Download Popular Authors Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

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Title: Guilty

Author: Karen Robards

Narrator: Joyce Bean

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-09-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 146 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

One cold November night when Kat Kominski was 15 years old, she and some friends held up a convenience store. In the heat of the moment, one of the others shot and killed an off-duty cop moonlighting as a security guard. Kat and her pals fled the scene in a panic, and no one was caught.

Thirteen years later, Kat - now Kate White - has built a new life for herself. Now a single mom with a nine-year-old son, she works as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia DA's office. But her dark past returns to haunt her when she walks into court one day and has a devastating encounter with a prisoner, Mario Castellanos, one of her companions from that terrible night.

Hardcore criminal Mario is facing a possible sentence of 20 years. He lets Kate know that he is counting on her, his old friend turned prosecutor, to make sure he goes free instead. If Kate doesn't do what he wants, he'll claim she was the one who killed the off-duty cop.

Kate is in a bind: If the truth about her past gets out, she stands to lose everything, including her son. But she can't do what Mario wants, either. As Mario ups his demands, blackmailing and terrorizing her, she is forced to turn for protection to a sexy homicide detective, Tom Braga, who suspects her of...something. The two clash repeatedly as Tom keeps digging into her past, trying to learn the truth.

Then another, far more menacing, threat rears its head, and Kate realizes that her life - and her son's - are in terrible danger. Frantic, she sees that she has nowhere to turn. Except, maybe, to Tom....

©2009 Karen Robards; (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Editorial Reviews:

Kate White is fighting for the life that, modest as it is, shes spent 10 grueling years building for herself and her son. Narrator Joyce Bean captures Kates gritty determination and complexity perfectly. Heres a woman whose journey has been truly heroic, but Bean never allows Kate to so much as skirt the edges of being a clichéd victim or cardboard crusader.

As she faces blackmail and worse, Kates mounting anxiety is brought to life by Bean. There is an authenticity and texture that creates a gut-level connection for the listener between the polished professional Kate is today and the tough-as-nails street kid she has painstakingly buried in her past.

When it comes to suspense, author Karen Robards is the master of upping the ante at just the right moment. Bean keeps the listener on the razors edge between Kates fear and her need to conceal it from both her son and the suspicious cop shes started spending too much time with. And her shading of Kates developing relationship with said cop is sexy, smart, and spot-on.

One of the key reasons Beans narration is such a pleasure is that she never tries too hard to capture the voices of her characters. Men are strong and relaxed without reaching for a hackneyed baritone. Ten-year-old Ben has the perfect pitch and cadence of a bright and loving kid. The level of narrator skill and confidence here is so satisfying you truly dont want the story to end.

Another richly drawn character in this story is the city of Philadelphia, which Robards paints with a wonderful feel for atmosphere and mood.

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Title: Amber Beach

Author: Elizabeth Lowell

Narrator: Robin Rowan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 284 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Donovan International is a power to be reckoned with in the dazzling and cutthroat worldwide gem trade -- and is therefore a target for the murderous greed of unscrupulous competitors. Though a shrewd businesswoman, Honor Donovan has been effectively shut out of the dangerous family enterprise by the Donovan males -- until her favorite brother, Kyle, mysteriously vanishes along with a fortune in stolen amber. Now, linking up with "fishing guide" Jake Mallory -- whose previous association with the Donovans has bred mistrust and suspicion -- Honor sets out for the Pacific Northwest in search of answers. But old wars and new politics have lured ruthless, high-stakes players from around the globe into a deadly game. And suddenly, elusive trust can be the only salvation -- and death the penalty for deceit -- if Honor and Jake hope to survive the perilous intrigues surrounding a breathtaking lost Czarist treasure known as the Amber Room ...

Editorial Reviews:

Robin Rowan's sultry voice tells the story of Honor Donovan's search for her missing brother, Kyle, and the millions of dollars worth of amber he has stolen from Russia. Honor isn't the only person looking for Kyle and his goods. Jack Mallory, a local amber broker and boat jockey, hires on to teach Honor to run her boat while searching for her brother in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. With light tones and a breezy style, Rowan keeps pace with the ups and downs of Honor's emotions. At the same time, the tension is palpable as Jake and Honor carry out their search while avoiding the irate Russian gangsters Kyle is mixed up with. The mystery zigzags a few times before settling into a steady plot and a surprising ending.

Members Reviews:

Love this whole series

This is the first of the series and I have loved them from the beginning. I read the books so many times they are falling apart and was so pleased to see them on audible. Now I can listen to them over and over. The narrator did a very good job for the book. The author is very descriptive about the region and makes you want to go to the san juan islands to go salmon fishing. I would recommend this book to everyone who likes romantic suspense.

