Mrs Claus

One of the BEST series I have ever read.

Revisado: 02-22-22

As a voracious reader or listener I can honestly say this is one of the best series I have read. While it certainly can be read as a stand alone novel, do yourself the favor or reading the first in the series Absence of Mercy. Reading that first will really enable you to see the amazing character and plot development by the author. Full of plot twists and turns, and I am sure more than historically accurate portrayals of Tammany Hall New York, it also educates the reader of the circumstances of the rest of the world at that time. Thinking of the characters and their lives long after the story is over is a sign of a great book to me. These characters are unforgettable. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series. The ending which I will not give away is amazing and perfect. It was difficult to put this story down the whole way through it.

A delightful bonus and one which can make or break the listening to a book is the wonderful narrator. Is there no accent this man can produce and produce well? The listener's reality that it is read by one man is suspended and you are sure there are many narrators. Such a delight to listen to. I have learned that no matter how great a book blurb and reviews are to listen to a sample of the book. Some are ones you can not listen to because of the narrator, Not Mr. Degas, and for that I am thankful.

I only hope S.M. Goodwin continues to write this series for many years.

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Magnificent .....as always.

Revisado: 09-12-20

I love this author and especially this series of books.
Extraordinary stories . Each is woven with multiple stories of the individual characters lives.
The reader is kept guessing as to who is the murderer while being entranced by the characters.
I hate for the story to end , and can not wait for the next book to be released!

The narrator is phenomenal. So easy to listen to and understand.

You will not regret the purchase. Each book in the series can stand alone but do yourself a favor and start with book one. The Crossing Places and progress from there. It will enhance and enrich the listening .

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Do not waste your time or money

Revisado: 10-14-18

I tried, I really did I listened to up to Chapter 14. In those chapters this story went no where, and agonizingly slowly.

Being an avid reader and Audible listener, I read the synopsis of the story, the other reader's reviews and then listen to the sample prior to purchase. As a mystery aficionado I thought this story would be interesting and entertaining to listen to. Unfortunately it was not, at least for me.

There was little to no plot. The author kept going around and around in circles, and the worst for me, was her continuous use of dead squirrels being nailed to something as something to evoke horror. Well it did evoke horror in me, but in horror of listening to the rest of this go no where, story.

The narration was ok.

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Fascinating!

Revisado: 09-14-18

Unique , fast paced, with all the twists and turns a mystery reader could ever want and more.
I bought it at first because Anthony Horowitz wrote it. I could not wait to see how a mystery with the author himself as a main character would play out.
one of the best books I have read.
The narrator is just perfect in every respect.
I could not wait to finish listening and found myself thinking if the characters when I wasn't listening. the sign of a great book to me.
Can't wait for the next book from Horowitz. Each one us different and just as wonderful as the last.

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Great Book

Revisado: 06-28-18

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was a wonderful quick paced listen. Too often books this long drag and the listener knows what the author apparently did not...... that is could have been told just as well if shorter. No so in this book. Every minute counted.
There were so many twists and turns and things that I assumed would happen ...... and to my delight did not. The author kept you on your toes for sure.
Hard for me to put down, I purchased the second book before I finished this one!
The narrator was great. Clear speaking, easy to listen to. A narrator can make or break a book for me.

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Waste of time and money.

Revisado: 02-20-18

What would have made The Potential better?

A better story line, better ending, better editor, character development, a shorter version of it...... the list goes on.

What was most disappointing about June Bretherton’s story?

The whole thing. Dragged throughout the story. It seemed that the author was getting paid by the word. Then finally in the last two chapters..... the ending was totally stupid and she laid no groundwork for it. Shallow characters too. The author just repeated herself for 22 chapters. Stilted dialogue as well.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator was not bad. But the recording of it, allowed the reading to hear every breath he took. Distracting.

What character would you cut from The Potential?

Hard to decide.

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Excellent blend of magic and story telling.

Revisado: 09-13-17

What made the experience of listening to The Watchmaker's Daughter the most enjoyable?

The narration to begin with. Very well done. Emma Powell speaks clearly and is easy to l
isten to.

The author blends magic and the skepticism of it with a mystery and some historical information. Each character is just that, a character! But they all work well together.

I don't wish to give the ending away, as this is not a traditional mystery, who done it, but the "problem" is not resolved and more stories are needed to bring it to a solution. I have just purchased the second in the series as well and can't wait to start listening to it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Watchmaker's Daughter?

For me, again not to give anything away, when the main character India saves Matt's life with her magic . Magic she is not sure she believes in and has no training in, but it is dawning on her that she has it.

Which character – as performed by Emma Powell – was your favorite?

She narrates the main character, India the best to my mind.

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

Not a particular moment, but I enjoy the building friendship and trust between Willie and India.

Any additional comments?

Only that I will enjoy the rest of the series I am sure. A good story, well told.

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This second book is just as good as the first!

Revisado: 09-11-17

Where does A Purely Private Matter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up near the top of the list and I have listened to many many audiobooks.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes it did. The twists and turns in the plot and how they were laid out keeps you on the edge of your seat. Not to give the story away, but almost everyone of the characters have a secret and most are lying to Rosalind.
I usually can listen to all the clues the author lays out in the story and figure out how the villain is BUT ......not this time. This made it all the more enjoyable a story for me. Never saw this one coming.

What does Sarah Nichols bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her speaking voice is pleasant to listen to. She is very easy to understand, perfect diction. She puts great emotions into her performance. Audiobooks enable me to be, in the story and experience them as reading a book does not. They also enable to continue with my activities of my day.

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

Not one particular moment, but the easy ongoing theme of romance, between the Rosalind and the two men who love her is interesting. Usually romance is not my first thought in the mysteries I read or listen to, but i enjoy watching if you, will the dichotomy between the two men and their worlds and wonder...... which one will Rosalind end up with?

Any additional comments?

Just that I hope that Darcie Wilde continues this series with another Rosalind Thorne mystery. Also that I enjoy the historical setting of the book and the easy explanations of the why and wherefores of Rosalind's world and times.

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The perfect book for the times we live in.

Revisado: 09-01-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Glass Houses to be better than the print version?

Hard to tell as I have only listened to this book, not read the print version. Bathurst has done a wonderful job in taking over as the narrator and voicing Gamache. You get lost in his voice and think you are right there, living with the wonderful characters Louise Penny creates.

I will however buy the print version as well to add to the other books in the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well I love them all, but I would have to say Ruth! She is the conscience of sorts of Three Pines. She says, what others dare not to. Her love of her duck, Rosa would be enough to make me love her though. It is obvious that her behavior is an act and underneath there is a loving caring very highly intelligent woman who sees things others do not. She is important to so many characters in Three Pines. She rushed in to help Isabelle when shot and fighting for her life. Certainly a caring person with a conscience.

What does Robert Bathurst bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His inflections bring more life and reality to the characters. I listened to his discussion with Louise Penny and was surprised how different his normal speech is from that he uses to narrate these books.

How he says things gives more meaning and weight to some things Louise has written. Subtle but there all the same.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both at different times. Of course this book, like all of Louise Penny's books, make me stop and turn off the story and just think and absorb what she just wrote many times in the narrative. Not trying to figure out who did it, as in other mystery books, but to think about what she is saying and how it is meaningful to me and us as a society, especially in this book. I think it is the perfect book for the times we here in the US are living in . Turbulent times, political upheaval daily it seems and watching our changing role in the world. Too the focus of the story is drugs and the winning or losing of that war on drugs. More and more a scourge on our societies daily.

Then too, Louise's comments and acknowledgements made me cry. Knowing the difficulty she faced while writing this book and how you know Michael, the husband she so loved and lost, runs through it.

Any additional comments?

Hard to wait a whole 12 months before I get to hear what the residents of Three Pines are up to!

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Hard to put down! Amazing story within a story.

Revisado: 08-13-17

I can not wait for the next Anthony Horowitz novel . How he is going to be able to follow this one I can not imagine.
the narration only enhances the believe that the reader is right there in the story as it unfolds.
Twusts and turns aplenty. One of the few who done its I did not guess the ending of. I am only sorry I finished it, but longed to do just that!

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