Fire and Bones - Kathy Reichs

Yay! A new Temperance Brennan book from Kathy Reichs! Fire and Bones has just released - and it's a hot listen!

I've read or listed to every Tempe book and I'm always eager to see what her next case will be about. This time Tempe is headed to Washington to help identify fire victims and add her expertise to the investigation. And Tempe can't walk away when she comes across clues pointing to a much bigger operation.

I really enjoy Tempe as a protagonist. She's got a rich personal life that has progressed over the course of all 23 books in the series. She's dogged in her search for the answers and justice as a forensic anthropologist. Kathy Reichs herself is a certified forensic anthropologist. Her cases and writing have the details that tell you it's the real deal.I quite enjoy Tempe's inner dialogue as well!

The cases are always interesting. There's lots of history is this latest - and no way to predict how or what will come next. (I like the twist in the final chapter!)

Her counterpart in this latest is journalist Ivy Doyle. Can Ivy be trusted with what's going on behind doors. I wasn't a fan of this character in the beginning, but...

I often find myself more immersed in a book when I listen. The voices bring the book alive. I was very happy to see that Linda Emond was the reader. She has narrated at least the last ten books in the series. The continuity is great as she has become the voice of Tempe for me, matching my mental image. She has an interesting voice - there's a slight gravelly undertone and it rises and falls within a single sentence punctuating a point, reaction or emotion. A voice that carries an authoritative tone when needed. And a voice that matches the age of the character. Emond speaks clearly, enunciates well and is easy to understand. She does a great job with the French phrases as well and excellent performance.

An excellent entry in this long running series. Hear for yourself - listen to an an audio excerpt.

One Perfect Couple - Ruth Ware

I'm a big fan of Ruth Ware's writing. I adore her suspense tales. Her latest is One Perfect Couple - and I think it's one of her best.

Lyla's boyfriend Nico convinces her to try out for a reality show with him. It's one that will have five couples hoping to be the 'perfect pair' and win the big prize at the end. 

There are reality shows of all type available on so many platforms these days. And the ante is being ramped up to attract viewers. (Admit it - you've watched at least one episode!)

Lyla has her doubts before they go and...I'm going to let you discover what happens next. Ware's plotting is devious - I honestly could not stop listening. There are many unexpected twists and turns woven into the narrative. The tension is palpable on every page.

Lyla is a great lead character - she's quick, clever, sees the big picture and isn't afraid to speak her mind. It's her viewpoint and action that we are listening to. And how about the flip side? You'll have no problem recognizing and despising the antagonist!

I knew this would be a fantastic listen for me. Ware's writing and Imogen Church's reading guaranteed it! Church has such a versatile voice - she's created a different, recognizable  voices for all the characters. She easily captures the emotions of the players with her voice. And the same with the danger and suspense of the plot. The listener is easy drawn into the story. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. I'm always impressed when a single reader can have me thinking there's more than one person!

An easy five stars for One Perfect Couple the book and the presentation. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of One Perfect Couple.

Daughter of Mine - Megan Miranda

Daughter of Mine is Megan Miranda's new novel.

Hazel Sharp hasn't been back to Mirror Lake for almost a decade. There are just too many memories there - especially the disappearance of her mother. Why didn't she take Hazel with her? It's the death of her father that brings her back to the family home in Mirror Lake. Old disagreements and resentments rear there ugly heads as Hazel and her two brothers argue over the will. And other secrets are exposed as the water level in the lake drops...My answer for whodunit changed frequently.

Daughter of Mine is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning as the scene is set, the characters introduced and the crux of the matter is exposed. Family matters, old hurts, actions, secrets, and more keep the narrative moving forward. I thought Miranda did a great job of drawing the relationships between all the players. The headers of each chapter lists the days without rain - and the level of the lake keeps dropping.