Oh PALLEEEZZZZZZZZ

This book is one of the most annoying books I've attempted to listen to in the past ten years. Supposedly we have a situation that involves the Russian mafia, the CIA, a former CIA agent, jewel dealers and a question about whether a missing man is a good man or a world-class jewel thief, and yet the male (former CIA agent?) and female protagonist (jewelry designer) act like horney tweeners....every other thought/sentence/line is about sex and their hormones raging for each other. It seems the author couldn't decide whether she wanted to write a bodice-ripper or an international jewel-theft thriller. It is just too ridiculous to continue!

Finally the first book of the Donovan series.

I love this series and so excited that Audible released it. Was not sure if I would like this narrater since the cassette read by Laurel Merlington but it was great. Hopefully Audible will release Jade Island and Pearl Cove.

Amber Beach

This is a really good series and has been out for a while. I hope Midnigt in Rub Bayou is also added soon.

I managed 7 minutes into the story

There needs to be a section for trite romance disguised as thriller.

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Title: Rules of Vengeance

Subtitle: Dr. Jonathan Ransom, Book 2

Author: Christopher Reich

Narrator: Paul Michael

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-04-09

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 217 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Months after foiling an attack on a commercial jetliner, Doctors Without Borders physician Jonathan Ransom is working under an assumed name in a remote corner of Africa while his wife, Emma, desperate to escape the wrath of Division, the secret American intelligence agency she betrayed, has vanished into the netherworld of international espionage. Both look forward to sharing a stolen weekend in London - until an ambush on a convoy of limousines turns their romantic rendezvous into a terrorist bloodbath.

In the aftermath, Emma disappears and Jonathan is apprehended by the police and threatened with life imprisonment unless he helps secure his wife's capture. Faced with an impossible decision, Jonathan makes a daring escape. On the run, herealizes that his only option is to become a spy himself in order to track down Emma and discover the true nature of the conspiracy she appears to be masterminding. In the process, Jonathan begins to realize that all along he's been a pawn in a high-stakes game of international intrigue and one-upsmanship far beyond his imagining.

Critic Reviews:

"Rules of Deception develops an entertainingly serpentine complexity . . . And his finale lives up to the level of suspense he has created." (New York Times)

"Un-put-downable . . . This first-class adrenaline fest will leave readers guessing until the last page." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

International Keystone Cops

I read the first book "Rules of Deception" and really enjoyed it. I immediately downloaded the second book in the series, only to find out the story is the same as the first book. There are a few twist that kept it interesting, but the story is still the same. The hero is chased all over the world by a bunch of bumbling cops. He is injured repeatedly, even seems to die, like the heroin died in the first book, and comes back to life.

When the heroin is about to blowup the world the hero, while trying to stop her with only minutes to spare, he takes the time to ask her if she really loved him.

I am tempted to buy the third book only to see how many times a character can die and come back to life and if the hero quits being so innocent and naive. Unfortunately I do not want to spend the money or time on the third book to find out the plot is repeated.

Paul Michael did an excellent presentation, as he always does.

Fun, Exciting, and Complex

Fun and exciting listening. This is a continuation of characters and story for Chritopher Reich's earlier book "Rules of Deception". They are both great listens but I would recommend hearing the first, first to get the full fun out of the second.

Lots of action. Lots of attention to detail. Well researched and believable. Great reader is the icing on the cake.

Lots of twists and turns. One of those books that keeps you glued the headphones on your ipod. Get it.

Did not meet the orginal

I enjoyed Christopher Reich's Rules of Deception, it was fast moving and the plot was intriguing, but Rules of Vengeance has too many subplots to keep your interest. It is like many of the sequels that do not attain the same interest as the original. The narration of Paul Michael was good and kept the multiple characters identifiable. I certain will not listen to a sequel.

Captivating!

What did you love best about Rules of Vengeance?

Excellent series. Love the intrigue.

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Title: Wycliffe and Death in a Salubrious Place

Author: W. J. Burley

Narrator: Jack Shepherd

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-17-09

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Angry and distressed, the villagers instinctively turn against the only stranger in their midst, the famous pop star and teenage idol Vince Peters. But Superintendent Wycliffe is not so sure. Slowly, methodically, he begins to dig beneath the calm surface of the community - and soon uncovers a violent undercurrent of fear and guilt...

