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Title: Field Gray

Subtitle: A Bernie Gunther Novel

Author: Philip Kerr

Narrator: Paul Hecht

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-14-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 331 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Philip Kerr crafts a thrilling chapter from his critically acclaimed Bernie Gunther series. In Field Gray, Bernie finds himself imprisoned in 1954and told he can either work for French intelligence or he can hang. Accepting his new job, Bernie begins interviewing POWs returning from Germany. And things get interesting when he meets a French war criminal and member of the French SS who has been posing as a German Wehrmacht officer.

Editorial Reviews:

In his international pursuit of Erich Mielke (the real-life head of the Stasi), Bernard Gunther enters the employment of Reinhard Heydrich (the infamous Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia, whose own assassination in Prague inspired a Hollywood movie directed by Fritz Land from a script by Brecht). Ostensibly a German mercenary, Gunther is in fact second cousin to the wise-cracking cynics of Raymond Chandler's world: even his name is shortened to Bernie in recognition of his true literary nationality. His pursuit soon takes on secondary importance as the narrative morphs into a string of entertaining set-pieces framed by an increasingly fractured narrative that jumps from '41 to '54, Cold War to WWII, Berlin to Cuba to New York. This sense of dislocation ads to the ambiguity that surrounds Gunther: As he tells and retells his story to various interrogators from the CIA and the Stasi, the listener has to make up his or her own mind about the reliability of his point of view and the extent of his culpability.

Its a brave choice by Philip Kerr to ask us to engage with a character that occupies moral ground as grey as the army uniform described in the title. He's not helped by the often uneasy mixture of the wise-cracking tone demanded by the conventions of hardboiled noir and the very real history that, at times, overwhelms the story. Cynical quips and the Holocaust dont mix all that well. Field Gray is packed with background information, and the dialogue is at its weakest when characters speak a little too extensively about the historical background, as if Kerr is trying to cram in every last scrap of his research.

However, these flaws are redeemed in this recording by the perfect marriage between voice and character as presented by Paul Hecht. His voice (reminiscent of Philip Baker Hall) is rich in regret and his crumpled world-weariness matches Bernard Gunther's embattled defensiveness. Here is a character who constantly has to justify his compromised choices to interrogators that have been untouched by the hard choices made necessary by war, and Hechts delivery is just right for a defendant who has seen things that his prosecutors can hardly dream of. Even within the context of his unique voice, Hecht manages to color it with light and shade so that the supporting characters are more than just background voices. This is a voice youll want to listen to. Dafydd Phillips

Members Reviews:

Way too much of a good thing... Bernie as Zelig

Too long, too much exposition bogs this Gunther novel down. Too many coincidences, too much of Superman Bernie's exploits stretch reality to the broken, not breaking, point. Good historical info to be had, but somewhat dry and even boring. The ending is just plain nuts! For diehard fans only.

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Title: The Fifth Witness

Author: Michael Connelly

Narrator: Peter Giles

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 235 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

In tough times, crime is one of the few things that still pay, but if defence attorney Mickey Haller was expecting an uptick in business during the economic downturn, the reality is a different story. Even people needing legal representation to keep them out of jail have to make cut-backs, it seems. In fact, the most significant part of Mickey's business right now is not about keeping clients out of jail but about keeping a roof over their heads, as the foreclosure boom hits thousands of people who were granted unrealistic mortgages in the good times and now face being kicked to the curb by ruthless corporations. Lisa Trammel had been a client of Mickey's for eight months - his very first foreclosure case, in fact - and although so far he'd managed to stop the bank from taking her house, the strain and sense of injustice are beginning to take their toll, and the bank had recently got a restraining order to prevent her protesting against their fraudulent practices. But now the bank's CEO, Mitchell Bondurant, has been found in the bank's car park with a bullet in his brain, and Lisa is about to be indicted for murder. For Mickey, it's back to what he does best on the biggest stage of all, but if he thought defending Lisa Trammel was going to be a walk in the park, he'd be wrong. Not only is he about to learn some startling truths about his client, but also about himself, and by the time the verdict is in, Mickey's whole world will have been turned upside down.