I chose to listen to Daughter of Mine. The narrator was Inés del Castillo. I've enjoyed other books she's read. Her voice matched the mental image I had created for Hazel. She provides many other voices, including men's, that are believable. The speed is good. She enunciates well and her voice is pleasant to listen to. She interprets Miranda's work and uses her voice to capture the emotions and action of the book.  A good performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt for Daughter of Mine.  Runtime is 10 hours and 20 minutes.

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder - C. L. Miller

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is C.L. Miller's wonderful debut novel.

The cover immediately caught my eye. It promised a great listen - and it delivered. I've become addicted to cosy murder tales lately. 

I liked that Miller introduced the book herself. I'm always curious about how a plot is devised. Miller has lots of background herself in the antique world and that adds a great deal to the book.

What is the plot you ask? From the publisher "...a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts." Ahh, an isolated manor in England? Perfect setting of course. A wealth of characters to choose from for the 'culprit'. Check. (And I admit, I had picked wrongly for final reveal! Freya is a lead character you'll quite like. Her personal life is tied to the past - will she take her life back? Her Aunt Carole is a great character for the supporting role. Her acting skills and personality are fun to see and hear. 

The premise is a good one, the setting is perfect for this tale, is a wonderful debut and I would be quite happy to see Freya again!

I chose to listen to The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder. The reader was Emilia Fox and she was a great choice. Her voice is rich and she has a lovely English accent. Her voice is so easy on the ears. The pacing was just right. She has lots of movement in her speaking, capturing the tension, action and emotions of the book. Fox interprets and presents Fox's work very well. I think this one worked better as an audio book for me. Also, there's a great interview at the end with C. L. Miller. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - Janice Hallett

I was thrilled to see that Janice Hallett had a new book coming out. I think her writing is so very, very clever. Her latest - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - is perhaps the best book yet.

The Alperton Angels were a cult 18 years ago. The members truly believed that they were indeed angels, sent forth to Earth to save the world from the Anti-Christ. They believed that one young woman's baby was the the Anti-Christ. And the young mum decides to take the babe and run. Where could they be now? Okay, that's just the tip of the story. There's so much more to explore!

Hallett reprises the epistolary style of writing that I adore. The book is told through emails, screenplays, podcasts, amateur sleuths groups, book excerpts, phone calls, texts, testimonies, police files and so much more! There's also a transcriber who adds her thoughts about things. 

Amanda Bailey is a true crime writer. She's a large personality, dogged in her search, determined to find the now eighteen year old baby. She's got some serious skills. But there's another author, named Oliver Menzies, on the hunt as well. His direction, point of view and skills are quite different than Amanda's. The two clash over who can write what, and hiding what they do find out. And the third detective? It's you, dear listener. There's a myriad of supporting characters in the book. Some are seen once and others play a larger part. But they're all integral to the plot. 

The plotting is absolutely brilliant in my opinion. The clues are sometimes right there to see, while other times they're longshots. Hallett throws in more than one twist and turn on the way to the final 'aha'! Hallett's writing is addictive and you'll find yourself up late, listening to just one more chapter.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I become so much more immersed in a tale when I listen. That was definitely the case with The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels. The book employs not just one reader, but five - Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar, Kristin Atherton. I adore full cast narrating - it makes for rich storytelling. The voice for Amanda matched the mental picture I'd made for her. Same for Oliver - the voice matched the character. There are many supporting characters and a different voice for each and every one. Each of the readers spoked clearly and were easy to understand. The emotions and actions of the plot were easily captured and well presents. Good pacing as well. A wonderful presentation of a fantastic book! 

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels.

The Silence in Her Eyes - Armando Lucas Correa

The Silence in Her Eyes is the latest book from Armando Lucas Correa.

Leah is our lead character. As a young child she was diagnosed as having akinetopsia, also known as motion blindness. Having not heard of this condition, I took a detour to the web. It is indeed a 'real' thing. Correa's depictions of what it would be like to live with static images and how those images are discarded when she blinks, were well done. As well, Leah's olfactory sense is extremely heightened. Correa has come up with a new twist on the unreliable narrator.