Members Reviews:

As Good

I always watch Wycliffe on tv and this audio book is just as good especially with Wycliffe reading it. I will look out for more.

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Título: Dos Semanas con los ticos [Two Weeks with the Ticos]

Subtitular: América Latina

Autor: Dolores Soler-Espiauba

Narrador: Natalia González

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 1 hr and 13 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 06-03-09

Editor: Difusión, S.L.

Calificaciones: 3.5 de 5 de 8 votos

Categorías: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Resumen del editor:

Las novelas de esta serie están ambientadas en el entorno geográfico y cultural de diversos países latinoamericanos: Cuba, México, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Perú, Bolivia, Guatemala y Costa Rica.Estas novelas, además de incluir numerosos comentarios culturales, políticos, geográficos, gastronómicos, etc., reproducen la variante de español del país donde se desarrolla la historia.

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

don't be fooled by the common reference levels

Any additional comments?

Really good for learning Spanish, but just one thing to take into account for this entire series as well as some of the other Spanish-language learning materials on Audible (e.g. Pepa Villa, Lola Lago) is that you should probably add up to a full level to the rated difficulty, so e.g. A2 is really more like B1 or B2.

The reason for this is that most of these audio series also come with transcripts and can be used in a classroom setting where you might listen to the same piece of audio two or three times and perhaps get some help from a teacher. In that scenario the difficulty levels make sense. But if you're just listening to the audio by yourself and you'd like to be able to understand at least most of it, swallow your pride and drop down a level, you'll enjoy it more while still getting enough of a challenge to improve your listening comprehension.

When in doubt, just listen to the preview before buying!

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Title: The Edge of Honor

Author: P. T. Deutermann

Narrator: Jay Charles, Sandra Burr

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 151 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

A fully-imagined tale of passion, adventure, and betrayal, The Edge of Honor features a cast of characters whose public vows and private motives drive the plot.

Critic Reviews:

"Deutermann keeps the adrenalin pumping in this exciting genre standout." (Publishers Weekly)

"A winner for naval history and adventure buffs." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

I Effing Love P.T. Deutermann!!

Seriously!

I've purchased all of the Deutermann novels available on Audible, and I'm obscenely happy with all of them.

Edge of Honor is a bit different than most of his other books, in that the story is told from the perspective of two protaganists, a husband and wife. The book is set around the middle of the Vietnam War, and essentially talks about navy life from the perspective of both the guy at sea, and the wife left at home.

To enhance the difference, there are two narrators, one female and one male. In the first few minutes, I was a bit put off by this, because the first scene is a conversation between them. As the book rolled on, though, I began to really appreciate the change in tone, and I enjoyed the narration.

The level of detail of life aboard ship gets a little Clancy-esque at times; lots and lots and LOTS of detail, but I found it all to be pretty interesting.

I think that if you've ever enjoyed any other P.T. Deutermann novel, you'll enjoy this one, too.

Absolutely worth the credit.

Surprisingly Good

I was very anxious to listen to this book. As a retired Navy Senior Chief who served during the Viet Nam era I was anxious to listen to the detail on the ships and systems. I can say it was extremely accurate. It brought back fond memories and anxious moments that I haven't thought about in 30 years. I was however disappointed with the female narration and female portion of the book. I could see no connection that was instrumental in the book except for the ward room wives portion. The difficulties of the main characters wife in coping with the separation was not interesting and actually brought this book down from a 5 to a 3 1/2. I rounded up to 4.

I miss the Goat Locker and Subic Bay!!

Classic Naval

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

The second book I have listened to by the author (Pacific Glory the other). This would have been just as good (and gotten 5 stars) if it not for the lame attempt by the female narrator to do the male voice (of Autrie). Pretty pathetic. Pretty decent overall, however.

Dissapointed

First...P.T. Deutermann is one of my favorite authors. I buy every book without even looking at the review. This is the first time I have been disappointed. I could not take the whiny wife. You marry a man in the NAVY, in wartime and you are suprised when he gets on a ship and goes away? Give me a break!!!!! The story starts way too slow. I got bored and annoyed. After a couple of hours I gave up on it...so to be fair...maybe it gets a lot better...it would have to........

Awesome Military Fiction

The story is a little long like most of Deutermann's books but it's definitely worth the credit and your time to listen.

Can't wait for his new book 'Glory'.

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Title: Hard Stop

Subtitle: A Sam Acquillo Mystery

Author: Chris Knopf

Narrator: Richard Ferrone

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 125 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

But this time there's some added incentive, an opportunity Sam thought he'd never see again, the chance to get a piece of his old life back, the only piece he might actually want.