Members Reviews:

Good but not great

I have listened to every Michael Connelly book and love the way he writes and choses excellent narrators. I enjoyed most of this book but it all got a bit predictable and I knew the ending well before the book finished. The narrator did an excellent job whcih really added to the book.

I took my mp3 player from a car

It's one of few books that was difficult to interrupt listening to. Thrilling, very nicely written characters, excellent pace and last but not least, the voice of the narrator was very vivid, kept me listening after midnight. OK, I gave up 45 minutes before the end and went sleep, but I woke up early in the morning to finish it.

As good as it gets

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fifth Witness to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition.

What other book might you compare The Fifth Witness to and why?

The Lincoln Lawyer - same character - same fast pace.

What about Peter Giless performance did you like?

He portrays characters cleverly, making each unique and easily distinguishable.

Any additional comments?

A stunning, clever, fast moving book with more twists than the road to Kosciusco.

Another excellent Mickey Haller story

Another "page turner" (so to speak) in The Lincoln Lawyer series. The Fifth Witness continues the Mickey Haller saga and delivers another excellent courtroom drama complete with Michael Connelly's signature surprise ending.

I laughed out loud when the Hollywood director asked Haller what he thought of Matthew McConaughey playing him in the movie. Nice one, Mr Connelly.

Good for long drives because otherwise you'll have too many "driveway moments"!

The Fifth Witness

Again I was more than happy with the Michael Connelly that I have come to really enjoy.

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Title: The Hard Way

Subtitle: Jack Reacher 10

Author: Lee Child

Narrator: Jeff Harding

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-28-11

Publisher: Random House Audio Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 148 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Late at night in a New York café army-cop-turned-drifter Jack Reacher orders coffee in a cup made of foam, not china, so that he can move on at a moments notice.

He owns nothing, carries less, has never encountered a female colleague he cant bed, or a case he cant solve.

But now Reacher is confronted by a situation so disturbing and deceptive that the truth eludes him.

Has he painted targets on the good guys backs?

So Reacher starts over at square one. He sweats the details and works the clues. As they used to say back in the service, hes doing it the hard way. Until what started on a busy New York street explodes three thousand miles away in the sleepy English countryside. With Reacher striding alone in the shadows. Armed and dangerous. Invincible.

Members Reviews:

Excellent - couldn't put it 'down'.

I admit I am biased and am an admirer of Jeff Harding as a narrator; this is my fourth Jack Reacher novel and I loved loved loved it. I was subconsciously expecting many things as the story unfolded however Lee Child managed to put enough subtle twists and turns that created expectations that still turned out to be wrong (on my part!) Jeff Harding did an outstanding job with accents & voice inflections and female voices. I highly recommend this to any Lee Child fan as I couldn't put this down - I listened on the treadmill, in the car (stuck the Wiggles on so the children wouldn't talk to me) - even did my accounts with it on. Brilliant.

listened in 1 sitting

Love Lee Childs! The twists are fabulous, the action was excellent and the story moved along in a way which was gripping, detailed with terror edged scenes which I can still visualize! !

Jeff Harding IS Reacher

I really enjoyed this Reacher story - I suspect in the past I may not have given Reacher the concentration he needs but this one was fun especially as it ended on my home turf and I could relate much better to what was going on. Jeff Harding nails Reacher for me - he does characters very well too and once you concentrate it is so easy to be swept into the narrative. Thanks to a son who keeps choosing Reacher books, I will go back and concentrate more on the other Reacher titles.

Awful narration spoiled a good book.

Lost all interest in this one when a female character called Palling was bewilderingly given an appalling voice by Mr Harding. I got into audiobooks listening to Jeff Harding reading the Jason Bourne books from Robert Ludlum and only had great memories of that experience. How can a professional actor and voice man possibly think that by merely whispering he is interpreting the character of this woman?

