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The final instalment of a major new nine-part conspiracy thriller, starring Romola Garai
- GenresAudiobookScience Fiction
Unknown Binding
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 5, 2016
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mxgxlThe Nervus Vagus: When Dr Helen Ash witnesses the brutal and disturbing crash of the plane that is carrying her father, the incident sets her on an investigation into a dark conspiracy. Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter something important, but his plane fell out of the sky. What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was he travelling with? And why did his plane crash?
The Broca and Wernicke Areas: Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter Helen something important, but his plane fell out of the sky. Now Helen wants to know why. In the aftermath of the crash, Helen and Freddy investigate why one of the passengers doesn't seem to have a heart. What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was in his party of five? And how is the shadowy medical corporation, Mayflower, implicated in the plane crash?
The Pineal Gland: Following a mysterious phone call, the crash of Flight 259 is declared an accident. Nothing makes sense anymore. And, as Helen continues investigating Florian's fellow passengers, she uncovers another disturbing medical mystery. Is Florian somehow to blame for everything? And will Helen be able to find her father before someone more dangerous does?
The Bridge of Varolius: Determined to discover who's responsible for the plane crash, Helen continues her search for her father. But when child services become involved, new information points Helen in the direction of the Iraq war. How is Florian connected to the little boy in the coma? And have Helen and Freddy been chasing the wrong lead?
Hippocampus: Confined to her hospital bed, Helen is desperate to continue her investigation into the plane crash and find her missing father, Florian. But with the mystery child locked in a coma upstairs in the same building, is Helen safe? Where is Florian Chauvin? What did he do to the little boy? And is Helen on the right drugs?
Nociceptors: As Helen uncovers disturbing details of a dark and illicit industry, she enters territory more vast and dangerous than she could ever have imagined. What was the medical experiment carried out on the boy in the coma? And how does it connect to the plane crash?
The Nucleus Accumbens: Helen is kidnapped by the organ traffickers she has been investigating. To make matters worse, so is her mother, Rosie. As they wait for death in a tiny room, the secrets between them begin to unravel.
What do the traffickers want with them? Will they get out alive? And why won't Rosie talk about Helen's mysterious long-lost sister Elizabeth?
Amygdala: When the mysterious child, K, wakes from his coma, Helen discovers his identity. And after she finally tracks down the pilot of the plane that crashed, the truth of what happened to flight 259 begins to emerge. Will Helen help K return to his family? And what secrets lie hidden in Florian's water-damaged notebook?
Habenula: Helen and Freddy fly to Shanghai to discover the secret of 'life without end'. But Helen fears that she'll actually find the worst thing in the world.
Who is the mysterious Doctor Fisker Lee? What procedure did he carry out on the boy from the plane crash? And what secrets lie within the vaults of his private research hospital?
Helen Romola Garai
Freddy Jonathan Forbes
Michael Alex Beckett
Louise Alexandria Riley
Deborah Suzanne Packer
The Manager Matthew Gravelle
The Receptionist Claire Cage
O'Brien Richard Mitchley
Florian Sean Baker
November 29, 2018
Not really a book at all, this audio production runs for circa 8 hours and comprises two stories. Both include a full cast and associated sound effects. The experience is like listening to a radio play; the production quality is excellent.
In story 1 (which is significantly the longest) we first meet a female doctor who is delivering a terminal diagnosis to a patient. The doctor is cold and her delivery is shockingly abrupt and unsympathetic. We will learn a lot more about this clinician as the tale plays out. She has a complicated personal life which involves a father she doesn’t know (and may or may not be dead) and a mother with whom she has a rather distant relationship. It’s fast moving piece and there are mysteries aplenty here: an aeroplane crashes mysteriously, people go missing and there’s something very strange going on in underground medical practice. In truth it’s all rather implausible but it did keep me interested enough to play it through to the end.
Story 2 is short in length and even shorter in substance. I quickly lost interest in a convoluted story involving a young boy gone missing in the Welsh mountains and a group of unlikely characters stumbling around in an attempt to find him. I gave up half way through.