Leah lives a small life with her housekeeper in an apartment building. When a new tenant moves in next door, Leah can smell the anxiety of what's going on next door - and hear the ensuing fight between the occupants. Worried, Leah inserts herself into Alice's life. But is Alice telling the truth? Leah has no way of truly knowing. 

Listed as a suspense novel, I think I expected a faster paced tale. I did enjoy imagining what it would be like for Leah. I also enjoyed her relationships with her housekeeper and the older residents of the apartments. Her inner dialogue and dreams completes the building of Leah as a lead protagonist. However, I do feel like there is a lot of repetition in her experiences, thoughts as well as what is a dream and wasn't. I will say that the twist in the ending good, but did find it a bit contrived.

I chose to listen to The Silence in Her Eyes. The narrator was Suehyla El-Attar Young, a new to me reader. I quite liked her voice - she speaks clearly, at a good pace, enunciates well and is easy on the ears. Her narration has movement. The voice used for Leah fitted my mental image. Young interprets Correa's book well, using  different speeds and tones of her reading to accentuate the fear, confusion, danger etc. of Correa's plot. A very well done presentation. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt on The Silence in Her Eyes. 

#CrimeTime - Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne

Jeneva Rose and her husband Drew Pyne have cowritten #CrimeTime. And that's perfect, as this tale is based on actual events that happened in their apartment building.

And what happened you ask? Well, three armed men broken into the apartment above and took a great deal of drugs, guns and money. Jeneva called the police, who didn't arrive until a second call was made. Worrying about the resident, they went upstairs after the thieves had left. He wasn't there. 

So, that's what the audiobook uses as a starting point, but Rose and Pyne have taken their tale to unexpected places. And people. And more...

#CrimeTime is presented as audiobook - which it is. But I was really thinking radio shows of past days that have sound effects for steps, doors, traffic and more. I think this style immerses the listener deeper into the presentation. 

Now, with such a serious opening, you would expect a serious tale right? Wrong. Nadiya writes crime novels and her half brother Chase is a wanna be social media star. The interactions and dialogue between these two lead characters is laughable throughout the presentation. Chase steals the show IMO. Rose and Pyne come up with a completely unexpected road for Nadiya and Chase to travel on. Other characters (good and bad) are added to that road. And how things finish up is impossible to guess. So, my advice is just go with the flow and enjoy!

Kudos to the two leads, Abelardo Campuzano and Jennifer Damiano. They played off each other really, really well. Campuzano's voice and attitude for over the top character Chase is perfect. Damiano is the voice of Nadiya. Her controlled, lower key voice really works for her character. She's more logical and reasonable, but still has a sharp tongue. The supporting cast all brought their characters to life. It was easy to understand the dialogue and the pace of the reading was just right. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.   3 hours and 36 minutes. 

Class - Stephanie Land

Star studded tell-alls are of no interest to me. Instead I find myself invariably drawn to memoirs of everyday people. The struggles and the triumphs - and real life.

Stephanie Land's first book, Maid, was a runaway bestseller. I thought it was a fabulous read. I was eager to listen to Land's new book - Class.

Land's desire to be a writer and the love she has for her daughter were the driving forces in pursuing that goal. Class brings us the next chapter - life while raising a young child, working as a cleaner, attending a four year college, homework, hunger, childcare and more. All from the under the poverty line.

Land's determination is so inspiring. She gets knocked down but keeps getting up. Trying to find her way through the byzantine agencies that seem to contradict each other. Facing judgment at school, at work and in society. Being judged as a mother and a woman by those who have no idea what she's struggling with. Now, that's not everyone, but there are enough.

I like the honesty of Land's work and not making it all 'pretty'. I don't think memoirs can be rated or judged. Each of us has their own way of doing things, achieving goals and living. I appreciate Stephanie Land's sharing of her journey. So far. I wonder if there will be another chapter? I hope so! Definitely recommended. 

