the setup… Julia Devine is the manager of Sunny Street Cinema in London and the job perfectly suits her. She’s unconventional with her love of vintage the setup… Julia Devine is the manager of Sunny Street Cinema in London and the job perfectly suits her. She’s unconventional with her love of vintage clothes and classic films. She’s busy preparing the holiday movie line up and sitting through a showing when she sees her favorite star Hugo Turner leaving her aisle. But when he’s approached by a fan, he admits he’s his doppelgänger and is really Sam Hunter. When she later rescues him from another fan at a restaurant, they strike up a conversation that leads to a wonderful friendship. Julia is also dreading her upcoming trip home to Cumbria for the family Christmas lunch, even considering skipping it because of her awful stepsister Becca who is bragging about bringing her new pilot boyfriend. But Sam encourages her to use him…as her date, Hugo Turner!
the heart of the story… Julia is a wonderful character who is quirky, talented, bright and resourceful. But she’s grown up with the awful Becca who is enabled by her stepfather and even Julia’s own mother Sylvia. The Christmas ruse has all of the expected fun and drama but her relationship with Sam is complicating matters as her feelings for him are beginning to grow and how is she to later explain her “breakup” with the famous Hugo?
the narration… This is all about the storytelling and Tidd delivered a fine performance. I particularly loved her voice for the evil stepsister Becca.
the bottom line… While this story isn’t the most original, the crafting of it and the characterizations were pretty special. I couldn’t help liking Julia and Sam who appreciated all her qualities and talents and had a wicked sense of humor. Their romance was a slow, lovely burn and the holiday setting gave it a lift. The Christmas charade brought lots of fun moments along with some serious themes related to family relationships. It’s a gem in this season of holiday stories. 4.5 stars
the setup… Felicia is a lawyer who volunteers at a local crisis center, manning the phones for national suicide prevention calls. One evening she takesthe setup… Felicia is a lawyer who volunteers at a local crisis center, manning the phones for national suicide prevention calls. One evening she takes a call from an extremely distraught teenage girl who is threatening to kill herself because of a video that’s being circulated at school by the boys that drugged and raped her at a party. Felicia breaks protocol in desperation, giving out her personal cell number after she realizes the girl attends the same private school as her own son. That marked the beginning of a roller coaster ride that seemed to have no good end.
the heart of the story… Felicia is a single mother and has raised her son Hunter alone since birth. He’s a straight-A student and star athlete, never having given her a single moment of real concern. But she’s troubled by the girl’s story and questions about Hunter’s time the night of that party. Her inner struggle with believing and trusting in her son versus pursuing the circumstances more felt honest and realistic. Her connection to the girl creates a conundrum as she has an equal desire to protect her as well.
the narration… It’s a short story so there’s so little time to effectively establish character identities but both narrators accomplished that right away. And the storytelling skills? Outstanding.
the bottom line… I had no idea where this would go but there were little crumbs along the way that ended up being helpful. And, throughout we get pieces of Felicia’s backstory that make her decisions even more believable. Can’t tell you anymore details so you must grab this audiobook and get ready for a great listening experience. That ending? Wow…just wow.
the setup… Madeline Martin is the owner of a successful business in upstate New York called The Next Chapter Bookshop. She leads a quiet life, caring fthe setup… Madeline Martin is the owner of a successful business in upstate New York called The Next Chapter Bookshop. She leads a quiet life, caring for her father who is still recovering from a stroke and enjoying her role in the community. That is until Harley Granger walks into her bookstore a few days before Christmas and threatens to upset her equilibrium. He’s a true crime podcaster and has his sights set on Evan Handy as his next subject. Ten years ago, Handy was convicted of murdering Madeline’s best friend Steph, suspected to have something to do with the disappearance of two sisters who were also her friends and ER own attempted murder. Madeline barely escaped with her life.
the heart of the story… I was looking for something different in a Christmas story and found that in this one. While Madeline wants no part of Granger’s podcast, his probing stirs up painful and uncomfortable memories she’d buried in the years since that awful night. It doesn’t help that Handy is denying his guilt, which is what drew Granger to the story since three other women have mysteriously disappeared after he was imprisoned. As Granger forces Madeline to revisit the details, she starts to question some of the things that happened the night she almost died.
the narration… As this is a short story, it’s all about the storytelling and the narrator gets everything right. I’m so glad I held out for the audio version.
