Readalot

Fun, Fresh and...

Reviewed: 10-03-2019

I picked up this title on a whim. I'd never heard of the author or series, but I liked the title and the blurb so I paid over my credit. I'm so glad I did. This is the first new best-of-breed series I've found since The Rivers of London. Tori and her three new best friends are great fun and there's enough back-story mystery to keep the flow going through the series. The narrator, whom I'd not heard before, fits the main character and does a good job with different characters throughout.

Lighthearted Fun

Reviewed: 23-04-2018

I enjoyed this one for a few reasons. One was the performance. I've listened to a few books read by this actor and she's one of my favourites. Then, I liked the bits of humour. I liked the concept. Finally, I liked the insight into the way novelists work, and how would-he-really works in plotting. I knew that already (I'm a writer too) but it was fun to read about it and to be nodding along.

An Old One Revisited

Reviewed: 19-03-2018

I read this one when it was new (yep, I'm that old). It was fun to revisit, and I appreciate much of Garner's storytelling (before he became incomprehensible to me) but I found now, as then, that Colin and Susan are... bland. Not sure why. Philip Madoc has a great voice but I found his reading a bit stagy.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Solid Story

Reviewed: 19-03-2018

I enjoyed Fated. It's a good solid story with some action, character and a good (if somewhat too measured IMO) narration. I was looking for something similar to Rivers of London, but that was silly of me. Same genre... not the same tone.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Slider Reliable

Reviewed: 22-12-2017

I enjoyed listening to this one. I haven't read all the Bill Slider series, but I have read a lot of them. I enjoy them, on the whole. The (minor) problem I have with them is possibly more of a comment on me than on the books: I have the same problem with the Charles Paris stories and quite a few others. I like Bill and Charles, but just occasionally, I'd like to see things go right for them. I know stories need reverses, but Slider just seems to have SO many. Early in the series, he falls in love with Joanna, but doesn't tell his wife. He faffs about and nearly loses Joanna. Then his wife leaves him. Hooray! Joanna... but hey, she's off on a long trip. Now I catch up and find out that though they're married, something else has gone wrong for them...

As I said, that might be just me. I like Atherton, and all the others of the team. I like the style, and Slider's dogged character. I like the details about music and policing. I'd just love to see him NOT get a bollocking for doing his job properly. Come to think of it... I often get annoyed with those books or series where a talented amateur solves a lot of the crimes and yet the police are forever telling him or her to butt out.

If you enjoy Slider though, this is a solid entry. I enjoyed the narration, too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Re-Read/Listen

Reviewed: 19-10-2017

I remembered this as being one of my favourites of Lois Duncan's books when I read a clutch of them years ago. I didn't like it as much this time around. I still liked Charlie very much, and the plot is good, but I'd forgotten how annoying Sarah herself is. Or maybe that's just me. She has plenty to bear, but she doesn't do herself any favours by being constantly prickly and confrontational.

Loved it!

Reviewed: 19-10-2017

I loved this novella. It has everything I like about the Peter Grant stories, minus the angst (which I'm not so fond of). As ever, the narrator is pitch perfect.

One of My Favourites

Reviewed: 12-06-2017

Would you consider the audio edition of The Corner Shop to be better than the print version?

Yes, I think so. I thought the reader very much enhanced this story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Barbara very much because she's so unexpected.

Which character – as performed by Helen Taylor – was your favourite?

The professor came out very well, and she did a marvellous job of the glorious set-piece when the women are discussing the professor while he is oblivious

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, because I listen while I walk the dogs.

Any additional comments?

I think Elizabeth Cadell is underrated. At her best she is very funny.

Charming

Reviewed: 12-06-2017

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would to friends who like style

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I'd read it before, so it was expected

Have you listened to any of Susie Riddell’s other performances? How does this one compare?

You and Me, Always, is the only other one. I like her performance.

Did The Wind off the Small Isles inspire you to do anything?

Yes, to be annoyed the other longer books are not on Audible

Any additional comments?

Please... give us the other classic adventures. This one is so very short.

Good fun

Reviewed: 08-05-2017

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'm not sure about this. I did enjoy it, but found myself not gripped.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Let Georgie eat cake! (That tea with HM was just too much... or too little!"
NOT the fault of the book itself, but Ch 8 kept stopping. I don't know why as the other chapters played through.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favourite?

Georgiana ... and Darcy

Was Her Royal Spyness worth the listening time?

Oh yes. I might even listen to another one though it seems the romance must move slowly.

Any additional comments?

Good fun.