Contre toute attente Audiobook by Linwood Barclay, Unabridged, 13 Hours 49 Minutes

Some listeners want a brief story, others prefer a longer listen they can return to across the day. Contre toute attente is an unabridged audiobook by Linwood Barclay, narrated by Patrick Blandin. Its 13 hours and 49 minutes of listening make it a full-length choice for listeners drawn to crime fiction and suspense. The audio format lets you follow the story while giving your eyes a break from a page or screen.

Tech specs

• Format: Audible audiobook
• Edition: Unabridged
• Listening length: 13 hours and 49 minutes
• Author: Linwood Barclay
• Narrator: Patrick Blandin
• Publisher: Audible Studios
• Publication date: Aug. 21, 2025

The unabridged edition is suited to listeners who want the complete recorded work rather than an abridged version. Patrick Blandin’s narration is central to the listening experience, while the audiobook format offers an alternative to setting aside time to read printed text. The listed listening length also gives a useful sense of the commitment: it is a substantial listen that can be enjoyed over multiple sessions.

How to use it

Choose this format when listening fits your routine better than reading. The full-length runtime can be spread across commutes, walks or time at home, making it easier to keep a longer story going through regular listening sessions. For a relaxed session, settle in and follow the narration, for everyday listening, let the story accompany a suitable routine. The title is categorized in crime fiction and suspense, so it may appeal to listeners looking for a mystery- or tension-focused audiobook.

Unlike a printed book, an audiobook is heard rather than read, which can suit moments when you would rather listen than focus on a page. If you prefer reading at your own pace with the text in front of you, a print or digital book may better match that approach. If you want a narrated, unabridged presentation, this edition brings the full 13-hour-and-49-minute listening experience together in audio form.

Everyday use

This audiobook works well as a longer companion for routine activities where listening is practical, such as a walk or time spent doing household tasks. Its substantial runtime gives the story room to unfold over more than one sitting, rather than requiring you to finish it in a short window. You can also reserve a focused listening session when you want to give the narration your attention. The crime fiction and suspense categories offer a helpful guide to the kind of listening experience to expect, while the title and author make it easy to identify the edition.

For a buying decision, the key distinction is format and length: choose this Audible audiobook for an unabridged story delivered through narration, especially if audio fits your day better than reading. Listeners who specifically want a shorter session may prefer a shorter work, those seeking a full-length crime or suspense listen can use the runtime to plan their listening at a comfortable pace.

Final verdict

Contre toute attente is a clear fit for listeners seeking a full-length, unabridged audiobook by Linwood Barclay, with Patrick Blandin as narrator. Its 13 hours and 49 minutes of audio suit anyone looking to follow a crime fiction or suspense story across multiple sessions, whether during a quiet listening break or alongside suitable everyday routines.