It really is such a stupid and silly voice he uses, it was just not possible to maintain the interest in this, otherwise entertaining story. Belief in the story is everything in an audiobook and this rediculous voice shattered any chance I had for taking it seriously.

His own normal straight male voice would have been so much more believable and easier to follow. Not only was his idea of a sexy female voice as daft as a brush, it was so quiet it was hard to understand at times. I'm surprised and disappointed in the narrator and will be careful not to make the mistake of buying any more of his work. No complaints about the story, author, or Jack Reacher though.

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Title: The Secret of Excalibur

Subtitle: Nina Wilde - Eddie Chase Series #3

Author: Andy McDermott

Narrator: Gildart Jackson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-28-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 143 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

A legendary weapon. A ruthless assasssin. A perilous hunt.

Excalibur. Legend has it that he who carries King Arthur's mighty sword into battle will be invincible. But for more than a thousand years, the secret to the whereabouts of this powerful weapon has been lost... until now. Archaeologist Nina Wilde is hoping for a little R&R with her fiance, former SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase. But the couple's plans are dashed when a meeting with an old acquaintance propels Nina and Eddie into a razor's-edge hunt across the globe - battling a team of elite mercenaries who will stop at nothing in order to claim a prize every treasure hunter has coveted since the final days of Camelot. Nina and Eddie must do everything they can to keep the legendary blade from falling into the wrong hands. Because the truth behind the sword's power - and those who seek it - will not only shock the world but plunge it into a new and more devastating era of war.

Critic Reviews:

"Highly exciting." (The Bookseller)

Members Reviews:

kind of silly

Imagine DA VINCI CODE (not a well-written book, just a ripping story) written by a seventeen year old X BOX playing teenaged boy and you pretty much have this series. since i'm a sucker for any story with an archeologist protagonist, bought this for a nice escape. i had forgotten that i'd (tried) listening to a previous one in the series and when an absolutely laughable chase scene ensued i remembered that in the last one i stopped listening when a motorcycle/auto chase scene went on for TWENTY FOUR MINUTES...just chasing and crashing. i could hear the author telling his agent "i just wrote the chase scene to end all chase scenes!" unfortunately, it bored me to tears and ended my listening experience. the dialogue is too dopey for me and it's just...kind of silly.

Love the story

Would you try another book from Andy McDermott and/or Gildart Jackson?

Sometimes I feel like I'm listening to a movie script, but the plot lines are pretty good.

What other book might you compare The Secret of Excalibur to and why?

Not sure.

What three words best describe Gildart Jacksons performance?

He does a really good job of separating the voices so you know who's talking. He just pronounces some words very weird. He adds er onto any word that ends in a, i.e. Nina becomes 'Neener'.

Was The Secret of Excalibur worth the listening time?

I think so, I wasn't able to predict everything that was going to happen.

Any additional comments?

No

another good story

like how Andy uses previous novels plots into future books like Excalibur. bring on genesis!

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Title: The Last 10 Seconds

Author: Simon Kernick

Narrator: Paul Thornley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-19-11

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

THE UNDERCOVER COP. Having worked undercover the last ten years, Sean Egan is used to life on the edge. Hes recently infiltrated one of Londons most dangerous criminal gangs, and theyve just informed him that they want him for a very special job: the daring abduction from police custody of a serial killer known as The Night Creeper.

THE KILLER. Brutally violent yet highly intelligent, The Night Creeper has earned his reputation by torturing five young women to death. Arrested the previous night, he claims that he has a cast-iron alibi for one of the murders, and some highly important information that can prove his innocence and implicates someone else.

THE POLICEWOMAN. DI Tina Boyd has an instinct for trouble, and a past that continues to haunt her. She was the policewoman who charged The Night Creeper. Now hes been kidnapped, and its Tinas task to find him. And find him fast, because its clear that some very dangerous people want to silence him permanently.

