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Title: The Cuckoo's Child

Author: Marjorie Eccles

Narrator: Julia Franklin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-23-11

Publisher: Soundings

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

When Laura Harcourt accepts a temporary position in the north of England she does not dream that it will change her life forever. Wainthorpe is a small town set amongst a dense concentration of woollen mills, where the thriving Cross Ings mill is one of the most prosperous. Its respected owner is Ainsley Beaumont, whose family wealth derives from centuries in the woollen trade. However, when Laura arrives she finds that behind the façade is a family still torn apart by the memory of a disastrous fire. When a body is found floating in the mill dam, Laura finds herself drawn deeper into the Beaumonts lives, and discovers that there are secrets which more than one person is determined to keep.

Members Reviews:

If history is interesting, good writing important.

If you could sum up The Cuckoo's Child in three words, what would they be?

Loved the writing..

What did you like best about this story?

Very well written, interesting story line and characters you really like. Yet a gentle book.

The story dealt with human issues people faced in the early 20th century without being

depressing - the suffragette movement, abortion, poverty, with without being depressing.

Have you listened to any of Julia Franklins other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to her readings before.

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

The ending - the villain is a human person, I felt torn because I would have liked him to

avoid punishment.

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Title: Kill Me If You Can

Author: James Patterson

Narrator: Jeff Woodman, Jason Culp

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-08-11

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Matthew Bannon, a poor art student living in New York City, finds a duffel bag filled with diamonds during a chaotic attack at Grand Central Station. Plans for a worry-free life with his gorgeous girlfriend Katherine fill his thoughts until he realises that he is being hunted, and that whoever is after him wont stop until they have reclaimed the diamonds and exacted maximum revenge.

Trailing him is the Ghost, the worlds greatest assassin, who has just pulled off his most high-profile hit: killing Walter Zelvas, a top member of the international Diamond Syndicate. Theres only one small problem: the diamonds he was supposed to retrieve from Zelvas are missing.

Now, the Ghost is on Bannons trail but so is a rival assassin who would like nothing more than to make the Ghost disappear for ever.

Kill Me If You Can is a high-speed, high-stakes, winner-takes-all thrill ride of adrenaline-fuelled suspense.

Members Reviews:

I listen to this twice!

Would you listen to Kill Me If You Can again? Why?

It was exciting, the characters were so colourful and I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew Bannon and the comraderie between his three partners

Not One of James Pattersons Better Stories

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

Maybe. This story doesn't quite ring true. It is a bit far fetched and the romantic scenes seem forced and "over acted"

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably James Pattersons Private

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman and Jason Culp s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I do like their performances though.

Could you see Kill Me If You Can being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

As I said. Not one of his better stories but it is OK.

Good idea, ok execution

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

The storyline was a little unbelievable at times, but there are plenty of plot twists to keep you entertained and couldn't stop listening until the end.

If youve listened to books by James Patterson before, how does this one compare?

Not Patterson's best work, but definitely not his worst.

Riveting

James Patterson never fails. His stories grip from word one. The plot and the performance were first class. Can't wait to listen to another.

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Title: Strong Women

Author: Roberta Kray

Narrator: Annie Aldington

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-01-11

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Jo Strong is the youngest widow in the East End. Running her late husband's jewellery shop, mercilessly bullied by her evil mother-in-law, she is trying to get her life back together again.

But then the 14-year-old daughter of one of the East end's most notorious gangsters is kidnapped, and Jo finds herself in a deadly race against time to rescue the girl - before it is too late. And to get her back, she'll have to join forces with damaged but handsome bad boy Gabe Miller, a man who has a dark past of his own

Critic Reviews:

"Well into Martina Cole territory, Roberta Kray gets under the skin of the London underworld." (The Independent)

"A Cole-esque, addictive read." (London Lite)

"Kray's storytelling is intelligent, gripping and sure to entertain fans of the genre." (News of The World)

"Action, intrigue and a character-driven plot sure to please any crime fiction fan." (Woman)

Members Reviews:

East end heroines

I read a series of Kray's work recently after finding one in a charity shop. She writes well and the stories are good despite their setting. I put them all around the same rating as if you like one you will like them all. There are some interlinked characters but you on't have to read in order. There is some violence and this one is no exception. Not for weak stomachs, but if you like a robust thriller with a bit of romance this is your thing.