Warning
I’ve listened to this type of production a few times before and it can work very well. But I’d caution audio fans to take care with this one if, like me, you’re likely to listen whilst walking your dog – a scene involving a sudden car crash is, I can assure you, not what you want to have playing in your ears as you walk along aside a busy road!
In story 1 (which is significantly the longest) we first meet a female doctor who is delivering a terminal diagnosis to a patient. The doctor is cold and her delivery is shockingly abrupt and unsympathetic. We will learn a lot more about this clinician as the tale plays out. She has a complicated personal life which involves a father she doesn’t know (and may or may not be dead) and a mother with whom she has a rather distant relationship. It’s fast moving piece and there are mysteries aplenty here: an aeroplane crashes mysteriously, people go missing and there’s something very strange going on in underground medical practice. In truth it’s all rather implausible but it did keep me interested enough to play it through to the end.
Story 2 is short in length and even shorter in substance. I quickly lost interest in a convoluted story involving a young boy gone missing in the Welsh mountains and a group of unlikely characters stumbling around in an attempt to find him. I gave up half way through.
Warning
I’ve listened to this type of production a few times before and it can work very well. But I’d caution audio fans to take care with this one if, like me, you’re likely to listen whilst walking your dog – a scene involving a sudden car crash is, I can assure you, not what you want to have playing in your ears as you walk along aside a busy road!
October 4, 2016
From BBC radio 4:
The first in a major new nine-part conspiracy thriller, starring Romola Garai. Written by Matthew Broughton.
1/9: When Dr Helen Ash witnesses the brutal and disturbing crash of the plane that is carrying her father, the incident sets her on an investigation into a dark conspiracy. Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter something important, but his plane fell out of the sky.
What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was he travelling with? And why did his plane crash?
2/9: Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter Helen something important, but his plane fell out of the sky. Now Helen wants to know why. In the aftermath of the crash, Helen and Freddy investigate why one of the passengers doesn't seem to have a heart.
What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was in his party of five? And how is the shadowy medical corporation, Mayflower, implicated in the plane crash?
3/9: Following a mysterious phone call, the crash of Flight 259 is declared an accident. Nothing makes sense anymore. And, as Helen continues investigating Florian's fellow passengers, she uncovers another disturbing medical mystery.
Is Florian somehow to blame for everything? And will Helen be able to find her father before someone more dangerous does?
4/9: Determined to discover who's responsible for the plane crash, Helen continues her search for her father. But when child services become involved, new information points Helen in the direction of the Iraq war.
How is Florian connected to the little boy in the coma? And have Helen and Freddy been chasing the wrong lead?
5/9: Confined to her hospital bed, Helen is desperate to continue her investigation into the plane crash and find her missing father, Florian. But with the mystery child locked in a coma upstairs in the same building, is Helen safe?
Where is Florian Chauvin? What did he do to the little boy? And is Helen on the right drugs?
6/9: As Helen uncovers disturbing details of a dark and illicit industry, she enters territory more vast and dangerous than she could ever have imagined.
What was the medical experiment carried out on the boy in the coma? And how does it connect to the plane crash?
7/9: Helen is kidnapped by the organ traffickers she has been investigating. To make matters worse, so is her mother, Rosie. As they wait for death in a tiny room, the secrets between them begin to unravel.
What do the traffickers want with them? Will they get out alive? And why won't Rosie talk about Helen's mysterious long-lost sister Elizabeth?
8/9: When the mysterious child, K, wakes from his coma, Helen discovers his identity. And after she finally tracks down the pilot of the plane that crashed, the truth of what happened to flight 259 begins to emerge.
Will Helen help K return to his family? And what secrets lie hidden in Florian's water-damaged notebook?
9/9: Helen and Freddy fly to Shanghai to discover the secret of 'life without end'. But Helen fears that she'll actually find the worst thing in the world.
Who is the mysterious Doctor Fisker Lee? What procedure did he carry out on the boy from the plane crash? And what secrets lie within the vaults of his private research hospital?
Tracks: A story in nine parts about life, death and the human brain.
