Blue Monday: Frieda Klein, Book 1

Can't wait for the next book in the Frieda Klein series. My wife was able to predict some of the story, but it all took me by surprise. I like the Frieda character a lot. Beth Chalmers is a terrific reader, perfectly delivering different characters' voices, and the narration parts are done without the changes in volume that make it hard to listen to books when driving. Very good story and performance overall. Definitely worth a credit!

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the narrator did a great job keeping the characters separate. The story was predictable, but interesting. It was a shame so much of the story was used setting up the series and not concentrating on the story itself. I would still recommend it tho.

No, her voice and accents were grating. The whiny, nasal voices given to a couple of the male characters were especially bad.

The amount of time devoted to the philosophy and methods of psychoanalysis was excessive and deadly boring. The main character was apparently meant to be intriguing, with hints of family secrets to be revealed later in the series, but was not in the least an interesting person. Too much description of long walks, biting wind and sleet, and Freida's inexplicable love of London. Irrelevant cardboard romance that is supposed to show us Freida's proud independence and need for solitude (and, of course, love of London) but is just icky. Irrelevant and irritating plot interruptions by niece and sister-in-law. Cutesy relationship with Joseph that seems to have been inspired by Murphy Brown and her painter, Elden. If I sound excessively negative, it's because I was expecting a much better book on the basis of reviews, etc. I was looking forward to listening to it on a long car trip and it turned out to be like driving with someone that is kind of okay, but you can't stand being trapped in a car with for 12 hours.

Outstanding on many levels! The story line was unexpected, the characters were different (not caricatured), the plot pulled me in and held me throughout. The narrator was superb!! I hope the future books by the Nicci French writing team (with Dr. Frieda Klein as the main character) are narrated by Beth Chalmers as well. Highly recommend.

The premise that makes the story possible is a tad silly (I cannot say more without divulging too much). That said, I was hooked from the very beginning and could not wait to see what would happen next. Some of the twists you see coming -- but not too, too far ahead of the moment when they are actually revealed (so it only makes you feel good about your sleuthing). The narrator was phenomenal. And the character of Frieda extremely human.

The second book in the series is already out (last month, I believe), but not on Audible. I hope it's only a matter of (not much) time. I can't wait to read it.

I often listen to books when I'm doing something else: walking the dog, stuck in traffic, doing housework. I listen on my smart phone with ear plugs. So I like books that capture my imagination from the get-go but also "easy" to follow along. For instance, I love Balzac but I'm not listening to one of his novels while doing housework! I'd get lost.

I enjoy thrillers because when done well they are zippy and engrossing. This is the first in a series with psychologist Dr. Frieda Klein. So there is some ground work laid with the characters who will be regulars, like Frieda's mentor and also, her handyman. Their storylines aren't germane to this plot, really, so the introductions are a bit awkward. But after that business is done, the plot gets going and moves along. Overall, I'd say the book was well written. I was never bored or tempted to "fast forward". I very much liked Frieda as a protagonist. She's flawed but principled. Although, Frieda makes some very questionable ethical choices when it comes to her profession. In the US you might get your medical license revoked. But I am aware that Brits have different rules when it comes to medicine, especially "public" medicine that is paid for by the government.

I am not sure what the complaints are in some other reviews about the narrator. I loved her, I thought she did a great job with all the voices, both men and women. I could tell which character was talking just by the timbre and cadence.

The plot is about child abduction, so be warned if you're sensitive to that sort of thing. There are a couple of big twits -- a few I saw coming, a few I didn't. Which is always fun.

Planning on reading the other books in this series!

The book started off a little slow in the very beginning (intentional I'm sure) but kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the rest of the book to the end. I would like more!

This book was recommended at the end of Tana French's Broken Harbor. I allowed myself hope, but alas, the story was just okay and very predictable. The dialog was on the weak side, suspension or reality was high and the characters seemed a little forced.

Overall there were points that were gripping, but to many others where I had to rewind because I drifted into my own thoughts.

Don't know if I will try the second in the series.

This book has so many layers...I can see how a series is developing and the characters are likeable and real. The good thing is although there are a lot of characters, there is enough development that I had no trouble remembering who was who.

I thought it was great how Joseph enters the story

Chalmers does a great job- right amount of emotion, love the different voices and the accent. I hope she reads the next one too!

I didn't like the narrator's rendition of Carson's voice - always so angry, he became irritating. Enjoyed all the rest - story and narration. I like Frieda very much so I will check out the next in the series.