I listened to Class. What a treat it is to listen to an author read their work. Even more so when the book is a memoir. All the emotions, reactions, thoughts, situations etc. were lived by Land. The listener can feel and appreciate that intimacy as she reads. She speaks clearly and odd as it sounds - for me, her voice matched her image.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I often find I often feel much more immersed in a book when I listen. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Class. 

Dirty Thirty - Janet Evanovich

Can you believe it? Janet Evanovich's latest book Dirty Thirty is the 30th book in her long running Stephanie Plum series!

The Plum books are my choice for some escapist, light hearted, comfort listening that doesn't take itself serious at all. Familiarity is another draw for me - I know who, and what, I'm going to find. 

Our lead character Stephanie works as a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinny in Trenton, New Jersey. This time around, Stephanie is tracking down two possible jewelry thieves. 

Stephanie is easy to like, with a good sense of humor. The supporting cast includes sidekick Lula, a big hearted former hooker. The banter between Stephanie and Lula is always fun. Lula has taken a bigger role in later books and has a case of her own to settle. Stephanie's Grandma Mazur (my fave) is often involved in whatever is going on.

The real question though, is who Stephanie will settle down with! For thirty books she has vacillated between Trenton police detective or private security firm owner Ranger. There may be an answer this time - or maybe not. (I will definitely be picking up #31 to see what happens next!) 

I chose to listen to Dirty Thirty. I'm so happy that Lorelei King is again the reader. She's been the voice of this series for many years. The continuity is wonderful as it feels like jumping right back into life in the 'Burg'. King has a very versatile and expressive voice. She has created different voices for the characters and it's quite easy to know who is speaking. The voice for Stephanie is pretty calm, no matter what's going on. Lula however is always big and loud. Grandma Mazur's has a perpetually happy voice, always seeing the bright side. Each of the love interests have distinct voices as well. Babe. There's many more and they all fit the mental images I've created for all the players. King speaks clearly, she is easy to understand and her pace of delivery is just right. She brings the action, emotions and calamities of the plot to life with her voice, changing up the tenor and tone to match what's going on. A great performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Dirty Thirty.

(PS. The cases are usually pretty light hearted, but I do have to say I didn't find the 'dog house situation' funny at all.)

Murder by Degrees - Ritu Mukerji

 Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit. 

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge as she is a practicing doctor.  

Gabra Zackman was the reader for Murder By Degrees. Her voice has movement to it - she brings emotions and action to her reading. She speaks clearly and is is easy to understand. Zackman creates different and identifiable voices for the many characters, males and females. I did end up turning the speed down a notch. I would rather savour the reading, rather than rush through it. She does a great job of presenting Mukerju's work. Hear for yourself - listen to  an excerpt of Murder By Degrees.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series. 

The Square of Sevens - Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Oh. My. Gosh. Laura Shepherd-Robinson's novel, The Square of Sevens, is an absolutely fantastic listen!

Why? Well firstly it's set in and around 1730's England. Shepherd-Robinson's descriptions of time and place are carefully and beautifully drawn. The architecture, the daily lives of the rich and those who serve them. The language, the mores, the expectations of society. And...the machinations taking place behind closed doors.

An orphaned fortune teller is our protagonist. Red is taken in by a gentleman and raised as a lady. But. Oh, there's such a good but! Who was her mother and why was her father always on the lookout for an unnamed enemy? In addition to her voice, there's another. Lucifer Dark (love the name), is just as determined to keep those secrets locked up. Answers to those questions and more are what drives the book forward. Shepherd-Robinson's plotting is simply stellar. Clues, lies, truths, twists and turns are all scattered on the way to the final pages. All I can say without spoiling things for you is that the plot is so very clever! And those final chapters? Did not see that coming. 

Fortune-telling figures into everything. Red is an expert in an old method called the Square of Sevens. And it is this skill that lets her in many a door. I loved this bit - each chapter starts with a reading and what those two cards denote. Each one figures into what is going to happen in that chapter.

I chose to listen to The Square of Sevens. The reader was Imogen Wilde and she was the perfect choice for this book. Her speed of reading is not rushed, but is thoughtful. Her accent is lovely to listen to and she enunciates well. Her voice matched the mental images I had of the characters. She provides many voices for a large and varied cast. Wilde interprets Shepherd-Robinson's work very well - the emotion, the actions and in particular - the conversations. I felt like I was there in the 1700's.

An excellent performance of a fantastic book! Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Square of Sevens.  20 hours and 14 minutes.

Holly - Stephen King

A new Stephen King book? Yes! With Holly Gibley running the show? Yes! She's the lead in King's brand new book - Holly.

Like me, those who are fans of Holly already know how tenacious and determined she is. But, this latest case for her investigative firm of Finders Keepers will push her to the limit. And she's working alone. Holly takes place in the times of Covid. King shares Holly's views on the pandemic and they are woven into the narrative. ;0)

King starts off the book with a heckuva first chapter. We get to meet the antagonists right off the bat. And what a pair they are. Creepy, devious, dangerous - and they're not what or who you imagine. And that's what is letting them to get away with what they're doing.

One of my favorite things about King's writing are the details he incorporates into his stories. We get to 'know' the victims and they're not just a body. Same with the killers - icky as they are. And most of all Holly herself. Her self doubts, the issues she's facing, and so much more. The supporting cast is also quite detailed. I like the return to favorite characters. 

Holly is contacted by a mother to look for her missing teenage daughter. The clues are there, but most would not see the connections. Holly does. Could there be other victims? King's plotting is fantastic!

What a tale! I've said before that I often feel more immersed in a book when I listen to it. And this is definitely the case with Holly. The reader was Justine Lupe and she had also voiced Holly in Mr. Mercedes. I appreciate the continuity. Her reading is so measured, in pretty much any situation. And this is perfect for the character of Holly. Lupe's voice is clear and easy to understand. Her voice matches the mental image I had created for Holly. The perpetrator's voices literally gave me goosebumps. Lupe does a great job of capturing the actions, emotions and more. A wonderful presentation of a an excellent story. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Holly. 

“I could never let Holly Gibney go. She was supposed to be a walk-on character in Mr. Mercedes and she just kind of stole the book and stole my heart. Holly is all her.” —STEPHEN KING. Here's hoping there are more stories with Holly.

The Clementine Complex - Bob Mortimer

The bright orange cover of The Clementine Complex caught my eye -  and the description of Bob Mortimer's first novel sealed the deal.

"...a delightfully quirky mystery in the vein of Richard Osman and Nita Prose."

Gary is a bit of an odd duck as my gran used to say. But he's a nice guy. He's at a bar one night, having a pint with his co-worker Brendan when Brendan has to unexpectedly leave. That empty stool lets him start a conversation with the beautiful woman at the end of the bar, reading a book titled The Clementine Complex. She too leaves - but leaves the book on the bar. When Brendan goes missing and the Clementine woman can't be found either, Gary decides to start his own investigation.

I loved Gary! He's the guy you might not notice, and he's kind of used to it. But he sees everything. His interactions with some of the characters he meets through his investigation are downright laugh out loud funny. Gary meet some darker characters along the way, but he's still just Gary. I also loved the quirky supporting characters, notably his elderly next door neighbor Grace. His discussions with with a squirrel are quite quite entertaining.

Alongside the mystery of the missing people is a romantic thread as well. (You saw that coming, didn't you?) And that just being yourself is enough.

I chose to listen to The Clementine Complex as Bob Mortimer was the reader! It's always a treat to hear an author read their own work. For me Bob's voice completely embodies the character of Gary. The pauses, the emphasizing of dialogue, the emotions and action are perfect as he's the one wrote it all! He was joined by Sally Phillips who brought Clementine to life. 

If you enjoy British humor, as I do, this would a great listen for you. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Clementine Complex. (Note that the book was released as The Satsuma Complex in Britain.)