the bottom line… There’s lots of mystery and intrigue here as the events from the past are slowly revealed. I honed in on a probable suspect early on and nailed it but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment. Madeline was an interesting woman and her relationship with Handy was “complicated.” She becomes an unwilling amateur sleuth as Granger forces her to reckon with the past. It’s short but certainly had all the elements of a good, full length story and listening to it made it even better.
the setup… DI Kim Stone and her team are called to a crime scene only to learn that the man everyone believed was dead (including coroner Keats), was sthe setup… DI Kim Stone and her team are called to a crime scene only to learn that the man everyone believed was dead (including coroner Keats), was still alive and was transported to the hospital. But he died on the way and all Kim has are the pictures taken of the scene before she arrived. As they start investigating the victim, Eric Gould, another man is discovered near death with signs almost identical to Gould. In the meantime, the team is experiencing another crisis involving DC Stacey Wood. They are all aware that something is off with her and she’s keeping it secret, even from her wife. The reality is both explosive, shocking and potentially career threatening.
the heart of the story… In any other the story in this series, this case would have been enough to keep my attention and have me sink into the gnarly and complex procedurals. But it was what was going on with Stacey that had me riveted for a variety of reasons. Her decision to hide what was happening was maddening in itself but the danger she faced from the threat and later to her career was equally disturbing. I bounced back and forth between the two situations, completely absorbed into both.
the narration… I can’t ever imagine not listening to the books in this series because Jan Cramer is the voice in my head for not only the characters but her storytelling skills. She’s outstanding on every level.
the bottom line… One of the issues faced here was the fact that the victims were not good men, having a history that connected them and other potential victims that was cruel and sordid. The probable suspects were their victims, making them more sympathetic than the men killed. It’s thought provoking, making you examine your own feelings about the matter as it did for Kim and her team. The normally black and white detective was challenged by the gray and it wasn’t easy for Kim. That included Stacey’s situation and for the first time, Kim had to face decisions that would be unsettling beyond the moment. I must admit that I figured out the killer just shortly before the reveal but it was hard up until that moment. This was another layered story that had me hooked from the onset to the last page.
the setup… It’s a few days before Christmas in New York and everyone has either left town for the holidays or is making their way out. That is except Kthe setup… It’s a few days before Christmas in New York and everyone has either left town for the holidays or is making their way out. That is except Katherine, a successful and highly ambitious attorney who is the ultimate grinch about the holidays. She’s waiting for “the call” from her law firm’s senior partner, the one he makes around this time to announce the new partner. Katherine leaves work, intending to go home and ignore the holidays, then gets in a taxi that gets broadsided. She wakes in a hospital with a concussion and a wound on her back. She hears a voice that is all too familiar but one she hasn’t heard in almost four years…her ex-husband Tom! Turns out, she hadn’t changed her emergency contact. And, she can’t be left alone with a concussion. Her choice…stay in the hospital or go home with him to Chicago for the holidays with his family.
the heart of the story… Katherine and Tom’s parting of ways was acrimonious to put it mildly. There was a lot of hurt underneath all those barbs they threw at each other. They’re witty, sometimes funny, but always meant to hit the target. From the moment they left the hospital, it was one calamity after another as they tried to get to Chicago, mostly caused by Katherine. Did I also mention a blizzard is descending on the city? But throughout their banter, I got a sense of who both of them are, what they really felt about each other and what broke them apart.
the narration… Both narrators did a great job giving voice to their characters and handling all that fast-paced banter. I’m glad I chose to listen to the story as they made it even livelier.
the bottom line… I had a lot of fun listening to this story, even when I wanted to throttle Katherine for her singleminded focus. But once I learned the reasons behind her behavior, my heart ached for her. I loved Tom and his infinite patience with this woman, hoping he’d find a way back to her. This was all I’d hoped it would be.
the setup… Caroline (Caz) Sessions is a professional dog walker living in Brighton with her mother Ruth. She’s really good at it, too, and always has hthe setup… Caroline (Caz) Sessions is a professional dog walker living in Brighton with her mother Ruth. She’s really good at it, too, and always has her own border collie rescue dog Joe with her. One morning during one of her dog outings, Joe breaks from her and leads her to a body. As horrifying as that discovery was, what made it worse was Caz recognized who it was…Harry, the man she’d been dating and who’d stood her up last night. As if this wasn’t bad enough, the same thing happened to her six months ago in London! Uh, oh.
