Nach dem Geständnis

by Michael Wood, Elisabeth Günther (Narrator), Friedrich Pflüger - Übersetzer

Wird die Wahrheit siegen oder kommt jemand ungeschoren mit Mord davon?

Als ein heftiger Sturm sich verzieht, hinterlässt er ein grausames Die Leiche eines jungen Mädchens, verletzlich und allein im Wald. Während die Ermittler unter wachsendem Druck nach Antworten suchen, verblassen die ohnehin spärlichen Spuren. Kein Stein bleibt auf dem anderen, alle Hebel werden in Bewegung gesetzt, und schließlich hat man einen einen Einzelgänger ohne Alibi. Als der Verdächtige die Tat gesteht, ist der Fall klar. Doch zwei Frauen ahnen, dass bei dem Verfahren nicht alles mit rechten Dingen zugegangen ist. Sie versuchen herauszufinden, was in dieser Nacht wirklich passiert ist, und riskieren dabei alles. Kann Gerechtigkeit für ein verlorenes junges Leben verschafft werden? Und was, wenn der wahre Mörder noch immer frei ist? Wird die Wahrheit ans Licht kommen? Zunächst gibt es wenig Hoffnung, dass sich diese Fragen jemals klären lassen. Aber das kann sich ändern – nach dem Geständnis.

Exklusiv bei Audible – ein packender Psycho-Thriller perfekt für Fans von Stuart MacBride, Mark Billingham und Val McDermid. Diese Geschichte ist zwar an einen echten Fall angelehnt, die dargestellten Akteure sind aber frei erfunden. Ähnlichkeiten mit real existierenden Personen oder Organisationen sind daher rein zufällig.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Procedural, Mystery Thriller

11 pages, Audible Audio

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow my reviews you’ll know that while I try to be optimistic about audible originals I’m usually disappointed, not this time, far from it. This was actually excellent.

A work of fiction inspired by reality. The story is solid. The characters were relatable and believable, often distressing and definitely a book that leaves you thinking.

The narration was brilliant.

Currently included with audible 🎧

[Jane Bridger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe Tomorrow begins on 10th October 1983, that night there is a ferocious storm in Whitby North Yorkshire. During the storm a vulnerable 17 year old girl is murdered. What follows is a sorrowful tale of police corruption. DI Bishop the detective in charge is under pressure to quickly solve the case and arrests a 28 year old local man with learning difficulties, but has he got the right man?
I liked the references to 1980s social history such as Marathon Bars, Little & Large Christmas TV etc, it adds to the authenticity for me. Also, if you have read Michael’s Matilda Drake series you will appreciate the ‘Starling House’ references.
Michael Wood is a great crime/police procedural writer and he has written another cracking book with his trademark twists and turns.
Annabel Scholey’s is an excellent narrator.

[Chrissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable plot, and I adore Anthony.

[Gemma Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant listen, gripping case!

[Jane Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad story. I’m sure there’s a lot of people in Anthony’s situation

[Morgan Asuman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noooo what the friggles the end was so sad!!! The fact he died after all that he’d been through:(
The fact that this was based on a true story is so upsetting, the fact that Anthony spent all those years in prison being abused pretty much daily for something he didn’t even do is crazy.
I seriously enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all my fellow book enjoyers. The fact that there was no gaps in the story in the way of I wasn’t left wondering what happened to this person was amazing! 10/10 would recommend:)

[Sónia Lemos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Anthony 🥺😭💔

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio version of this book 📕- A good storyline with a great twist at the end

[Carrie_reads_horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this audible original it kept me hooked from the start.
Set in the 80s and 90’s it felt very true of the time.
Definitely worth a listen.

[Sophie Breese · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent listen. A pretty compelling plot with interesting characterizations. I have had a tricky week and it allowed me to switch off and not think too much!

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, did I sign up to audible just to be able to listen to this, you betcha!

As like all of the authors previous works, I loved this and felt so emotional reading this, I had to keep telling myself that it was set in the 80s as I was getting so wound up of Anthony’s treatment. Luckily society as moved on (to some extent) and those like Anthony have more rights/protection.

The revelation came as a surprise, I didn’t expect it till the phone call recived. The ending IMO was perfect and I adored the best day.

