A Darkness of the Heart

A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery, Book 18

By: Gail Bowen

Narrated by: Athena Karkanis

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The 18th installment of the bestselling Joanne Kilbourn series from the “queen of Canadian crime fiction” (Winnipeg Free Press).

When, at the age of sixty, Joanne learns that Douglas Ellard, the reserved general practitioner whom she had grown up believing to be her father was, in fact, the best friend of her biological father, the brilliant visual artist Desmond Love, she begins to question not just who she is, but what factors play a role in shaping all of us and in making us who we really are.

Joanne is offered the chance to revisit her family history when writer Roy Brodnitz, author of The Happiest Girl, a Broadway mega-hit inspired by a Desmond Love painting, approaches her with the idea of making a mini-series about the close relationship between the Ellard and Love families. Brodnitz is in town working on the film adaptation of his Broadway hit, and he and his film company soon become a significant presence in the life of Joanne’s family, with results that are both life-changing and menacing.

When Joanne and Zack’s eighteen-year-old daughter, Taylor Shreve, develops a close friendship with the seventeen-year-old actress starring in the movie, the Shreve family is exposed to the dark side of the film industry and they uncover disturbing truths about the handsome and talented people they have invited into their lives.

A Darkness of the Heart explores the ways in which clear vision, generosity of spirit, and a willingness to love can combat the forces in our world that seek to encroach upon innocence. Once again, Gail Bowen’s powerful storytelling, engaging characters, and gripping plot reaffirm her place as one of the finest mystery writers around.

Bespeak Audio Editions brings Canadian voices to the world with audiobook editions of some of the country’s greatest works of literature, performed by Canadian actors.

©2018 Gail Bowen (P)2022 Bespeak Audio Editions

Critic reviews

“A great little family mystery with engaging characters and a solid plot. Definitely worth a weekend.” — Globe and Mail

“Regina has no more ardent literary promoter than Gail Bowen … A Darkness of the Heart is really about family — families — and their flexible and evolving, chosen and unchosen relationships.” — London Free Press

NARRATION IS A DETRACTION

I enjoy Gail Bowen's Joanne Kilbourn series, to the point that I have read all her titles, some a couple of times, and I thought I would enjoy listening to them in the evening. Unfortunately, the producer of the audio version and the narrator do their jobs so poorly that I totally dislike listening to the stories.

The producer has added "he said" or "she said" to an excess. I just rifled through my copy of the book and confirmed that the audio version has those two phrases added where they do not exist in the written version. I think the narrator is so poor that the producer must have felt the need to identify who was speaking since the narrator provides little variation among the characters.

If you have only listened to Gail Bowen's series, I urge you to purchase one of her Joanne Kilbourn books and read it for yourself. The experience will be superior to the audio version.

Love listening to the books

After a day at the computer I listen to fiction.
I am listening to all the recordings and enjoying the narrator. May end up reading the early ones that dont seem to be recorded. The characters are enjoyable as are the family interactions.