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Title: Blues in the Night

Subtitle: Molly Blume #1

Author: Rochelle Krich

Narrator: Deanna Hurst

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 85 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The image of the young woman stumbling along a dark, winding road is one true-crime writer Molly Blume cannot shake. It draws her to a bedside in intensive care, where, before dying, the victim whispers three names: Robbie, Max, and Nina. It's not a smoking gun, but it is sufficient enough to reinforce Molly's gut instinct that there are sinister circumstances behind the assault on Lenore Saunders.

With fearless conviction, Molly asks questions that nobody - including Lenore's mom, her ex-husband, her shrink, or even Molly's LAPD buddy, Detective Connors - wants to answer. Nevertheless, the astute Molly discovers Lenore lived a fractured life, so different from Molly's own secure and loving Orthodox Jewish background. And as a chilling picture of the unfortunate woman begins to take shape, the menace of murders past and present stirs and quickens.

Members Reviews:

Heroine is a dummy

There are just too many instances when our "heroine" blindly chooses unsupported trails down which to drag the reader for true crime fiction buffs, who know a dead end when they see one, to put up with. I, for one, figured this one out early on, having slogged through cliched rants--no, kvetching--about her ex-husband, endless descriptions of the streets of Hollywood and LA (I guess to let us know she's familiar with the area), and way more than you would ever want to know about what she and this one or that might be wearing. Don't bother.

Back drop

I felt there was too much "Jewish" background that kept coming to the foreground and disrupting the flow of the story. I also felt the romance aspects took over the mystery too often

Don't Bother

There are no redeemable factors to help this book. It is in a word awful. The characters are stale and lifeless and so was the plot. I did not finish the book nor did I fast forward to the end to see who committed the crime and why. I did not care. The author used to many Yiddish phrases that were out of place and for a character that is based in California, there is no reason that she should have a stereotypical Jewish accent. It ruined the story. I wouldn't waste a credit on it.

A little different, but not in a good way...

This mystery introduced me to freelance reporter Molly Blume, a woman with absolutely no compunction about lying to get her way, yet who is also a heavily-observant Jew who wails endlessly about her commitment to orthodoxy. If you have never heard of Judaism, her unrelenting expalnation of every detail and ritual of orthodox life in the 5700s MIGHT seem interesting, but I doubt it. Without the loose lips and complete unprofessionalism of every cop, doctor and nurse in the field, Molly couldn't investigate her way out of a paper bag, so it's pretty irritating that she supposedly charms the truth out of everyone but the listener.

***

The narrator has a little bit of a whine in her voice and lays the Jewish accents on pretty thick for a story that takes place in Los Angeles.

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Title: Cyanide Wells

Author: Marcia Muller

Narrator: Sandra Burr, J. Charles

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

To Matthew Lindstrom, that sinister legacy is ironically appropriate for the place he finally expects to find his ex-wife, Gwen. Fourteen years earlier, her baffling disappearance branded him a murderer and destroyed his reputation and career as a photographer. Suddenly, after all this time, an anonymous phone caller tells him that Gwen is alive - and well aware of what she has done. Matt comes to Cyanide Wells looking for answers...and revenge.

Here, where the surrounding thick forest conceals twisted paths and old sins, Matt works to uncover the details of Gwen's new life. But before he can confront her, his ex vanishes once more. With his future again threatened by suspicion, Matt must join forces with Carly McGuire - a local woman with secrets of her own - and begin a hunt through Soledad's untamed landscape and an interior geography of betrayal and darkness. There perhaps lies the truth about past crimes and Gwen's fate...as well as Matt's own.

Members Reviews:

I Don't Understand

I really don't understand all the negative reviews. I enjoyed this book in both the written and audio formats. Matthew Lindstrom was described as an unsympathetic character by a reviewer which I completely disagreed with. Carly McGuire is at times quite prickly and not at all sympathetic, though this changes as the story goes along. Yes the story has it's implausible elements but I liked the idea that the story did not wrap up neatly with only one villain responsible for all that happened in the narrative. I gave this one five stars and I seem to be the only one who did. Maybe I'm all alone in thinking this was a good listen; all I can say is give it a shot.

