Carolyn

Missed the mark

Reviewed: 12-18-19

This couple didn’t work for me. I didn’t find them to be engaging or memorable. I just don’t see an ex-President as a sleuth.

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Good writing; repulsive crime

Reviewed: 10-14-19

Lisa Jewell is a very good writer. She sets a scene and zeros in on her characters like few writers can. However, the crime that occurs in the middle of the book is just abhorrent to me. The thought of what the villain did almost made me stop listening, but I continued because I wanted to see if there was a satisfactory ending. However, to me, there was no happy ending and could not be. There is no fix for what happened to the victim. It's too bad that the writer took the story to such a dark place because she's a good writer and could have worked out a different set of circumstances and a different plot.

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3 people found this helpful

I love Hercule, but ...

Reviewed: 04-14-17

Where does Closed Casket rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I don't finish audio books that I dislike. I know just a few pages into a book if I am going to like it or not. I liked this one very well, but the story had some issues. The characters were intriguing, but there were a few miscues.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story itself was the most interesting part. One character was fascinating, but we learned very little about him.

What does Julian Rhind-Tutt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was able to make the characters come alive. He did a very good job of narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The way that Hercule solved the crime was just too much over the top. He used logic rather than proof. His case would have fallen apart in a court of law. But as with many mysteries of this sort, the bad guy did confess. It was a shame, the criminal could have gotten away with it. He could have sat silent and no one would have known the difference. Hercule went overboard with self pride.

Any additional comments?

No, the story was interesting up until the point that Hercule spent pages telling everyone how he solved the crime. It was overkill.

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Jacqueline Winspear never disappoints

Reviewed: 04-14-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Pardonable Lies to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version, but I love listening to stories. Jacqueline Winspear's narration is quite pleasing to me. So, in this case, I'd rather hear the story than read it. I find her stories to be intriguing as well as the storytelling itself.

What did you like best about this story?

I love her character, Maisie Dobbs. I find her to be credible, likeable, wise, intelligent, and also wounded. I've learned so much about WW1 from these novels. I had no idea of the effect that war had on England until I found this series of books.

What does Jacqueline Winspear bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love hearing some stories more than reading them. I'm sure it has much to do with the narrator. I read as many books as I listen to. I like both formats, but I do prefer narration in some cases.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oh, I don't know. I have a friend in LA who writes them for a living, but I'm not a tagline person.

Any additional comments?

No, just share with Ms. Winspear that her series is unique and that are characters are really likeable, I just love her books.

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Unlikeable

Reviewed: 02-25-17

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't know.

Has I'll Walk Alone turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I am a long-time Mary Higgins Clark fan. I have read all of them and I will read new novels (not short story fan) as they come out.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jan Maxwell’s performances?

I like Jan Maxwell. She was not the problem.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from I'll Walk Alone?

I would have made major changes. I would have insisted that the so-called heroine be a likeable person. She was whiney and narcissistic. I would not have included so many "dectectives," I would have edited out several of the repeative scenes, and I would have changed the guilty person. Also, the person responsible for the crime didn't seem smart enough or crooked enough to plan all that he/she planned.

Any additional comments?

Yes, certain outcomes should be off limits. I found this one to be one of them. I'm surprised that the bad guy was "so" bad.

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2 people found this helpful

Too meandering for my taste

Reviewed: 10-07-13

What did you love best about Elegy for Eddie?

I really enjoyed this book, but would have liked it even better had it not taken on so many storylines that were unrelated to the events that needed to be resolved. I love the way that Jacqueline Winspear incorporates so many disparate ramblings into her books, but this particular novel went off-plot a bit too often. It was a bit too meandering for my tastes.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The opening segment was fascinating to me, but there was one to many social events in this book that did not advance the primary story. I was terribly interested in Eddie ad in Billy, but the explanation for what happened to them did not live up to my expectations.

What does Orlagh Cassidy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Orlagh Cassidy is the heart of these books. She's an excellent narrator/reader/actress. I cannot imagine these books being interpreted by someone other than her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the opening sequence.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book to Maisie Dobbs fans, but not to newbies to this series.

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Love this writer; love this series

Reviewed: 09-26-13

Where does An Incomplete Revenge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've grown to love this writer and this series. This particular book was sad, poignant, reflective, and mysterious. I've listened to many, many books, but this series is one of my favorites.

What other book might you compare An Incomplete Revenge to and why?

I really can't compare the Maisie Dobbs series of mysteries or this book to any other writer or character that I am familiar with. These books are more than mysteries, but in the end, they always solve a puzzle and resolve a case.

Have you listened to any of Orlagh Cassidy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my fourth or fifth encounter with Oriagh Cassidy's narration. I cannot think of a more fitting story teller for this series of books.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book was tinged with tragedy at it's heart and a loss that was unforgettable occurred. Sometimes there is no justice. This book touched upon that theme.

Any additional comments?

I was moved by this book as I often am by Jacqueline Winspear's other books in this series. Her reflections on how WW1 affected the British people is both eye opening and sad at times. However, there is always a mystery that must be resolved and Maisie and Billy always "get their man."

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Not the best; not the worse

Reviewed: 09-12-13

Would you try another book from James Patterson and Howard Roughan and/or Jay Snyder and Ellen Archer ?

My favorite James Patterson writing partner is Maxine Paetro. I'm not totally sure that I would try another book by this team, but I won't rule it out. It will depend on the story.

If you’ve listened to books by James Patterson and Howard Roughan before, how does this one compare?

Second Honeymoon is my first audio book by this writing team.

Did Jay Snyder and Ellen Archer do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The readers were fine, I just didn't find the characters to be very deep or very complex.

Could you see Second Honeymoon being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. It's too light weight to be a good TV show or movie.

Any additional comments?

The story definitely improved when the two major characters connected.

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1 person found this helpful

Really enjoyed this book

Reviewed: 09-12-13

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have come to really enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series. I know that everyone has different tastes, but if you enjoy gentle stories, full of likeable characters, and a good mystery thrown in, then I would absolutely recommend this book to you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite is Maisie herself, followed by Billie. These two share such a respectful and tender bond.

What about Kim Hicks’s performance did you like?

I love Kim Hick's interpretation of these stories. She IS Maisie Dobbs.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really just enjoyed it -- nothing extreme. It's like spending time with an old friend.

Any additional comments?

Try it, you might like it.

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2 people found this helpful

Not Coben's Best

Reviewed: 09-09-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to Coben fans, but with I would add a caveat. The resolution falters. It's not Coben's best.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting aspect of the story is the story itself -- until it ends. I enjoyed most of the characters -- especially his friend, Tyrese.

Which character – as performed by Ed Sala – was your favorite?

I enjoyed the rendering of David Beck, Shauna, and Tyrese. However, I thought the narration and characterizations were very good throughout.

Could you see Tell No One being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It was made into a movie, but I did not see it.

Any additional comments?

The beginning and middle were far more logical than the ending, which to me, was somewhat of a let-down.

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1 person found this helpful