the heart of the story… Let’s back up a minute. When Joe the dog discovered Caz’s guy Ash in London, she was the primary suspect for a hot minute until her alibi cleared her. That one night in jail terrified her and ruined her life. She resigned from her teaching job and returned to live with her mother who had recently had a fall and needed some help. Now to have it happen again defies the laws of probability and if the police made the connection…well. Caz is also house and dog sitting a Maltipoo called Bridget Jones for her former BFF Marcy who is away taking care of her own father. Marcy and Caz have only recently reunited after splitting because Marcy stole boyfriend Mark. Yeah, Caz’s life is sort of a mess but it gets worse as the story progresses because she makes terrible choices along the way. Soon she’s surrounded by people from Marcy’s neighborhood, any one of them a potential suspect. But the worst decisions she makes is to not always follow dog Joe’s lead who is the smartest pooch ever. Even I knew a few minutes in that he has better judgment than Marcy. And, yes, he’s the heart of this story!
the narration… I thought Sarah Durham was pitch perfect, especially as Caz. She gave great voice distinctions to all the key characters and did wonderful storytelling. But she really got Caz’s craziness and fear.
the bottom line… Caz made so many terrible, TSTL (too stupid to live) decisions as the situations kept getting worse. But she was making a lot of them out of fear and being in the blind about what may be behind what’s going on. I was all over the place with the suspects…was it John, the next door neighbor’s new ex-con boyfriend, or the stalker fool Edwin from London, or ex-beau back-in-the-picture Mark or even Marcy running a game on her, or Peter the retired police detective? There’s an explosive secret that opens things up and I did guess before the reveal but this was a fun and challenging psychological thriller ride. And Joe the rescue pooch? He’s the real hero. 3.5 stars
the setup… Nadiya is a bestselling crime writer using the pseudonym D. G. Williams who was living alone and working at home in a three unit townhouse wthe setup… Nadiya is a bestselling crime writer using the pseudonym D. G. Williams who was living alone and working at home in a three unit townhouse with her adorable bulldog Winston. That was until she discovered half brother Chase Garcia on a DNA website. After they connected, he moved in from Miami, broke and jobless but an insanely aspiring TikTok star. Chase knows no boundaries when it comes to his posts so when they secretly witness a burglary in progress at the upstairs unit, he films it all, including some later damning behavior. Despite Nadiya’s demand that he not post the video, Chase does it anyway and overnight it goes viral. Nadiya knows they’re in danger though Chase is consumed with his TikTok account and continues feeding his “#Chasers” more content, creating a series of episodes for #CrimeTime.
the heart of the story… The core of the story has mystery, danger and thriller elements and structure but it’s bundled up in a campy presentation. If you don’t take it too seriously, you’ll enjoy this romp and the sometimes cheesy dialogue. It pokes serious fun at the world of TikTok influencers and the lengths some are willing to go to gain followers and infamy. Chase is immature but charming in his own way, balanced out by his much more serious and pragmatic older sister Nadiya. Things get really dangerous when the tables are turned on them and they are forced to flee to a safe hideout. It would be spoilerish to tell you more!
the narration… This is a full cast production, complete with sound effects. I felt like I was listening to a stage production and it was so much fun! The main voices for Nadiya, Chase and a later revealed character were perfectly crafted, too.
the bottom line… I had such a good time with this story, even when Chase’s naïveté and singular focus on his #Chasers drove me nuts. The twists, campiness and full cast narration combined to make this a most entertaining listening experience. Try it…and enjoy the ride! 3.5 stars
the setup… Dorrance University psychology Professor Joe Lyons is conducting a study on lying and deception using five graduate students to assist and cthe setup… Dorrance University psychology Professor Joe Lyons is conducting a study on lying and deception using five graduate students to assist and college student as subjects. It’s controversial and edgy so when one of the tests runs afoul, one of the graduate students ends up dead in the middle of an impending snowstorm. The situation doesn’t lack of suspects and all are experts in the art of deception. Detective Alana Larson has her hands full in this small North Carolina college town with limited resources to investigate.
the heart of the story… The story begins with a chilling prologue that I couldn’t forget as I tried to make it fit with the things that came next. I was suspicious of everyone, trying to figure out who was the unidentified person in the opening, knowing that it was pertinent to the study and the subsequent murder. I went back and forth on suspects until a minuscule clue set me in the right direction. Otherwise, I would have been all over the place.
the narrator… I loved the narrator who made this feel like there were multiple performers. She also managed to bring something sinister in the storytelling. She’s gifted!
the bottom line… The plotting is intricate, the characterizations are complex and sneaky and the setting adds an ominous quality. I was glued to this story and even though I was strongly certain I knew the identity of the murderer, the intricacies of the plot still had me second guessing. Everyone was hiding something! This was my kind of mystery, one where subtleties are key and you have to pay close attention to everything.