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Title: Icarus

Author: Russell Andrews

Narrator: Patrick G Lawlor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Jack refuses to accept the police theory of suicide. Convinced that one of Kid's women is a killer, he finds himself searching for answers in Kid's world, a world of lap dancing and after-hours clubs, of drugs and violence, and of overwhelming sensuality. But as Jack's suspicions rise, as he draws closer to the truth, an unknown threat lurks just ahead of him, anticipating his every move - and killing whoever is in the way. As past and present merge, as Kid's world overtakes Jack's, as Jack begins to understand just how high the stakes are in the game he has elected to play, he knows only one thing for certain: He must find the killer before the killer finds him.

Members Reviews:

Overwhelmingly Stupid Hero... But Riveting

Patrick Q Lawler is a magnificent actor... character creator... mood generator... Russell Andrews is a powerful writer. His ear for dialogue allows Lawler to shine... and vice versa. Gideon was the first Andrews novel I listened to. It's better than this one... Yet, I'm, not unhappy I spent the time with Icarus. BUt... but... You have to be prepared to suspend some substantial ... belief. Jack Keller's got to be the dumbest protagonist in thriller-dom. But he ain't supposed to be. Regardless, the plot held me from the beginning and kept me till the end. I'm not sure though, whether I'll listen to another - perhaps I should not have gone back but forward in Andrews work. Lemme think on that.

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Title: Smoke & Mirrors

Author: John Ramsey Miller

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-04-08

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The murder was shocking in its brutality: a thousand-yard high-velocity shot that left an innocent 19-year-old babysitter dead on a Mississippi plantation. At first, police called it a hunting accident. But the killer left a calling card - for ex-U.S. marshal Winter Massey. And when Massey investigates, he knows exactly who the shooter is. He just doesn't know why.

Once Massey dueled an elite assassin. Now, in a land of fading plantations and a booming casino industry, this sworn enemy has resurfaced to play a cat-and-mouse game of revenge.

While Massey ignites a hunt for the killer, another murder is committed, and violent secrets are exposed inside a powerful gambling conglomerate, in the star-crossed family of a beautiful landowner, and even within the FBI itself.

For Massey, the hunt for the sniper is personal. But the more he learns, the more he suspects that he's being blinded by a whole lot of smoke and mirrors - behind which lies the most explosive secret of all.

Critic Reviews:

"Full of breathless blood and guts action, hairpin twists and turns, Miller's cocktail of murder and dirty business is potent and compelling." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Great reader, boring book

Scott Brick gets the usual 5 starts for his reading. The story gets 2 stars. The book never held my interest, too slow. I recommend it for reading in bed, it will put you to sleep.

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Title: Heartsick

Author: Chelsea Cain

Narrator: Carolyn McCormick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 08-26-08

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When beautiful serial killer Gretchen Lowell captured her last victim - the man in charge of hunting her down - she quickly established who was really in control of the investigation. So why, after ten days of horrifying physical and mental torture, did she release Detective Archie Sheridan from the brink of death and hand herself in?

Two years on, Archie now returns to lead the search for a new killer, whose recent attacks on teenage girls have left the city of Portland reeling. Shadowed by vulnerable young reporter Susan Ward, Archie knows that only one person can help him climb into the mind of this psychopath.

But can Archie finally manage to confront the demons of his past without being consumed by them?

Members Reviews:

Such an interesting take on serial killers

Would you listen to Heartsick again? Why?

Yes, its interesting and has a sadistic apeal to it. You cant help but feel for Archies wife and the reporter. Its the knid of book where you can listen to it once but the second and third time you pick up on things you missed the first time around.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Heartsick?

The moments where you get glimpses into the torture that Archie goes through,

What does Carolyn McCormick bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

She brings the characters to life and really has the warped sense of the serial killer down pat.

Any additional comments?