Critic Reviews:

"Rewarding....Knopf blends familiar elements in unusually pleasing fashion and adds plenty of original touches as well....Acquillo is a savvy operator who loves problem solving and has the tenacity of a pit bull. His penchant for intriguing predicaments bodes well for a long and successful series." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Home run

Thoroughly entertaining; if you listen in the car, you'll hope for a traffic jam. Narrator Richard Ferrone does an excellent job voicing and pacing this story.

Very good dialogue!

The dialogue was very very good! But the story lacked something that made me WONDER what was going --- LOVE the happenings of the dog --- gave me more than a few chuckles!

A good beach read, but not Chris' best.

The author is a friend of mine. So take that with a grain of salt. But I found that this particular Sam Acquillo book was very high on style and character development, but lacked the essential aspects of a mystery that I hope for. There was no bog reveal or "ah-ha" moment in this book. Only an "I see now" moment. Still the book is well crafted and the dialogue (something Knopf does particularly well) is sharp as a razor.

Chris Knopf is simply great!

I just bumped into Chris Knopf and was delighted to find out there are a bunch of books of his I could bury myself in. Good characters - who grow and develop as the series goes along - good mysteries - fun and serious all at the same time. I highly recommend these books in the Sam Acquillo series, also the Jackie Swaitkowski books are equally worthwhile. Not so pleased with the Arthur Cathcart series (3 books) but they aren't bad by any means - just not nearly as fun to read as the others.

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Title: Cold Choices

Author: Larry Bond

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 266 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

The subs collide, and the Russian ship sinks to the bottom, crippled. Only Seawolf knows where Severodvinsk is, but the Russian authorities are too angry to listen to the Americans, even in matters of life and death.

Mitchell and his shipmates must keep their own damaged vessel afloat, figure out a way to make the Russians listen, and keep the trapped submariners alive until they can be saved - if that is even possible.

Larry Bond uses his experience as an intelligence officer, warfare analyst, and antisubmarine technology specialist to give readers an expertly crafted techno-thriller. Like Run Silent, Run Deep and The Hunt for Red October, Cold Choices takes readers deep into the minds of submariners and the treacherous world in which they dwell.

Members Reviews:

Pretty goo

As a retired Navy man with a more than usual understanding of both US and Russian submarines, I found this book to be what we always wished would have happened, but never did.

We should have helped each other, many times, instead of doing our level best to kill each other and succeeding many times.

Other than a few mistakes between Army/Air Force terms and Navy terms, the author did an excellent job. It is obvious he was never in the Navy, or if he was, he must have served in another branch after the Navy and forgot the terminology used by the Navy, because he occasionally used non-Navy terms for things.

I was very impressed by the afterword where he explained where he obtained all the names used int he book.

I thank him for the honors he bestowed.

a good yarn

A bit long winded in spots but overall this is a story that is not only possible but the tale is believable. This story kept me interested and I did not want to turn off the player when reaching my destination...I love books like that, doesn't everyone?

good mariners tale with tons of detail

I'm not a military person but the story was intriguing. Dick Hill was superb, always a treat to hear his narrations.

Great Great Novel !

The first time I read this book (or listened on Audible) I may have been unkind. I wasn't feeling well that day and I don't remember what I said. This is by FAR the best submarine novel I have ever read/heard. I t beats "The Hunt for Red October " which is a great read. I would or I wish this to become a Big Screen movie ! I believe that it would play for quite a while !

Great Sub v Sub story and more

Everything you need from a sub v sub story with great additional elements. Add the narration skills of Dick Hill and you have a winner.

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Title: The Touch of Fire

Author: Linda Howard

Narrator: Natalie Ross

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 386 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Pointing a gun at Dr. Annie Parker, he abducts her into the mountains so she can tend his wounds. In this dangerous wilderness world, Rafe wakens in Annie a woman's hungry desire, as Annie finds a man wounded in soul as well as body. Her healing touch brings him new hope, but the secrets of the past still pursue them.

The exhilarating journey they must take together teaches both the true meaning of danger...and of enduring love.

Members Reviews:

Great Balls of Fire!

Rafe and Anne had an adventure. Rafe was set up and chased across the country by bounty hunters, a U.S. Marshall and a private army by one of the rich men in the country at that time. The papers Rafe has hidden could be a potential historical game changer, and silencing him was the only sure way to protect one of the richest, most influential man in American History. Injured Rafe kidnaps Anne to tend his wounds and decides to keep her. The adventure begins, they are hunted, chased, and walk into an Indian Camp that is plagued with a deadly measles outbreak. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it was a great read, had some hot, steamy sexual scenes, and of course action. I gave it 5 stars because the story kept my interest, and the wonderful narration by the talented Natalie Ross, kept me riveted. Yes she was dramatic in some areas, maybe a lil bit too much, however it certainly made my heart race.