Four Stars

thoroughly enjoyed this book

Strong Women

The main character appears a bit timid and meek to begin with but she comes out of herself and proves how strong she is. There's a decent few twists in the storyline to keep reader hooked ! Love Roberta Krays line of writing

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Title: Act of Deceit

Subtitle: A Harlan Donnally Novel

Author: Steven Gore

Narrator: John DeMita

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-30-11

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Mt. Shasta is far from the San Francisco sidewalk on which Harlan Donnallys life nearly ended in a crossfire - But all too close to a decades - old secret that will force him into another.

The former detective swore hed never play anyones postman. But a dying friends plea takes Donnally bearing a letter alive with tragedy toward a sister long dead - the victim of the bizarre criminality of a counterculture that had lost its way.

Stunned to learn that her killer was never prosecuted, Donnally soon finds himself in battle against a broken justice system and on a trail of evil into a dangerous borderland in which the falsely pious and the wealthy abuse the young and the poor. And though each step takes him farther down a perilous path that wrenches him between his inner demons and his mission to redeem a brothers love, he wont stop until he knows the truth.

For Donnally made a promise to a dead man, and hell keep it - or die trying.

Members Reviews:

Can't Wait for Harlon Donnally 2

I started enjoying Gore with "Final Target," a Graham Gage novel about a private investigator, apparently based, in part, on Gore's storied adventures as an elite private investigator in the Bay Area. With Act of Deceit, Gore introduces a new protagonist, Harlan Donnally, a not so happily retired San Francisco homicide detective.

Gore takes Donnally and the reader on an entertaining tour through the history, landscape and characters that populate Northern California. Donnally's initial, reluctant acceptance of a dying neighbor's request sends Donnally on a detective mission through the secrets of the 60s and 70s as well as the personal secrets of the individuals who lived through those turbulent times and continue to act in our turbulent times. Because the plot has so many twists and turns, it is difficult to describe them without spoiling one of the many surprises that kept me turning the pages. Just as a hint, I will say the book connects the marijuana industry, the Catholic child abuse scandal, and sixties' radicals, and more, but that connection is not part of some crazy conspiracy but only by their proximity to that unique part of America anchored by the Golden Gate Bridge.

All I can say is buy a copy and start turning the pages. You won't stop.

Fabulous!

A very well written and researched detective story. I loved the authors statements of not only the War , our flawed criminal system but also our years of neglect of the mentally abused

Harlan Donnally is no Graham Gage

From the very begining this book failed to hook me as his past books have. After a few chapters, I found myself skimming and not really enjoying it at all. I put the book down 1/3 of the way through it and havent touched it since. I will be first to preorder a new Graham Gage novel, but I will be far from Harlan Donnally if and when his next novel is released.

Convoluted, but Enjoyable Harlan Donnally Suspense Novel

After reading Steven Gore's Absolute Risk last December, I was not a big fan of this author. To be fair, I thought I would give him another chance with Act of Deceit.

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Title: A Conspiracy of Genes

Author: Mark de Castrique

Narrator: Paul Michael Garcia

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-24-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

He knows the secret, she knows the truth.

The list. Youre on the list. Gods chosen Gene.

When childrens hospital volunteer and high-school student Gene Adamson hears the words of the dying man, the gunman who used him as a shield after murdering a prominent geneticist, Gene thinks the man delirious. But then the bodies of killer and victim disappear from the morgue, and a ten-year-old girl desperately needing a heart transplant is mysteriously bumped from her number-one spot on the organ-recipient list. The list. What is the list? Gene, together with Jeanne Everston, the beautiful daughter of the murdered geneticist, appears to have stumbled onto a medical conspiracy so deadly the very knowledge of its existence marks them for death.

As a childs life hangs in the balance, Gene believes hes discovered the answer. He thinks hes cracked the conspiracy wide open. He is so wrong.

