexual assault 。。。more

Kaija ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 This book is written by personality Graham Norton （The Graham Norton Show）。 It did take me a few paragraphs to not hear his voice reading me the story as I was going。This is set in Duneen， a the small Irish village。 It's so small， everyone knows everyone else and everything about everyone else。 Sergeant P。J。 Collins is the village garda， an over weight man who tries to blend into the background as he doesn't feel right with himself。 Luckily， the job is very uneventful， until， a construction crew This book is written by personality Graham Norton （The Graham Norton Show）。 It did take me a few paragraphs to not hear his voice reading me the story as I was going。This is set in Duneen， a the small Irish village。 It's so small， everyone knows everyone else and everything about everyone else。 Sergeant P。J。 Collins is the village garda， an over weight man who tries to blend into the background as he doesn't feel right with himself。 Luckily， the job is very uneventful， until， a construction crew finds bones。 Everyone in the village assumes it's little Tommy。 He "got on a bus" years ago， just before he was to be married， leaving two young women heart broken - Brid Riordan， his bride to be， and Evelyn Rosshis， a young women who cleaned for him and thought he was hers。 Linus Dunne， a Detective Superintendent from Cork is sent to investigate。 While he and Collins butt heads they do get along。Overall， it was a great story and I enjoyed the characters。 My only issue with the story was， the killer could have gotten away with it。 They just didn't need to hang on to a certain article and it would have been very difficult to prove they were even in the area of the death。 。。。more

Joanne Bootes ，

I prefer his later novels。 Will be interested to see what the ITV adaptation is like。

Leonie Sweeden ，

Was an easy read but just ok…。

Ellie ，

I loved this story， right up until the end。 Norton has a lovely style， and creates believable and likeable characters who I honestly wanted to get happy endings。 I found the pacing and information-sharing perfect for a murder mystery - I guessed some parts of the story from context and clues， but didn't work out the whole plot， which is exactly the way I like it。 Sadly， I found the ultimate conclusion unsatisfying and rushed。 That being said， I would happily read other works by the author， as I I loved this story， right up until the end。 Norton has a lovely style， and creates believable and likeable characters who I honestly wanted to get happy endings。 I found the pacing and information-sharing perfect for a murder mystery - I guessed some parts of the story from context and clues， but didn't work out the whole plot， which is exactly the way I like it。 Sadly， I found the ultimate conclusion unsatisfying and rushed。 That being said， I would happily read other works by the author， as I enjoyed everything else。 。。。more

Muddynosugar ，

I enjoyed this romp of a book， but I think I have enjoyed his later books more。

marianne chase ，

A Very Good Start Into The Mystery GenreThank you Graham Norton for writing a first rate "_British Mystery " for your fans！ I enjoyed every minute of it！！！ A Very Good Start Into The Mystery GenreThank you Graham Norton for writing a first rate "_British Mystery " for your fans！ I enjoyed every minute of it！！！ 。。。more

John ，

Graham Norton may be regarded as one of the best talk show hosts of all time， but can that Irish charm and natural wit transfer itself into the written word？ Well， yes and no。 It certainly does have charm but can't decide where it wants to be？ Is it chick-lit or a cosy detective mystery？ It falls between the two。 I'd would of preferred it to be more of the latter， as our detective double act certainly had potential for a decent， if quirky， partnership。 The plot centers on a discovery of a body t Graham Norton may be regarded as one of the best talk show hosts of all time， but can that Irish charm and natural wit transfer itself into the written word？ Well， yes and no。 It certainly does have charm but can't decide where it wants to be？ Is it chick-lit or a cosy detective mystery？ It falls between the two。 I'd would of preferred it to be more of the latter， as our detective double act certainly had potential for a decent， if quirky， partnership。 The plot centers on a discovery of a body that may， or may not， have been the body of a long lost boyfriend， the village is full of gossip about who it is and long held secrets are riding to the surface。 Its pretty standard fair。Overall， a pleasant read without taxing the brain。 。。。more

John ，

Holding by Graham Norton， 2016A bumbling heavy-set investigator is assigned to solve a crime when a body turns up at a farm in the idyllic Irish village Duneen。 Sergeant PJ Collins contends with Brid and Evelyn， former lovers of victim Tommy Burke， digging up long-buried secrets of the past。 A brisk read with a quick pace， the novel won't demand too much attention and focus and is well suited for an audiobook format。 The audiobook is narrated brilliantly by Graham Norton himself， and the darkly Holding by Graham Norton， 2016A bumbling heavy-set investigator is assigned to solve a crime when a body turns up at a farm in the idyllic Irish village Duneen。 Sergeant PJ Collins contends with Brid and Evelyn， former lovers of victim Tommy Burke， digging up long-buried secrets of the past。 A brisk read with a quick pace， the novel won't demand too much attention and focus and is well suited for an audiobook format。 The audiobook is narrated brilliantly by Graham Norton himself， and the darkly comic whit in which the book is written screams "Graham Norton" if not anything else。 Provincial but charming， Graham Norton's debut novel was fun。 。。。more

KAREN B KILLEN ，

WonderfulVery easy to pick up but very hard to put down。 A wonderful and atmospheric story touchingly told。 Looking forward to the TV adaption！

Lynn Poole ，

great readI’ve loved this book。 I’ve read all of Grahams books and they are easy reading。 Definitely recommend。 I read it in one day really enjoyed it

Derith Rolfe ，

Murder most foulLightweight and easy。 Bodies discovered in a sleepy Irish village， cause a great deal of gossip and scandal。 It sort of reveals itself， it's got it all。 Flawed individuals， guilty consciences， and of course the person who has the answers。 Enjoyable。 Murder most foulLightweight and easy。 Bodies discovered in a sleepy Irish village， cause a great deal of gossip and scandal。 It sort of reveals itself， it's got it all。 Flawed individuals， guilty consciences， and of course the person who has the answers。 Enjoyable。 。。。more

Jessica ，

4。5The only reason I decided to read something by Graham Norton is the fact I love his Eurovision comments。 I expected nothing and was surprised to see the man can write。 Holding isn't so much about the mystery as it is about the people and the village they live in。I love how he creates relatable characters and his writing might not be a Nobel prize one， but it's super cozy and he is one of the few that actually makes me imagine everything in my mind。 Highly recommend 4。5The only reason I decided to read something by Graham Norton is the fact I love his Eurovision comments。 I expected nothing and was surprised to see the man can write。 Holding isn't so much about the mystery as it is about the people and the village they live in。I love how he creates relatable characters and his writing might not be a Nobel prize one， but it's super cozy and he is one of the few that actually makes me imagine everything in my mind。 Highly recommend 。。。more

Katie ，

Endearing， comical and in equal measure heart-breaking！

Dane ，

Just okay for me。 As far as the mystery portion is concerned， not too many thrills come about and I didn't find myself racking my brain for answers。 Found most of the characters to be unlikable and bland。 I enjoy Norton， will eventually try his subsequent novels。 Just okay for me。 As far as the mystery portion is concerned， not too many thrills come about and I didn't find myself racking my brain for answers。 Found most of the characters to be unlikable and bland。 I enjoy Norton， will eventually try his subsequent novels。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Holding

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Holding&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Holding&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0