Hazel Dean

One Of Her Best

Revisado: 09-18-22

Well written as always, as Cleeves takes her time developing the various characters and the gradual revelation of their complex relationships. Vera and her own relationship with her team, her past, and her awareness of herself seem to be at the center of this novel, while the story line maintains suspense right from the start. Lindisfarne, or as the locals know it, the Holy Island, is vividly evoked and is certainly a powerful presence. My only criticism is with the narration: the narrator is superb in capturing and differentiating the various local accents, but assumes a chirpy, high-pitched voice for at least two of the female characters who are entirely different. Her pitch and intonation are annoying in themselves, and do a disservice to two of the most interesting women.

The stunning ending makes this one of her most memorable.

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Stunning

Revisado: 10-09-21

I had already seen the mini-series taken from this book, but still found the book entirely engrossing. I switched back and forth between listening and reading the text because I couldn't put it down. Skillfully written and read, and an altogether harrowing experience.

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Peter Robinson Is Better Than This

Revisado: 03-21-16

What disappointed you about No Cure for Love?

The story never seemed to hang together very well. Stalkers are always scary, but Sally's relationship with her family didn't have much relevance to either plot or character development...Robinson is good at the latter, but not in this book. Most of the characters were two dimensional and cliched. And I found the surprise ending contrived and abrupt.

If you’ve listened to books by Peter Robinson before, how does this one compare?

I've never listened to another.

What didn’t you like about Jeff Harding’s performance?

His regular reading voice was an annoying, almost sing-song, drawl. All his male characters sounded alike, like a bad imitation of Marlon Brando's Godfather, and his female characters, with the exception of Sally, who was expressionless, and Maria, who seemed normal, were either whiney or spacey or a combination of the two.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I read it all the way through, so obviously it held some small interest for me. Having finished it, I am a little annoyed that I wasted the time.

Any additional comments?

I have enjoyed all of Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks books very much. And while I knew this was not going to be one of them, I'm always interested to see what a writer I enjoy does when they try something different. In this case, I wouldn't recommend it.

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Entertaining and Historical, Well Performed

Revisado: 02-01-15

What made the experience of listening to Dangerous and Unseemly the most enjoyable?

One whole side of my family came from Hartford, which I knew well when I was growing up, so I particularly liked the evocation of the setting in an earlier time. This is as much historical novel as mystery story, and the manners of the time, especially as they applied to women, were by far the most enjoyable part for me.

Would you be willing to try another book from K.B. Owen? Why or why not?

Maybe. This was capably written but not gripping.

What about Becket Royce’s performance did you like?

Becket Royce's performance was by far one of the strongest aspects of the book. She is a strong, clear reader who differentiated one character from another but never strained or overdramatized. She reads with an ease and professionalism that are very enjoyable to listen to.

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

Not so much a moment as a character, the lady principal. I enjoyed the justaposition of her unbending strength with her title, by which she was always referred, of "lady principal." This takes on added resonance, of course, as the story progresses.

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