This was my first thriller, i'm so glad i gave it a go, its a great listen. It really does have a depth into the killers persona that is just facinating, the killeer's sometimes disturbing and sometimes enviable. The relationship between the cop and the killer is something i am going to follow just to see what happens, its like watching a car crash or something equally horrible, but you just cant help but watch it unfold. I've already got the second book and that too is shaping up to be thrilling and twisted.I reccomend giving it a go.

average

ever since the hunger games audio book ive loved carolyn mccormicks voice. i want her on a sat nav and i dont even drive. would just be nice to hear ehr dictate my directions in life ha

the book itself was well paced, i especially love gretchin, she's fierce!

gave this 3 star as i thought it was blatently obvious who the killer was, not alot surprised me about this book, but still its a good listen

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Title: Dead Souls

Subtitle: Inspector Rebus, Book 10

Author: Ian Rankin

Narrator: Bill Paterson, Ian Rankin

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-19-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The 10th Inspector Rebus novel from "Britain's best crime novelist" (Daily Express).

Stalking a poisoner at the local zoo, Inspector John Rebus comes across a paedophile taking pictures of children. When the social workers claim he is there for legitimate educational reasons, Rebus is faced with a dilemma - should he be outed to protect local kids or given a chance to start anew? As the locals begin a hate campaign he gets a call from the past: the son of a friend has gone missing and no one else will make time to ask the right questions. And then a fragment of Scotland's criminal history is repatriated at the end of a life sentence for murder.

Once more Rebus' cup of trouble runneth over and the ghosts of past misdeeds return to haunt Edinburgh's streets.

Members Reviews:

like listening to a telegram

I fill several hours a day with audiobooks, and from classics to cozies, I like to listen to series in order for character and story development. Unfortuntately several of Rankin's Rebus tales are available in my region only in 3.5 hour abridgements. Dead Souls is the best of them --at least the first half unfolds like a novel; then the rest of the story is telegraphed in bits and pieces, making not only for a wasted listen, but for a frustrating experience when you realize 1.) all the good stuff you've missed and 2.). how much better the available full length novels would be if all were narrated by Paterson or Macpherson.

If, like me, you can't pass on the abridged Rebus, you will at least get interesting intros by Rankin himself for a couple of the novels.

I suspect a full length version of this present novel would be one of the better Rebus as he wrestles with his past, his attitudes toward pedophiles, as well as the ghosts of other dead souls that haunt his present.

Good story marred by shortening

I am addicted to Ian Rankin and to Inspector Rebus in particular, and bought this one because I am running out of full-length versions on Audible. But this one is so severely abbreviated that it becomes difficult to follow and much of the enjoyment is lost. I don't suppose they will ever release a full-length version, but if they do I will buy it, despite having listened to this one.

It must be galling for Ian Rankin to have his stories butchered in this way.

Excellent listening

Best Rebus book in the series so far. Strong characters and clear story line made listening easy.

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Title: A Question of Blood

Subtitle: Inspector Rebus, Book 14

Author: Ian Rankin

Narrator: James Macpherson, Ian Rankin

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-19-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

A shooting incident at a private school just north of Edinburgh. Two 17-year olds killed by an ex-Army loner who has gone off the rails.

As Detective Inspector John Rebus puts it, "there's no mystery"...except the why. But this question takes Rebus into the heart of a shattered community. Ex-Army himself, Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone.

Army investigators are on the scene, and won't be shaken off. The killer had friends and enemies to spare - ranging from civic leaders to the local Goths - leaving behind a legacy of secrets and lies.

Rebus has more than his share of personal problems, too. He's fresh out of hospital, hands heavily bandaged, and he won't say how it happened. Could there be a connection with a house-fire and the unfortunate death of a petty criminal who had been harrassing Rebus's colleague Siobhan Clarke? Rebus' bosses seem to think so...

Members Reviews:

More Rankin and Rebus

Any additional comments?

I should just copy and paste my Rebus series reviews to save time. Macphearson is an excellent narrator as long as he doesn't have to try at American accents, and Rankin rarely puts a foot wrong. I'd ding it a touch for being an abridged version, but I've actually come to enjoy those because they are even more tightly wound than the unabridged versions. As long as you get the Macphearson reading version there is no harm done. Obviously if you don't like crime fiction novels this is not your cup of tea, but if you like crime fiction, in particularly crime fiction set in Scotland and/or the UK in general this is a no brainer purchase. One caveat, if you are new to the series, there are probably better entry points. Consider either the short stories, the first book or one of the last two (they are, I think, better standalones than the books in the middle of the series).