A man, a woman and a sadistic killer. As they race towards a terrifying confrontation only one thing is certain: theyre all going to have to fight very hard just to stay alive.

Members Reviews:

Not any of Simon Kernick's best

What did you like best about The Last 10 Seconds? What did you like least?

No dead parts in a Simon Kernick novel but I regret to mention that this one turned to be a bit boring when the main part of the story was a severely beating of the main character.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Almost as expected.

Which character as performed by Paul Thornley was your favorite?

He use to do a very good job with all characters.

Was The Last 10 Seconds worth the listening time?

Yes it was.

Any additional comments?

Simon Kernick is one of my favorite authors and I look forwart to his next novel.

Kernick & Thornley good match

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I like to listen to audible when going on long trips. This thriller was great.

What didnt you like about Paul Thornleys performance?

Paul Thornley is talented and his many voices were well done, but he tends to drop his voice at the end of sentences and I could not always hear what the last few words were. When taping there needs to be a consistency of volume.

Could you see The Last 10 Seconds being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

This is made for the movies or TV...good visualization possible with the writing and I liked the female heroine, even though so troubled and difficult. Is it possible to have a balanced, happy-ish detective solving crimes and staying on the good side of her colleagues, though perhaps not the heirarchy??

Great book defo worth a listen!

What did you like most about The Last 10 Seconds?

a realistic and dramatic book from beginning to end!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sean, Tina..... Both brilliant mavericks

Which character as performed by Paul Thornley was your favourite?

PT is by far the best narrator ever I only now read books narrated by him! :)

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

When Tina witnessed the wife of the MP blow her own head off! Didnt see that coming!

Any additional comments?

Just another great book from both Author and Narrator... Well done!

Thriller

Simon Kernick does the same thing with all his books from what I can see.

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Title: Strategic Moves

Subtitle: Stone Barrington, Book 19

Author: Stuart Woods

Narrator: Tony Roberts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-18-11

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 409 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

The new page-turning Stone Barrington novel from the perennially entertaining New York Times best-selling author. Stone Barrington is enjoying his usual dinner at Elaine's when his boss at Woodman & Weld, the law firm where Stone is "of counsel," walks in, sits down, and hands Stone a check for one million dollars. It seems Stone's undercover dealings with MI6 have brought in a big new client for the firm, and they're willing to pay Stone a huge bonus and make him a partner. But almost as soon as he's taken the deal, Stone gets wind of an impending scandal that might torpedo his big promotion: It may be that the lucrative new client whom he's introduced to the firm might be a Bernie Madoff in disguise...

Members Reviews:

Skip it!

Unsatisfactory conclusion to any or all plot points. I listened to it twice to be sure I didn't somehow miss something. This novel only serves as a means for Mr Woods to upgrade Stones armored Mercedes to a Bentley, and his turbo-prop plane to a Jet. Skip it!

Pure garbage

The actions and words of Barrington are preposterous. The dialogue is trite. There are so many flaws in the plot I'm surprised the publishers let it all pass.

Troubling

I have read or listened to every Stone Barrington novel. I have enjoyed them all. In this book Woods entirely miscalculates on behalf of his beloved character and departs from some vital characteristics that make Stone Barrington a draw. Without discussing anything about the plot, Woods deprives Barrington of an authentic reaction as a New Yorker with respect to terrorism, sympathy or even interest in a murdered acquaintance, resolution of a mystery or even any real meaningful communication with his longtime detective buddy. I have enjoyed all previous stories, but this is like your favorite restaurant losing a chef . . . everything looks the same, but very disappointing.

The Copy & Paste Novelist

I now have the dubious distinction of having "read" all of Stuart Woods audiobooks, first to last, in order. Chiefs was exceptional and implanted in me the hope that at least one of the subsequent books would measure up. They never did and this is no exception. The characters' voices (their language not the tone of the narrator) were still more akin to my grandmothers era.

Of course, every character is still rich, super hot, overwhelmingly lucky, and engage in close, intense sexual relationships without much preamble... Let's go to Elaine's, have steak and Knob Creek, then shag like bunnies.. Oh and what was your name again? Fine, once. Twice, OK. But multiple times per book across a very long series, no friggin way. Wilt Chamberlain didn't shag that often.

Oh wait, also everyone has their own private plane. Everyone has a direct line to the President and the head of the CIA. Everyone drives a Mercedes, even as a rental car. Really, which Hertz is this again? Anyway, my plan (mostly because it seems like Stuart Woods approach too) is to copy and paste this review across several books. I read them all. They are all the same. So they deserve the same review.

Why did I read them all, you might ask. Chiefs was fantastic. There were glimmers of hope here and there in the early going with series protagonists Stone, Eddie, Holly, Will, etc. They were as entertaining as reruns of later Love Boat episodes. You always know exactly what you're going to get.

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Title: Damage

Author: John Lescroart

Narrator: David Colacci

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-04-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 334 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

The Curtlees are a powerful force in San Francisco, unscrupulous billionaires whove lined every important pocket in the Bay Area in pursuit of their own ascent. So when the familys heir, Ro Curtlee, was convicted of rape and murder a decade ago, the fallout for those who helped to bring him to justice was swift and uncompromising. The jury foreman was fired from his job and blacklisted in his industry. The lead prosecutor was pushed off the fast track, her dreams of becoming district attorney dashed. And head homicide detective Abe Glitsky was reassigned to the police departments payroll office. Eventually, all three were able to rebuild their lives.

And then Ro Curtlees lawyers won him a retrial, and he was released from jail.

Within twenty-four hours, a fire destroys the home of the original trials star witness, her abused remains discovered in the ruins. When a second fire claims a participant in the case, Abe is convinced: Ro is out for revenge. But with no hard evidence and an on-the-take media eager to vilify anyone who challenges Ro, can Abe stop the violence before he finds himself in its crosshairs? How much more can he sacrifice to put Ro back behind bars?

Members Reviews:

Falls far short

I have read/listened to several of John Lescroat's books, primarily the ones featuring Disma Hardy and enjoyed them. But this latest book falls short. The characters, many of whom will be familiar to readers of his previous works, are at best caricatures in this book. There is very little character development and the plot is flimsy at best. Don't bother with this one. Instead go back and listen to some of his earlier works.

His worst book...ever, save your money.

This is so padded with extraneous dialog contributing nothing to the plot, I'm giving up on it 3/4 quarters through. I usually like this reader, but this time he doesn't cut it, maybe cause the book is sooooo bad.

Children's Voice Horror

I was not doing too badly with this narration, until the "child's" voice. It's really awful- maybe because I don't have children I don't understand this terrible voice, but I have nieces and nephews, and this version of the cadence is painful. I can't listen to the second half- I'm such a fan of audiobooks too! Apologies...

Audible Ambien

I have started this one 3 or 4 times only to wake up in chapter 4 or 5 and shut off my iPad.

Good story - unsatisfying ending

This is another Lescroart with his trademark descriptions of San Francisco. This story centers around detective Abe Glitsky. Dismiss Hardy makes a few cameo appearances but doesn't really have much to do with the plot. There are also few courtroom scenes that have been the highlights of previous works.

Ro Curtless was previously convicted of rape and murder but was released on appeal due to facgtors not related to whether or not he did it. However, on his release, murders start to occur to people associated with Ro's first trial. Glitsky is charged with solving these murders and getting Ro back in jail.

The unsatisfying part of the story was that although there were 3 murders, only one of the murders was actually solved by the use of evidence and the catching of the criminal. The other 2 murders were never truly solved - although they were blamed on Ro.