Jennifer and Faith were such endearing characters, they had true grit and determination in ensuring justice was prevailed, i need to see more of these characters.

And a shout out to the blast from the past mentions, Marathons! ❤️❤️

The narrator deserves a mention, will be looking out for more audiobooks that she does.

[The Pastel Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sad story! 😢 It kept me hooked throughout and I couldn’t stop listening to it. I think I went through every possible emotion and I’m just sat here feeling so sad trying to process it all especially knowing it’s based on true events.

Superb narration, perfectly paced and I really connected with the characters.

Free on audible and I highly recommend it

[Jelena · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the message of the book was quite nobel and beautiful, the deliverance was unfortunately bad and cheap. It was basically copy of The Green Mile by much better writer, the story told many times in general. Predictable, at times cheesy, one-dimensional characters, trying too hard to convey certain emotions. I mean, it was ok to listened to once, but it just didn't sit right with me.

[Claire Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A free Audible and it doesn't disappoint. I really enjoyed this one.

[Fiona Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Really enjoyed this, it made me so mad at times, happy and also sad for so many different reasons. Worth a read

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am Beginn etwas "zäh", entwickelt sich jedoch sehr gut. Guter Spannungsbogen und: was für ein Ende!

[Fiona Kerridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book which was actually really good. It kept me intrigued and the twist at the end was not one I saw coming!

[Dawn lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was amazed to read one of Michael’s wood book and enjoyed the whole story with twists and turns .

[Elisabeth Holzleithner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it - the audiobook was fantastically read.

[Paige Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed and completely out raged at the injustice which unfortunately mimics life today when people are different to the social norms.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔

[Zoe Costley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was incredible! Michael Wood delivers a gripping story with twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The narration was fantastic—clear, engaging, and full of emotion, which made the experience even better. The pacing was perfect, and the suspense built beautifully throughout. Five stars for an audiobook that’s both thrilling and immersive—I couldn’t stop listening!

[Yiannis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm… what can I say. Overall, it was a nice book, not too complicated but relaxing, which was ideal for the moment I was listening to it and for this period of time. I liked the plot. What I would definitely change would be Anthony’s ending.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the heartbreak this book holds. You will definitely need to have time to sit and read this in one go.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Everything that Michael Wood writes is just spot on for any thriller/Psychological reader.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Maria Dunleavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pace and well narrated but there wasnt much build-up to the twist and little aftermath following it, so it sort of dropped off at the end.

[Lauren Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1980’s Whitby, as a storm batters the country Alice’s parents are worried she has not returned home. Alice is a vulnerable teenager having been born with Down’s syndrome, so her parents soon become frantic and call the police. Close by, another parent Patricia Winstanley is also worried about her child, her son Anthony as he had returned home from work late soaking wet and cold. Knowing her son, who also has learning difficulties since his difficult birth 28 years ago he has been down at the sea front watching the storm which explains his lateness and why he’s soaked through.
The following day, Alice’s body is discovered in wooodland and at first it seems she was a victim of the storm. When the post mortem reveals she was murdered, DI Brady is tasked with hunting down the killer. A man with a proven track record, he’s not about to have his streak ruined. When the finger is pointed at Anthony, his connection to Alice made through him working at the library and her a regular weekly visitor he’s coerced into a confession. But have the caught the right man?
Faith and Chris who are police officers are not convinced of his guilt, and DI Brady realises that someone may be questioning his motives so Chris is sacked from the force under duress after ‘finding drugs’ in his locker.
Jennifer is the fearless lawyer tasked with representing Anthony, she believes he is innocent but has no idea how to prove it. After Anthony is sentenced, Jennifer Chris and Faith have never forgotten about the case, and believe an innocent man is in prison.
Will they succeed in proving his innocence, and to what cost? And will the real killer be finally revealed?

This was brilliant! The storyline really hit home on the injustice people had to face during that time when learning disabilities were not fully understood or recognised. I was totally heartbroken for Anthony, and everything he went through in the time from when he was arrested. It really does hit home that in real life there were so many people’s lives ruined and the mistreatment of people was rife. I really enjoyed the story, and Annabelle I does a brilliant job with the narration. Micheal is probably my favourite author and I’m a huge fan of all his work especially the DCI Matilda Darke series! Netflix should be jumping on that and turning it in to a 10 season show, deffo made for TV!