Critic Reviews:

The suspense builds to a brilliant conclusion. This work is storytelling at its best, totally drawing you into every event happening. A great read, I give it a high recommendation. (Midwest Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Good read

This is a short but good read. It keeps you guessing all the way. You can never be sure of who is a good guy and who is a good guy. Sci-fi from a murder mystery writer -- who woulda' think it?

Nice little story

I liked how they set me up to buy this story. Once I bought it, I discovered that it was a standard short story - shame that it was not developed a bit more.

A Real Page Turner!

I absolutely loved this book. It is one of my favorites of de Castrique's and one of my all time favorite young adult books. The intrigue begins on the first page and the twists and turns of a suspenseful mystery keep the book moving at a delightful pace. The unraveling plot is the driving force of the novel and doesn't disappoint. The central characters are relatable and likeable and certainly people with whom young people can identify.

This would make a wonderful book on a school reading list as I could imagine some fantastic projects or reports as a result of reading it. As an adult, I simply enjoyed the ride. The only drawback of the book is that it screams for a sequel! I would love to see more books in a series. The story is fascinating enough that I would watch it every week if the book were a television show. Neat concept, captivating writing, and always worth a re-read. Enjoy!

An undeveloped, vague, poorly detailed story

I had to read this book for a Children's Literature class. I know it's actually meant for Young Adults, but the reason I am sharing this fact is to convey my reason for actually FINISHING it. If it wasn't for a class, I would have set fire to the book after the first three or four pages.

Mark de Castrique seems to have a vague - a VERY vague - idea of what he wants to say. Unfortunately, he either lacks the capacity or the diligence to actual explore his own idea. The book drags on and on with a very dull atmosphere that made me feel like my brain was drying out. I will say that he COULD have had a good story, he had the groundwork for a somewhat intriguing plot, but he did not develop it well.

While this book is meant for Young Adults, the vocabulary was anything but. In fact, I have only ever read one other book that was so poor in vocabulary (and plot, for that matter), and that was The House on Mango Street.

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Title: Lasting Damage

Author: Sophie Hannah

Narrator: Emma Kay, Simon Slater

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-16-11

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1.15 a.m. Connie Bowskill should be asleep. Instead, she's logging on to a property website in search of a particular house: 11 Bentley Grove, Cambridge. She knows it's for sale; she saw the estate agent's board in the front garden less than six hours ago. Soon Connie is clicking on the 'Virtual Tour' button, keen to see the inside of 11 Bentley Grove and put her mind at rest once and for all.

She finds herself looking at a scene from a nightmare: in the living room, in the middle of the carpet, there's a woman lying face down in a huge pool of blood. In shock, Connie wakes her husband, Kit. But when Kit sits down at the computer to take a look, he sees no dead body, only a pristine beige carpet in a perfectly ordinary room.

Members Reviews:

Unnecessarily complicated

I've enjoyed Sophie Hannah's other books but found this one repetitive and unbelievable. The characterisation is very far fetched and the storyline is hard to swallow. Not one of her successes.

Imaginative and Enjoyable

An excellent audio book. The pace of the story is a little slow in the begining but it builds and builds. The characters are well developed, the story is imaginative and the book is very well written. Narration is also good, especially Simon Slater. One negative is the amount of swearing - too much and so unnecessary. Highly recommended.

Brilliant (but whispering annoying)

I have just discovered Sophie Hannah and downloaded 4 of her books in a row. I have loved them. Whilst you think you know where the stories are going there are good twists built in. I love the humanity of the characters, and the fact the stories are told through differentg characters as well as third party. However, for some reason the main character in this book drives me to distraction. I sort of understand her and to some extent sympathise although her actions verge on hysteria. Over the course of the story,however, I think the reason for the irritation is the narrator voices her character in a whisper. Both narrators are excellent and I don't wish to put anyone off but the whispering......aahhhh. I would recommend this author and have really enjoyed her books so far even if listened to in the wrong order. I have already added the last two to my wish list

Oh dear........where do I begin ?

What disappointed you about Lasting Damage?

Pretty much the whole thing once passed the first few chapters.

What was most disappointing about Sophie Hannahs story?