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Title: The Pyramid of Doom

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Andy McDermott

Narrator: Gildart Jackson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-23-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 115 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

A BURIED EGYPTIAN TEMPLE. A SECRET KEPT FOR SIX THOUSAND YEARS. A RACE FOR LIFE WORTH KILLING FOR.

An international TV audience waits breathlessly as archaeologists prepare to break into a long-hidden vault beneath the Great Sphinx. But archaeology student Macy Sharif has already made her own shocking discovery: a religious cult raiding the site. Their prize? A map that will lead to something far more astounding: the lost pyramid of Osiris. Framed by corrupt officials, Macy goes on the run, trying to reach the only people who can save her before she is silenced---permanently. American archaeologist Nina Wilde---once a renowned scientific explorer, now all but blacklisted by her colleagues---is trying to rebuild her reputation. But Macy's plea for help will send Nina and ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase on the ultimate treasure hunt. From the streets of Manhattan to a yacht off Monaco to a buried desert site, they'll follow an elusive trail stalked by a killer determined to uncover a 6000-year-old secret. And beneath the forbidding desert, they'll enter a forgotten world both wondrous and horrifying, where the ancient God of Death has kept his secrets---until now.

Critic Reviews:

"No fan of Indiana Jones, Matthew Reilly or action in general will be able to put it down." (

Northern Territory News)

Members Reviews:

Staccato

This book was difficult to follow because of the rapid-fire narration. Mr. Jackson barely took a breath.

I could not grasp the different characters nor transition easily during changes of scene, so I stopped listening at about an hour into the book.

I will try to pick it up again sometime in the next month because I hate to waste credits and the book itself may turn out to be good.

I long for James Marsters.

Terrible Narration

I don't know how I would rate this book for story content, as I couldn't get past the first two chapters, due to the terrible narration. It could be a good book for all I know. The narrator, Gildart Jackson, who might be good in non-American accented stories, was awful. He made the lead female character, who was from Florida, sound like a South Bronx man with a speech impediment (no offense to a normal Bronx accent). Made it unbearable to listen. The other characters were badly accented as well. Did anyone at Audible listen to this book before putting it on site for purchase? If so, shame on you. If not, shame on you. Most books I've purchase from Audible have been fine, with good narration, this being the huge exception.

Reads like a movie

Very action-packed. Enjoyed the characters. Though a bit more gore than I prefer. If you are an action movie buff, you'll love this.

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Title: The Brimstone Wedding

Author: Barbara Vine

Narrator: Juliet Stevenson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-02-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 122 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Unlike the other residents of Middleton Hall, Stella is elegant, smart, and in control. Only Jenny, her care assistant, knows that she harbours a painful secret, and only she can prevent Stella from carrying it to the grave.

As the women talk, Jenny pieces together the answers to many questions that arise: Why has she kept possession of a house that her family dont know about? What happened there that holds the key to a distant tragedy?

As Jenny uses the house to meet her lover, she makes some unusual discoveries, but only when Stella leaves Jenny her tape recorder, into which she has recorded the true events of the past, can the truth be finally - and shockingly - revealed.

Members Reviews:

Amazing reader elevates book to a higher level

I am a Ruth Rendell (aka Barbara Vine) fan, but this audiobook stands out because of the amazing narration by Juliet Stevenson. The reader takes this book to a higher level and as a result her voice beckoned to me constantly to pick it up and continue after every interruption over the past three days. The story itself begins very well, but it drags on just a little too long to be rated as highly as the narration. The ending was ultimately surprising and neatly tied up the threads of the story but without this fabulous narration I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. The subjects of the story focus on infidelity, cruelty, how women's lives and social views of marriage and fidelity have changed over the last 70 years - all interesting and engaging topics that carry most of the story along at a very good pace.

I can't say enough about the power of Stevenson's reading. She adds subtle differentiation to voices through accents and voice coloration that make it impossible to miss which character is speaking, her ability to communicate emotion is unequalled among female readers, and her timing is perfect.

