Karenique

A chilling domestic thriller

Reviewed: 10-03-24

K.L. Slater and narrator Lucy Price-Lewis have once again proven their dynamic duo status with “Single,” a captivating thriller that had me hooked from the very first minute. The story follows Darcy, a single mother whose world is turned upside-down when her son falls from a rope bridge, and George, the handsome and charming doctor who saves his life. Slater expertly weaves in dark secrets, obsession and twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The writing is expertly paced, with a narrative that flows seamlessly and characters that leap off the page. Price-Lewis’ narration brings the story to life, infusing each character with depth and emotion. What I love most about Slater's writing is her ability to create relatable characters and place them in situations that are both everyday and yet terrifying. At just $6.99, “Single” is an absolute steal. Do yourself a favor and grab it now. Highly recommended.

✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️👏

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What a brilliant idea!

Reviewed: 09-29-24

I would like to thank Nancy Elizabeth Miller for her captivating podcast, “ Dead Sleep True Crime for Bedtime.” Can’t sleep? Have insomnia like me? Then I highly recommend “Dead Sleep.” It works. It really does. I’ve been listening for months now via Alexa and look forward to more. Miller’s vocals go above and beyond. She narrates each episode with her comfortably relaxing vocal tones and sometimes humorous antecdotes. Keep ‘em coming, Nancy! Thank you?

💥🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💥

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Intense but not for me

Reviewed: 09-27-24

I recently attempted Audible Plus’ “Living Death: Katie Maguire, Book 7” by Graham Masterson, narrated by Aoife McMahon. Although her narration was excellent, I found the story too intense and violent for my liking. The plot was well-crafted, but I struggled to connect with it due to its brutality and emotional weight. I ended up skipping to the final chapter. While I appreciate the author's skill, this book wasn't my cup of tea. As my mentor once said, “If everyone liked the same things, the world would indeed be a boring one.” RIP Dan Di Leo

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Small-town secrets: Spectacular police procedural

Reviewed: 09-25-24

I’m thrilled I picked up “Taunting the Dead,” the first book in the DS Allie Shelton series by Mel Sherratt (available now in Audible Plus catalogue at no cost). This suspenseful novel had me hooked from start to finish. Antonia Beamish’s flawless narration brought the characters to vivid life, and I was impressed by her skillful performance. We follow DS Allie Shelton as she investigates a murder and discovers a web of secrets and lies in a small town. Sherratt’s writing is powerful, and I appreciated how she wove together the perplexing threads of the case and how she balanced the dark themes with an emotional pull, making it a compelling and engaging listen. The pacing was comfortably fast-moving. I do so prefer British novels with a strong female lead, and this is another reason why. Highly recommended as I scream from my rooftop, “Epic, I say!”

💥✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️💥

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Every now and then, it’s just not the right time…

Reviewed: 09-24-24

Unfortunately, the timing wasn't quite right for me. I’ve run across this with Audible over the years. While I appreciate the author’s craftsmanship and the narrator’s skills, this thriller didn’t quite resonate with me at this moment. I believe that timing can make all the difference in enjoying a book, so I’ll set this aside for now and may revisit it in the future.

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1 person found this helpful

“Who knew love could be so dangerous?”

Reviewed: 09-22-24

Before starting this review, I want to emphasize the warning: “Over My Shoulder” by Patricia Dixon contains graphic violence and abuse. While the content can be difficult to listen to at times, the warning is necessary, and I appreciate the author’s commitment to tackling tough subjects. After trying several previous books and giving up, I finally settled on this one from the Audible Plus catalogue at no charge. With the exceptional narration by Helen McFarlane, I was immediately drawn into the story. As a first-time listener to Dixon's work, I will be searching for more. This devious tale is expertly told from the perspective of Freya, the main character, as she relays her story directly to us. I found myself fully invested in her journey. I was literally talking out loud as I recognized the red flags in her relationship with the manipulative Kane. Dixon expertly weaves a dark and addictive narrative that explores the toxic dynamics of Freya's relationship. For those who are fans of psychological thrillers and can handle the graphic content, “Over My Shoulder” is a must-listen. Just be sure to prioritize your own emotional well-being and take breaks when needed.

