6.5.2024
First Laugh
Chapter 1
I am always looking for my next favorite narrator so I go through audible often not so much because I’m looking for a new book – I have plenty – but because the books I DO choose are BASED 99% on who is reading them. I kind of need to have a lineup of people I search for when I’m ready to find a new series.
I was specifically drawn to this series because of the female protagonist. The description said “Ellie and her team of fallen angels work the cases the police never see …” and I was instantly drawn to the idea of another epic woman leading a team like Heather Filson, Kim Stone, Nikki Galena, etc …
As I mentioned in my review of Aura Of Mystery, I really don’t care so much about the cases … I am more interested in the team that is solving them. The cases blend together especially when you read tons of the same genre of crime novels. The team has to stand out for me so I’m always looking for a series that has a great one.
Gill’s voice is as SMOOTH as melting butter and I absolutely LOVE the way she gives emotion in her line reads. Not every narrator will sigh when the character sighs or laugh when the character laughs. Her line reads are absolutely brilliant and theatrical. She’s not just READING, she’s performing and that makes all the difference for me. Many of them are just reading lines and not giving line reads. There is a huge difference. Gill is a former radio DJ and BBC broadcaster and it shows in how delicious her voice is.
I didn’t make it past chapter 1 before falling asleep but I laughed my ass off at the way the book opened. It was brilliant and funny and made me so interested in diving into the rest of the book.
Story this session: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
6.6.2024
You Have My Attention
Chapters 2 thru 7
Ok … I was right about this. I KNEW I was going to be very interested in a character like Ellie Reckless. I am very intrigued with her story and her end game.
As I mentioned before, I love a good team. I love teams that have great dynamics and working methods. I love teams that are a bit mismatched but work perfectly together thanks to their individual talents and their colleagues having respect for those talents. I don’t like teams that are all about drama and nonsense that get in the way of them doing their jobs. I like books about teams that get the job done together. Jack Logan’s team is one of my absolute favorites in all the books I’ve been listening to and that is partly due to Angus’ voice work but mainly in how JD Kirk has written each one of them. They’re great characters AND a great team.
I’m interested in Ellie’s team so far but they’re not terribly interesting … yet. I’m more interested in HER.
These chapters really have me hooked and looking forward to more.
Story this session: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
6.10.2024
Not Great
Chapters 7 thru 24
The book is written kinda … not enjoyable for me. It is so convoluted … and a bit all over the place plot wise. It’s trying hard to be a mystery and a caper and a police conspiracy all in one but in a very short amount of time. It moves quickly like a TV show trying to cram in as much information into 45 minutes.
I do like Ellie and I DO like her crew very much now that I have gotten more exposure to them these past few nights. I just really think the actual plot is ridiculous and tedious. I like the crew and the relationships of everyone involved in the story, I just think the story is … rushed and lacking in any real depth. But as I said … I usually don’t care about the story much, just how a team works together to solve it. I love the dynamics and Ellie’s character. She’s similar to all the “strong female detective” characters I have read lately but her story is a bit different and that makes me enjoy it more.
There are only 27 chapters in this … and I’m looking forward to getting to the end. I will listen to another I’m sure, but probably not right away. We’ll see how it ends …
Story this session: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0