Wednesday, 22 September 2021

FORGOTTEN IN DEATH

FORGOTTEN IN DEATH by JD Robb
Forgotten In Death by JD Robb
Book 53 of the In Death series
Narrated by Susan Ericksen
Genre: scifi crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudible Books


About Forgotten In Death:
In the latest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas sifts through the wreckage of the past to find a killer.

The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change — and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel on litterers and other such offenders is nowhere to be found.

Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains — in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing — unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke — not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…
Source: Info in the "About Forgotten In Death" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56394277-forgotten-in-death on 29/05/2021.

FORGOTTEN IN DEATH by JD Robb
Narrative Review:
I was hoping that we would see more of Bella in this installment seeing we did not see much of her in the last book! and we had a very tiny And brief glimpse of her at the start and then nothing! Not enough to feed the Bella addiction!!

This book made me cry in true Nora Roberts fashion! Broke my heart, it did!!

I complained with previous books that only Lt. Eve Dallas ever knows who the perpetrator is right from the start. It is sort of, not true this time. The perpetrator(s) were actually found out only at the end. I like that a whole lot better than "only-Dallas-ever-knows-who-the-perpetrator-is" routine.

I am hoping that Jamal Dell, his brother and cousins will show up again in subsequent books. I agree with Roarke, they are entertaining, enterprising, and interesting characters.


Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (13 hrs & 25 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Sunday, 5 September 2021

UNLEASHED


Unleashed by Emily Kimelman
Book 1 of The Sydney Rye Mysteries series
Narrated by Sonja Field
Genre: chick flick crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


About Unleashed:
The Sydney Rye series of mysteries features a strong female protagonist and her rescue dog, Blue. This series is recommended for the 18+ who enjoy some violence, don't mind dirty language, and are up for a dash of sex. Not to mention an awesome, rollicking good mystery!

When the series begins Sydney Rye is named Joy Humbolt. She does not like people telling her what to do, so it comes as no surprise that she was just fired from her last job. When she buys Charlene Miller's dog-walking business on Manhattan's exclusive upper east side, it seems like the perfect fit: Quiet environment, minimal contact with people.

But then one of her clients turns up dead, and Charlene disappears. Rumors say Charlene was having an affair with the victim — and of course, everyone assumes Joy must know where she is. Joy begins to look into the crime, first out of curiosity then out of anger when there is another murder and threats start to come her way.

When police detective Mulberry is assigned to the case, Joy finds a kindred spirit — cynical and none-too-fond of the human race. As they dig deep into the secrets of Manhattan's elite, they not only get closer to the killer but also to a point of no return. One last murder sends Joy Humbolt hurtling over the edge. Her only chance of survival is to become Sydney Rye.
Source: Info in the About Unleashed was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34219190-unleashed on 22/02/2019.

My Thoughts:
This is a soft chick flick crime fiction. So don't expect any hard boiled crime anything. The plot is good for a chick flick but not twisty or substantial enough for a true a crime fiction. And while we get our HEA (happily ever after) it left one main thread hanging. Which I think will be answered in subsequent books, I guess. The first chapter of the next is provided at the end of this book, so we know that the next book starts exactly where this book ended. Which gives a feel of just one big book chopped up into sections. I guess it is, for this series. At first I thought that this book has supernatural elements, but nope! Just pure chick lit crime fiction. So much like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovitch.

This is my first Sonja Field listen and I like the way she reads. Her voice is also not aggravating to the ears. Kudos to the narrator!!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = 4.5
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Meet The Author

About Emily Kimelman:
Emily Kimelman not only writes adventure, she lives it every day. Embodying the true meaning of wanderlust, she's written her Sydney Rye mysteries from all over the world. From the jungles of Costa Rica to the mountains of Spain, she finds inspiration for her stories in her own life.

While living under communist rule in the former Soviet Union, the KGB sprinkled her with "spy dust", a radioactive concoction that made her glow and left a trail they could follow. She was two.

She was destined for amazing things after that, and she continues to find adventure to inspire characters like the badass Sydney Rye.

Download the first Sydney Rye Thriller, Unleashed, for FREE on all major ebook platforms and join the adventure!


Meet The Narrator

About Sonja Field:
Sonja is an American voice and accent coach based in London.

After graduating with a BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon, Sonja worked for several years as a professional actor in theaters across the U.S. She then obtained an MFA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.

She has coached both students and teachers at Eton College, The National Opera Studio, the Royal College of Music, and professional theatre productions in London. She has worked with professionals across industries: from civil servants in Leeds, to founders of successful Silicon Valley start-ups, to Broadway performers.

Sonja has taught voice and accents at drama schools such as Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, ALRA, London College of Music, and E15.

In addition to coaching, Sonja is a professional voiceover artist and audiobook narrator.


FTC Disclosure:
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.