Mimi

Confusing

Revisado: 01-20-25

I had a hard time keeping up with the jumps in time periods. I also found the reader’s men’s voices annoying. The story was ok and would lend itself well to a movie for the Lifetime channel. I agree with the other comments about the ending.

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New series, new voice

Revisado: 08-26-24

I am a huge fan of Toby Neal and have listened to all her other books/series. Wired In is my first in this series that focuses on Sophie Ang, who was also a part of the Lei Texeira series.

I listen to hundreds of audio books a year, mostly while I'm doing other things. I found that this story probably needed my undivided attention, because I was mostly confused about who was doing what and to whom, which doesn't mean this is a bad book, it was just harder to follow (for me). I'm just sharing my experience, and this may not be the case for others.

BUT...having listened to all the other books that featured Sophie and some of the other characters in this story, I am vastly disappointed that the reader is so much different than Sarah Malia Hatfield that the characters seem very different. For example, in the Lei Texeira series, Marcella sounded (to me) like a sophisticated, educated woman. In this book, Marcella's voice and demeanor are so different, she comes across like a tough street cop. Pono no longer has an Hawaiian lilt to his speech, nor does the lawyer (whose name I don't recall now) that was also featured in the other series. If you are listening to this book before hearing the other series, this probably won't be a problem for you, but it's really distracting for me. I plan to listen to the second book in this series, and if I can't make peace with the differences in how these characters come across, I will most likely not finish this series.

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Fun book but I'm not a fan of the narration

Revisado: 08-21-24

I have thoroughly enjoyed this fun cozy mystery series. I love how the characters from the Lei Texeira series are seamlessly woven into each of these stories. All the characters are fun and interesting and as in her other series, I love learning a little about the Hawaiian culture; I only wish the Hawaiian words would have been pronounced correctly.

In another review on this series, I spoke about the AI narration. It's pretty bad in this book, in particular. At one point, the "reader" was actually reading the punctuation along with the sentences. There were spots where it felt like it was stopped and then perhaps skipped a word or two. The voice levels were all over the map. In part of the book, Kat's voice was normal, then in others almost squeaky high; ditto for her boyfriend and other characters. It was really disconcerting and at times made it a little tricky to follow.

I don't know what the rationale was/is for this type of narration but I, personally, think it does a great disservice to the author(s) and the stories. In the beginning of the series, I almost quit listening, but hung in there for the characters and stories. Please bring back Sara Malia Hatfield!!! She's a perfect reader for these stories.

I would have given this review a solid five stars but just can't because of the narration.

At the end of this book, the author mentions there will be more to come in this series. I can hardly wait, and hope by then someone has decided not to use the AI reader.

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AI wrecked a good story

Revisado: 08-12-24

I'v'e listened to Toby Neal's other series and loved them. This is my second to listen in the Paradise Crime Cozy Mysteries series. I'm enjoying the story, which is light and entertaining, but the narration is just plain awful.

My comment to Audible is this: I do hope that AI readers aren't the future of audio books. I presume it was done to save money. Well guess what? I'd rather pay the normal price and have a real reader, someone who can pronounce words correctly, especially the Hawaiian words.

Big mistake.

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I tried to like it

Revisado: 05-24-24

I know this book has gotten lots of good reviews but after 24 chapters, I'm abandoning this book. It starts out with a suspicious death and then rambles all over the place and at this point in the book, it feels like that original event has gotten lost in the rambling of assorted other things.

I also have to say that despite her best efforts, the reader seemed to struggle with the many voices, especially the men in the story. I had a hard time knowing who was talking at any given point. I may be particularly sensitive to this because I have just finished listening to another crime series set in Hawaii, one where the reader did an excellent job with all the characters' voices.

Unfortunately, I recently purchased the next book in the series when it was on sale; I will probably give it a try in the future and hope that it's a step up from this one.

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Kudos to Michael Stagg

Revisado: 07-02-23

I've just finished this, the fifth in the Nate Shepherd series to date. They have all been good, engaging, stories, but in my opinion, this is the best so far, with a really interesting and surprising plot twist at the end.

Nate Shepherd is a very believable, likable, guy. He has a nice family, good friends who help him with his investigations, and a junior partner who is also very likable. I love a good courtroom procedural, and these fill that bill. I often guess "whodunit" before the end of a book but several of these caught me off guard, making them even more enjoyable for me.

I also really appreciate and enjoy how George Newbern is narrating these books. There are so many characters and voice changes, but he manages them all seamlessly without the exaggerated way other readers sometimes do. You know who the characters are by their voices, even though he's not going to extremes.

As I write this I see there is a sixth book in the series being released later this month. I'm so excited! I hope Michael Stagg has a lot of stories left to tell and this series carries on for a long time.

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A good sale book

Revisado: 05-24-23

I bought this because I’m always really interested in the Hawaiian culture. In that respect, I really learned a lot. The author’s story about her family was sad. What I could have done without is the details of her sex life; I don’t think it was necessary. Night life, boyfriends, partying, OK I get it. The rest, in my opinion, did nothing to enhance the story.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Lesson: read the reviews first

Revisado: 01-11-23

I am two hours into this book and am coming to the realization it is anything but blood-chilling and gripping, as it was billed. I'm not even sure I'll listen to the rest of it. The reader is great but the story, so far, is zig zagging around with lots of confirmation that the main character has supernatural powers. OK fine. I get it, but can we please get to a plot? So far it is illusive.

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I should have trusted the reviews

Revisado: 10-26-22

I read this book many years ago and found it entertaining. The other night I wanted something mindless to listen to, so I got this audio version.

To say that the author ruined her own story with her narration is a huge understatement. It was the worst kind of overacting that included lots of exuberant squealing, terrible singing, and more. I think I made it through half an hour and decided I didn't want to listen to a book that had me cringing with every word or sound that came out of her mouth.

I just returned it. Thank you, Audible, for kindly offering returns when we discover we've just wasted a precious credit.

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I loved it despite the reviews

Revisado: 08-19-22

First of all, I admit I am possibly the last person on earth who hasn't seen Lonesome Dove, nor had I read the book.

I've been wanting to listen to the book for a very long time, but was put off by all the bad reviews. I finally decided to just take the chance I might not agree with them and I'm so happy I did. I absolutely loved every minute of it.

There were lots of bad reviews about Lee Horsley's breathing while reading the book. I listened to the sample and heard it but honestly, that was the only time I did. I listen to my books using ear buds, so maybe that made a difference. I have excellent hearing and think I would have heard it throughout the book, but didn't. It might also have to do with the fact that I changed the listening speed to .9. I felt that gave the characters more relaxed, unhurried, personalities. Often I will change speeds if a reader annoys me so again, maybe that's what did the trick for me.

There were also reviews about Lee Horsley reading all of Gus' lines while yelling. I guess he didn't do that in the movie and that was why those reviewers felt it was annoying. Not having seen it, I accepted it as it was meant, part of who Gus was. It's even mentioned a couple of times in the story that his voice was so loud it could be heard in another county. I have a real aversion to yelling and it didn't bother me at all.

If you're considering listening to this book, I hope you read the positive reviews as well as the negative. I know I'm sure glad I did.

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