Original music by Stu Barker
Directed in Wales by James Robinson.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mxgxl
Review of Episode One The Guardian.
TRACKS – DIRECTORS / PRODUCERS:
Episodes 1,2,5,8,9 – James Robinson @mcgrin
Episodes 3,4,6 – Helen Perry @bellaperry
Episode 7 – Abigail Le Fleming @haywarddollerton
The first in a major new nine-part conspiracy thriller, starring Romola Garai. Written by Matthew Broughton.
1/9: When Dr Helen Ash witnesses the brutal and disturbing crash of the plane that is carrying her father, the incident sets her on an investigation into a dark conspiracy. Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter something important, but his plane fell out of the sky.
What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was he travelling with? And why did his plane crash?
2/9: Florian Chauvin was flying to Wales to tell his daughter Helen something important, but his plane fell out of the sky. Now Helen wants to know why. In the aftermath of the crash, Helen and Freddy investigate why one of the passengers doesn't seem to have a heart.
What was Florian coming to tell Helen? Who was in his party of five? And how is the shadowy medical corporation, Mayflower, implicated in the plane crash?
3/9: Following a mysterious phone call, the crash of Flight 259 is declared an accident. Nothing makes sense anymore. And, as Helen continues investigating Florian's fellow passengers, she uncovers another disturbing medical mystery.
Is Florian somehow to blame for everything? And will Helen be able to find her father before someone more dangerous does?
4/9: Determined to discover who's responsible for the plane crash, Helen continues her search for her father. But when child services become involved, new information points Helen in the direction of the Iraq war.
How is Florian connected to the little boy in the coma? And have Helen and Freddy been chasing the wrong lead?
5/9: Confined to her hospital bed, Helen is desperate to continue her investigation into the plane crash and find her missing father, Florian. But with the mystery child locked in a coma upstairs in the same building, is Helen safe?
Where is Florian Chauvin? What did he do to the little boy? And is Helen on the right drugs?
6/9: As Helen uncovers disturbing details of a dark and illicit industry, she enters territory more vast and dangerous than she could ever have imagined.
What was the medical experiment carried out on the boy in the coma? And how does it connect to the plane crash?
7/9: Helen is kidnapped by the organ traffickers she has been investigating. To make matters worse, so is her mother, Rosie. As they wait for death in a tiny room, the secrets between them begin to unravel.
What do the traffickers want with them? Will they get out alive? And why won't Rosie talk about Helen's mysterious long-lost sister Elizabeth?
8/9: When the mysterious child, K, wakes from his coma, Helen discovers his identity. And after she finally tracks down the pilot of the plane that crashed, the truth of what happened to flight 259 begins to emerge.
Will Helen help K return to his family? And what secrets lie hidden in Florian's water-damaged notebook?
9/9: Helen and Freddy fly to Shanghai to discover the secret of 'life without end'. But Helen fears that she'll actually find the worst thing in the world.
Who is the mysterious Doctor Fisker Lee? What procedure did he carry out on the boy from the plane crash? And what secrets lie within the vaults of his private research hospital?
Tracks: A story in nine parts about life, death and the human brain.
Original music by Stu Barker
Directed in Wales by James Robinson.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mxgxl
Review of Episode One The Guardian.
TRACKS – DIRECTORS / PRODUCERS:
Episodes 1,2,5,8,9 – James Robinson @mcgrin
Episodes 3,4,6 – Helen Perry @bellaperry
Episode 7 – Abigail Le Fleming @haywarddollerton
June 19, 2018
I really enjoyed the first, much longer of these two stories. A little confusing in places and I seriously doubt some of the medical achievements but a good yarn none the less. The second story was just too silly for me.
December 8, 2020
Since randomly creating a membership on BBC iPlayer app on my phone a while ago (as addition to the one on the TV), I’ve started to receive emails from the BBC luring me to “audiobooks” with the image of “My Sister, The Serial Killer”, that I did not like that much when I read it, by the way.