The fact that I really don't think she thought this through AT ALL prior to starting it, as the story progressed it just became more and more ludicrous, really scraping the barrel with this one I'm afraid. Really disappointing as I was really enjoying her other books with these characters and the part where (without giving it away) one of the main characters talks endlessly about how he's figured out all of the psychology behind the perpetrator's actions / thinking and reasoning had me completely bemused - to have ever deduced all of that detailed summation was completely unrealistic but went to show that without it, the reader would have been left even more perplexed by the whole storyline and it was as though this part was added in as an after thought to counterbalance a sheer nonsense plot for us to try and make a bit more sense from it all.

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Title: Not Dead, Only Resting

Author: Simon Brett

Narrator: Simon Brett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Charles Paris is, as ever, waiting for a phone call from his agent, and is driven to painting and decorating to make ends meet.

A rare evening out at a high-profile restaurant among stars of stage and screen promises a break in the depressing routine. But when the restaurants handsome, temperamental chef is brutally murdered, Charles finds himself drawn into the ensuing investigation.

At first it seems an open and shut case: the chefs partner is in France within hours of having a spectacular quarrel with him over a pretty youth. Yet as Charles inquiries take him into the feuds and jealousies of his own profession, both murder and motive are anything but obvious.

Members Reviews:

So dated, but amusing in parts.

Just this side of unpleasantly anti-LGBT mockery, ridiculously stereotypical; Charles is not biased against "gays", apparently; the archaic terminology proves he is - but the transposition of Edwards and Mac Liammóir from Dublin to London is effective and amusing; a famous theatrical gay marriage of longstanding, portrayed with more understanding than any other relationship in this novel.

Otherwise the primitive attitudes of Monique and Ives's parents now seem merely silly in 2016; stereotypes of "camp" gay men are about as acceptable as "n" jokes - only as self mockery within the community.

There is however a classic amateur detective novel with our less than competent Charles Paris, generally out of his head on cooking whisky, stuff I wouldn't even put in a black bun, overestimating his sex appeal as usual. Women are rated by physical attractiveness- so maybe gay men do better on the measure of humanity.

This was a guilty pleasure- some characters enjoyable, most not. Stereotypes if not overdone are reassuring in a bedtime story. I like the updated Paris on Radio 4 much more - times have changed and women and LGBT people cannot be described in such throwaway lines.

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Title: Darkside

Author: Belinda Bauer

Narrator: John Sackville

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-26-11

Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Shipcott in bleak mid-winter: a close knit community where no stranger goes unnoticed. So when an elderly woman is murdered in her bed, village policeman Jonas Holly is doubly shocked. How could someone have killed and left no trace? Jonas finds himself side-lined as the investigation is snatched away from him by an abrasive senior detective. Is his first murder investigation over before its begun? But this isnt the end of it for Jonas, because someone in the village is taunting him, blaming him for the tragedy, and watching every move he makes...

Members Reviews:

What A Great Thriller!

My first Belinda Bauer novel and it was just SO terrific. I was totally engrossed from start to finish and she has a refreshingly different style that just keeps your attention focused on her every word. The characters are quite superb.....as is the plot. I promise you it will keep you guessing til the end. The narration is every bit as good as the novel deserves it to be.

I can thoroughly recommend it.

Gripping

The story starts off simply in a sleepy village, but builds into a tense thriller. It has so many twists and turns that you start to suspect everyone. Towards the end I couldn't stop listening. I was totally captivated. The book is well written and the narrater is outstanding. He makes you believe you are actually there and he creates a wonderful atmosphere. I wholeheartedly recommend this audio book to you. I know you will not be disappointed.

Implausible plot

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

I listened to the end hoping for some explanation of the unlikely events, none came.

What about John Sackvilles performance did you like?

Kept my attention

Could you see Darkside being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Too esoteric

Disappointing ending

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

Probably not. What begins as a good story fizzles out as it travels along.

Was Darkside worth the listening time?

I was disappointed with Darkside considering the reviews of other readers. The narrator was good but I didn't enjoy the character development or the result of 'who dunnit'.

Any additional comments?

This book leaves lots of holes and too many whys.

Disappointing

I found this audiobook rather disappointing. By the middle of the book it was already pretty obvious who the murderer was going to be and the continuous use of swear words by one of the other main characters quickly became grating. The ending was implausible and far-fetched. Definitely not one of the best books I've ever downloaded from Audible.

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Title: Where the Bodies are Buried

Author: Chris Brookmyre

Narrator: Sarah Barron

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-11

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 19 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

In Glasgow, aspiring actress Jasmine Sharp is reluctantly - and incompetently - earning a crust working for her Uncle Jim's private investigation business. When Jim goes missing, Jasmine has to take on the investigator mantle for real. Soon she stumbles into a web of corruption and decades-hidden secrets that could tear apart an entire police force - if she can stay alive long enough to tell the tale...

Members Reviews:

Brookmyre for beginners

What did you like best about Where the Bodies are Buried? What did you like least?

The central mystery is really clever and the various story lines weave together nicely. The characters are well imagined. Jasmine Sharp, the wannabe private investigator around whom the story unfolds, is sure to be with us for a while. Having said that, everything is a little too contrived. Brookmyre (who claims to have moved into a more serious, less anarchistic mode - he now writes as "Chris" as opposed to "Christopher") seems to be trying too hard to be conventional. "Where the Bodies are Buried" lacks some of the irreverence and exuberance of earlier works like Quite Ugly One Morning and the Unsinkable Rubber Duckies, but is still well worth the effort.

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

A little too predictable.

What does Sarah Barron bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The book is really well read with Sarah Barron's Scottish lilt adding a level of atmosphere and intensity that a reading of the book would lack.

Was Where the Bodies are Buried worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Brookmyre has long been a favourite author and I have both read and listened to all his books. Here's hoping he finds the groove he is looking for.

perfect package!

Great story! I don't know why mr. brookmyre lost the topher to his chris, but i was delighted to find a new book by him, as i`ve read and hugely enjoyed his previous ones. The characters are, as usual, very rich and the storyline comes together nicely. the narrator did, in my humble opinion, an excellent job of giving life to the story, with a nice bit of scottish inflection, not so thick that non-native-speakers like me don't get it, but adding a nice bit of authenticity to a story set in glasgow. an extra bonus to this recording is its length. with a little more than 11 hours, it isn`t over too fast and gives the plot enough time to tighten to the end. and the ending is great, by the way. it ends on a sentence that isn't there....

enjoy!

Great characterisation and a hot plot

I'm a BIG fan of Brookmyre and was excited to see that this title was on Audio just in time for the mid-year holidays.

Jasmine Sharp is the fragile herione of this novel and her character is brilliantly written. Insecure and more than a little bewildered with the world, Jasmine carries half of the plot with her through the fast paced action, piecing together a cold-case mystery as she escapes bullets and double-dealing thugs alike. The other half is carried by a top female cop in the Glasgow poe-liss who, with her family problems and hostile male counterparts, has her own set of problems.

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Title: Just Business

Author: Geraint Anderson

Narrator: Thomas Judd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-09-11

Publisher: Headline Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Suspense

Publisher's Summary:

Cityboy is back! The best-selling author of Cityboy returns with an explosive, edge-of-the-seat thriller of City corruption, devious scams, and monstrously bad behaviour.

Steve Jones, our Cityboy hero, wants to get out of the City. But he needs a big pay day. And like the expert chancer he is, he sees an opportunity. Hacking into his bosss computer, he finds something that chills him to the bone. But when his recklessness leads to murder and he becomes the prime suspect, its time to go on the run. Together with his feisty on-off girlfriend Gemma, he tries to outwit the authorities, MI5, and a vicious drug cartels highly trained killers. Its a chase that forces Steve and Gemma halfway round the world in a desperate attempt to survive.

Members Reviews:

True story?????

Awful complete nonsense purporting as a true story...waste of time and money. The first book was good though.

Awful, stick to writing factual books.

Like others I enjoyed Cityboy but this is really awful. It starts off OK but quickly turns into what seems like a total farce. It's very poorly written and the plot is ridiculous as are the characters. Don't waste your money or credits