Try free for 30 days
-
The Diggers Rest Hotel
- Charlie Berlin, Book 1
- Narrated by: Peter Byrne
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Diggers Rest Hotel
Buy Now for $24.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
In 1947, two years after witnessing the death of a young Jewish woman in Poland, Charlie Berlin has rejoined the police force a different man. Sent to investigate a spate of robberies in rural Victoria, he soon discovers that World War II has changed even the most ordinary of places and people. When Berlin travels to Albury-Wodonga to track down the gang behind the robberies, he suspects he's a problem cop being set up to fail.
Taking a room at the Diggers Rest Hotel in Wodonga, he sets about solving a case that no one else can - with the help of feisty, ambitious journalist Rebecca Green and rookie constable Rob Roberts, the only cop in town he can trust. Then the decapitated body of a young girl turns up in a back alley, and Berlin's investigations lead him ever further through layers of small-town fears, secrets and despair.The first Charlie Berlin mystery takes us into a world of secret alliances and loyalties - and a society dealing with the effects of a war that changed men forever.
Editorial reviews
After World War II, young police detective Charlie Berlin fights off post-traumatic stress disorder. While on a murder investigation, he stops at the Diggers Rest Hotel. The body of a young girl appears in the back alley, and Berlin must tear apart this small-town world to get to the bottom of this heinous crime. Australian actor Peter Byrne embodies this tough but self-doubting detective. His serious tone suits postwar Australian themes. Fans of this engaging audiobook will be glad to know that it is the first of the Charlie Berlin mysteries.
What listeners say about The Diggers Rest Hotel
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-07-2018
Very very good
Loved the story and the telling of it. Look forward to the next in series
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- sarah
- 09-09-2017
Great Australian humour
loved the narration. the story is a well paced drama and so aussie. worth a listen. some of the detective's hunches come out of left field and you're not sure how he got there but overall a great start to a series
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 31-10-2021
Insightful ... but the Snowflakes won't get it...
Having been delighted by Geoffrey McGeachin previously I looked forward to his latest yarn. This one has all the dry Aussie wit skillfully inserted into a great story. It provides a vivid picture of life in post war Wodonga and it has a cast of not so many that its difficult to follow. However this story is marinated in ex-servicemen and some of their issues, not so different today as they were over 80 years ago - if you care. It's not what I expected, but I couldn't put it down and it's poignant ending inspired thought.
The yarn contains some text that will trigger the snowflake generation bent on being offended on behalf of others despite it's historical accuracy. Maybe a dose of real life is just what the doctor ordered and they could learn something - but I doubt it. They are not equipped by modern education to think critically.
To the men and women in uniform who have served me, and my flag, I will do whatever I can, no matter how small, to repay my debt to you. To that end I say; while we equip our defense force to withstand bombs and bullets in parlous conditions, they are defenseless against bureaucracy and treacherous citizenry...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patricia Collins
- 21-07-2016
Realistic slice of Australiana
Any additional comments?
This was an exceptional book. The characters and situations were realistic and it was fascinating portrayal of post-war Australia. The reader has a good voice but at first he sounded like he was doing a voice-over for a documentary. He improved as the book went along though and I think he'll do an even better job in the future. I am looking forward to listening to the next book in the series and hope there'll be many more.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- beau
- 17-01-2015
diggers rest hotel
Very good author have enjoyed his books so far. well narrated, well delevoped plot 6
ve
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- jpatrickp
- 04-04-2015
Most enjoyable
McGeachin's stories are new to me even though he's a local Victorian author. His writing superbly captures iconic Australian characters (and rural landscapes) of the post-war WWII era. In his first novel about DC Charlie Berlin, McGeachin paints a believable portrait about a veteran battling what we know as PTSD. The character is endearing in a tragic scary way, who somehow manages to effectively solve the crimes whilst battling his 'demons', alcoholism and prejudice. He is ably assisted by a sharp young country PC and an outrageous (for the time) female reporter (Rebecca) who becomes his love interest. There's lot's of good Aussie humour and action mixed with tragedy and despair of the period.
The only disappointment with the book was that it ended too soon and we are left wondering about what happens next and in particular whether Charlie and Rebecca could make something more permanent of their relationship. I'm looking forward to the sequel, which interestingly is 10 years on in Berlin's life.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-12-2022
Dr blacke on steroids
I have binged Geoffrey s books In a week
And if you like an exquisite Australian yarn they don’t come much better
Highly recommend
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Josh Button
- 19-02-2021
A Classic Tale
Well described story of post WWII regional Australia. The lead character is an interesting fellow. Looking forward to listening to more in this series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 19-10-2020
Crime story with an authentic Australian theme
Enjoyed the tale and enjoyed the references to authentic Australian ideas and products from the late 1940s. Great story which was even better when told by this narrator. This was my second McGeachin book and I'll be looking for more. Anything by this narrator must be worth listening to. Yes, I really did enjoy this audiobook.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Garrett Gundry
- 12-06-2015
Terrible narration
I've read the book and was looking forward to listening to it, having read & listened to McGeachin's previous novels - previously all read by Peter Hosking. Sadly a change of narrator for this novel hasn't worked well, with the narration wooden and difficult to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful