Cindy Piller

Not Danielle’s Finest

Revisado: 12-18-22

Okay, but way too 3rd person for my taste. Narrator didn’t have enough to work with in terms of dialogue. Interesting story but not nearly as intriguing as Steele’s early stories.

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Great Listen

Revisado: 07-14-21

This is my fourth, and favorite, Helen Starbuck book. Kate Earnshaw finds her father's body. The police assume it's a suicide, but Kate doesn't buy it. There is no note and, although he had at times suffered from depression, there had been no recent signs of it. She learns her father has left her with his old family home and some property on the Eastern Plains of Colorado along with generations of secrets. She soon finds out that she didn't really know her dad, and that the handsome, interesting, and elusive Evan Hastings, whose property is next to the place Kate inherits, has been privy to much more information than shared with her. She's grieving, increasingly confused by things that don't make sense, and jealous of Evan's relationship with her dad. Her first thought is to sell the place, but after being convinced to visit, she is compelled to find answers to an increasing number of questions. Starbuck does a great job of contrasting the lonely plains, dilapidated farmhouse, small town ways, and the Denver woman's fear of rattlesnakes with Kate's art gallery life in Denver. Amy Deutchler does a great job of narrating. Characters are well defined and believable. Pace is good. It's an easy and refreshing listen.

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Fun Listen with Unexpected Depth

Revisado: 12-21-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Salem Grimes is a hapless, imperfect heroine who survives any number of catastrophes merely by getting up more often than she falls down. A recovering alcoholic with a shabby upbringing, she’s finding her way to what she hopes will be a good, maybe even normal, life with the help of her earth angel, Les, and her dog Stump. She lives in TrailerTopia Mobile Home Park, bathes dogs part-time for minimal wages at Bow Wow Barbers, and finds solace in greasy fast food, which is why she can’t figure out what to wear in the morning — most of her clothes no longer fit. She prays a sigh of relief when her wreck of a car starts and prays for help when it doesn’t.

Salem has had scrapes with the law because of her drinking and is still on probation, so finding a dead body at church on the way to her AA meeting creates even more problems, especially since the investigating officer knows Salem from her past record and bad behavior. It’s one thing for Salem to find out her ex-husband, Tony, is the number one murder suspect and another to find out she’s really not quite divorced.

This audiobook version is at times laugh-out-loud hilarious, but it’s also a story about honesty, finding faith, experiencing redemption, and learning to believe in others and oneself.

Narrator Sandra Murphy’s twangy Texas accent is dead-on for Salem and her cronies; the remaining cast of characters have easily distinguishable voices. Viv, Salem’s octogenarian partner in crime (technically the twosome is working to solve the murder, but Viv, especially, doesn’t always color within the lines). Viv is a character gem. She’s pushy, rich, and been married enough times to know how and when to work the system, much to Salem’s horror. They are a perfect twosome as Murphy uses author Kim Hunt Harris’ words to distinguish between the two women’s life experiences, personalities, and modes of operation.

If for no other reason, you need to listen to this one in order to visualize an over-sized, overturned pickle bucket as a driver’s seat in an ice cream truck. Believe me — and do not try this at home!

I was given a review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left a review.

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Still Here; Wasn't Easy

Revisado: 08-13-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Lisa Beacom does a great job narrating this book tackling family estrangement, mental illness, and resillience. The story, as told with droll humor by main character Esther, provides just the right lift for a tale that could otherwise be a sad, depressing listen. You really can't describe Es as lucky, graceful, or drop dead gorgeous but she is unforgettable, likeable and loveable, believable with her own issues and abilities to deal with reality. Beacom handles male characters as well as she voices women. Physician Kingston Cole (better known as O.K.) is perfectly charming. This was an excellent audio experience. I was sorry when it ended.

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Interesting Premise

Revisado: 08-13-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Sweet little story that left questions. This is a very short audiobook. I loved the mystery of Aunt May's life, but have no idea how she pulled off the secrets for so many years. It's difficult to have an extended family and keep your livelihood or love life that far underground for decades and over 3 generations. I think Danielle cared for Aunt May, phyically and emotionally, but I suspect Danielle made her caretaking "choice" more out of guilt or obligation than love for her aging relative. Otherwise, Danielle would have known more about her aunt's substance, her drive, her liife -- not just that she liked flowers. I didn't buy the "private person" business to the nth degree. Danielle took the line of least resistence. She wasn't that old. She could have done more, earlier. Danielle didn't just retire from teaching; she retired from life, and while she was a caregiver, it was a pretty nice gig. Bills were paid; she had a place to live, and there were contingency plans. This middle aged woman wasn't juggling household duties and doctor appointments with the care of other family members or having to work. There was a hint of resentment she was stuck in a neverending duty that could have been openly acknowledged. I appreciate the fact Danielle finally got a life thanks to Aunt May. This book could have used the help of an editor. There are redundancies, situations and words overused within paragraphs, that detracted from the story, especially in audiobook format. The narrator did a good job. I received this book at no charge for review purposes.

