Alex

Writing by numbers - a great disappointment - no story at all

Revisado: 07-15-19

I am religiously listening to all John Sandford books. In anticipation of this new book I first listened to the whole back catalogue Of the Prey books. When I finally got to the new book I had to remind myself that this one was supposed to be new. It really wasn’t and simply had just violence and villains but no engaging story underpinning the narrative that would make it interesting. It seemed to be the patched together from themes (the violent parts) of previous book minus a story. Hugely disappointing! Will return. Try harder next time John Sandford!

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What happed here - can’t believe this was written by JS!

Revisado: 03-14-19

This feels like writing by numbers. I didn’t like it the first time around - and after years I have it another try as I am listen to all Virgil flowers books in order. This one is unengaging. Missing the small town and country charm. Could have happily missed this one.

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Why such brutal and devious attacks on women?

Revisado: 09-03-18

I am getting annoyed that there seems to be a race between crime fiction writers on who can come up with the most devious and revolting human behaviour. Generally, the violence is focused on women or children. Why? For me the engagement with a story comes from an interesting story line not through the most heinous crimes. Here we combine both prostitutes are killed in an upsetting way and we also hear about awful crimes against children. I nearly stopped right at the beginning - but kept listening reluctantly more because of inertia than any great hope that the story would develop into something worth listening. Disappointed with Val McDermid and last book by her I’ll listen to.

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Awful narrator ruins the book for me

Revisado: 06-12-18

The narrator is terrible - her intonation is totally out of synch with the text. She sounds like she reads a cook book or a ladies magazine when describing a murder victim.

It’s a rookie performance. Why are they using her again? Please get another narrator. This one is do annoying that she ruined the book for me.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Laughable storyline- writing by numbers save your credit

Revisado: 03-18-18

This is a terrible story - crime novel set in the nearish future (ca2050) for absolutely no apparent reason. The story and characters are a total cliche and the future seems to be imagined by a child. Using discs for storing data, finger print recognition etc. I feel that it was a waste of time listening hoping it would become more interesting. I will return the book. Only the second book I ever felt compelled to do so.

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Good read!

Revisado: 02-25-18

Although the culprit’s identity wasn’t that hard to guess - the story kept my attention thought.

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Gripping

Revisado: 02-21-18

After listening to a few too many quite boring books this was a relief! For once a gripping story.
Highly recommend.

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Disappointed

Revisado: 02-06-18

I ‘read’ all previous books and thought I’d found a new favourite author. But this book feels like a ‘writing-by-numbers’ exercise. Blunt. No detailed character development. Simply boring despite some blood and gore. Not sure if I’d try another book by this author.

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Couldn’t stop listening

Revisado: 12-06-17

This is my second book in this series - I practically inhaled both - particularly liked this one. Working became impossible because I kept taking breaks for various reasons just to listen a bit more. Glad I stumbled on this series in a recent sale.

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Unnecessarily graphic, poor narration, not a fave

Revisado: 08-16-17

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

it was ok - i got engrossed although I took a few breaks listening. I was quite annoyed with the unnecessary graphic description of sexual and physical torture. I am not squeamish but I found it did not add to the storyline at all. In fact, come to think of it, except for the graphic descriptions there wasn't much of a storyline to hold the interest.I much prefer other Val McDermid books I listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mermaids Singing?

can't say

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Saul Reichlin?

I like male narrators, but in this case I much prefer Cathleen McCarron. At the start I wasn't sure if I could stand the narrator but got somewhat used to him. He reads as if he is wading through syrup - so slow and so boring and sounding so old.

Could you see Mermaids Singing being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I certainly wouldn't want to watch it!

Any additional comments?

Not a great start to the series - too graphic, too sexually explicit, boring narrator

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas