VegasRunaway

Thought Provoking and Ultimately Uplifting

Revisado: 10-20-24

Amazing performance by Carey Mulligan! The plot is so interesting and relatable. Everyone who has ever questioned their life and where they were at compared to where they wished they were at need to read this book. I’ll listen to this again.

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Not a Fan

Revisado: 04-09-20

Predictable. I also could not summon up much sympathy or empathy for Grace who really was just a martyr through the entire story. There was nothing unique,shocking or original in the storyline. The narration was what kept me, although I had to fast forward to hear the anti-climactic ending. Really quite disappointed after all the good reviews.

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Kept waiting...

Revisado: 11-21-19

I kept waiting for the twist to the story, but it never came. I wouldn’t call it a thriller because there was no intensity nor situations that were so taut that I was on the edge of my seat. The story was rather predictable. I listened to this over a month or so, in chunks, because it didn’t keep my interest for long periods of time. The narration was excellent, but everything else was just average.

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Riveting...

Revisado: 02-28-19

The disappearance of Maura Murray is an addictive head scratcher with many unspoken family secrets in itself, but then the author’s all consuming obsession, which clearly affected his entire life, makes for a riveting story I couldn’t stop listening to. I’m fascinated with true crime and unsolved disappearances - to the point that I can totally relate to the author. This was an engrossing and surprisingly personal account of a famous case that may never be resolved. Great listen!

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Another Nicholas Sparks’ books and this is par for the course.

Revisado: 08-07-18

You can expect certain things in Sparks’ books and this is par for the course. Never heavy reading and always romantic.

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Triumphant!

Revisado: 07-05-18

Most entertaining story I’ve heard in a while. Even though hilariously eccentric, I can totally relate to reclusive and socially challenged Eleanor. This is a wonderful glimpse into those on the fringes of society; the outliers that we see as strange. I have myself felt as if I couldn’t relate to others emotions and concerns. Strange as she is, Eleanor gave me someone to commiserate and identify with. Her bizarre insights are an entertaining and honest look into society and what it’s lacking. Eleanor made me feel like their is hope for all of us. Amazing narration and wonderfully engrossing writing. I can’t wait to read what this author has next in store.

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A little long

Revisado: 06-29-18

I’ve listened to two other books from this author. I was blown away by Into the Woods. I was riveted to the story and the narrator was superb. I couldn’t wait to devour another one in a couple of sittings like I did the first one. Then I started The Likeness. Although an interesting story line, it got so slow in the middle, I stopped listening and have not finished it to this day. I decided to give Broken Harbor a listen, hoping for it to be as good as Into the Woods. This starts out very strong and I was again riveted to the story, yet after the arrest, it went into an excruciating slow middle. I wondered about the arrest being so early in the novel and waited for the story to twist around. I waited a very long time. It does have a twist but while you are waiting for it there is so much superfluous dialogue and description that I found myself hitting the 30 second forward button and skipping large parts. When I finally did get to the twist, I didn’t feel like I had missed anything by fast forwarding the story. It could have been a shorter novel and I felt there was a lot of unnecessary filler. The premise of the twist was a little difficult to swallow so I was vaguely disappointed in that as well. Overall, it is very well written and the narrator was great. I just like stories to be a little more densely packed.

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Somewhat predictable but go along for the ride

Revisado: 06-19-18

First, it’s great to hear a narrator, who is an actor, read their own story. She did a fabulous job and her delivery compelled me to see how things happened. I would say to see “what” would happen, but I figured out where it was going very soon (like 1/4 way through). I don’t want to give away any spoilers. The story premise itself was very interesting in regards to human behavior and what people are willing to do given certain circumstances. I was disappointed by the ending though. It was very predictable and I kept hoping for a second, last minute twisted reveal, but it went full steam into an ending we are all now very familiar with. I think it could have been a great psychological thriller if it explored more of what people are truly capable of, the question of love and/or loyalty and how one decision can pave the way to a downward spiral.

Overall, I thought the book was well-written with interesting narrative styles, but don’t expect to be surprised. Lastly, don’t listen to all the pros and cons in the reviews; listen to it yourself and make up your own mind.

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Hold on...

Revisado: 04-08-18

SPOILERS** Yes, we all have to have it; suspension of belief to enjoy adventure/spy novels. This particular one has its novelties. There are some really interesting gadgetry/technology and hidden room apartment designs. I'm not familiar with tech so I can't comment on the plausibility of some of Evan Smoak's equipment. However, despite the attempt at twists and turns, I found myself yelling at Evan trying to warn him of what was coming next. Predictable and highly improbable: black ops assassin agreeing to babysit the annoying neighborhood boy, welcoming him into his high tech, covert lair? Black ops assassin maneuvering through nosy HOA members and having to attend meetings? Simultaneous romances with his neighbor and his client, of whom he has suspicions? The author may have been trying to draw a wider audience by incorporating a little sexual tension and domestic entanglements , but realistically, this guy would be too socially awkward to be attractive to these women. An orphan raised in a remote location with a role model who teaches him to kill anyone? That guy wouldn't have romances, he wouldn't be capable of forming attachments; he would be devoid of empathy. And what's with the Gonzo bandaids? I'd assassinate that kid if he came into my bat cave and started handling and breaking stuff or putting handprints on my stainless steel! I could go on, but I think I made my point. I know a lot of readers enjoyed this novel, but I found all the reasons people liked it kind of annoyed me. My uneducated opinion: a little too corny- his relationships with the females and the involvement with the kid next door. I found a lot of the "twists" to be so predictable that even I could have given Evan tactical advice. Come on, the bug in the detecting wand? I saw it a mile away. If you can get by things like this, you will enjoy the pop culture references that orients the story in modern time and Evan Smoak is an interesting enough character to follow, even just to learn more about his upbringing and training. This was a pretty decent way of spending my time during my commute. I will be reading the series. Happy reading!

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Who is the victim in this?

Revisado: 04-07-18

I was a little disappointed in the focus of this podcast. I would have liked more backstory on the victim and the days before her murder. This story turned out to be all about the egotistical, inappropriate, distasteful, violent, alcoholic douche-bag who has evolved as the main and only suspect. This podcast gives him everything he always wanted...notoriety. Any attention is good attention. The female witness who was “coerced” by the Guard...another person who, back in the day, was so caught up in feeling important that she manufactured(including the mystery man she went riding with) so much evidence, we have no idea what to believe from her now. This podcast gives all those idiots exactly what they wanted. I say that, but this is what made everyone (including me)so fascinated with it!! I do believe someone should do a podcast on the victim. We owe her (and her family) at least that and much more. Ultimately, these stories should focus on justice for the victim and their loved ones. That being said, this podcast was very well done, professional and riveting, but you go away feeling like the point of the whole investigation is lost.

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