the setup… Ashley Smith is an American art student from Sacramento who is studying in London. It’s 1989 and a junior year where she’s facing spending tthe setup… Ashley Smith is an American art student from Sacramento who is studying in London. It’s 1989 and a junior year where she’s facing spending the Christmas holiday alone as her mother recently died and there’s no one left behind in California. When she gets a sudden invitation from another student, Emma Chapman, she’s reluctant at first (there’s a good reason for that), but the idea of Christmas in a manor home in the Cotswolds was too appealing to turn down. Once there, it first looks ideal and cozy but soon Ashley starts to feel like maybe she’s in the middle of some gothic mystery. Well, maybe.
the heart of the story… It’s actually the format of the story that’s the thing. It’s delivered from the diary Ashley keeps and she’s quite expansive in her writing (you can actually hear the pages turning). I got a clear picture of Starvewood Hall (the manor home), Emma, her family and a strong sense of foreboding from those pages, despite Ashley shrugging it off. She starts falling for Adam, Emma’s brother, though he doesn’t seem all that engaged. I kept thinking, “run.” The story then takes a sharp turn when it shifts to the present day, thirty years later.
the narration… This was my first time listening to this narrator and I loved her performance. She’s a great storyteller and gave subtle distinctions to the primary characters.
the bottom line… This isn’t your typical Christmas story, an anomaly amongst the fare of sweetness and light. It was a nice change of pace as throughout the reading of Ashley’s diary, there’s this growing sense of something undefinable and eerie amidst the normal of the holiday. The twist that showed up in the present day was quite clever and poetic. It’s a novella so brevity here is a must. Just know that this is a creepy little holiday gem that I definitely enjoyed and is best served up on audio.
the setup… Beth Katz is an FBI special agent who has a unique skill in tracking serial killers. That’s because her father was one…and so is she! But, tthe setup… Beth Katz is an FBI special agent who has a unique skill in tracking serial killers. That’s because her father was one…and so is she! But, the men she kills are predators who prey on young girls, serial killers. In the opening scene, we get a front seat view of how she operates. But when she rescues a child and professes to have already found the predator dead, she gets transferred to Rattlesnake Creek, Montana to work with FBI Senior Special Agent Dax Styles. They are soon faced with tracking down and capturing the Pied Piper serial killer who is currently terrorizing cities in their state.
the heart of the story… I decided to read this story because of its unique premise and it surpassed my expectations. Beth is committed to saving the young girls being abducted and murdered by the Pied Piper. She’s equally committed to surreptitiously killing the man in the process while protecting her true nature. Styles is a maverick who’s not averse to crossing lines but she unnerves even him! It was fascinating to follow the clues and procedurals while also seeing how Beth executes her secret planning to avoid discovery. It was a precarious balancing act and I was surprised to find myself privately hoping for her success. There’s a particular takedown during their pursuit of a Pied Piper lead in another city that perfectly illustrated her skills and the depravity of those she targets. It was impossible not to get on board.
the narration… The voice for Beth adeptly captured her coolness and dispassion as the public agent and the transition to the cold blooded killer. It was chilling! I also liked her voice for Dax.
the bottom line… I’m not normally of fan of vigilante killers no matter how noble their cause but this character had me rooting for her throughout. Her relationship with Styles was equally compelling as he’s both trusting and wary of this enigmatic woman. This kept me on the edge of my seat as nothing about this woman is predictable except her mission to permanently end these men. I’m all in because there’s still lots to learn about her background and how she came to be an agent and a vigilante killer.
the setup… Iris Raven is a culinary chef from London who decides to relocate to New York after the death of her beloved mother and to escape a toxic rethe setup… Iris Raven is a culinary chef from London who decides to relocate to New York after the death of her beloved mother and to escape a toxic relationship. She’s given a job at a noodle shop and a place to stay above it by the wonderful Bobby and his husband Robin. She chose New York because it was the place her mother romanticized and dreamed of returning to but never did. When Bobby takes her to Little Italy for the Feast of Gennaro festival, she spots a gelato shop that looks similar to one in her mother’s photos and soon discovers it’s one and the same. It’s run by Giovanni (Gio) Belotti who is faced with closing it because the gelato recipe they’re renowned for is inaccessible since his uncle fell into a coma. Iris soon discovers after tasting it that it’s the same as her mother’s who swore her to never reveal it, a promise she made to Santo Belotti…Gino’s uncle who gave it to her.
