"not prime"
The narration was terrible. The person narrating has a smokers voice that is both squeaky and raspy making the performance difficult to listen.
I found the whining attitude of her protagonist irritating beyond endurance and would have to shut it off just not to get mad.
A different narrater would have made all the difference
. I think that the book and plot were engaging except for the whining self deprecation of the protagonist. I will listen to her books because she does have a good way of telling a story and a mystery that is interesting. I just find her main character embarrassing as an adult woman.
I would again buy this book if it had a different narrator and it was on sale.
"Downer"
This is a well written book but very depressing. But that is not why I only gave it 2 stars. I found even in the Harry Potter series the grown ups not behaving as good parents and often causing pain unnecessarily. This is true in this book also. JK Rowling seems to have a good grasp on the adolescent brain and rational but I feel she diminishes adults and their ability to respond appropriately.
Also, I appreciate learning about other countries and culture and love to learn through literature. I felt she was weak bringing me into the social structure. As an American reader, it took a bit to understand how the politics influenced the story.
JK Rowling is obviously a talented writer but her observations skew towards the dark side of adults and the low side of children. It is for this reason that I would not recommend her book. I will not read another.
"First rate writing"
I love Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series and look forward to each of her books. This is no exception. Her narrative and descriptions are full of beautiful images that I can see in my mind's eye. Her characters are fully developed and continue to develop through each book.
I want to savor a good book listening or reading. I would never want to listen in one sitting because I want the time to absorb the writing.
"Another good Dallas story"
I love to listen to the Eve Dallas series and look forward to each new book.
I found myself more disturbed about the graphic topic of this book than ones in the past. I believe it was because of the believable terrorist attack aspect that made it so uncomfortable. That said, it is still a very good listen maybe all the more so because it was so imaginable.
Just more Eve Dallas
"good read"
I enjoyed this book even though at times I wish the protagonist would be more self assured. Perhaps that was what makes her more appealing is that she is not the typical "I am the woman in charge".
If you want a good solid but not necessarily intellectual mystery read, this will fit the bill.
"disturbing premise and in bad taste"
Having a better grasp of how vet and teaching hospitals work. Mr. McCall Smith has always seemed to have a good understanding about his subject even if he does use artistic license. This book lost me totally in his treatment of both the veterinarian world and the dogs.
Not at all.
not the problem
I was trying to stay with the author until he surgically removed 2 legs of a dog. I could not listen any further. The whole ludicrous idea that a person could lecture to convention of vets and not know a thing and get away with pushed my credulity. But to be allowed to do surgery with disastrous and a cruel outcome was the end of my listening. I am not a squeamish person but Mr. Mc Call Smith's treatment was insulting to me as a reader and to animal vets in general. I know that some vets can get carried away by their own importance and lose sight of the animals and the humans that own them but this is not the way to address the issue.
I will admit that I did not listen to hear the end of the book but felt I had wasted enough of my time on it already.
I wonder what happened to Mr. Mc Call Smith that he stooped to such writing in bad taste
"unexpected"
I plan on listening to the whole series. I really like the protagonist. She is not a whiner or helpless.She manages to try to work out her jams herself but is smart enough to know that she is in over her head. A little like Stephanie Plum I found myself laughing out loud.
"Disturbing premise"
I found the glorification of vigilantism repugnant. I listened hoping that they would find their way out of the path they were set on.
Changed the premise
Narration was fine for the story.
I wonder what victims of
"OK for mind candy and you are a fiber person"
I enjoyed the light hearted story. It was a no brainer just to listen to it. It is very specific target audience: fiber artists. The story line was light on substance and a little moralistic but overall I enjoy her writing.
I will read the Tipping Point
nothing to recommend
My grandmother worked hardanger so it was interesting to hear how difficult it is to do. I would like to explore it.