"Ok, but..."
I quite enjoyed the book especially for the first couple of hours. Unfortunately I kept on waiting for something else to happen. The idea certainly had potential but I found it wasn't developed enough. The characters were believable, I only wish the plot lived up to their characterisations.
Basically my review is 'good, but...'
"Serendipity"
When I first started listening to this I thought I'd made a big mistake in getting it.
Fortunately, I was stuck somewhere where I had no other books at my disposal so I was forced to listen.
Boy, was I pleased that I did.
I just loved the way I was drawn into the story and how the author managed to describe the plight of women in Saudi Arabia without going over the top and making the book a crusade. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I immediately downloaded the next in the series I hope there are going to be more.
"Charles Dickens or Elizabeth George?"
I've read all her other Lynley books so despite the mixed reviews I listened to this one.
The story's okay - less detective novel than a book describing relationships.
The main problem I had was the narration. The accents weren't brilliant - the newspaper editor sounded like Fagin from the film 'Oliver'.
Al in all, not a complete waste, but not a resounding success either.
"Time line..."
I had a few problems working out how old the main character was and also a lot of her motivations. A rather stereotypical tale about how the Poles hated the Jews... or rather the stereotypical belief that they did.
Interesting parts but overall, boring.
"Visions of Errol Flynn.."
I haven't listened to a lot of the book but needed to write straight away. I've already fast forwarded to skip over some of the very many 'trials' that befall the hero and I've not even reached the end of the first main part.
But the thing that really gets me is the narrating!! Errol Flynn or some other American accented black and white film hero failing miserably to sound like a Welshman from Norman occupied Britain - totally off putting. In fact, I find myself listening for the appalling accents rather than the story.
It could be that I'm British and dislike an American accent telling a story set in Britain - but then again I didn't like it when a story set in Dublin was narrated with no Irish accents.
Don't know if I'm going to manage to listen to all of this one!
"Too long"
I would have given 3.5 stars if it had been possible as I enjoyed the story but the main character's self wallowing pity got on my nerves. At least 2 hours could have been saved if this had been kept down to the necessary minimum. Shame there weren't any Irish accents as I tended to forget that it was set in Ireland. Worth listening to, but don't tempt it if you're feeling depressed as it'll send you over the edge.
"Enjoyable escape"
This is the first Card I've listened to and I found it very enjoyable. A good escape from everyday life and not too 'heavy'.
"A good listen"
I hesitated to get this book after reading the reviews about it being slow paced or it being difficult to keep up with all the characters but now I'm pleased I did. It's true that the plot reminds me of Sheffield's Heritage series but the way it's told makes a big enough difference. I also like the way that characters get killed off. Often in books a character that dies is only partially formed in the story - here there was no inkling about who was to go! The narrator's not bad either!
All in all, classic science fiction.
"Not too sure this is a mystery..."
Although listed in the 'mystery and thrillers' section I think that it should be in the general fiction section. The murders are largely incidental until the end. The story seems to be more about how the main character deals with the situation rather than finding out who committed the murders.
Another thing I found annoying was the narrator's voice. At times she sounded like a petulant child and others like an adolescent boy trying to be a man. It was all a bit off-putting.
I listened to the end though as it wasn't a complete disaster - I mean, I did award it 3 stars.
"Thoroughly enjoyable"
I enjoyed the story and was pleased to find that there was no 'gratutious violence and sex'. It was everything it promised to be: a classic 'who done it'. Not mind-boggingly clever or devious and the narrator certainly didn't impinge on the story. Well worth getting if you enjoy Ruth Rendell, PD James etc...
"Confusing at first"
I had problems in the beginning at keeping just who was who clear in my head. It's a book that you need to concentrate on which means that it's not ideal listening when driving. The narrator does a good job except for one voice that sounds like a woman trying to speak like a man - which obviously is the case here. But as she manages so well with the other voices it's irritating that she doesn't do so well with this one. I found myself listening to her vooice and not the story.
All in all, a book for enjoying when half your mind isn't doing something else.