the heart of the story… It doesn’t take long for Iris to figure out that the Belotti family didn’t know about her mother’s romance with Santo, let alone that he broke the family tradition of never sharing that recipe. She’s torn between sharing a secret that is only Santo’s to tell in order to save the business…or not. Iris volunteers to help Gio figure out the recipe, coming closer to him and his wonderful family. I love the Belottis and really liked Iris but thought her deception went on far too long. She also allowed the widowed Gio to believe her “husband” had died and could certainly have cleared that up. It was annoying but that was all eclipsed by everything, especially the bond and spirit of Gio’s family. We get sort of a dual timeline as Iris’s deceased mother Vivien’s point of view took me back in time to when she lived in New York. That was fascinating.
the narration… I liked the narrator’s voice tone and pacing but it was a little difficult distinguishing the storytelling clearly for lack of inflection. It was pleasant but could have had more energy.
the bottom line… Even though Iris’s deception was bothersome, there was so much more to appreciate about this story. She had a lot of baggage and her move to New York, friendship with Bobby and developing relationships with Gio and his family had her come to life. I craved gelato from the onset, too. There are so many special moments that just made this a delightful holiday experience. It’s not all sweetness and light but the difficult events just gave it depth.
the setup… Tilly Twomley is at a crossroad and she’s only 18-years old. The trouble is, that crossroad has a lot of intersections and she has no idea wthe setup… Tilly Twomley is at a crossroad and she’s only 18-years old. The trouble is, that crossroad has a lot of intersections and she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. But Tilly knows it’s not the path her mother wants her to take, going to college and becoming a business success like her older perfect sister Mona. There’s no way she’s going that route after struggling through high school and her ADHD diagnosis but maybe her summer internship in London with Mona’s startup will help her figure it all out. Oliver Clark is quite the opposite, knowing exactly what he wants to do. Being autistic may have created difficulties for him socially but his exceptional talent with color theory connects him to the world in unconventional ways. When he’s seated next to Tilly on the plane back to home to London, it starts off disastrously but by the time they land, he’s come to see her in his own unique way. And, they both have a surprise in store.
the heart of the story… I’ve only recently become familiar with the term neurodivergent and it perfectly describes these two young people. Tilly and Oliver are fascinating in their individuality but together? They are indescribable. The idea that someone with autism could find a connection with someone with ADHD didn’t seem at all likely but at the heart of their relationship was how they “saw” each other exactly as they are. Most of the world relates to their differences and Tilly especially has grown up in an environment where there’s constant pressure to conform to “normal.” Being with Oliver, who saw her many colors as vibrant and valuable, gave Tilly the confidence to fully embrace her talents and expression. She fell for him early, and he her, but it was hard for him to convey that and for her to see it.
the narration… I loved the two performances as they embodied Tilly and Oliver so beautifully. They provided voice distinctions nicely for everyone else but it didn’t matter because they were so believable in capturing these two wonderful characters.
the bottom line… I rarely read YA but was convinced to try this story after reading a review by a friend that promised something special. I found that Tilly and Oliver taught me how to “see” them, experience them as different, unique and as individuals. Most importantly, to not see them as abnormal. This is a fun story but it’s absolutely beautiful in its purity and authenticity. Tilly and Oliver’s friendship came first and it was just lovely. Of course it had not choice but to turn romantic and I’ll never forget these two. 4.5 stars
the setup… Kerry Tolliver is a graphic artist who recently lost her job after her company was acquired. She returned to her family home in Tarburton, Nthe setup… Kerry Tolliver is a graphic artist who recently lost her job after her company was acquired. She returned to her family home in Tarburton, North Carolina to try and figure out what was next, especially after her relationship also fizzled out. Her family runs a Fraser fir Christmas tree farm and it’s now time for the annual trip to New York’s Greenwich Village to sell the trees. Normally this is done by her father and brother Murphy but her Dad’s health issues prevent him from going. It’s up to Kerry to stand in for him, driving a tiny vintage camper to live in with Murphy and his dog Queenie for the month they’ll be in Manhattan. Oh, joy!
the heart of the story… Many believe New York City to lack the sense of community you’d find in smaller towns but surprisingly, that’s not necessarily true. Kerry soon discovers that the people living and working near the tree stand they’d occupied for years not only knew each other but looked out for one another. She found herself bonding with them, quickly immersing herself in their lives, in particular with Patrick McCaleb and his young son Austin. He’s divorced with a unique living arrangement for the sake of Austin and connects with Kerry after an interesting encounter. I loved how the story presented an alternate sense of community in a city environment. They all knew Murphy and embraced Kerry almost immediately. I also learned a lot about the rigors of raising and selling Christmas trees and it was quite an education.
