Ronald

I read the glowing reviews for this book and just don't get it. I loved Started Early, Took The Dog and that's why I selected this to read. The endless character studies of Ruby's long dead relatives that lead nowhere finally wore me down and I stopped listening. It's funny and smart in some places but not nearly enough to hold my interest for 12 hours. There is a story in there according to other reviews but I couldn't find a thread of it for as long as I listened. I dislike giving up on books so will probably return and begin it all over the next time I need a change of pace listen. If my opinion changes when I get through it all, I promise to amend my remarks.

very well written

There were a number of elements woven in that emerged later in the story. They weren't all necessary to the telling but they added nice touches to the story.

Early on when Rebecca help with the mare and foal.

When Rebecca and Betty found the missing boy.

Did not think I would like it at first but reversed my position as I got further in.

Spencerville has all the familiar literary conventions of author Nelson DeMille. There is the strong, smart hero, the beautiful love interest and of course the despicable powerful bad guy. A true DeMille fan will love this epic. Unfortunately it is formula-like in predictability for someone who has listened to many others in his body of works. When I finally got to the end it was certainly satisfying but also a relief to finish it. I need a break from this author for a while but will return for more eventually. I'll be looking for a next book that isn't so formula driven.

Very enjoyable to listen to. The narration is top notch and the story, although familiar because of the screenplay, remains very suspenseful. Highly recommended.

A good departure from ho-hum mysteries takes you into the life of a police inspector in Sicily picking up clues in a 50 year old homicide case. Other current murders are presented as every-day occurances carried out with Mafia vengance. Hats off to the narrator with the perfect Italian accent for the reading. This one: well worth it.

Except for her tragic demise, the main character of this novel, Mamah Borthwick Cheney is fairly uninteresting to read about. While she was an early advocate for women's rights, her portrayal was not nearly as engaging as were the parts that dealt with Frank Lloyd Wright. To the credit of the story, I enjoyed learning more about these years of his life and how much he loved and sacrificed for her. I know, I should have gotten a book about FLW. One more critism, the verbal exchanges between Mamah and her children are so trite! My opinion: Sorry, not worth the time.