The Last One - Will Dean

Oh. my. gosh. I've enjoyed Will Dean's previous books and was looking forward to his new novel - The Last One. What a crazy tale it is! Crazy in a good way!

Here's all you need going in. Caz and her new boyfriend are taking a cruise ship holiday. They meet others, eat some wonderful food, have a few drinks, explore the ship and settle in for a good nights sleep, imagining what tomorrow will bring. And....what it brings is the unthinkable. There is no one else the ship. Caz is completely alone. 

What! How can that be? Surely she's missed something? There has to be other people. Is she dreaming? Drugged? 

Oh, Will Dean. You had me from the first chapters and kept my attention right to the last. I hadn't considered the answer to the how and why, and was caught totally off guard. I love being unable to predict what a book will bring. The listener is continually kept on their toes as things change rapidly and change the plot direction with unexpected twists and turns. And that last chapter? Did not see that coming either!

Now, there are a few bits that will ask the listener to suspend disbelief. Which I happily did. The Last One is a great take on the locked room mystery premise. 

I chose to listen to The Last One. I find that listening to a book immerses me more into the story. That was definitely the case with The Last One. The reader was Jenny Funnell and she was a great choice. She uses a British accent for Caz that is perfect. She also provides great voices for others that are easy to identify and let you know who is speaking. Funnell injects all the action and emotions of the plot into her reading. Her speaking is clear and easy to understand. A wonderful performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Last One.

Mrs. Potter Calling - AJ Pearce

I absolutely adore AJ Pearce's Emmy Lake chronicles. The third entry - Mrs. Potter Calling - has just released.

What's to love?

The characters! Pearce has created an absolutely delightful character in Emmy. She's plucky, irrepressible and so darn likeable. The supporting cast includes her best friend Bunty, and the magazine staff who are just as well drawn. Additional players have been added on with every book, including this latest. I've become quite invested in the storyline of each and every player.

What magazine you ask? Well, it's called Women's Friend. Emmy started out as a junior and is now taking a larger role in the day to day duties of the magazine. But dearest to her heart is the "Yours Cheerfully" advice column. But, Women's Friend has a new owner - the Honorable Mrs. Potter. And although she comes across as upbeat and personable...well, you'll see.

British magazines in this vein are still printing today - I've read more than one myself. Pearce took her inspiration for these books "when I came across a 1939 copy of a women's magazine. It was a wonderful find - a glimpse into an era and world where I could read about everything from recipes for lamb's brain stew to how to knit your own swimwear."

The books are set in the WWII years in London, England. Pearce captures the heartache, the danger as well as the flip side - the 'can do' effort, the 'keep calm and carry on' attitude, the making do, the joy in camaraderie and simple things. 

Although you could read this as a standalone, I encourage you to read the first two books - they're just as delightful as this latest. 

I chose to listen to Mrs. Potter Calling. The narrator was Anna Popplewell and she was the perfect choice. Her voice embodied the mental image I had created for Emmy. Popplewell also voiced the first two books and the continuity is appreciated. She has a lovely rich British accent that is very pleasant to listen to. She enunciates well and speaks at a good speed. Her voice has movement, rising and falling as she narrates. She easily captures the emotions of the characters, the tone of situations and the action of the book with her voice. And the voice for Mrs. Potter is fabulous! An excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Mrs. Potter Calling.

An five star tale and a five star performance. Absolutely one of my favorite series. I hope you enjoy them as well.

None of This is True - Lisa Jewell

Oh. my. gosh. I've read and enjoyed all of Lisa Jewell's books. But her latest - None of This is True - is crazy good!! 

Take a second look at that cover. The same image, but with one turned upside down. And that's what you'll find - everything you thought you read, will be turned topsy-turvy.

Alix and Josie are both out for dinner to celebrate their 45th birthday and discover they are 'birthday twins' both born on the same day and in the same hospital. Until tonight they've never met before. Another chance meeting brings an unusual request. Alix is a well known podcaster and Josie would like Alix to document her life as it changes. It's an odd request, but Alix is intrigued...