I still have not managed to find any audiobooks on the site, but it further lured me to BBC Sounds, and there is where I found Tracks. Which is not a book at all. Not an audiobook, based on a real book, I mean. It is a BBC 4 radio original drama in 9, 45-minute episodes/chapters, and I quite enjoyed it, although, as usual now, it took me ages to finish it.
I am not within the Archers generation, and I must confess that other than briefly listening to the Spanish equivalent of John Peel in the middle of the night during my teens, I am not, and never have been, a radio person.
So I have never listened to a radio play before. I was completely bowled over by the sheer enjoyment of the sound effects and full cast of actors in this story. How come I never knew about this before? Because ....Wow! This is taking the “audiobook” experience to another level!
I recently bought Fernando Gamboa’s much lauded “Redención” on Audible in the original Spanish. It is over 23 hours and read by Aida Baida, who unfortunately read it (did not “narrate” it), with the most monotone and boring voice ever. I don’t know if the plot is as thrillingly brilliant as they say. And most likely I will never know, because the reader managed to put me off it in less than 10 minutes.
This is the key issue I’m learning to be aware of when buying Audible books, that there are three elements in this transaction: the author and his words, the conduit that the narrator is, and the ear of the recipient.
In Tracks, I’d probably give the author/plot a 3. It is a very creepy and sinister medical mystery thriller, at times even very scary, but the BBC4 radio production is quite brilliant, and well deserving of 5 stars. Romola Garay as Helen is quite marvellous, and the rest of the ensemble cast do a great job too.
On the other hand, it may be the neophyte’s enthusiasm for the novelty. It is a pity that BBC Sounds archive of plays seems to be rather small, otherwise, I might well become hooked on this, even despite the ongoing concentration problems.
And I have now managed to find all those audiobooks, some are even books I’ve been wanting to read for a while!
I still have not managed to find any audiobooks on the site, but it further lured me to BBC Sounds, and there is where I found Tracks. Which is not a book at all. Not an audiobook, based on a real book, I mean. It is a BBC 4 radio original drama in 9, 45-minute episodes/chapters, and I quite enjoyed it, although, as usual now, it took me ages to finish it.
I am not within the Archers generation, and I must confess that other than briefly listening to the Spanish equivalent of John Peel in the middle of the night during my teens, I am not, and never have been, a radio person.
So I have never listened to a radio play before. I was completely bowled over by the sheer enjoyment of the sound effects and full cast of actors in this story. How come I never knew about this before? Because ....Wow! This is taking the “audiobook” experience to another level!
I recently bought Fernando Gamboa’s much lauded “Redención” on Audible in the original Spanish. It is over 23 hours and read by Aida Baida, who unfortunately read it (did not “narrate” it), with the most monotone and boring voice ever. I don’t know if the plot is as thrillingly brilliant as they say. And most likely I will never know, because the reader managed to put me off it in less than 10 minutes.
This is the key issue I’m learning to be aware of when buying Audible books, that there are three elements in this transaction: the author and his words, the conduit that the narrator is, and the ear of the recipient.
In Tracks, I’d probably give the author/plot a 3. It is a very creepy and sinister medical mystery thriller, at times even very scary, but the BBC4 radio production is quite brilliant, and well deserving of 5 stars. Romola Garay as Helen is quite marvellous, and the rest of the ensemble cast do a great job too.
On the other hand, it may be the neophyte’s enthusiasm for the novelty. It is a pity that BBC Sounds archive of plays seems to be rather small, otherwise, I might well become hooked on this, even despite the ongoing concentration problems.
And I have now managed to find all those audiobooks, some are even books I’ve been wanting to read for a while!
December 28, 2020
Just listened to Series 1 - 5 (about 45 episodes to this) on BBC Radio. Hours spent. Wasted.
Great acting, some riveting plot lines, SO much potential...but basically feel I wasted A LOT of my life listening to this 😤 As far as I’m concerned the ending was totally unsatisfactory.
The final minutes of episode 8 of series #5 Abyss (there are 9 episodes in this final series) told me that it probably was going to be a dud ending (WHY would they go THERE for what they “needed?!” That’s all I can say without making it a spoiler) but by then I’d invested so much time, I forged on to the finale.
