Preview
  • Beware the Past

  • By: Joy Ellis
  • Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,633 ratings)

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Beware the Past

By: Joy Ellis
Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
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Publisher's summary

One terrible case always haunted detective Matt Ballard. Now many years later, the killer seems to be back. And this time he's after Matt.

When Matt Ballard was starting out his career, three boys were murdered in the same area, the remote and bleak Gibbet Fen. When the main suspect was killed in a hit-and-run, the killings stopped. But Matt was not satisfied that the real murderer had been caught.

Over 25 years later, Matt gets a photo in an unmarked envelope. It's of the Gibbet Fen crime scene. And the picture was taken before the murder took place. More photos arrive, relating to the historic murders, as well as intimate pictures of Matt's very secret private life.

Then another murder happens, with some of the hallmarks of the old case. Has the killer returned, or is this just a sick copycat determined to ruin Matt's life and reputation?

©2017 Joy Ellis (P)2018 Tantor
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What listeners say about Beware the Past

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Joy Ellis fan

I was excited to dive into the Matt Ballard series. The villain twist wasn’t a shocker. The personal big truth was definitely an “ooooh!” moment.
This is not Jackman & Evans, and honestly I was looking for the character and chemistry found in J&E.
However - I will give Matt Ballard & company another try. Ballard has a sensitivity that is refreshing. I really enjoy the non-stereotype in superior officers.
FIVE BLOODY HEARTS, book 2, has a different narrator. Should be interesting.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Narration is the real killer

To be honest, this isn’t a full review because I don’t know if I’m gonna make it any further than this chapter (Chapter 8.)
The narrator sounds like he is doing the voiceover for a crime documentary. I saw another review that said he sounds like a 70’s Top 40 music DJ. That’s another good description. When he does do different voices for the others, the regular-Joe detectives working with the main character, they sound like Hagrid from Harry Potter.
That’s all I can really say at this point, but at least you’ve been warned.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ending ruins book

The book was pretty good. I would have rated higher except for the ending. The ending was bad.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh...

Listened to this after listening to Mick Herron. Sadly poor comparison. Lacks convincing detail and very little literary benefit. But a different story that is worth a credit.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story line. Hated the narration.

Inflection and voice changes were annoying. Young women sounded old, “macho” cops sounded wimpy. Brynn sounded like a total idiot.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Twisted

The bad guy was extremely disturbing. I am glad for the happy ending but the deceiving nature of the detectives were morally questionable.

I wasn’t a fan of the narrator, after listening to his “girl” voice I was put off but stuck it out to figure out whodunit!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh

The story itself was just okay. Not terribly deep in its development. The ending was very disappointing. It's no Niki Galena novel. Wish I hadn't spent a credit on it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent read!

Big fan of Joy Ellis’s other series and I wasn’t disappointed with Matt Ballard! Slow start then full speed ahead till the end!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I didn't see that one coming

The story was a little slow to get started, but once it did I was very good. All I can say about the ending was I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Decent mystery story

This was a pretty good mystery. Although centered around Matt, a detective, there wasn't a lot of police procedural aspects to the story. There were some twists to the story at the end. Definitely an interesting twist to a serial killer (being able to completely change their appearance). I felt sorry for Matt and the others who were targeted. Overall good enough to keep my attention.

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