Happy and Smiling

No ending

Reviewed: 07-11-22

This seems to be a fictionalised version of the JonBenet Ramsay murder - even down to the brother and basement details. I really enjoyed the story until the end - because there was no end. The book ends abruptly on a cliff hanger. She discovers the murderer, the murderer confesses to the crime, and then the story ends, with the implied outcome that she gets murdered too before being able to reveal who did it. Presumably this cliff hanger of an ending means book number 2 is being written, but I feel cheated out of a proper conclusive ending which demeans the story totally. If you invest 10 hours, you expect an ending, not a "wait indefinitely for the next installment and one day you might find out what happens next".

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It is missing the second half of the book

Reviewed: 11-05-21

Where is the second half? I have Game of Thrones on audible in both English and French as I am bilingual and like to swap between languages to keep both alive. I have just gotten half way through the book, only to find that the second half of the book is missing in the French version. The French version gets to the point where Eddard is on the cusp of discovering the mystery of why the previous Hand of the King was killed, and then the book ends!. The French length, at 17 hours compared to 33 hours for the English book, should have given it away. I have not noticed any abridging so far of the story, compared to the English audible version, but saw in the previous review that someone has compared it to the written book and found sentences had been cut. The narration is excellent, and of course the story line is superb. It helps if you have watched the tv series first of course, but actually the descriptions are so vivid that it is easy to follow the story even without having seen the tv series.

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Gripping and important

Reviewed: 09-05-21

I found the whole book fascinating and extremely moving. I brought to life the things we read about on the news, in a way that a news story can not. This is a well written, well narrated book. Well done to David Nott on everything he has done to help others, and for writing this book to educate the rest of the western world about the atrocities taking place in war zones. Though there is a lot of medical information in the book, it is fascinating. I cried many times when listening to the book.

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This is a different angle from his books

Reviewed: 27-10-20

It's more of a podcast then a book, but I loved it. I learnt so much about the brain, the heart, the lungs, and the reproductive organs. I found it witty and entertaining, and I hope there is a follow up. The two comedians are effortless in their banter and keeps the information thoroughly entertaining. Next time leave out the sound effects, but for anyone interested in biology this is a great listen.

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Overtones of To Kill a Mockingbird

Reviewed: 08-08-20

I really loved this book. It had overtones of JoJo Moyes 'Giver of Stars' and To Kill a Mockingbird. The story is beautifully told, and you get invested in the characters. It was nice to find a truly original storyline in an unusual setting.Once you get used to the setting, the story is captivating. Give it a go.

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Edge of the seat thriller

Reviewed: 24-05-20

It’s a very cleverly written story. Thrilling. Reminiscent of early John Grisham books. Lots of twists.

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Stick with it. But narrator's male voices r awful

Reviewed: 05-12-19

I was on the verge of sending this book back. I thought the story contrived, and the characters unlikeable. UNTIL around chapter 22 and then it all becomes clear. The author has cleverly lulled the reader into a false sense of security. From this point on it is a rollercoaster ride, and utterly riveting. Twist upon twist, none of which I had foreseen. Superb book, worthy to stand alongside 13. Stick with it, its brilliant! PS there is a free short dramatized story after the book ends, so don't turn it off, keep it running.

The narrator was fine when reading the story, and could at a push do female voices, but the male voices were dreadful and grated on my nerves. I almost gave up because of those dreadful voices. They all sounded like retarded hillbillies with throat cancer.

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Charming and endearing, good time travel story

Reviewed: 14-11-19

I found this book enchanting and endearing due to the well described characters. The narrator was very good, and managed to convey the age of the lead character convincingly all the way through. Initially I thought I was having to suspend my disbelief a bit too much, but as the story went on it all made sense, surprisingly. Most of the book is gripping without being fast paced. The lead character made a mistake in childhood that led to the disappearance of his brother, and it has affected him his whole life. When the opportunity arises, he makes it his mission to rectify his mistake. The story flows, and there are genuine nailbiting moments, as well as humour and gentle observations on life. Overall the word that describes the story best for me is 'charming'. I am glad I read it.

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Classic fast paced Hurwitz

Reviewed: 02-10-19

I am a fan of all the Orphan X books, so was already familiar with Hurwitz fast paced style and, great characterisation sometimes violent action. He is a great writer, and never fails to disappoint with great storyline and fast moving action filled plots.

The troubled main character heroically foils a bank robbery, and then becomes the retributory target of the criminals.

Though this book is very good and worth a listen, it is not quite worthy of 5 stars, though it is close. I wasn't keen on the dead friend constantly surfacing to talk to the main character, I felt this detracted from the story on some occasions and lessened the believability of the events, though at the end there was a purpose to it. It's a great book, well worth a listen.

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Brilliant but very sad

Reviewed: 23-09-19

It’s on the GCSE syllabus. Excellent narration. The narrator brought the characters to life. I was hooked and finished it quickly. But it’s extremely sad.

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1 person found this helpful