Jennifer

I couldn’t even finish it

Revisado: 12-16-24

There is not one character in this novel that I’m rooting for. I’ve invested quite a bit of time listening to the story unfold, and quite frankly, I don’t care what happens. I’m a little disappointed. I couldn’t return this title because I paid for it. I wouldn’t waste my time or mo. If I were you. The chief protagonist is the wettest noodle of all. I have no idea if he’s a bad guy but he sure is unlikable. The only likable character of the entire ensemble is the little girl.

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Wow!

Revisado: 09-17-24

Liane Moriarty is a literary genius, not just because she understands human nature like nobody else except maybe Jane Austen, but because somehow she comes up with the most creative and unique storylines I’ve come across and I am one voracious reader. Brava!

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Decent brain candy but very sloppy

Revisado: 05-28-24

This review is really for the author and her publishers. I would like to ask the author to listen to each one of these audiobooks back to back. The number of inconsistencies, continuity errors, and even using the wrong characters name at times is appalling. It feels like there’s no outline to these stories, but the author is just doing some kind of Freeform writing. The number of contradictions, even within a chapter, is egregious. Luckily for me, many of my favorite, buttoned up and organized authors have books coming out soon. Just know, as an avid reader and listener of audiobooks, I find this kind of sloppiness an insult to my intelligence. Why should I keep buying these books? Why do you think it’s acceptable to have so many errors in every single one of these novels?

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A Practical Guide to "Re" Find Your Joy

Revisado: 05-13-24

Let's be honest, we are living in some pretty tumultuous times. Whether it's war, or gun violence in the schools, epidemics of drug abuse and homelessness, the ever-changing environment and catastrophic weather events - you name it, it's easy to become overwhelmed and, let's face it, negative and just plain, old unhappy. What I love about the book is that it truly is a practical guide, providing helpful tools for being present, reflecting on what you are (or are not doing) to be happy, and providing simple exercises to practice the behaviors that will help keep you grounded and allow you to find your happy again.

I listen to a LOT of audio books and I sometimes hesitate to listen to a book read by the author. In this case, I wish this author would also read other audio books in addition to her own. She has a warmth and authenticity in her tone that makes you feel like she's there in the room, sharing her own journey with you. When you hear what she's overcome and about her own missed opportunities at times in her life to choose happiness and the steps she's taken to get her happiness back, it's inspiring!

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A Dystopian Masterpiece!

Revisado: 01-15-24

I have listened to many a Sara Foster audiobook. They have often been a free or low-cost option in between my favorite authors having books available. I was not prepared for how extraordinary this book would be!

It sounds like this story took years to write, and it shows. This is not only riveting, original, and timely. it’s just a kind of book they should turn into a movie or a limited series on one of the premium channels.

I cannot recommend this book enough! Keep on this trajectory, Sara Foster!

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Painful

Revisado: 11-04-23

I am a big fan of Detective Dan Riley and, equally, of James Lailey’s performances.

What made this story so excruciating to listen to was that it was obvious who the killer was very, very early on in the book. I truly believe the author thought this was a twist, but to me, it was so obvious it made how everything played out exasperating.

Also, if I have to hear someone’s tortured internal monologue over and over again in another novel, I will probably return the book immediately. Enough is enough already!

Last, but not least if I read another story where the medical examiner has to explain what Petechiae is to a seasoned detective, I may give up the genre altogether.

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Sloppy

Revisado: 09-05-23

I’m glad this one was free. The timelines were consistently off. There’s a document that’s supposed to be a pivotal piece of evidence that can free one of the key characters but the document is from at least a week before the crime and has no relationship timewise. This happens throughout the entire novel. It’s like no one edited this or even read it thoroughly before publishing it. I hate sloppiness. Shame on this author, her editor, and the publisher for producing such lackadaisical work.

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Creepy Protagonist

Revisado: 05-10-23

I stopped listening to this audio book a few months ago. I think it’s the third or fourth novel in the series and I’m just not going to keep listening and here’s why…this protagonist is creepy AF!
 
First of all, he recently went through a divorce after his adult daughter was murdered. So he transfers to this new location and immediately gets into a relationship with his subordinate who is about the same age as his murdered daughter. It’s disturbing, but it gets worse. Here are some scenarios that are part misogynistic, part paternalist, part incestuous:
 
(1) When his “girlfriend” who is the same age as his daughter wants him to buy her a bracelet similar to one his daughter had, he refuses, and she pouts. Pouts! Like a little girl would. This is his lover. I’m not making this up!
 
(2) He wants to her quit the police force because he thinks it’s too dangerous for her. This comes up in more than one novel in this series. Is this author living in the 1950s? Really?
 
(3) Despite the above, the protagonist wants her to come and do an illegal search with him, so he tries to get her drunk, so she’ll agree. Is this conduct ok?
 
(4) He hides the fact that he is meeting his ex-wife in London and, when his daughter/girlfriend finds out, he attempts to bribe her to appease her.
 
(5) When he sees his ex-wife, he’s surprised she’s seeing someone, but then he says something to the effect of “it makes sense. She actually has a decent figure for a woman in her 40s.” Wow! a woman who still looks good in her 40s?! How can this be possible? I found this hilarious and so very out of touch with modern life. (Oh yes, and misogynistic again!)
 
This protagonist is an incompetent detective (just like this writer is an incompetent writer):
 
(1) He’s abrupt and bombastic which might be quirky if he could actually solve the crime, but I think he only has come close to solving the crime in one of these books. Another reason not to waste your time.
 
(2) The medical examiner has to teach this seasoned detective from the Met in London what petechiae is? Really? I think any person who has read a modern mystery novel or listened to a true crime podcast knows what that is, but not this detective?
 
Just a note to the author. It’s “blood spatter”, not “blood splatter”. Is this author even for real? I only listened to the first few audio books to learn about a different region in England and because I normally enjoy Jonathan Keeble’s reading, but even he couldn’t make this revolting protagonist drowning in toxic masculinity appeal to me.
 
Trust me. Unless you’re an incel and you hate women, don’t read these novels.

I know I could probably return this book and get my money back, but I would rather be able to write a review and warn you.

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Mixed Feelings

Revisado: 02-13-23

Since I’m all caught up with novels by my favorite authors, I’ve been looking for a new one. I was happy to come across this novel and I found my British crime novel itch being successfully scratched.

Here’s my question. Has this author never heard of the “Me Too” Movement? It’s amazing to me how these male authors get away with writing their fantasy out in these books. Of course, a much older DI should have some kind of romantic relationship with his subordinate who is a young female officer described as 15 to 20 years younger than he is. It’s really just creepy. I’m not some raving feminist, but I still believe these male authors can do better!

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Potential Fulfilled

Revisado: 02-11-23

I almost didn’t select this book. I’ve had some real frustration with the previous novels in the series, and I’ve also provided some tough love feedback in my previous reviews. I’ve always felt like this author had potential, and in this novel, she reaches that potential!

The story was clever with a twist that really surprised me. We’ll done!

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