[ReadandRated · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan of Michael Wood's Matilda Darke series I now eagerly read anything he puts out safe in the knowledge that it will be brilliant.

When he started releasing things straight to audible I reluctantly signed up so as not to miss any of his books - Chapter One by the way, is an absolute masterpiece. So as well as having enjoyed his books I now also get to thank him for introducing me to audio books as I now absolutely love this medium, particularly when I am driving.

Back to Maybe Tomorrow, so as well has having had The Littlest Hobo theme tune in my head for weeks, this is a superb story. I personally hate reviews that just regurgitate the story so I will endeavour not to do that.

With a story-line beginning back in 1984 the author perfectly captures the era and attitudes of policing at that time. I've read enough of his books now to know that there is unlikely to be a 'happy' thread but despite the corruption, unfairness and dark themes there is also love, honesty and determination which balanced the darkness.

A tight cast added to the intensity of the tale and made each and every person very well defined and the horrors of the story came to life under the beautiful and sensitive narration from Annabel Scholey. I felt every emotion from disgust, frustration, anger, love and hope within this story. The skillful capture of home life and family dysfunction makes the genre flirt between police procedural and domestic noir.

As mentioned, I typically listen to audio books when I drive and I found myself taking many a circuitous route home to extend my listening time.

Always nice to see Woody too :)

I'll die on this hill... all of Michael's books would be literal gold if they were televised, the Matilda Darke books as a series and the others as two or three parters a la Harlan Coben.

Absolutely brilliant, highly recommend.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is based on the Audible Audiobook.

This is an intriguing crime novel that is split into 3 distinct parts, there is the initial crime and heavily flawed investigation into the rape and murder of a young girl with down syndrome on the night of violent storm. The death is at first thought to be accidental as there was a fallen branch on her, so normal criminal procedures were not followed until hours later when most of the evidence had been washed away. Police focus on Anthony and with very flimsy evidence push through to a trail that finds him guilty. He is sent to prison where life is hell indeed at one point his hospitalised with a collapsed lung and loss of sight in one eye. His solicitor and a young police officer who are both convinced of his innocence continue to struggle against the system to prove him innocent. We see the development of forensic science and especially that of DNA profiling. When the crime to place in the early 1980's DNA work was in its infancy. As time progresses techniques improve and finally a semen stain on Alice's underwear is profiled but only when the culprit is caught reckless driving is a matching profile entered onto the system for a match to take place.
The book moves at a good pace and whilst out of necessity there are large jumps in time, these are clearly signposted for the reader/listener. The author does a good job of instilling empathy and sympathy with Anthony so that you feel his pain and anger and this miscarriage of justice, at the same time he has left just a nagging doubt about his innocence hanging throughout the story. The eventual unmasking of the real murderer is well done and whilst I had begun to suspect who it was the final arrest scene was so well staged I was tempted to second guess myself right up to the end.

[Just Read Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annabel Scholey narrates this book, and I think she did a great job telling the story. The book hooked me from beginning to end! The book moves at a fast pace (even when I listened at 1.7x speed), and I really enjoyed the short chapters. At times there are some significant jumps in time but I appreciate the author signposting each one so that I was able to keep up with when things were happening.

Throughout the book I was experiencing a lot of sadness and anger. The author does a great job of handling Anthony’s character whilst also instilling empathy and sympathy towards him. The book provokes a lot of thought by showing the injustice and how things should have been handled differently. I haven’t stopped talking to my fiancé’s mother about it since finishing it.

The only real let down for me was that I didn’t find the twist shocking enough. I will admit that I did not guess who it was until the very end and I like that in a mystery/thriller. However, the reasonings behind why they did it just didn’t feel right… The book ended on a very ‘meh’ note for me. The last 20ish seconds of the book though brought a tear to my eye.

If you are wanting a quick palate cleanser, enjoy crime/mystery/thriller books or something to listen to whilst doing other things then I would say to give it a go. Overall, the book made a solid first impression from a new author, but the twist and ending let me down.