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Beyond Buried Secrets

Revisado: 02-05-20

A simple college assignment turns into life changing experiences for people whose first choice was to bury their pasts. Joe Taylor manages to escape from his irresponsible bi-polar mother, hoping that she will get a grip and take care of Jeremy, Joe’s younger autistic brother. Wishful thinking! Joe’s already juggling the transition from community college to university courses on financial fumes and little extra time because to survive he’s working multiple jobs. Regardless, he always finds a way to rescue Jeremy when his mother bails.

So, it’s no surprise that he’s put off the assignment of writing a biography of an elderly person for his Biography class. In desperation, he ends up at a nursing home. Administrators, impressed with Joe’s manners, suggest Carl Iverson, a Vietnam Vet war hero convicted of rape and murder, paroled to the home because he is dying of cancer and it’s easier for the system to provide Hospice care outside the prison.

Iverson, an intelligent, thoughtful man sometimes speaks in riddles. After grilling Joe to determine his honesty, Iverson agrees to the project. Joe begins his search for the truth. In the process, the coed next door in his shabby rental apartment space, comes on board. The two debate, disagree, but, working (and eventually) coming together conclude Iverson might have been wrongfully convicted.

The mystery is good, but the characterizations are better as the people begin to trust, sharing their personal stories layer by layer as Joe and Lila race to find the truth Iverson before Iverson’s death. If there is a flaw in the book, it’s Joe and Lila’s failure to understand chain of evidence rulings.

Zach Villa does a great job with the narration. It’s a little noisier in places than I expected, but not so much it distracts from the performance.

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Medical and Legal Mischief — RX for Mahem

Revisado: 02-18-19

It’s no wonder Annie Collins has trust issues. Her recent lover managed to kill one of her good friends, another acquaintance, and came close to eliminating Annie herself with a poisonous overdose. And although in prison, he still manages to make Annie's life miserable. It’s two steps forward and one back as Annie tries to regroup, reclaim her life, and return to work. It doesn’t help that a number of patients with end-of-life or developmental delays are dying in the step-down unit of her hospital, but she’s committed to helping track down whoever is involved. Add to that the fact that her best friend and neighbor, handsome and supportive Assistant D.A. Angel Cisneros, may be dealing with dangerous people unhappy with a recent verdict.

A number of Annie’s friends from the series’ first book, “The Mad Hatter’s Son” are back, supporting Annie in her recovery and her attempts to track down the perpetrators of crime. Danger increases as Annie and Angel become closer.

The story is good. Annie’s struggle to re-enter the real world is real, if occasionally frustrating, because like most of us, her behavior regresses when, rightly or wrongly, she feels pushed or demeaned, and she’s not always good about sharing what she needs from those who truly care about her to become stronger.

Suzanne Fortin’s performance has grown with the characters. My preference is that characters are defined well enough to know who is speaking during the dialogue. That doesn’t always happen, but the delineation is better this time around. The love scenes are good.

Looking forward to the third book in the Annie Collins Mystery series.

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Franki Amato Strikes Again

Revisado: 01-13-19

Disclaimer: Vampires don't do a thing for me. I've tried to read Anne Rice's books several times and failed, but I stuck with Andrighetti's newest Franki Amato mystery and will go back for more. Narrated by the talented Madelyn Mrozek, the New Orlean's-based mystery is fun and funny. Listening to all the characters (and there are seemingly gazillions-- Italian and otherwise) is worth the price. From Franki's Nona, her dud of a brother, Anthony, Detective Sullivan, Franki's boss, her clients are all characters, but not so over-the-top you don't believe in them. I also enjoy the little tidbits about New Orleans' (and, yes, vampire) history. If you're looking for a campy mystery, this is it.

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Holiday Helper Extraordinaire

Revisado: 11-27-18

This isn't "War and Peace", but it's hilarious with just enough ballast to keep you going through any chore, thanks to the narration of Barbara Benjamin-Creel. Nothing else could have motivated me more through over 8 hours of wallpaper removal. (We're talking serious liners and glue that might have been cement.) When the book was over, I proclaimed my duties finished...but give me another one of Chrissy McMullen's adventures and there are options. (Just don't tell my daughter, and readers, don't put that stuff on YOUR walls!) While this book is one in a series, these are stand-alone stories. Listening out of order is a non-issue. Know that Chrissy is an imperfect psychologist with truth and relationship issues, a wacky family, unusual patients, an incredible friend who wants to be an actress, and well-voiced hormonal tendencies, especially regarding Detective Rivera. I'll get through the holiday season smiling, listening to the next adventure because I suspect there will be the laugh-aloud sections that get me through decorating, present-wrapping, list-making, laundry, and cooking. Liked this one more than the first. Keep them coming, Lois Greiman, and please let Barbara continue to be your voice.

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Picture Perfect

Revisado: 10-05-18

Wendy, a former cheerleader, is dispirited. She expected her life to be better, more fulfilling by this time in her life, and she's living on financial fumes. Having inherited her Grandmother's house in her old hometown, things could be worse, but they could also be a whole lot better. Her neighbors are wacky, and not always nice. A high school rival, married to the sheriff, is determined to make her life even more miserable. And it looks like the spaghetti sauce next door is more than likely blood of a deceased inhabitant. Lots of twists and turns, snarky giggles, a potentially psychic cat, and great narration from Karen Krause. Thomas's cozy mystery is perfect for a commute, folding laundry, gardening, or relaxation with an entertaining read.

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