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Andri

  • 26
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  • 46
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Exciting, thought provoking, quirky adventure

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-07-24

I was lent the book for a day and was hooked so I bought the paperback to finish the story but couldn’t wait so downloaded the Kindle and loved it. Now I’m enjoying it again with Audible and Peter Kenny, the narrator of The Witcher, has brought another layer of character portrayal, drama, existential exploration and humour to this deeply imaginative story. All I need is the T shirt and Book 2 while I wait for the film. I’ve learned you’re never too old to be a groupie! Bring it on, Nassari!

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Beautifully written

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 23-06-24

It is clear from this book that Paul Murray was born to write. His writing is like an awesome Turner painting, full of colour, movement and drama drawing me into his world. I liked the change of POV for each of the main characters with different narrators bringing them into closer intimacy with me so I ‘knew’ them. I liked the way the switching of POVs speeded up as the urgency of the drama mounted. I loved the way the speech was portrayed so realistically for each character with the humour, musicality and also gravitas of the Irish way of speaking. The storyline was proper soap with dramas unfolding at every choice point. The ending wasn’t so much of a cliff hanger as a brick wall and I initially felt short changed by the author but I got over that after a bit. It is all there so I really have no idea why I didn’t enjoy this book. Maybe too much bleakness and futility isn’t good for me.

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White Knuckle Ride

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-06-23

Steven Pacey was born to narrate and I will listen to anything he has to say. Fortunately, this book is a well put together story, acutely observed and written beautifully, eliciting all human emotions from spontaneous laughter to terror without missing a beat. Try it and see.

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Absorbing

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 23-05-23

I can always be drawn into John Grisham’s world, especially with Michael Beck narrating and end up feeling a sense of satisfaction….. unlike the real world today.

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Dead Simple cover art

Good plot

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-04-23

I enjoyed the plot but found the sexist attitude reflected in the narrative very uncomfortable. I understand that this is a true representation of the police force (as has been recently officially revealed….again) but somehow having it normalised made me cringe and I probably will give Peter James a miss next time. Having said that, the storyline kept me guessing to the end.

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Well worth reading twice

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-04-23

I read this years ago and had forgotten how good it is and how funny John Grisham can be. Love the characters and the narration with all the idiosyncratic voices. I will give myself time to forget and read it all again!

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Gruesome and thrilling

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-04-23

Lots of surprises in the plot alongside a fabulous ‘film noir’ narration, so good I forgot it was just Sean Barrett’s voice. Loved it.

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Refreshingly enjoyable

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-03-23

After a run of disappointing novels from famous authors, I was relieved to really enjoy this introduction to Jane Harper’s gentle yet gripping mystery with plausible and likeable characters, especially Aaron Falk. Her smooth writing invited me into her imagination seamlessly. Steve Shanahan’s narration was perfect for this story. I will read more from this series

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A Long Ordeal

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-03-23

I made it to the end of this gruelling marathon of a story but only because Robert Glenister cheered me on with his outstanding narration and lovely presence. I found it hard to believe in any of the characters and trudged through the mind-numbing boredom of the dark-web messages until I didn’t care who was who anymore. I also found myself watching through the eyes of the author instead of being transported by the story. I felt emotionally manipulated and irritated by the device of keeping the two main characters, Cormoran and Robin, in an unrequited love-lock. I don’t think it would harm the stories if they got it together and worked as a couple, happy with each other and getting into mischief, if its handled well. I’ve mostly enjoyed the other books in the series but if the storyline isn’t going to mature, I’m giving up.

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It could have been better

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 23-08-22

I struggled to get beyond the syrupy, patronising narrator’s voice which rose and fell to its own internal rhythm, totally dissociated from the story. I felt irritated as I really wanted to love this book as it holds memories for me, and I did in parts, but I think the experience was spoiled by the narration. I believe it would be difficult to get the accents absolutely right for everyone because accents change over space and time all over the world whereas our lived experiences, especially traumatic ones, get more fixed. They were however generally Middle Eastern accents and I could tell the different characters apart, which is always a good thing. I would recommend it though as it is a story that needs to be told.

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