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60s TV Fannatic

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Hamish Macbeth Wins Again!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-11-25

Another delightful story about Hamish Macbeth and his love, Priscilla. Perfect in every way. The good guys win, thanks to Hamish, despite the foibles of the detectives assigned to solve the case. M.C. Beaton's humor is exceptionally enjoyable. The second in the series had the same effect as the first: it just makes me eager to move on to the next story. Can't wait to get back to Lochdubh to find out what's happening next.

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Jean Grainger Never Disappoints!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-28-25

Since reading my first Jean Grainger novel, I have become totally addicted. I so enjoy her books, and the performance of them by Siobhan Waring remains unparalleled. While not as compelling as The Robinswood Series, I will likely continue with The Tour Series as I have become genuinely interested in the lives of the characters in this story, particularly those Americans and native Irish who interact with one another. The descriptions of the Irish countryside make me want to book my own "Tour" ASAP!

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"Not My Cup of Tea!"

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-14-25

When I listen to an Audible book, I want the experience to be just like reading a book. This production was not a book; it was an audio performance. Very disappointing. I was completely distracted by the unnecessary background music, the background dialogue, and the background noises. It made it nearly impossible to listen to the primary actors (not narrators) actually talking. The fake accents added nothing. The storyline had tremendous potential, but was a huge letdown. Audible needs to do a better job in describing productions vs. audiobooks. This story in its current Audible format is not a book. Presentation is everything, and this presentation failed to deliver on every aspect of listening. Extremely disappointing.

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Eccillenti!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-12-25

This story is by far one of the most enjoyable to which I have listened on Audible! I am a first-generation Sicilian-American. My mother's family (my mother being the youngest of ten children) immigrated from Sicily. My father immigrated from Sicily as an adult, in 1957. My first language, at home, was the Sicilian dialect which my mother and father spoke (a key factor in their arranged marriage).

I could literally identify with each of the characters in the story, having known extremely similar people, over the course of my lifetime. What happened to the American main character (no spoilers) occurred in my family. What happened to the Sicilian main character is a cross between my own paternal Nana's life and the life of her sister, my great aunt.

I don't know how much other listeners, who have not lived a truly Sicilian-American life can really appreciate this story, but it touched me deeply and brought back incredible memories of my childhood, teenage years, young adulthood, middle age, and now retirement and aging, and how each phase of my life has been critically shaped by my cultural roots, including my passion and love for learning and travel, my culinary adventures, my fears and hopes, but most critically the role of family. Thank you, Jo Piazza for weaving a tale that will live forever in my memory and on my heart!

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Atypical for Me but Enjoyable

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-22-25

This story is not at all like my typical genre. While I do enjoy historical novels, they are set in significantly different time periods, and far different locations. However, the story was compelling, had an excellent twist at the end, and provided a measured analysis of a woman's place in the world from the middle to the end of the 19th Century.

I found the protagonist difficult to like. She embodied plenty of negative characteristics but her atypical personality, quite far afield from most women of her time, made her harsh nature easier to accept. She was an extremely odd mix of those things to which women aspired during this period in history, i.e. wealth, status, prestige, but she likewise demonstrated a sense of independence not usual for women of her day. The protagonist was neither generous or glamorous; rather, I imagined her as cantankerous, vain, and too far wrapped-up in worldly and material pleasures, a personality developed by her close relationship to her father who never had a son in which to invest, making the protagonist's personality more testosterone-charged.

Nevertheless, for something so unusual, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, despite the use of virtual narration, to which I suppose I am becoming more accustomed as I continue to make selections based solely on content, no matter the type of narration.

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Superb!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-16-25

As an avid reader/listener of all thing related to The Manhattan Project, I found Chris Wallace's story truly extraordinary! It clarified many issues raised in the film industry, as well as numerous television documentaries I have watched. The nearly nine hours of listening literally flew by as I remained thoroughly compelled.

Chris Wallace was born with the best journalistic DNA make-up, thanks to his father, Mike Wallace. I expected the very best from such an acclaimed reporter, and I was not disappointed. His research for this book was outstanding and included so many direct quotes, making the story of the first atomic bomb real and chilling.

Especially tender was Wallace's depiction of the citizens of Hiroshima. These passages brought tears to my eyes. As a peace activist, who opposes the use of nuclear weapons, I was delighted with Wallace's excellent reporting and humanity, treating this extremely painful topic with accuracy, dignity, and respect.

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Virtual Voice - Not for Me

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-08-25

The story was a good "who dun-it" type. The end was a bit surprising as there were multiple, believable red herrings. The narration was just too choppy and monotone to make listening enjoyable. This listen was my first experience with virtual voice, and going forward, I will shy away from any virtual voice deliveries. Virtual voice is definitely not my cup of tea! Additionally, since the book was set in the UK, I didn't appreciate an American virtual voice. If the voice was going to be virtual, why wasn't it done with a British accent? I appreciated the paranormal aspects which were not too overblown and certainly not graphic in any way. The overall feeling when taking both the story line and performance into account was okay but nothing I'd get overly excited over. I'm certain there are far better titles available.

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Meh...

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-02-25

This particular story caught my eye because I so enjoy performances by Billie Piper. She did not disappoint, and I found her portrayal authentic and capturing. However, the story itself was more or less ridiculous. The characters were far too melodramatic. They were self-centered, egotistical, drunken, sex-crazed sickos. There was not a single redeeming character whatsoever. I could not identify a true protagonist. It was their collaborative actions that led to the less than shocking reveal at the end of the story. Won't be listening or reading any other titles by Kathryn Croft.

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Easy Listening At Its Best!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-24-25

I became familar with M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth through recently watching the 1995 series by the same name on Prime. I found the television program so thoroughly enjoyable that I had to explore the book by the same title. I have not been disappointed.

If you have seen the television series, this first novel sets-up the characters, with the exception of Macbeth in different roles, with different names, but the characterizations, as portrayed by the television show are sufficiently close enough to make it quite easy to figure out who is who. Furthermore, the basic premise remains exactly the same. Hamish is a loveable lawman, in the extremely laidback town of Lochdubh. The mystery is sufficiently compelling.

If you are looking for an exact replica of the dramatization for television, this book will disappoint you, but it you are willing to adapt and want to enjoy a quick story that captivates you to go on to the next book, Death of a Gossip is definitely worth your time!

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Fabulous!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-20-25

Jean Grainger just keeps getting better and better with each installment from Robinswood! This story elicits so much emotion, both within the characters and within the reader/listener. The experiences of the intertwined members of the Murphy/Kenefick families keeps the reader/listener exuberantly engaged and ever-curious to race through the pages. There is laughter and pain that reflects the real Trials and Tribulations of families everywhere both in terms of time and place. Of the three Robinswood books, this one tugs at the heart most of all. All three stories are excellent, but in terms of depth, this one may very well be the best.

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