Rabid Reader

Poison Cookies Anyone?

Revisado: 08-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is the first book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries. Sally Muccio has moved back to her small hometown to start her life again with a small cookie shop after divorcing her cheating ex-husband. Just as things are starting to come together for her, the ex-husband shows up, a handsome cheating ex-boyfriend from high school wants to rekindle a friendship, and a problem customer shows up dead on her doorstop and her cookies are thought to be the cause. She and her business partner struggle to solve the mystery of the murder before Sal’s business goes out of business.

This was a fun mystery with some unexpected twists and turns and laughs as well. An enjoyable cozy mystery. I will definitely be looking for more book in this series.

The narrator, Karen Rose Richter, was new to me. She did a good job with different voices but her pace was very slow and somewhat monotone, I had to speed up the playback to keep from falling asleep. Once that was done I enjoyed the story. I would be inclined to recommend a different narrator for future books or have the current narrator pick up the pace.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.***

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50's Summer Time Nostalgia Mystery

Revisado: 08-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is the first in the Catskill Mystery series. Set in the nostalgic 1950’s, this short 2 ½ hour listen made me laugh out loud. Capturing the summertime Catskill cabin culture of the New Jersey Jewish families of the 50’s, this mystery was hilarious. Lily and Syd scramble around trying to solve a murder and theft. All the while trying to hide what they are doing from their husbands and recruiting their ladies' Mahjongg club to help.

Laura Patinkin did an amazing job with the narration. Her Jersey accent was spot on and really drew you in to the story.

If you are looking for a quick funny listen, I highly recommend this audiobook.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.**

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Mrs. Pomolo is at it again!

Revisado: 08-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is another short installment in the Mrs. Pomolo series. I enjoy these stories a lot. They are generally around 2 ½ hrs so are great for shorter car rides. The mysteries are engaging and the characters are funny and quirky. In this story, Mrs. Pomolo and crew are in search of a rare Lewis Carroll book and the hunt leads them to a local elderly benefactress. When the crew finds her dead in her swimming pool things get heated.

As usual, Rachael Reading does an excellent job with the narration. She clearly identifies each character and is a joy to listen to.

I recommend these fun, cozy mysteries if you want a quick mystery.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.**

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Enjoyable Enemies to Lovers

Revisado: 08-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This book is the next in the Steeles at Silver Island series by Melissa Foster. This installment follows Leni Steele, a PR rep for the rich and famous. Her firm’s A-list actor, Duncan Raz has an image problem and Leni is recruited to play his fake girlfriend. Sparks fly as the two turn their dislike to love.

I enjoy Melissa Foster’s books and the Steele family have been enjoyable reads. I like how the author has cross over characters in her various books. In this book, Duncan initially presents as a spoiled rich boy but we come to see the challenges he faces. Foster’s prose is always easy to listen to and has engaging characters with compelling storylines.

The duel narrators, Jacob Morgan and Savannah Peachwood, did an excellent job. Jacob Morgan’s incredibly sexy smooth voice is always a treat to listen to. Savannah Peachwood is a new narrator for me and I enjoyed her portrayal of Leni.

I recommend this series and you will find this to be an enjoyable read or listen.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own unbiased review.***

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Unengaging Old Noir

Revisado: 08-03-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is classic noir fiction written by the greats Lawerence Block and Donald E. Westlake. It tells the story of Honor Mercy Bane, a young prostitute, and her paramour, an A-WOL sailor. Although listed as erotica, it has no explicit scenes and is actually more a noir/crime drama.

I did not care for the story very much. It moved very slowly and I really did not care for the characters at all. This may have been the story or it may have simply been the genre I did not care for.

Theo Holland narrated and I found him extremely difficult to listen to. Even at 1.3X speed, I wanted to fall asleep listening to the audiobook. The narrator drones on with no inflection and very odd pauses and prosody. I would not recommend listening to this audiobook. I would read the book instead.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.***

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An Unexpected Kind of Thief

Revisado: 08-02-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Evan Tanner is a thief. But he is an unusual thief. As a result of a freak accident, he now never needs to sleep. He is a member of numerous revolutionary groups around the country, speaks multiple languages, and has completed the coursework for numerous degrees. While plotting a heist he learns of a hidden cache of WWII gold in Armenia. While trying to sneak into and out of Armenia he encounters terrorist groups, a revolution, and a love affair among other things.

Evan Tanner is an interesting character and the storyline is engaging. Written in the 1960’s, there are some dated references and geopolitical situations but overall it stands up well. The historical aspects of the story are intriguing.

Theo Holland narrates this book. I found him challenging to listen as his tone was often very flat and did not have a lot of expression. At times getting past the narrator interfered with my enjoyment of the story.

I will listen to further books in this series knowing that I may not care for Theo Holland’s narration. Unfortunately, he narrates most of Lawrence Block’s books.

***I received a free copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.***

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A New Couple to Love

Revisado: 03-06-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is the first book in a new series by Nazri Noor. In this series he takes us to the new town of Dos Lunas in his world. We meet Leon, a Pilipino bruha drifter magic user, who is trying to survive by “recovering” magical objects. During one of his heists, he runs into mysterious Max, another finder, who attempts to scoop the treasure away from him. When a third mysterious party makes off with the object instead the two finders join forces although they clearly antagonize each other. As they get to know one another and each one’s secrets become uncovered, they begin to recognize the attraction between them. Nazri brings to life a new set of heroes in this book that I know we will come to love and root for as much as we do his other characters. This book can be listened to as a stand alone from his other series. At this time there are no crossover characters, although I would not be surprised if some show up later, and I wait with bated breath!

.John Solo is a new narrator to me and I totally enjoyed is interpretation of these characters, He brought them to life and each was clearly distinguishable. He is a worthy addition to Nazri Noor’s library of narrators.

***I received a copy of this audiobook and this is my own, unbiased review.”

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Lighthearted Magical Fun

Revisado: 03-06-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is the first installment of the Wayward Witch Chronicles. In this series we meet Melissa Sneedle, last in a long line of powerful witches, who, unfortunately seems to have little magic. Disappointed and upset, Melissa stumbles on a magical portal which brings her to “normal” town where quickly gets a job at a local bookstore. With the help of her best friend, a guy, she tries to assimilate into the “normie” population. However, the death of her mentor, the bookshop owner, who turns out to be her aunt, sets things in motion to totally disrupt her life.

This was a sweet, funny, witty start to a new series. The characters are well done and very likeable. This is a delightful paranormal cozy mystery story and I look forward to listening to more books in the series in the future.

Shannon Nicole Locke is a new narrator to me, but she did an excellent job with these characters. Her voice was pleasant to listen to and her voices were clearly differentiated for each character. She really captured the humor and wittiness of the story and characters.

***I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.***

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Sweet Short Christmas Love

Revisado: 03-06-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This short novella was my first introduction to Kelly Collins and the Aspen Cove series of books and was I impressed! This story was a quick, fast-paced listen which was totally enjoyable. It happens about half way through the Aspen Cove series but I did not feel lost at all. It really stood alone. In this story Charlotte Parker, is home for the holiday after being away for 10 years following her mother’s death. Staying at the local B&B she clashes with the guy next door, Trig Whatley, an ex-soldier who lost his leg in Afghanistan. The sparks fly and Charlotte and Trig navigate their budding romance. The characters are well written and enjoyable with lots of feistiness. Trig’s disability was portrayed well and an important part of the story line. Overall, an enjoyable listen.

Logan McAllister is also a new narrator for me and I totally enjoyed him. He has a smooth sexy voice that was easy to listen to. He voiced the characters well and was able to do the female voices well. I will look him up for future listens.

I look forward to listening to more of the Aspen Cove series and enjoying this new-to-me author.

***I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.***

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Into the mind of a serial killer

Revisado: 08-24-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is the second book in the Troy and Eva Winter’s Deadly Motives Series. Note that there are two series of books with this couple. The Deadly Motives Series and the Thriller Series. Troy and Eva are private investigators who live in the Pacific Northwest and alternate running a bed and breakfast and their private investigations. In this installment, Troy’s great-uncle Jack has decided to give Troy and his sister his 100 year old mansion, located in South Dakota. So Troy and Eva head to the Badlands to check out the house. While visiting the park sites with Uncle Jack, they stumble across a murdered girl. While working on rehabbing the old house, Troy and Eva become embroiled in solving a series of killings involving young women.

I enjoyed this audiobook and am looking forward to listening to more of their adventures. Much of the book was written from the killer’s point of view and the author did an excellent job getting into the head of a serial killer. I was charmed by Troy and Eva’s relationship and their sweet Uncle Jack. In this book, they fell into the investigation by accident and it tends to takes a back seat to their personal business in the city. The character development was very helpful in becoming invested in the characters.

David Scott was a compelling narrator who did and excellent job voicing the characters. I enjoyed listening to him.
**I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my own, unbiased, review.**

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