the narration… McInerney narrates one of my favorite series and I was worried she’d remind me of those characters but that didn’t happen. Her performance was unique to this story and I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line… This was a heartwarming, sweet story that embodied the spirit of the Christmas season. Kerry’s romance with Patrick was just one element as the secondary characters are equally essential. They are unique, adding substance and color to what happens in this vibrant but tightly knit community within the city. But it’s young Austin who’s the scene stealer with his big heart and loving nature, bringing everyone together to search for an old man who might have been forgotten otherwise. It’s everything you want in a holiday story.
the setup… The Fairway Players are back, this time under the direction of Sarah-Jane MacDonald, replacing the Haywards. It’s a Christmas pantomime prodthe setup… The Fairway Players are back, this time under the direction of Sarah-Jane MacDonald, replacing the Haywards. It’s a Christmas pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk and for those of you outside of the UK, that’s a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment which was developed in England. Rehearsals are underway but the season isn’t fostering “goodwill to all men” as there’s an effort underway to undermine Sarah-Jane to unseat her as director for future performances. However, things get thorny when a dead body turns up on stage. Lawyers Femi Hassan and Charlotte Holroyd are back to sift through the emails, letters and other communications for now retired senior attorney Roderick Tanner to figure out the victim and killer.
the heart of the story… I love the epistolary story structure, especially on audio with multiple narrators. The emails are snarky, often passive aggressive and always entertaining. There are so many laugh out loud moments to distract you from figuring out the whodunit but that was secondary to the overall journey. Many of the Players from the first book return, this time with bigger roles and under suspicion. The day of the performance was a really fine piece of writing as multiple disasters were in play but as they say in the business, the show must go on!
the narration… This felt like a full cast production with the four narrators and all of them managed to embrace their characters so well they came to life. If you like audiobooks, then you’ll love this performance.
the bottom line… Femi and Charlotte set the stage as the story opens with them tasked with solving the mystery but it quickly transitions to the Players, all in fine form. This turned out to be even better than I had anticipated and it was fun getting back to Lower Lockwood. There’s a sort of twisty element to the conclusion, making this even more of a wonderful listening experience. It was a fine way to start off my holiday reading. 4.5 stars
the setup… It’s 2011 and Izzy Astor is a college freshman returning home to New York after the Thanksgiving holiday. She’s afraid of flying and her seathe setup… It’s 2011 and Izzy Astor is a college freshman returning home to New York after the Thanksgiving holiday. She’s afraid of flying and her seat mate, Nate Phelan is on his way to Fort Benning for basic training and though it’s his first flight, makes it his mission to ease her anxiety. That is until the plane goes down in the Missouri River 90 seconds after takeoff. This begins a friendship that literally began after a life changing event.
the heart of the story… Izzy and Nate’s relationship develops over the next ten years but is told in shifting timelines, beginning in 2021 Kabul, Afghanistan where it’s clear something separated them, and looking backward. Of course, I was beyond curious as to what tore them apart because the heart of their relationship was a very strong friendship with equally strong romantic feelings they mostly held in check. She’s a lawyer, he’s in Special Forces and it’s clear ten years later they’re still hung up on each other.
the narration… Dual narrators were used for Izzy and Nate’s points of view and I enjoyed both. They were effective at capturing the essences of their characters and I liked their storytelling styles.
the bottom line… Izzy was an interesting character who wore her heart on her sleeve and made so many life choices for other people, including Nate who kept choosing his career over a commitment to Izzy. Being in Special Forces kept him away and out of communication at a moment’s notice all the time. It took almost the length of the book to learn why they went their separate ways and the answer didn’t live up to the building tension. I liked the story but wasn’t as engaged as I could have been if the reveal had been sooner. However, there was a surprising twist at the end that had my jaw drop. And, this story brilliantly illustrated what’s it’s like for the men who serve in military units like this and their friends and loved ones they leave behind. 3.5 stars
the setup… Porter Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, located in the deserts of Nevada. Though he was born here, Beck has only recently returned aftthe setup… Porter Beck is the sheriff of Lincoln County, located in the deserts of Nevada. Though he was born here, Beck has only recently returned after his long stint in Army Intelligence. Things are relatively uneventful so when a retired FBI agent is found brutally murdered it raises suspicions and rightfully so, particularly when FBI Special Agent Sana Locke shows up the next day to investigate. After examining the murder scene, Beck knows that there’s more going on here than a robbery gone wrong.