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An underwhelming thrill …

Reviewed: 09-20-24

I regretfully did not complete “Her Final Victim” by NJ Moss, despite the excellent narration by Antonia Beamish, Ben Allen and Anna Cordell. Unfortunately, the plot failed to captivate me, leaving me feeling confused and disappointed. I reached a point where I no longer cared about the story’s outcome and jumped to the end. As my mentor once wisely said, “If everyone liked the same things, the world would indeed be a boring one.” I acknowledge that opinions vary, and this Audible Plus book may resonate with others. However, it wasn’t my cup of tea. RIP Dan Di Leo, whose sage advice I still cherish.

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2-for-1: A gripping British thriller!

Reviewed: 09-14-24

Written by Lucy Dawson, “The Secret Within” is a truly complexellent listen. As a fan of Dawson's intricate storytelling, I have several of her books in my Audible library, and this one again proves why. Narrators Sarah Lambie and Philip Stevens deliver flawless performances with their precise and creative vocals. We follow Julia Blythe, a whistleblower who’s starting anew in Devon after being bullied out of her job. But then she meets Nathan Sloan, a charming yet sinister surgeon. As both engage in a game of cat-and-mouse (cat-and-rat?), I’m hooked by the devious twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. An enjoyably wicked experience so highly recommended, I can’t stress it enough. I get such a thrill when I find a brilliant gem as this. Epic, I say! EPIC! EPIC! EPIC! An awesome thank you to Dawson, Lambie and Stevens.

✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍️

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Epic Thriller Alert: Uncovering dark secrets…

Reviewed: 09-08-24

Get ready for a spine-tingling listen with “Let Me In” by Claire McGowan, narrated by the talented team of Saskia Maarleveld, Elizabeth Knowelden, Pearl Hewitt and Will Wyatt. I was audicted from the very start. I prefer British psychological dramas and “Let Me In” proves this once again! The fascinating and melodramatic tale follows Helen and George as they uncover sinister secrets and lies in their Cornwall fixer-upper. The previous owner hides a years-old dark history and murder. McGowan's writing is perfectly paired with this fantastic narration team. No multitasking with this one; you won't want to miss any secrets and surprises that come to the forefront as McGowan reveals several jaw-dropping secrets that will leave you speechless. Just when you think it's over, think again – there’s so much more! I highly recommend this epic thriller, and I'm ecstatic to have found such a brilliant gem. It’s currently available as a 2-for-1 deal during an Audible sale. As strange occurrences and lies surface, the couple realizes they're in grave danger and can't trust anyone… This twisty tale kept me on the edge of my seat. There’s more and I eagerly devoured it. Highly recommended – I cannot stress this enough. I get a thrill when I find such a brilliant gem and I’ve already added another McGowan mystery to my vast library. “Epic, I say! EPIC! EPIC! EPIC!”

💥✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️💥

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A gripping tale of friendship & deception

Reviewed: 09-04-24

Having finished “The Perfect Friend” by Barbara Copperwaite and narrated by Katie Villa, I'm still reeling from the experience. This deviously complicated thriller had me hooked from the start, with its expertly woven web of lies and secrets. The ending was a criss-cross surprise! We follow Alex, whose world is shattered when her life takes a devastating turn. Her one solace is her friend Carrie, who seems to be the only person she can trust. But as the story unfolds, you'll begin to question everything, including Carrie's true intentions. Villa's narration is superb, bringing the characters to life with her expressive vocals. Copperwaite's writing is brilliant, combined with a pace that's both relentless and audictive. This psychological thriller has its share of curiously suspicious subplots. “The Perfect Friend" is highly recommended and most definitely worth a cherished credit. I Iucked out and bought it for just under $9. Satisfaction guaranteed.

✍️👏⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👏✍️.

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