The story is very interesting and I only rate it a '3' because I felt the pacing of the story stumbled in the second half of the story and made me impatient when there remained three hours left to go. Overall despite this flaw it was one of the better psychological mystery novels I've read in a while.

Still, I recommend it as highly as I do because I am amazed by what Juliet Stevenson adds to this novel by her tremendous abilities as a narrator.

Ruth Rendell and Juliet Stevenson . . . Wonderful!

This book written by a master and read by a master narrator is to be savored a bite at a time like a box of chocolates -- or gobbled whole overnight! I didn't gobble it whole; however I stayed with the last several hours and was left in a real funk! The story is about a sweet old lady who is only in her early 70's but is dying of cancer. Her care-giver in a pricey nursing home thinks the old lady is interesting. A real love and care grows between them. There are plot details that would be missed by listeners who "gobble"! The medical details are minimal. Both women have been married and had a lover on the side. Their stories are inter-twined with no confusion between the two. The listener cares about both -- with Genevieve's (the care-giver) story progressing in real time and Stella's (the old lady) told in flashbacks and on cassette after she is gone. This is a true horror story! Ruth Rendell is clever and subtle and quite delicious!

Juliet Stevenson is superb narrating Jane Austen.

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Title: False Pretences

Author: Veronica Heley

Narrator: Patience Tomlinson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-10

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Theres nothing sinister about Zanders request for Bea Abbott to accompany him on an errand to a grieving widow, but its an awkward situation. Zander exposed a scam that his boss Denzil had been running on the Tudor Housing Trustafter which Denzil had, unexpectedly, died. His widow wants to sue the Trust, while the paperwork that could have proved her husbands guilt has gone missing. Oliver, Beas computer geek of an assistant, is delighted to delve into the mysteries left on Denzils computer.

Zander and Oliver find themselves suspected of murder, while Bea thinks up a novel way to rescue her sons failing marriage. As the plot thickens, it emerges that although the first death may have appeared natural, those that follow definitely do not.

Members Reviews:

This book is sort of "fluff"

Would you try another book from Veronica Heley and/or Patience Tomlinson?

Probably not.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Patience Tomlinson?

Maybe--she has such a "peppy" way of reading, that I would hope she could change that in other narrative situations. I kind of think that the novel itself left her little choice--it evokes ideas (in me, at least) of something I'd give to a maiden aunt to read. Though about murder, somehow Tomlinson often keeps a very cheerful voice.

Did False Pretences inspire you to do anything?

Go to sleep. Cut my losses and find a different book.

Any additional comments?

I will admit, that I had the feeling I must have come into a book that is part of a series, which could explain why it felt as though the listener enters the story mid-stream. If that is the case, then please ignore most of my remarks, because they would be based on the listening to a single part of a greater whole, taken out of context. But, since this is the only book by this author I have read--this is my take on it as it stands alone.

There were several parts dealing with people going to church and Bea praying and talking to God--made me wonder if I was listening to literature written for people of faith. Not a turn off--just a little odd in a book of that sort, but would have made the entire thing more understandable. (As a lesson in how to live one's life as a Good Moral Person).

I think this book would be just great for some people. I personally don't like a lot of violence in books, and this promised to be that way. But it rather hit the extreme in terms of good vs evil (too exaggerated)--and that seemed to tie in with my feeling that it was meant to be a christian book maybe? I don't know.

There was one issue that could have made this book very good--racism was taken on as a major plot concern. But since the author lacks a subtle writing style, it felt more like I was being commanded to agree that racism is a terrible thing (which I've always believed anyway)--it was just too in-your-face as a topic. And that leaves me feeling sad, because it is an issue that the entire world needs to be more sensitive to--but I just felt like backing away--as though I was being hit over the head with it. I wanted to say, "All right, already--thanks for tackling a challenging topic, but back off a little and let the listener draw their own conclusions instead of its being so off-putting with over-the-top kinds of obvious situations and statements by the characters.

I KNOW that there are people who would love this book.