Nicole Ivey

Will revisit

Reviewed: 01-22-20

I highly appreciate this reading; the small bits of music are fine and the light dramatization doesn’t take away from the literature. I found every consideration put into this truly set the appropriate mood and tone for this work, no injustices done here.

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3 people found this helpful

An excellent installment

Reviewed: 10-21-19

**Light spoiler**


Superb writing, I expected no less of course. I made a series of predictions before diving in. To think that the worst possible thing that could happen to Harry would be his death was too obvious and was not one I made, no surprise there. I did assume by those words in that interview I saw, that Jo was going to take Harry’s dearly beloved away and I was braced for that from the beginning. I hurt for Harry more than ever in this book, the betrayal and the loss was powerful. There were several times I had to walk away, often pacing in my kitchen as I was being pushed to draw some conclusions and thinking “No it can’t be so, it can happen like this!” and rethinking over all foreshadowing and clues repeatedly.
Thrilling book, sure. But for me it was more about my care for Harry, as I’ve been made to love the man for all these years. I think a lot of people just want to know what happens with our beloved mess of a man, to check in with him. It just wouldn’t be Harry if his life was not riddled with poetic yet grounded tragedy.
We are left on a cliffhanger so as to be driven to madness waiting for the next one; we will see Harry again soon I am almost certain. However, if my memory serves me, this book takes place in the same year that Harry mentions he will be retiring in Nemesis when declaring some exasperation with the job. That’s another reason I had been on edge, and so this cliffhanger is compounded by this knowledge. I choose to remain hopeful that Harry stays true to character— he can’t switch off from being a detective even if he wanted to, and whether he wants it or not, it’s in his blood until the day he dies. He has every reason to retire at this point but can he? I was afraid it would result in him being forced to retire by circumstances and not desire, but Harry is the king of clearing his name so I can’t see that being the case. I already can’t wait for the next one!

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I was skeptical

Reviewed: 10-04-18

This book was recommended to me and I went for it, a little skeptical at first. It blasted straight into action and I was hooked. I kept checking the time to see how much was left because I didn’t want it to end. I listened every minute that I could, it was truly gripping and entertaining. I love the relationship dynamics between Kevin and Oleander. Definitely worth my credit.

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Finally, wow!

Reviewed: 07-26-18

I really needed this. I’ve listened to a stream of psychological thrillers over the last few months. I’ve enjoyed the stories in general but some were maybe slightly too wild to really feel it as a participant, some gore, some annoyances but overall entertaining but more like leaving the tv on in the background. This book came along and swept me off my feet down to the very last word. I listened, enthralled. Well developed characters, I just really enjoyed them all, even the ones I disliked in the story. And let me tell you- I never had even the slightest clue as to how the book would resolve. A few well placed twists that were worth the time and effort, changing all of my predictions time and again. I guessed the whole time but couldn’t come up with anything, and then BAM! There it was. An amazing ending that’s actually plausible, leaves you feeling resolved in the story but without it being too much of a sitcom-esque pretty little bow just for the sake of an ending. I think I’ve missed that the most the last couple of months. Just get the book. This is one of the better books I’ve heard in months and I am so glad I did.
I almost always start a new book right away but here, this one wants to roll around for a couple of days. I don’t have the desire to move on and kick it out of my memory right away to get to the next thrill.
The narration was just so, so good. Pleasant, convincing, I listened for hours on end with no annoyance or fatigue. She really brought the characters to life, stunning choice of narrator. I can’t imagine this read by anyone else. I also enjoyed the short interview at the end of the book. The bar has been set higher and it’s going to be hard to choose my next book, I suppose I’ll be in a little bit of a hole for a while with my expectations.

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Refreshingly, terrifyingly fresh

Reviewed: 07-15-18

You absolutely must spend a credit on this book. The details of this book are so fresh that it makes everything else I’ve listened to this year seem antiquated, stuffy. The well studied use of modern technology in this book makes it so real time; it absolutely is believable, and that adds a layer of terror. It could happen to you over misdirected outrage, people so staunchly set in their own opinions that your truth, your innocence, it won’t matter. Facebook court, a Twitter Jury of keyboard warriors looking for something to be outraged about. This plays on just how easy it is to have your life ruined by people on the internet looking to fulfill an impulse to harm while never getting their hands dirty; it’s just words, right? We see innocents being mistaken and doxxed all the time now because of too quick attempts at vigilante justice, the new street justice of our era but hoping to achieve 5 minutes of viral fame for calling it out first.
I listened to this in one day, obsessed. I see the reviews on the next book are about the same/slightly better and even knowing they’re mixed, just like some on this book, I feel hopeful. A few on this book almost deterred me, I’m glad I scoffed it off and went for it. To address another review: The descriptions of some of the gore- just because it’s awful to think about doesn’t make it the least bit gratuitous when it occurs. It served a purpose. It was a punctuation mark to the theme of not being able to let it go, seeing it everywhere, haunted by it, which is a character trait of our hyper-vigilant main character. She “hears him” all the time, she perceives others actions or words as potential threats, constantly evaluating and reevaluating everyone, agonizing over details. She sees him when she looks at her son. The repetition of the things she must do every day in militant timeliness, the repetition of ghosting and starting over. She’s been 8 different people but the terror of the very minute she realized what her husband had done, it’s burned into her head. Aaaand also if you weren’t aware of the actual details then the serial killer theme wouldn’t be as scary; you can’t just say someone is a serial killer and expect people to feel their deepest fears touched on, it doesn’t work that way anymore. We are all just a tinge desensitized these days which brings me to the main point which is that this layer of tech modernity in this book brings a new kind of horror to the words ‘serial killer.’ It’s no longer just enough to get yourself physically away from the killer in order to be safe, a game changer that gives new importance to maintaining your anonymity and being careful with digital footprints.

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Do it, do it now

Reviewed: 04-25-18

All you need to know is that you need to get this book. What. a. ride. This writing, this kind of story, it was so refreshing to be taken in like that and gripped relentlessly. There’s no formula here, nothing I could accurately predict. I don’t really listen to books repeatedly but this one is coming back out sooner rather than later. I can’t even start a new book right away (I always just jump right into the next one immediately), I need to let this one resonate for a little bit and finish enjoying and savoring everything it made me feel.

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Use your credit!

Reviewed: 04-20-18

I could not have imagined how it ended, a really surprising twist that isn’t so unbelievable that it cheapens the experience leading up to it. The sensory language is well developed which really helped build up the story, really take you there. To almost feel cold and damp with the characters made it haunting. I am excited to move to the next book in the series, I’m very glad I went for it.

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Performance

Reviewed: 01-31-18

The story was enthralling, bringing you all the way until the last moment twisting with suspense. I will say- I’m partial to Maxwell as narrator for the Mary Higgins Clark binge I’ve been on. The last Under Suspicion book had a different narrator that I didn’t love as much. I steadied myself for this book and the narrator BLEW ME AWAY. I was in awe of her speaking manner and it really made the story come to life even more for me. I adored this book, glad I chose it.

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