the heart of the story… Beck’s prior military career informs him here and it took me a bit to catch on. The story transitions between the present and the past (1957), involving Russian spies and the beginnings of the nuclear testing program. Think the urban legend Yuri concept and you’ve got the idea. It’s somewhat complex but not overly so as I didn’t have any difficulty keeping up and found it deeply interesting. I liked Beck’s skills, intellect and sharp wit but could have done without his objectification of the women around him. His first encounter with Sana Locke had me gritting my teeth and every one that followed kept throwing me out of the story. I’m hoping that dissipates because otherwise, I liked and respected Beck as a law enforcement officer.
the narration… I enjoyed the narrator who seemed to have captured Beck’s personality really well and handled all those Russian accents authentically. If there’s a book #2, I’m in again for the audio version.
the bottom line… The mystery elements were exceptional and I liked how the past eventually connected with the present. The continuing secondary characters were effectively introduced and fleshed out, made distinctive enough that they’re memorable. I had a tough time with Agent Locke and Beck’s relationship with her, as well as the inappropriate sexist references that were unacceptable in this day and age. It felt off given Beck’s history and worldliness so I hope that improves in the series. But the strength of the mystery, espionage and intrigue helped compensate and the twists were rather stunning. Never saw them coming though I had a whiff before the reveals. I’m definitely continuing the series if more books are to come…as long as the gender nonsense disappears. 3.5 stars
the setup… Nora Kemp and Hugh Iverson are Hollywood’s golden couple, engaged to be married and living a glamorous life. That is until Nora discovers hithe setup… Nora Kemp and Hugh Iverson are Hollywood’s golden couple, engaged to be married and living a glamorous life. That is until Nora discovers his twin brother Trent dead in the guest house on their property, along with an unidentified woman who was obviously tortured and murdered. Meanwhile, Kyle Pepper is frantically trying to contact his wife Kerry and their six-year old son Miles who left their Wisconsin home for a Make a Wish trip to Disneyland but seemed to have disappeared. Beverly Hills Detectives Farah Anderson and Kevin Mathis are investigating the Iverson crime scene, trying to learn the identity of the dead woman, whether this was a murder suicide or something else. That’s difficult when the two people with the most information are highly skilled at playing whatever role they need to at any moment.
the heart of the story… Even I couldn’t tell when Nora and Hugh were lying or telling the truth, though I had some help as she was one of the characters delivering a point of view. The narratives shift quite seamlessly between Nora, the detectives, Kyle and Miles. I suspected that the two investigations would converge at some point but was clueless as to what they had to do with one another. I didn’t trust Nora but I also wasn’t necessarily convinced she had anything to do with the deaths, though she admitted being involved with both brothers (*!?#). I loved that the detectives were seasoned and quite skilled at sifting through the muck.
the narration… Wow! If I hadn’t known differently, I would have sworn there were multiple narrators telling this story because Peterson was masterful at that and voice distinctions. I became an instant fan and will strongly consider any book she’s narrating.
the bottom line… The clues are all there to figure things out and I loved that they were introduced in bits and bites. If you like digging into a good mystery and trying to deduce the resolution, you’ll enjoy this one. Nora is an enigma, really tough to figure out and there are others equally as puzzling. There’s a big reveal I didn’t see coming, though many of my friends did, and some harrowing moments. I enjoyed everything about this one, but especially listening to Nancy Peterson deliver it all.
the setup… Hattie Coleman and her husband Brent took the plunge a few years ago and became the owners and managers of the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont, athe setup… Hattie Coleman and her husband Brent took the plunge a few years ago and became the owners and managers of the Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont, a dream he had hoped to become a reality. But two years ago, he died in a freak accident and now Hattie is left to manage things alone and raise their five-year old daughter Delphie alone. Despite the success of the Inn, she’s white knuckling her way through and is exhausted. Erica lives in New York and is a highly successful business consultant. She and her two former college roommates are best of friends and each year meet for a week to discuss a book one of them has selected. Anna lives in Connecticut and is happily married to Pete. She’s soon to be an empty nester as her twins Gwen and Daniel are high school seniors. Claudia lives in California and is a chef but has just lost her job and her boyfriend of ten years just left her for a younger model. It’s Erica’s turn to plan everything and she’s selected the Maple Sugar Inn, puzzling to Anna and Claudia who love the choice but it’s far from the typical ritzy accommodations she normally arranges. Each other them is dealing with some serious life issues at the moment.
