After the Eclipse

A Mother's Murder, a Daughter's Search

By: Sarah Perry

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A fierce memoir of a mother's murder, a daughter's coming-of-age in the wake of immense loss, and her ultimate mission to know the woman who gave her life.

©2017 Sarah Perry (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

Wonderfully written & narrated

I was impressed with the author's writing and storytelling in this memoir. It was a hard story to write but she did it well. Also, the narrator couldn't have been a better selection by the author - her voice was perfect for this story.

“Enjoyed” isn’t the right word

I can’t say I enjoyed the story. That would be a wrong choice of words. But I did find it interesting and I’m glad I listened. My only criticism is the reader. I found her voice to be very irritating, especially when she was voicing a scream or the mimic of a man’s voice. The rest of the time, I had to fight falling asleep

True crime memoir

The author’s mother was murdered when she was still a child. She heard, but didn’t see it happen. This book explains all the adjustments and difficulties she had coming to terms with the situation. I read tons of true crime and memoirs, and must say that this was ok, but a bit too long. I also didn’t like how each chapter went from Before to After. A bit of a bother. I think the story would have flowed better to tell it from beginning to end, but I didn’t write the book.

Worth the read

What a therapeutic accomplishment to write all of this down and to document and relive the events. I thought the mystery and how long you had to hold on for some of the answers was perfect. The narration was at times, especially in the beginning, too dramatic. I have a friend who listened to this on 1.5 speed because she thought it was too slow. Thank you for writing and sharing the story. I will recommend this to others.

Sad story but did not care for narrator

I am trying to figure out if I would like the writing better if there was a different narrator. She sounds sort of whiny and victim-y. Of course the character is truly a victim of tragedy but in this case I feel her tone made me less sympathetic to a horrendous situation. If I picture reading it I think I would have liked it better.

A Walk Through a Murder

Whoa this is a roller coaster of emotion as you follow the author into not just her childhood but her mother's life, her murder and the following years. Some parts felt slow but I think that's due to the fact that this book is more than just a memoir, it's also the daughter struggling to find peace and a way to move forward after life as she knew it ended when she was 12. But that's the thing about loss, the survivors have to find new ways to move forward or be completely overcome with it. This is a raw, honest account of a daughter's love and unimaginable loss. I felt like she let the reader into her heart just as much as she provided all the details of the murder. Definitely an interesting read!

A Remarkable Achievement- Beautifully Written, Painful, Vivid

Ms. Perry has achieved something so notable and rare. She has done justice to the love and nuance of her relationship with her mother. She painted a clear eyed picture of her mother as a person. Those accomplishments stand out in their own right. Then there is the heartbreaking horror. The murder, the dislocation, the endurance, an answer. This book can’t be missed. I also thought the narrator performed well.

Shocking and sad

I heard the author on NPR and decided to get the book. It was shocking what this little 12 year old girl experienced losing her mother so gruesomely.
I was saddened to hear her talk about moving around to family members’ homes, not really at home anywhere and still so scared about what happened. My heart broke but I am so glad to know she is doing well. It could have been so different.
It was tough to listen to the story. Obviously her mother adored her and took such good care of her but it was hard not to resent the choices her mom made with men. The back story with her grandmother was even more interesting and crazy.
I finished the book. Can’t say enjoyable because it’s tough but I had to know what happened.
I hope the author is finally at peace in her life. No kid should deal with what she had to.

Incredible...

After listening to the story it almost doesn't seem right to leave a review. But I want the author to know, I think this book is incredibly written, filled with a vivid account of Crystal Perry's life from her daughters perspective. Sarah you did yourself and your mother proud by writing an honest account of life before, during, and after a horrific crime. I hope you continue to write other books!! You are very talented.

A good story but could have been better edited -dragged in parts

I loved that this was set in Maine in areas well known to me. The author captured the sense of a small town well. The beginning chapters were especially well done. The second half would have been better if it had been more aggressively edited...
The court scenes were excellent and realistic.