If you can, I recommend going into this book blind. There are many twists and turns and discovering them as I listened was a treat. The plotting is fabulous - unpredictable over and over again. (And had me shouting out loud more than once!)

The two lead characters are very well drawn, but do we really know them? Their inner dialogue belies the faces they show the world. There's a number of supporting players that may or may not be unreliable as well. Who to believe? 

I loved the epistolary element of the podcast episodes. A story within a story.

The audio version of None of This is True is performed with a full cast. The two leads, read by Nicola Walker and Louise Brealey were brilliant. The voices they employ absolutely matched the characters. Each is easy to understand, spoke clearly and was well paced. Their reading has movement, easily capturing the tension, fear, and more. I really enjoyed the full cast. New voices for all of the supporting players. The background sounds and details of the podcast vignettes made them feel 'real'. A nice touch for an audio performance. Listening often brings you deeper into a book, and that was most definitely the case with None of This is True. An excellent performance of a fabulous novel.

An easy five stars! Hear for yourself - listen to  an excerpt of None of This is True.

Gentle listeners, there are some triggers.

Zero Days - Ruth Ware

Oh, I've been waiting for Ruth Ware's new book! Zero Days is here. 

This latest is another edge of your seat listen! Ware plays with the reader's perceptions in the first chapter. I was quite certain I knew what was going to happen. And, nope - I was (happily) wrong.

Jack is our protagonist. I quite liked her, her thinking and her tenacity. She's been accused of an unthinkable crime and is determined to clear her name, and find the actual perpetrator. So, she goes rogue and her unusual skill set is put into play. I was fascinated by this bit - how she gets in and out of places, procures information, convinces people to believe in a bit of chicanery. I wondered how much of this part is true? And because I was enjoying the book so much, I decided to just go with it.

Almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, there's twists and the suspense just doesn't let up. (Love it!) Which makes for some addictive page turning! I had guessed the whodunit before the final reveal, but it's the journey there that so much fun to listen to. 

I chose to listen to Zero Days. The reader was Imogen Church, a narrator I've enjoyed before. She has a rich full voice that is very, very expressive. She can convey much within even a single word. She's easy to understand and speaks clearly. The emotions, the danger and the suspense are easily portrayed. Church has interpreted and presented Ruth Ware's book, very, very well. (I chose to listen at 1.1 speed)

Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Zero Days.  13 hours and 57 minutes

I can see Zero Days as a movie and indeed, it will be one! Universal International Studios has acquired the rights. 

Drowning - T.J. Newman

T.J. Newman's debut novel was a nail biting read that I (and a lot of other people) couldn't put down. I've been eagerly awaiting her second book - Drowning - The Rescue of Flight 1421. I always wonder if an author can bring another great read to the table after a best selling first book? Newman does....in spectacular fashion.

You might be wondering about why the book is called Drowning. Well, it's another book about a plane in trouble, this time having to make a crash landing - on, or should I say in, water.

Some make it off the plane, and some don't. Newman gives us a core group of survivors. They're a mixed bunch of personalities, ages, backgrounds and more. One of them is engineer Will Kent - and the second is his young daughter. Can he figure out a way to get out? Or does he have to wait for the government to come up with a solution? Will isn't a patient man - not when lives are at stake. The book is told from two points of view - those up top and those still in the plane. 

The tension in this book is crazy - almost every chapter ends on a cliffhanger. Newman knows how to write suspense! Her personal bio gives her writing that ring of believability. Why? Well she was a flight attendant for 10 years. 

I chose to listen to Drowning. Steven Weber and Laura Benanti were the narrators. They did a fabulous of presenting Newman's work. The voices for the two main characters matched the mental images I had created. Weber's voice is rich and full, with a nice gravelly tone that is very pleasant on the ears. Both readers enunciate well and are easy to understand. Benanti brings in the grit and determination for her main character. Both readers have come up with identifiable voices for a wide range range of supporting players. They both easily capture the dangers and the emotions of the plot. A wonderful performance of an excellent book.

