The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

Hannah Morrissey's latest book is The Unlucky Ones - the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series. 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star listen for me.

The audio version of The Unlucky Ones was performed by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira. They both created excellent voices that were easily discernable. Moreira's voice has growly tones the fits the character. Dawe's voice is velvety and low, driving the listener to pay attention. Both are easy to understand. They bring the emotions and the action of the plot to life. An excellent presentation of an excellent book.     Run time 9 hours and 39 minutes.

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

The Unlucky Ones is Hannah Morrissey's new book and the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series.

 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next. I couldn't put the book down.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star read for me.

The Last Trip - Kiersten Modglin

The Last Trip is new from Kiersten Modglin

Sadie is very pregnant when she and boyfriend Cal decide to have one last weekend away, before they are parents. But, things don't go quite like Sadie had imagined. And the house owners....and the visitor..... (I had more than one shiver.)

Modglin builds on those first chapters with more odd incidents and happenings from Sadie's point of view. Cal has a voice as well. The rest of the book is told from She and Him and the time frame jumps from now and then. At first I couldn't understand why the characters didn't have their names on their chapters. You'll see. There's are so many twists and turns in this book - right down to the last page. I love a good twisty tale and Modglin definitely gives us that.

I chose to listen to The Last Trip. The narrators were Abigail Reno and Jay Myers. They both did great jobs of presenting Modglin's work. Each used voices that matched their character's. Reno's voice has a low gravelly tone that is perfect. Myers' voice for Cal is great - he's the perfect partner and his voice reflects that. There's a great plot in this novel and they both embrace it; their voices change with the action and emotions. They are clear speakers and are easy to understand. Great performance.

Run time is 5.0 hours.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

I chose to read this book. Angela Dawe was the reader again - which is a really good thing. The continuity is appreciated. She has created believable voices for each and every character. And I have vivid mental pictures of each player based on those voices. She captures the actions, the emotions, the danger and more, with her inflections, tones, speed etc. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. An excellent presentation of a wonderful book!

10 Hours, 18 Minutes

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne - Emily Critchley

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is Emily Critchley's new novel.

I always look at the cover of a book before I turn the first pages. I really liked this cover, it has a distinct Gothic feel to it. The images and the colours and tones used beckoned to me.

The first part is set in 1938. Gillian Larking attends a girl's boarding school in England. Gillian is quite lonely and unhappy at the school. She’s unsure when the new girl, Violet Claybourne, is to be her roommate. Violet is a bit different, but the two end up quite happy together. Gillian is thrilled to be asked to spend the Christmas holidays with Violet's family. She can’t wait to meet her mother, father and two sisters.

And this is where the good stuff starts. A crumbling manor, an atmosphere that is confusing, and a family that’s not as Gillian had imagined. Still though, she’d be very happy to be part of the family.

Emily Greeley does a fantastic job with what came next. Her plotting is excellent! Lots of twists and turns. And her characters? Oh my gosh, I can’t even….! And just when I thought we were finished we’re brought into current day and that was such a surprise turn as well! Kudos to you Emily Critchley!

This is my first read of Emily Critchley, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Murder at the Loch - Dee MacDonald - Blog tour!

Murder at the Loch is the newly released and second entry in Dee MacDonald's "Ally McKinley Mystery series". I have read the first book (Murder in the Scottish Highlands) and really enjoyed it. 

Dee MacDonald gives us a a wonderful lead character with Ally.  She’s recently retired, but she’s full of vim and vigor. She moved herself to a small village in the Scottish Highlands, took a chance and turned a historical building into a cosy B&B. She’s made friends, has customers, got a dog and met the local veterinarian - who is just about her age. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a large castle and an Earl?

Abby is by nature curious, and that has served her well since she arrived at the village of Locharran! The supporting players are mix of personalities and bring much to the stories.

The setting is ready and the main character is ready. What else do we need? A great mystery is the answer to that question - and we have a great one from MacDonald. Almost every resident is a suspect. I enjoyed Abby‘s investigation, throwing in my two cents. I guessed the whodunit in the last chapters and the journey there was really great! This was a perfect curl up for a rainy reading day. I'll be looking for the next book!

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years. She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70! Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons. 

You can connect with Dee on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Dee MacDonald here. And ... see what other readers thought about Murder at the Loch!

  

The Lost and the Found - Kevin Fagan

I usually read fiction, but I've found myself becoming more and more interested in non fiction. What is happening, changing, challenging and so much more. What can we do? What is needed?

Kevin Fagan has been boots down for the last twenty plus years, covering homelessness and all that comes with that. He has spent extensive time on the street as a reporter and himself as a young man.

The subtitle says it all - "A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances". We meet Rita and Tyson and are privy to the life stories of these two unhoused people. And yes, drugs do seem to be inexorably tied to being homeless.

Does anyone get out of that life? You'll have to read or listen to the book to find that answer. And all the questions, ideas and strategies that arise with this narrative. See the person. 

Fagan's writing is excellent. I chose to listen to The Lost and the Found. The narrator was Sean Patrick Hopkins and he did a fantastic job of presenting Fagan's work. His voice is easy on the ears and he speaks clearly. His voice moves with the narrative and he captures the tone of the book as it unfold. Hear for yourself - listen to a excerpt of the Lost and the Found.   7.5 hours

Famous Last Words - Gillian McAllister

Gillian McAllister's new book is "Famous Last Words".

I always take a good look at the cover of a book before I start to read or listen. The words here lean to the right and feel rushed. Maybe an on the run tale? When you’re turning the last few pages, you’ll see how clever that title is.

Camilla’s maternity leave is up and she’s heading back for work today. She’s more than a little upset that her husband has gone off to work without saying goodbye or have a great first day. Or anything. But when she walks through to her office, the police are there to take her to a building where…her husband has taken three people hostage. Camilla doesn’t know what to say or do. Her husband couldn’t do something like this…Or could he?

This was such a great opener, I was so curious! There’s a great twist right after this introduction. The narrative moves from past and present. We’re privy to Camilla‘s thoughts and another character who was at the kidnapping. Love, hope and grief are explored with a keen eye. Very believable and well written. But for me, that slowed down the initial movement and action I had thought this book and plot would be using. But, I was still curious and needed to know what would happen in the end. This is most definite a character driven tale. 

I chose to listen to Famous Last Words. The narrator was Emilia Fox and she did a great job with interpreting and presenting McAllister's work. Her voice is low with a undertone of velvet that's pleasant to listen to. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She has captured the emotions of the characters with her voice. A good performance.