An Unkindness of Ravens

The Birdwatcher Series, Book 1

By: European P. Douglas

Narrated by: Jodi Gaylord

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A serial killer from her past; an FBI agent with a personal agenda, and an investigative journalist determined to get the story at any cost.

While she was out enjoying her senior prom, Sarah Brighwater's mother was murdered in their home. The serial killer was known to the police but never caught. Now, 15 years later, Sarah is an FBI agent in the Behavioral Science Unit tracking down killers like the one who killed her mother.

When a new string of murders begins and bodies are dumped near her old home town, Sarah wonders about the reemergence of her lifelong tormentor. Could it be him?

Tyler Ford is a respected investigative journalist working for a less than respected newspaper. He too sees the links to Sarah's past and wonders. He knows he has to keep close to her to find out the real story. But when the killer contacts him, Tyler finds that she needs him more than he needs her.

The pair races against time to find the killer before he disappears once more into the dark underworld that hides him so well.

Can two people with opposing goals work together well enough to bring down a serial killer? Listen to find out!

©2019 Rory McNeill (P)2020 Rory McNeill

Fun, fast read!

A fun, fast-paced serial killer / mystery where a law-enforcement officer and a reporter join forces. Intriguing, mysterious, and there were a few little twists. It’s witty … it’s got that cop-thriller vibe I so enjoy.

Based on this, I’d read more from this author.

Great audio performance as well.

4 stars all around.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Great Series Starter

This book kept my attention from start to finish thanks to the well written story line and the great character work. The narrator did a fabulous job in breathing life into the story.

I received a copy of the audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Past meets the present

This was a pretty good mystery story involving FBI agent Sarah and journalist Tyler. It involved a serial killer who murdered Sarah's mom 15 years earlier and is killing again. Sarah is determined to find and stop the killer. I didn't quite buy an FBI agent working so closely with a journalist, even if the killer was contacting the journalist. I didn't like the male voices narrator Jodi Gaylord provided, especially the voice of Davis. Those male voices were often distracting from the story. Otherwise, not a bad story.

Good Mystery

This was a pretty good mystery story that I enjoyed from beginning to end, it had great characters and story line, I have read a couple of Europeans other books on Kindle and he is a fine writer. The narration by Jodi Gaylord was good... I would recommend this to others. I received this audiobook from S.O. and the author, and I am giving my agreed upon review.

Baskerville Book Reviews

Much of this story’s plot is nothing new. The driven female (FBI, CIA, whatever) agent, usually hellbent on avenging a murdered loved one. The struggling romantic life, the possible new love interest. I keep encountering these things everywhere.

Where this book shines is the mystery. I have about 2 hours left at the time of writing this (around 45 minutes at the speed I listen to audiobooks). I feel no closer to knowing the killer than I did when I started listening.

Solving the mystery isn’t something I try to do in mystery novels usually. It’s somebody else’s story so I go along for the ride. But I do find myself occasionally wondering who it might be. But every time I think I may have guessed right, there’s a new twist that turns everything on its head.

The narrator is excellent overall. Her male voice can be a bit lacking at first. But that’s often the case with female narrators it seems. Most lack the ability to make their voices deep enough to be convincing. I got over it pretty quickly and she does a great job of making each character feel like a different person. There’s at least one instance of audio repeating in the story. Being an Audible audiobook, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t at this point.

I’ve enjoyed this story; I’m writing my review early because I don’t think that’s going to change. If the two sequels were on Audible at the moment, I’d listen to them as well.

NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.

Secrets and murder

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Narrated wonderfully by Jodi Gaylord, An Unkindness of Ravens is an amazingly smart and intense journey with grand twists you don't see coming as Agent Sarah Brightwater, having lost her mom at the hands of a ruthless killer; desires nothing more to bring the bastard to justice. Her newest case as catching a killer murdering right in her own backyard that ties back to her own past, making Sarah believe maybe he mom's killer could have done them. After a dangerous encounter puts her partner off the case, Sarah never thought her best ally would be an investigation journalist called Tyler that sees being around Sarah could further his own career. As they both discover pieces that bind the victims together neither of them could imagine the biggest threats were people closet to them they trusted- only to be betrayed so wickedly they're forced to get creative if they want to keep their mission for the truth alive.

A beautifully way to begin this series.

Highly recommended.

A FBI agent and a journalist get together to sol

A very entertaining mystery. A serial killer suspense that I couldn't put down. A great, exciting ending that I did not see coming. Sarah, a FBI agent and Tyler, a journalist get together and solve this mystery. An odd couple and they don't really trust each other. Interesting characters. Very good storyline. Not a cliffhanger, but there is still another killer out there. On to the next book.
I was gifted an Audible version of this book from Story Origin. The narration could have been better. I didn't care for the male voices coming from this female narrator!

twists and turns

I really enjoyed the story. The suspense ramped up as the end neared and it wasn't until almost the end when I figured out who was who. The narrator used different tones at times and that took a lot of getting used to for me. Thankfully, the voice was pleasant and not grating to the ears.

Excellent Series Starter!

I have come to expect nothing less than total entertainment from European Douglas’s writing, and An Unkindness of Ravens did not let me down, in this case Jodi Gaylord’s narration took an engrossing tale and elevated it to something that felt like I was inside of a movie. When you add an active serial killer(s) with an FBI agent – Sarah Bridgewater – who has some, personal issues around a particular serial killer you come up with a very compelling story. Without going into any detail that could lead to spoilers – this is a book for anyone who loves a good thriller. I personally cannot wait to see what Mr. Douglas has instore for us in the second episode of The Birdwatches series.

twists and turns

The well-written mystery thriller is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. It is a page-turner that kept me going into the late hours as red herrings were exposed. Definitely worth the read. Ready for the next in the series!