I’d give it 1 star because of how disappointed I feel about the implausible final episode, but I’m giving it 2 stars just because I think the writing was mostly good up to that point.
(I got my husband, who loves this genre, hooked on listening to this after I started. We listened to the last episode together, and he concurs with my review. It will probably be awhile before he trusts my recommendations again...😆 lol)
Great acting, some riveting plot lines, SO much potential...but basically feel I wasted A LOT of my life listening to this 😤 As far as I’m concerned the ending was totally unsatisfactory.
The final minutes of episode 8 of series #5 Abyss (there are 9 episodes in this final series) told me that it probably was going to be a dud ending (WHY would they go THERE for what they “needed?!” That’s all I can say without making it a spoiler) but by then I’d invested so much time, I forged on to the finale.
I’d give it 1 star because of how disappointed I feel about the implausible final episode, but I’m giving it 2 stars just because I think the writing was mostly good up to that point.
(I got my husband, who loves this genre, hooked on listening to this after I started. We listened to the last episode together, and he concurs with my review. It will probably be awhile before he trusts my recommendations again...😆 lol)
February 14, 2019
I really enjoyed the first part of this series, thought the idea was interesting and quite well executed. There's a fair bit if gruesome detail in this book so just be aware.
I thought the second book was really weird and didn't really have any final explanation or connection to the first apart from an answer machine message.
I'll definitely listen to the first one again, but won't bother with the second.
I thought the second book was really weird and didn't really have any final explanation or connection to the first apart from an answer machine message.
I'll definitely listen to the first one again, but won't bother with the second.
December 10, 2018
This is a very pacy thriller which keeps you guessing for a long time. As an audio production some of the chapters, particularly the kidnapping, are hard to listen to as the individuals distress is palpable. It did become a bit far fetched towards the end and the protagonist was not very likeable, however some of the medical and scientific information was interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
Loved the first series but the majority of series 2 was missing from my Audible download. I've reported it to them so hopefully this will be rectified, meanwhile take this as a warning of missing content.
November 14, 2017
Interesting concept, based on areas of the brain and how they impact human behaviour and then using this as a driver to the story line. A conclusion that was satisfactory, if not stunning.
December 29, 2017
Quite fun and addictive. Plot gets a little underwhelming later
October 16, 2018
Bbc radio 4 full cast thriller
2 different stories the. First and longest was much better than the second part
2 different stories the. First and longest was much better than the second part
July 18, 2024
Super interesting book with an unexpected twist that came out of left field. Funny how past science fiction ideas now plays as current day reality. Great imagination! Loved this!
October 9, 2016
I didn't think Helen was a particularly likeable character and couldn't see why Michael and Freddie continued to love her given the way she treated them. Also, l don't think I really understand the ending.
October 19, 2018
The beginning is promising, but it slowly becomes more and more implausible to the point of total disbelief. The actors are very good, but there's a clear gender bias: the female characters are on a constant state of panic while the male characters cope better with everything.
February 27, 2017
Excellent psychological/medical thriller with interesting characters. The story moves at a reasonable pace episode-to-episode. The resolution of the mysteries posed in the early episodes is completely unexpected but satisfying.
April 27, 2021
I started listening to this when the first episode of the first series was aired in 2016. I have just (2021) got to the end. The first series was an intriguing medical fantasy. The second, I agree with another reviewer on here, was just confusing and added nothing to the overall plot. Series 3 & 4 were also intriguing, tho’ nothing like as much as the first one. Series 5 was very disappointing, it just didn’t tie enough ends up. So many ideas had been flung into the first 4 series it would have been impossible to sort everything out. Either series 3 or 4 was completely ignored. Frankly - not worth the time I’ve spent listening to it.
November 6, 2020
Series one of this was good although it got so bizarre and strange a few episodes in... there is a lot of death and I’m still not sure I really understood the whole thing.
The second series I gave up on - much shorter though
Probably not the best foray into audio books although the production value was really high!
The second series I gave up on - much shorter though
Probably not the best foray into audio books although the production value was really high!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews