Dorothy

Really, Really Good.

Revisado: 08-19-24

Having Claire Foy read this was simply amazing. I wish she read all of Kate Morton's book. Previous narrators are too "nails on chalk board" so I have trouble finishing. This book was so good and it really did keep me wondering to the end. Well done Highly recommend if you need to leave this world of ours behind and take a break from it all.

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This is a good book about a really Crazy Murderer

Revisado: 10-27-22

I was not bothered by the narrator. The book is really good and if you know about this case from podcasts and the Netflix show, there is so much more to it. This book lays it all out. Poor Ana - she was doomed. I don't think anything could have saved her from this monster.

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I love it

Revisado: 09-03-22

I have read all the reviews about the online chat dialogue ... I do understand the criticism, but think the chat is well done and it's contemporary isn't it? It's the world we live in now. In so much of the recently published novels, the fact of our collective online presence is usually just skimmed over. Authors write as if people are barely online at all. They give characters cell phones and email but they basically carry on like it's 1990. So, I think JKR has been really innovative to give this "new" form of evidence and plot development.

Since this is an audio book, Mr. Glenister having to read the names of each participant in the chat seems initially repetitive but it's like so much about audio book listening, like an accent or a voice, you get used to it.

And then ... there is Strike and Robin and the newer Pat (who I love) and it's all there and there is the pitch perfect reading by Mr. Glenister. You slip into the world of Cormoran and Robin.

I am aware of the online battle JKR is bravely engaging in. She can't possibly completely separate the very public cruelty she is experiencing from her writing... write what you know, correct? And novels may be made up, but you draw from your experience to guide the people, places and things in your narrative.

Loved this one. Makes me re-listen it's predecessors. Love Robert Galbraith. Love Strike. Love Robin. Love this series.

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Enjoyed it!

Revisado: 07-03-22

Here is the thing... Yes, this book had to have been influenced by The Secret History. There were moments when I thought ... oh dear ... that's very similar. But, after reading The Secret History sooooo long ago, I spent years yearning for another book LIKE The Secret History. Having a lot of space between that book and this and generally being disappointed in most new gothic-y novels ... I rather enjoyed this one quite a bit. And I was surprised! It was well written - not Iris Murdoch but better than The Maidens or others of that ilk. I hope this author has another good one in her!

I had looked at this book several times but the bad reviews put me off, so that is why I am even writing this review; to offset the bad reviews. I suggest giving it a try. Now, I would say don't listen to it right after having read The Secret History. Wait awhile.

Another reason I may have actually almost loved this book (well, liked it quite a bit) was because I was a theatre major and I am a bit of an armchair Shakespeare detective. Also, I attended a school in central Illinois with a bang up theatre department and I was able to really relate to the characters. I even wondered if this author may have been somewhat acquainted with my alma mater. In any case, if you are or were a theater major, this book will be a fun listen. It isn't high literature, but it isn't low brow either. It is good. And you want to keep going.

I do wish Audible would request to re-record The Secret History. Donna Tart is an amazing writer ... but her vocal rendition of the book ruins it a bit. I did listen to it, but it was not up to snuff. I will go back to re-reading it periodically.

I also want to give a shout out to the excellent narrator. I really do like him.

I do wish there were more books in this genre. So, if any of you want to be influenced by The Secret History, and if you are a decent writer ... go for it!

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Loved it For Some Reason

Revisado: 10-17-21

I really loved this. This is my second Barbara Erskine book. I read the Lady of Hay eons ago in book form. I never really liked The Lady Of Hay, although, I think I might have liked The Lady of Hay better if it had been read aloud and available on Audible. So, I am pleasantly pleased I like this book so much. It might even be the sort I will listen to again.

I want to say unequivocally, I really LOVED this narrator. She reminds me of Eleanor Bron, one of my favorites. I don't like the younger British readers, (Imogene Church - I know I'm in the minority) there is something about the younger British readers' accent, it is different than the older British actresses who narrate books. I call it British Valley Girl. But, this is my opinion. This is a personal preference of course, but I do hope this narrator will narrate more books of this nature.

I liked the story, it kept my interest. I am fond of ghost stories that aren't completely out there with Hollywood style special effects descriptions. While it is not as good as Anne Rice's Witching Hour, it kind of put me in mind of that book (one of my favorites.) I also love the time slip quality. It is one of my favorite devices.

The characters were interesting. Ruth could be ... frustrating, but that propelled the story. I loved Finn. I also liked Thomas, even though he was also frustrating at times, but if he hadn't been - the story would not have proceeded.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed this listening experience. It was a good escape for these difficult times. I am going to try another by Ms. Erskine and hope Vivian Helbrun will possibly narrate The Lady of Hay.

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Best One if this Genre Since Gone Girl

Revisado: 12-27-20

I was in the mood for a long, fun Gone Girl kind of listen and was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It is worth the credit and one that you will binge. Very fun in a sick, thriller way.

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Don’t let the bad reviews deter you

Revisado: 12-13-20

I had knowledge of this case from a few podcasts I had listened to. I passed on the book more than once because I thought I knew the story well and because of the negative reviews written.

The podcasts are literally like hors d'oeuvres before a huge seven course meal. There is so much more to this evil woman’s stalking than just Cari. There were other very scary stalking precursors that eventually led to her escalation in murder. She was working up to it again and would have eventually done it to another victim. I think she is still cat fishing from prison. She is wicked beyond belief.

I think Leslie’s writing is as good as her mom. As I stated, do not let the bad reviews deter you from learning the full scope of this crime. It is a doozy.

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Wow

Revisado: 08-23-20

This was sooo good. I originally read about this in about 2010 and I left off after the carbon dating was done. I am no scholar, but when it came back, even I knew it was medieval! This is a jaw dropping book and really pulls away the curtain to expose the “wizards” who claim to be our intellectual superiors. Thank you, Mr. Sabar, for YOUR Veritas!

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How I Miss P.D. James!

Revisado: 12-04-19

I am writing to contradict many of the negative reviews. I have held off for three years before finally using a credit to listen to this book. I relied too heavily on negative reviews. I should have trusted my own knowledge of Rosalyn Landor and my love of Adam Dalgleish.

P.D. James was such a literate author. It is hard to find her quality in newer series. She had a real insight into the human condition and the careful way she introduced her characters and the subsequent crime were, to me, the best part of her plots. It was intriguing to learn about the problems that beset the players in each drama and heightened the anticipation of the crime and what came next, This book is not an exception.

I do understand the reviewers who were dissatisfied with the narration, but I don't agree. Ms Landor is heads and shoulders above Penelope Delaport. I was lucky enough to purchase many of the Michael Jayston narrations and I do wish the publisher would either re-record with Daniel Weyman or renegotiate for the Michael Jayston versions. However, Ms. Landor did an excellent job and I would prefer her to Ms. Dellaport. Unfortunately, Charles Keating is no longer living, so he is not an option.

I would encourage P.D. James fans to listen to this final Adam Dalgliesh novel. It's quite good.

I miss P.D. James. She was so good.

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I Love Sally Beauman

Revisado: 10-12-19

I have taken to re-visiting some of the books I read many years ago and listening to them has been pure joy.

I read Sally Beauman's books Destiny and Dark Angel back in the late 1990's. While her writing does have an erotic, romance component in each book, her quality of writing is far above the typical romance novel. She does have a Daphne DuMaurier quality that is hard to achieve.

The problem with this approach to re-reading is that so many good books are not recorded! They were written before this Audible craze and if they were recorded, many were subject to not so good narrators or abridgement. The narrator issue is the case here. This narrator is just o.k. He is bearable and his 'posh' British accent is passable, but every other accent makes you cringe a bit, however Sally Beauman comes through and you do end up settling in to this narrator because you want to finish.

The other day I was googling Sally Beauman and was so saddened to read that she died about three years ago at the age of 71. It was discovering this sad fact that made me listen to this book. It is a very good Sally Beauman book populated with lovers and friends and a touch of malevolence. I loved it.

I wish that Audible Studios or perhaps the publisher of Destiny and Dark Angel would find a top notch narrator (David Rintoul? Juliet Stevenson?) and record these two books. They would go over spectacularly with the romance crowd and it would be such a nice tribute to Sally Beauman.

I recommend The Landscape of Love which has excellent narration.

All the best writers are leaving us! It does make me sad. I'm so glad I was able to listen to this.

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