A really good historical western romance

If you could sum up The Touch of Fire in three words, what would they be?

It's not the lonesome Dove saga, however, it is a good 19th century American romance. I'm so tired of the Regency era, I could just explode.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yessir. I didn't have to hear about Bathe or Whitehall and there were no Lords or Ladies.

Have you listened to any of Natalie Rosss other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yep. Pretty good.

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

Oh bother, "The doctor and the outlaw." I have no idea. Now if this was a regency novel it would be, "I have no idear".

Any additional comments?

Please, let's not all be juvenile and correct my errors. Seriously, this is one I like.

Good Story

The story was well put together and the female narrator did an excellent job with the male voices.

Enjoyable!

I enjoyed this Linda Howard tale. It moved along at a good pace and concluded in a timely manner. I had a little trouble when the story took a "woo woo" turn, but others of her books have included a touch of the supernatural, and ultimately it worked!

Enjoyable western.

The story begins in 1871 with Rafe on the run from bounty hunters. He is shot and goes to a doctors home where Dr. Annie Parker treats his wounds. She tells him his wounds will need medical care for three days, so he kidnaps her to keep her with him while on the run.

Most of the story happens while they are on the run together. There are some neat things happening toward the end of the book. The ending was great.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:

Natalie Ross did a great job.

DATA:

Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 312 pages. Swearing language: moderate plus s*** a few times. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: eleven. Setting: 1871 Arizona. Copyright: 1992. Genre: historical western romance.

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Title: Songs for the Missing

Author: Stewart O'Nan

Narrator: Emily Janice Card

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 01-07-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 35 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

As desperate search parties give way to pleading television appearances, and private investigations yield to personal revelations, we see one town's intimate struggle to maintain hope and, finally, to live with the unknown.

Stewart O'Nan's new work begins with the suspense and pacing of a thriller and soon deepens into an affecting family drama of loss. On the heels of his critically acclaimed and nationally best-selling Last Night at the Lobster, Songs for the Missing is an honest, heartfelt account of one family's attempt to find their child. With a soulful empathy for these ordinary heroes, O'Nan draws us into the world of this small American town and allows us to feel a part of this family.

Members Reviews:

Long...Drawn Out and Boring!

Very long ..very drawn out with zero supsense..and the bottom line very boring. Waste of time and money. Would not recommend it.

Portrait of A Family

O'Nan paints a portrait of a family searching for their missing daughter. With his gift to reveal that magic in the mundane, this is a book I enjoy over and over.

Boring Boring Boring

The book itself may have been a good read but the naration on this one did not make you feel the story. I did not feel that you got to know the characters. The depth of the emotion a mother, father or sibling would feel when a child is missing did not feel authentic to me. Some books are better read and I think this may be one. I have read other O'Nan books and would try another but plan to stear clear of this narrator.

A Family Forever Changed

Kim Larsen goes missing the summer before she goes away to college. What happens next is the search which does not evolve into a mystery, but rather marks time as the family adjusts and forever changes. It becomes clear that Kim may never be found and she most certainly has been murdered. The point of the novel isn't for it be a mystery. It's a psychological study on the transition of a family where one of its members goes missing. "Songs" are generated by Kim's mother, father, sister, and friends, although not always in tune. O'Nan portrays each of these characters, mostly in solitude, as they struggle with the hole left in their lives by Kim. We meet Kim at the beginning and get a solid sense of her presence and energy before she yanked out of the picture. Lindsey, Kim's sister becomes the second tragedy because her parents treat her so much differently than they would have. Both parents remark on this and yet can't help themselves from putting a protective bubble around their remaining daughter. Lindsey struggles for air but only really gets any when she's left home and achieves an age that "Kim never was" as she states at the end. Her parents lose her as well. Nina and JP, Kim's closest friends ultimately find refuge when they leave home. Coming back for the endless round of services for Kim cause them much pain, suffering, and guilt which is heaped upon them by Fran, Kim's mother. Fran is the ringmaster in all this. She can't quite let it go and actually experiences much personal growth at the cost of Kim's dignity in absentia. And yet as the book continues, the listener can't help but wonder if we'd do the same. The listener is drawn into to the drama both sickened by it but simultaneously buoyed by hope.