The Family Way

Anyone else finding Daniel insufferable?

What was most disappointing about Rhys Bowen’s story?

I am only halfway through and Molly and Daniel's relationship is driving me into rages. He is acting like an insufferable, tyrannical parent and she is acting like a sneaky pre-teen. She agrees to his controlling ultimatums and then goes out and takes stupid risks. The talk past each other. I don't think "that's how it was then" is a good enough excuse. Shakespeare, Dickens, and Austen, among many others, portray healthy, balanced marital partnerships.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Great book, great story but bad noise edits.

I've never heard pages turned or the narrator taking a drink of water in any other

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Read Royal Spyness instead

Would you try another book from Rhys Bowen and/or Nicola Barber?

Yes, the Royal Spyness series is better overall.

Has The Family Way turned you off from other books in this genre?

No but it made me regret starting this series.

What about Nicola Barber’s performance did you like?

She was great and I like her accents. I don't know how accurate they are but her delivery is good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Based on the sample reading, I started this series instead of Royal Spyness and I wished I had stopped at the 3rd book in this series. I was thinking she would stay independent, headstrong, and witty. Instead of pretending to be submissive to appease her husband, I think she becomes submissive with each book. I also find Molly's relationship with Daniel a bit unhealthy/abusive.

Any additional comments?

In the end, the amazing coincidences, the lack of common sense, and icky love story has made me stop with this series. However, I am so glad that I started Royal Spyness because I think Ms. Bowen can create great characters.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Heavy Breathing

What did you love best about The Family Way?

I enjoy this series. This book seemed to have audible heavy breaths by the reader. Was different. Speaking of heavy breathing...the birth of the baby did not occur in the story but in a "postscript"

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

You know Molly will get herself into a bad situation, someone will die, Daniel gets mad and it all comes together...Still it is fun to figure out the story connections just before it is obvious!

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber – was your favorite?

Molly of course

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

always addicting

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great read

One of the better Molly Murphy stories. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the editors didn't do as good a job with this book. I could hear the narrator pause, swallow and take deep breaths far too many times. Narration editing on all the previous books was much better.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not as good in either story or production

I have liked the rest of the Molly Murphy stories quite a bit. Molly is feisty and smart, and the mysteries are better than those in the Royal Spyness stories. But this one is something of a disappointment. To be more accurate, I have been growing more frustrated with the last few stories, and that frustration came to a head with this one.

My main problem is that Daniel no longer seems to have any redeeming qualities. He is domineering and verbally abusive. He keeps her away from what she loves. He doesn't trust her, and shows her little respect in public or in private. And Molly, who started off so strong willed, just goes along with it. She says she loves him, but I don't see any reason to anymore. Being a good kisser isn't enough of a reason, but that seems to be the only thing good about him anymore.

My other problem with this audiobook is that it seems like they gave up on the audio editing about halfway through. Barber is a great performer, but suddenly there were audible swallows and breaths and weird pauses. I assume, since I've never heard this kind of thing in other audiobooks, that it is customary to edit these sounds out. There was no problem at the beginning of this story, but then they started, and by the end, it was quite distracting.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not her best

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It was tiresome and somewhat silly. Not up to Rhys usual standards.

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

it was tiresome.

What three words best describe Nicola Barber’s performance?

not pleasent

Could you see The Family Way being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

not by a long shot

Any additional comments?

was disappointed with the story. I expect much more from the author

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Story fab but lots of breathing in recording

Considering this was the 12th book in this delightful series, I was surprised when the recording was so poorly edited. Lots of breathing and maybe slurps of water. I’ll be returning this one with hopes the next will be an improvement.

The marriage feels almost cartoonish; Daniel is so boorish, I wish the author would just shoot him. I love the narration and the

Mystery plot is good and Molly still like able. I just find the marriage relationship an annoying distraction.

Predictable plot

The audible recording was of poor quality
I identified one guilty party immediately within the first chapters. Other parts of the plot were also easy to predict.