History Teacher

Unique Mystery

Reviewed: 09-16-24

Good storytelling with a twist! I typically figure out the plot/whodunit pretty early in a book, and even though I did figure this one out before the end it took me longer, and I wanted to keep listening to hear how it played out. Definitely worth a listen!

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Excellent storytelling!

Reviewed: 09-12-24

The story hooked me from the beginning and kept me hooked. I will look for this author again. The narrator did a good job as well.

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Convoluted story

Reviewed: 09-08-24

This is the second Anika Scott book I've read, and I had the same issue with this one as the first. The back and forth between characters is too detailed. Normally, this would be a good thing, but she gets down in the weeds way too deep, to the point I forget the basic storyline. She goes too far a field to try and bring all the disparate stories together and gets lost along the way. Time and place are not described well enough to draw a mental picture of where they are and what's going on around them. She has good reviews, so clearly there are people who like this style, but it's not for me.

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Spoiler Alert!

Reviewed: 07-18-24

This is one of the most muddled and confusing stories I've read (listened to) in a long time. I'm used to historical fiction jumping back and forth in time, that wasn't the problem. The problem is the story line and inconsistencies. While investigating her sister's conviction for treason in the year 1956 she appears to be ignorant of what Maria was up to 9 years earlier in Berlin. However, Maria's recollections of the events of 1947 make it clear Vera was orchestrating all of it. Vera was well aware of what Maria was doing because she was instructing her and Maria reported back to her about all of it. The idea was a good one, but the way the author chose to write it was very confusing and labored. I dont recommend this one.

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1 person found this helpful

Shallow, cliche characters

Reviewed: 05-28-24

While the book itself is a easy read/listen and would make an okay beach read, it's just so predictable and the characters are an inch deep. Rich, white people =bad... everyone else = good. For the most part it's harmless if you can look past the obvious politicial/social preaching that no one enjoys in entertainment, it was the statement about women "selling access to their bodies" that made me cringe! Have we not realized the damage that can do to one's soul. The character (strip joint owner) gives her blessing as long as the woman is the one calling the shots. As though it matters if the woman chooses to sell her body! The idea that her choice is going to save her from pain and heartache and deep, soul eating damage. The book could have done better to put a little nuance on everyone and show the reality that race, gender, economic status don't dictate morality or character.
But, if you want a quick, Shallow, cliched read, this is for you.

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Discombobulated

Reviewed: 03-22-24

The good narration can't save this rambling, confusing story. There were a few good parts, but the overall story is not well-written. Don't bother.

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Too many characters (possible spoiler alert)

Reviewed: 02-13-24

While the premise itself was good, there are so many ways it fell short I would not recommend this book. Rather than drag out a long review I will list the main issues my book club had: too many characters (and too much time spent on them) that ended up not being central to the story, too little information and development of Alice's boyfriend and best friend, not fully explaining the different motives for the murders and finally Alice's connection to Johnno was weak. Without giving anything away, I'll just say for his death to have had this level of an effect on her he should have been more important in her life.
These were not our only issues but they are the main ones. A minor issue was the narrator. Unless you're from North London you may struggle understanding her.

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Author looking to prolong her career

Reviewed: 01-12-24

I dont understand the 5 stars from people who then went on to trash the book...? The author acts as though she's redeeming herself for helping to convict a man she played no part in convicting. She falls for his lies, and then credits a jailhouse lawyer as though he's Clarence Darrow! This is a shame. A woman was raped and then murdered by her rapist, and this author sets out to prove his innocence based on flimsy reasons! She goes on and on about how awful the prison is.... no kidding! It's prison. Her sympathy for murderers is sick.

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful!

Reviewed: 11-16-23

The CS Lewis quote alone is worth reading this book for, but there is so much more. It is rich in its depth and humanity. The characters are fully developed, and so relatable in their frailty, honor, and vulnerability. I cried, I laughed, and didn’t want it to end. Listen to this book. The narrator does a good job with all the accents and languages. It’s worth a credit!

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Needed a better narrator

Reviewed: 05-01-22

The story itself is good and for anyone interested in American History and particularly WWII will enjoy this book. The narrator wasn’t bad, but she made the common mistake of using an Irish accent occasionally when speaking as Kay and then forgetting to use it and lapsing into a British accent. She also used the same flat, non descript accent for all the American men that Brits often use when speaking American. The story would have been more intriguing had Mamie Eisenhower’s perspective been more integrated into the story. Having said all that it’s told in a believable way and well researched.

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