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Title: Thursday's Legends

Subtitle: Bob Skinner, Book 10

Author: Quintin Jardine

Narrator: James Bryce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Along the way, players have come and gone, but a hard core remains, with each match a little older, a little slower, but still as fiercely competitive as a gang of teenagers - until a former player is found murdered in a manner that shocks even a veteran like Skinner. Suddenly the Thursday Legends have more to worry about than aching backs and dodgy knees.

Former Head of Special Branch Alec Smith made plenty of enemies during a long career, and there is no shortage of suspects. But as Skinner's investigation gathers pace, everything points to the Legends themselves.

Is someone targeting this disparate group of colleagues and friends in some bizarre scheme of retribution? Or is the murderer one of them?

Members Reviews:

Engrossing Scottish Crime Novel

The author was recommended to me by my wife and she is never wrong! What a brilliant tale of crime and Scottish Detective. DCC Bob Skinner has definitely got a new fan, but beware, this tale and narration will have you listening late into the night to see what happens next

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Title: Deadly Waters

Author: Pauline Rowson

Narrator: Gordon Griffin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-02-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When the head teacher of a struggling school is found brutally murdered in Langstone Harbour, DI Andy Horton is appointed to lead the investigation. But Superintendent Uckfield has only given Horton a week to find the killer - after that he will be shunted off the case. A note was found on the victim, along with a wad of money wrapped up in a five-pound note and smothered with honey. Is there a clue to be found in The Owl and the Pussycat rhyme? As he delves deeper into the case, the clock ticks, and Horton is soon forced to make a decision that will put his life on the line...

©2007 Pauline Rowson; (P)2008 Soundings

Critic Reviews:

"A series destined to go far." (Amy Myers)

Members Reviews:

Deadly Waters by Pauline Rowson

Very well written. So many twists and turns, but pulled together nicely in the end. A vulnerable, thoughtful inspector. We thoroughly enjoyed this story and had to keep listening to the end!

Very disappointing

Sorry to disagree with the other reviewer. It was very difficult to engage with any of the characters as they lacked depth and were totally clique. The plot had so many holes in it, and the course of the investigation leaped from one ridiculous theory to another despite suspects having alibis, and no evidence (evidence seemed to be secondary to wild speculation). Police procedures(or lack of)were laughable. It was decided that the first victim was punched in the face by a right handed person, and struck on the head by a left handed person as the blow was on the other side as this fitted into the sketchy plot. It didn't seem to occure to the author that the victim could have been facing the other way! The worst crime book I have ever heard, I only stuck it out to the end for amusement sake it was so bad.

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Title: The Fabric of Sin

Author: Phil Rickman

Narrator: Julie Maisey

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-08

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Deliverance consultant Merrily Watkins is ordered to investigate by the Bishop Hereford. Initially unconvinced that anything is amiss, a violent death changes everything, and Merrily's inquiries soon uncover hidden layers of sin and retribution in this secretive landscape.

Warned off when she stumbles into forbidden areas, Merrily has no option but to conceal a major crime as she returns to Garway to find fibres of fear stitched into history and insidiously twisted in the corridors and the cloisters Âof power.

Critic Reviews:

"Merrily, a fully-drawn heroine and fascinating personality in her own right, acts as the reader's conduit into this slightly askew world where even exorcists are sceptics and work alongside police, psychiatrists and lawyers. Add a finely sketched portrayal of provincial England and you get a first class thriller with a difference." (Guardian)

"First rate. A passionate, flawed modern woman, every bit as concerned with the intricacies of crime as with demons that go bump in the night. We don't praise our home-grown thriller writers enough. It's high time we praised Phil Rickman." (Daily Mail)

"As if an episode of The Vicar of Dibley or The Archers had suddenly turned into Cracker." (Sunday Times)

"Rickman's strengths, an acute ear for dialogue and a talent for wickedly accurate character cameos, draw one into a story where human frailties and strengths are counterposed. The clever combination of modern idiom and the timeless echo of history leaps from every page. You are there with poor Merrily every step of the way." (Daily Express)

Members Reviews:

I think I'll buy the book, this audio is not good

I have listened to this all the way through four times as I think the story is good but the accents and the narration, I find, were not good. I think I'll buy the book instead.