 See for yourself - listen an excerpt of Drowning - The Rescue of Flight 1421. I can see this one as a movie. A film for her first book, Falling, is already in the works.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea - Patti Callahan Henry

Oh my gosh - Patti Callahan Henry has outdone herself with her latest book - The Secret Book of Flora Lea. It's an absolutely wonderful listen.

The book unfolds in a now and then timeline, which I really like. 

In 1940, Hazel and her younger sister Flora are shipped out of London to live with guest families under the governments 'Pied Piper' program. To keep Flora settled, Hazel invents a tale of a magical place called Whisperwood. But the unthinkable happens and Flora goes missing. Hazel has searched and search for Flora with no luck. But when a book called Whisperwood crosses the counter at her job in 1960 she is stunned. The book is full of her stories. And....

Isn't that a great premise? I loved the magical tone of the the stories. But there's so much more to love. Hazel is easy to like and I was immediately behind her. There's a number of supporting that are just as wonderful, such Harry and his mother. And those you want to nudge out of the story. But they too, have purpose.

Henry's settings are so well described that I could imagine living in the small village of Binsey (it is indeed a real place.) And working with Hazel in the rare books store. And of course....Whisperwood.

There's the mystery of what happened to Flora driving the narrative, but relationships are right along side - siblings, parental, friendships and love. And of course, the stories...

"Not very long ago and not very far away, there once was and still is an invisible place right here with us. And if you are born knowing, you will find your way through the woodlands to the shimmering doors that lead to the land made just and exactly for you."

Cynthia Erivo was the reader for the audio version. Wow, she interpreted and performed this book wonderfully. Her voice has a lower tone to it that draws the listener into the story. Her voice is velvety smooth and is so pleasant to listen to. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She captures the emotions and action of the book well. And when she reads a Whisperwood story - her voice is magical. The speed of the reading is just right. And this is an odd thing - but I don't believe I've ever had a narrator put so much emotion and feeling into one single word. Erivo does this a number of time with the word 'yes'. Shivers!

A fantastic performance of a fantastic book. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Secret Book of Flora Lea.

The Only Survivors - Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda is one of those authors that I automatically pick up. Her latest book is The Only Survivors.

The premise is an oft used vehicle, but Miranda puts her stamp on the plotting. Ten years ago, a group of high schoolers on a field trip crashed. Some of them made it out - and some of them didn’t. For the last ten years, a group of those who did survive get together at a cottage.

But there’s more to the reunion story than just a get to together. Something happened the night of the crash. They never speak of it and the reunion is always a reminder that no one else should know what really happened that night. But this year’s get together is different. One of their group has died. Keeping the secret has taken a toll on all of their lives. Accusations and suspicions abound.

The story unfolds in a past and present narrative, which I always enjoy. As readers, we are privy to more than one piece of information. I had my suspicions which were proven only partially right by the final pages.

Like I said, I've always enjoyed Miranda’s books, but I did find the pacing a bit slow in this latest. The reveal of that secret from the past is never fully explained until the end. I did get a bit frustrated with the drawing it out for so long.

Cassidy is the main character and is her point of view that drives the bus. Some of the supporting players are given a point of view as well, but we really only come to know them through Cassidy‘s eyes.

The book is set in the Outer Banks, and Miranda has done a really good job of bringing the setting to life, especially the storm.

I chose to listen to The Only Survivors. The narrators were: Alex Allwine, Erin Moon, Andre Bellido, Inés del Castillo, Michael Crouch, Priya Ayyar and Greg Chun. I like having a cast and I thought they all did a good job. Each voice suited the character they were playing. There's lots of emotion in the book, and that too, is transmitted very well with their voices. Everyone spoke clearly, enunciated well and spoke at a good pace. I have often said that I become more immersed in a story when I listen. That's certainly the case with The Only Survivors. Here for yourself -  listen to an audio excerpt.