Andrea Johnson

So Sad it Ended

Reviewed: 11-09-24

I loved this story. And the narrator was phenomenal. I felt like I really got to know and love these characters. And even though it was set in 1960, it still felt extremely contemporary.

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Loved it…BUT

Reviewed: 10-20-23

I loved the book. However, I found one phrase that was repeated EXTREMELY annoying and distracting. Specifically “worked (or working, or work) up a smile…” Given that this phrase is not typical enough in standard speech to be background noise, the author’s repetitive use of this was distracting and took me out of the story. It was so annoying that I started counting. LOL.
I’ve since downloaded the eBook and confirmed that the phrase was used 19 times! Once twice on the same page! Can’t.

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Just Wow

Reviewed: 06-27-23

I really love the author’s ability to point suspicion in so many different directions seamlessly. I’m an avid audiobook listener and this is my favorite drama. This was certainly not a disappointment. I’ve recently stumbled on to Tess Stimson. I would say this is my favorite of the three I’ve heard thus far. I’d also recommend. “The New House” and “1 in 3.” In that order.

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It’s A No

Reviewed: 01-02-23

I made it to chapter 10 and can go no further. The characters are so basic. No depth. I found the author and binged through another book “The Widow” a few days ago. I loved it and was excited to try something new. I’m disappointed. It’s in some ways the same premise. Not regarding the death on of a spouse - I haven’t read enough of this to be sure that’s where it’s going. But the midlife crisis type behavior. A woman with some kind of personality disorder. Etc. it’s just ridiculous. None of it feels credible. Save your credit. I wish I had.

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Love Love Love

Reviewed: 10-11-22

I love psychological thrillers and mysteries. They are not all created equally. This one is amazing. The gradual build. The many different mysteries that unfold here. It’s a slow burn but I was on the edge of my seat. And I also found the author’s ability to write about a time period in the recent past amazing. I kept checking back to see the publication/release date :-).

I highly recommend.

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Uneven Descriptions

Reviewed: 10-02-22

I like the plot. A lot. Found it to be complex and to have a lot of interesting and unpredictable twists and turns. However, I’m unclear as to why every time a character is not white, we need a reference to their color/ethnicity.

For example, the “Black woman called her name twice.” A “Latino with a well-trimmed goatee.” “The campaign poster and the young middle eastern woman who promised to drain the swamp.” To name a few.

I noticed the same issue in the first book in this series. I honestly enjoyed that too, and hoped it was an aberration. Evidently not. Admittedly, maybe because I’m an African-American woman I’m more sensitive to the issue. Just thought I’d point it out because it takes away from the story and I hope that this won’t be a staple in future novels from this writer.

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Doesn’t Ring True

Reviewed: 08-21-22

I like that the author worked to connect the actions of each character to their past experiences. However, I think that was done in a way that didn’t really help what was happening in the present make any sense. She was trying explain their motivations in the present, but they just didn’t ring true

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1 person found this helpful

So…the ending though? No spoilers

Reviewed: 08-20-22

I really enjoyed this story. And both Brittany Presley and Karissa Vacker were great. They’re two of my favorite narrators and I enjoyed getting to hear them work together.

I found the themes that the author wove together to be compelling. And - for the most part - didn’t give in to cliche. However, after investing this much time in listening to this I was not satisfied by the ending. I felt like there was an added twist for twist’s sake as opposed to twists that made the story stronger.

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AMAZING. I AM INSPIRED

Reviewed: 03-23-22

This is an amazing presentation. From beginning to end. Given the length of the book, I was a little reluctant. It was too short!!! I loved both the prose AND narration. And as a woman of color I found myself inspired the more I learned about Mrs. Thomas and “all the important Ss in her name.” Phenomenal.

Vanessa Riley and Adjoah Andoh are a winning combination. I look forward to enjoying more of Ms. Riley’s novels and more narration from Ms. Andoh.

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She Spoke For Me So Many Times

Reviewed: 12-02-21

I absolutely loved this. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and mystery/suspense is my go to category. Not all mysteries are created equal, however. This author knocked it out of the park.

Full disclosure, I’m an African American attorney in my early 40s - as was the central character. So there may have been some instances where that made her words resonate more deeply. In any event, my only disappointment right now is that I’ve finished it. Phenomenal!

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