Great !!

I loved this book , I couldn’t stop listening to it, I I instantly warmed to the main protagonist, he was real and had his faults like all of us , but he had a relentless attitude to follow his gut , even when he was at risk of losing everything himself. I liked his sidekick also as she brought even more depth to the story . The writing was superb and I look forward to more from this author , the narrator was fantastic too .

1 person found this helpful

Great audible. long story!

Great story and easy to listen to. interesting all the way through and one you don't want to put down! You just want to know who did it. Ejoyed this!

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Don't let it go

I did enjoy this book but it wasn't what I was expecting. I have listened to all the authors Blanco County series and was expecting this series to be similar but it is a more grown up mystery in the fact that it lacks the humour. Not to say there isn't some comic relief, it is more in the from one liners and banter than the characters themselves. I like the relationship between the characters especially the jokey nature between Roy and Jessica. The mystery was good and took lots of twists in the plot. The author also covers the hard subject of child abduction very well and makes you think how quickly your world can turn upside down, a real eye opener. Off to start the next book.
Roy is a freelance videographer catching people that are committing insurance fraud but when a young girl goes missing he has a hard time letting it go. To many memories of his own daughters disappearance comes to the surface but then he thinks he sees her at his latest target. Can be convince the police of what he has seen? With no evidence to back up his claim Roy sets up his own surveillance and investigation to find the missing girl.
I like the narrator, he does a good job with all the many and varied voices needed in the story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

enjoyed

I enjoyed listening to Johnny Peppers

We have a missing child, a great plot and characters. The one liners and humour with a good story, will keep you listening

Very enjoyable

An interesting take on crime solving

Roy Ballard has an interesting history, making him a character I want to know better. Being an insurance videographer by profession- he catches insurance cheaters - makes for an interesting take on crime solving.

The mystery part of this book, however, was not so great. I felt the story often dragged because it was directionless. Links were made with each new discovery Roy made but instead of clever red herrings, it felt by the end that any number of people could have committed the crime and the author made a decision late in the game about who it would be.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Johnny Peppers. I felt he brought Roy Ballard to life. His female voices were also acceptable.

2.5 stars

A good listen

I’ll not lie when I started listening I wasn’t sure but then things started to go & boy did they go!
The tempo took off the characters went with it & so did I. A great listen.
Narrator was good, a smooth voice.

fantastic

So good, can't wait to read the next one. Good start to a new series and author for me 📚📚

Great start to a series

The first in the Roy Ballard series by an author new to me. I really enjoyed this mystery, the pace was just right and I liked Roy and his partner Mia. Although a serious topic, the light-hearted moments were amusing and helped to break up the story and inject a bit of humour. With twists and turns as Roy investigates first an insurance cheat and then the disappearance of Tracy Turner. I liked the way his own history was weaved into the present day and gave the opportunity to get to know the character. The narration really suited the main character and was just right. A really good start to a series which I'm looking forward to listening to more of.

Great start to a new series

I really loved this audio from a new author and narrator. This new series of books starts with Roy Ballard who is a freelance videographer who is currently working on an insurance fraud case when he believes he sees the insurance claimant with a child who has been recently abducted. Problem is no one believes him. Will Roy find out the truth or is his history clouding his judgement. This is an exciting audio with great narration.

The Perfect Listen

Gone the Next is sad but humourous, Roy Ballard a videographer works insurance claims, but it starts with his daughter being abducted and the marriage falls apart understandably so, as his daughter was taken in his watch. His job at the moment is best described watching people that have put in an insurance claim because they can't work etc so he checks them out against fraudelent claims, and while on a stake out he spots a approx 6yrs old little girl that was abducted or did he? is his mind playing tricks because sometimes his stake out goes well beyond the call of duty and as he did not photograph her so he can't be certain, The little girls mother an alcholic has tried to dry out a few times and a husband who plays around so was poor little Tracey really abducted or taken to spite the mother. Roy also takes on a new partner female and they seem to work great together and she is quite bright at working as a detective would and is charming and witty although Roy has a lot of one liners. The character are well defined the descriptions of the area Austin Texas good as I'm British will have to take the author's word that it's correct but bear in mind were listening/reading fiction.a story well put together praise for Ben Rehder for a great listen as he got a good narrator in Johnny Peppers.