the heart of the story… Even though Erica, Anna and Claudia live in different cities, the bond between them is incredibly strong. I loved how they had each others’ backs and were highly sensitive to knowing when something was off. They respected boundaries but didn’t shy away from pressing issues when needed. Erica did indeed have a reason for choosing the Inn and it was explosive. Their time there was therapeutic for all of them as they provided much needed emotional support to each other, including Hattie, as there were many layers to their lives. I also loved how their shared love of books was a major aspect of the story and the setting provided the charm and magic it promised.
the narration… I enjoyed the narrator’s performance and she did really well in giving the characters’ personalities distinctive voice. She also has strong storytelling skills and a great tone. Definitely going on my list of preferred narrators.
the bottom line… I was hoping for a great holiday story with some weight to it and this delivered on every level. I liked these women, especially their friendship and honesty with each other. They were all very different, which just made things even more interesting and textured. The venue was lovely and the romance aspects added to the appeal of the story. This just might be my most favorite of the author’s Christmas stories.
the setup… DI Caius Beauchamp is on an early morning jog, part of his self improvement journey following his breakup with his French girlfriend Heloisethe setup… DI Caius Beauchamp is on an early morning jog, part of his self improvement journey following his breakup with his French girlfriend Heloise, when he discovers the body of a dead woman in the park. He’d just stumbled into the world of “the other half” as the woman was later identified as Clemency (Clemmie) O'Hara, the longtime girlfriend of Rupert Beauchamp (no relation and pronounced differently) who had celebrated his 30th birthday nearby the night before…at a McDonald’s.
the heart of the story… We meet Rupert and Clemmie’s circle of “friends” and acquaintances through the course of the investigation. We get a satirical view of the British class system on full display and it’s a world of self indulgement, who’s who and who’s not, money and entitlement. Rupert is the worst of them all, moving through life fearlessly, knowing the rules for him are different and he isn’t even worried about being a suspect in Clemmie’s murder. Central in the investigation is Helena (Nell) Waddingham, a complex woman whose relationship with Rupert dates back to their days at Oxford and has always been his true focus. She’s emotionally damaged and to say her relationship with Rupert is complicated is the understatement of the century. It’s through her eyes we see the most truths of their world, how it works and the likely suspects. Throughout it all, Cais and his partners on the case, DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes, do an admirable of job of sifting through the mire and developing the case despite internal pressures to “protect” some of these people who have associations with the powerful and influential.
the narration… Imogen Wilde was primarily giving voice to Nell and she captured her perfectly. Her storytelling was superb. However, I struggled with Muyunde’s performance as it was hard to distinguish the dialogue as it lacked inflection and he spoke too rapidly. It made it hard to understand what he was saying.
the bottom line… I enjoyed the story as the author cleverly captured the world of the other half through a myriad of interesting but truly unlikeable characters. While it was satirical in nature, there was always an underlying sense of despair and desperation as the players grasped for recognition and place. Cais and his team could have fallen into the trap of feeling intimidated by this world but did their job despite being looked down upon and challenged internally. While I wanted to know who killed Clemmie, that part of the story almost took a back seat to the intrigue of the despicable Rupert, the conflicted Nell and Alex, the man intent on saving her. The ending left some threads to unravel and I’m glad this is now a series. 3.5 stars
(Thanks to Libro.fm and Random House Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)...more
the setup… It’s the summer of 1981 and a little girl is taken by her father to stay on a farm in rural Wexford (Ireland) with the Kinsellas, her maternthe setup… It’s the summer of 1981 and a little girl is taken by her father to stay on a farm in rural Wexford (Ireland) with the Kinsellas, her maternal relatives, for “fostering.” The child’s mother is near term with another child, one among many others. Here she finds a stark contrast to her own family and home, not just economically but also in attention and behaviors.
the heart of the story… We never learn the real name of the child but she comes to be called Petal by John Kinsella who slowly develops an endearing relationship with her. She’s aptly nicknamed as she “blossoms” from a quiet, almost invisible little person to one who begins to thrive and engage. Edna Kinsella shows her kindness and care but it’s John who becomes her teacher. Petal isn’t the only one who’s thriving as the Kinsellas have a heartache of their own to heal.
the narration… It was helpful to have an Irish narrator, one who seemed to perfectly capture the spirit and nature of the child who has the sole point of view. I could “hear” her changing.
the bottom line… The simplicity of the story is its strength as we experience the child’s reaction to warmth, affection and attention. Sustenance is a factor but it’s her burgeoning relationship with John that has a lasting impact, a man far different from her own slacker father. The ending still haunts me, one I had to rewind and listen to several times. It’s a beautiful, poignant story that will inspire and sadden you at the same time as her return home is destined. 4.5 stars
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