Blue Monday

Frieda Klein, Book 1

By: Nicci French

Narrated by: Beth Chalmers

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The stunning first book in a new series of psychological thrillers introducing an unforgettable London psychotherapist.

Frieda Klein is a solitary, incisive psychotherapist who spends her sleepless nights walking along the ancient rivers that have been forced underground in modern London. She believes that the world is a messy, uncontrollable place, but what we can control is what is inside our heads. This attitude is reflected in her own life, which is an austere one of refuge, personal integrity, and order.

The abduction of five-year-old Matthew Farraday provokes a national outcry and a desperate police hunt. And when his face is splashed over the newspapers, Frieda cannot ignore the coincidence: one of her patients has been having dreams in which he has a hunger for a child. A red-haired child he can describe in perfect detail, a child the spitting image of Matthew. She finds herself in the center of the investigation, serving as the reluctant sidekick of the chief inspector.

Drawing listeners into a haunting world in which the terrors of the mind have spilled over into real life, Blue Monday introduces a compelling protagonist and a chilling mystery that will appeal to listeners of dark crime fiction and fans of In Treatment and The Killing.

©2012 Nicci French (P)2012 Penguin

Critic reviews

“Fast-paced and spooky…it leaves readers with the promise of intriguing tales to come.” (People)

“A neat puzzle with a satisfying resolution and a terrific twist at the end.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“A superb psychological thriller…With its brooding atmosphere, sustained suspense, last-minute plot twist, and memorable cast of characters, this series debut will leave readers eager to discover what color Tuesday will be.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Excellent

So good I just downloaded the next in the series! Interesting characters, twists and turns, neat conclusion - and narrated beautifully! Highly recommended.

Truly a Blue Monday

What made the experience of listening to Blue Monday the most enjoyable?

The experience of listening to Blue Monday was made most enjoyable by visualization of a truly rainy and chilly Monday in London and Dr. Frieda Klein loves to walk the streets of London after everyone else is inside wrapped in the warmth of the lamps and firelight. That is when Frieda does her best thinking because, after all, she is at heart a solitary creature.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Blue Monday?

The most memorable moments are the introduction of the characters that will eventually play very important roles woven through the rest of the series, the moments when we learn how Frieda's mind works and the moments she realizes how all the pieces of yarn come together to make a whole garment.

Which character – as performed by Beth Chalmers – was your favorite?

My favorite character as performed by Beth Chalmers was probably Frieda's friend Joseph. Ms Chalmers did a wonderful job of creating a warm, friendly, personable man who understands and respects Frieda and takes care of her.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction to this book. It was a little slow at times and that annoyed me slightly but the story didn't have that much of an impact upon me.

Any additional comments?

The book held my interest enough that I looked forward to reading the next one and I am glad I did.

weird.

way too long. might have been OK at half length. I didn't like the ending. rather a depressing book. and a little bit stupid...

Frieda Klein is my new favorite character.

This book and subsequent series is so well written. The characters are well developed and the narrator was perfectly selected. I have listened to the entire 8 book series multiple times. I wish there were more but the books do wrap up the whole story nicely. I highly recommend for fans of British police procedural novels and thrillers alike. I ran into this book on accident trying to find books by another "French" author and am so glad I did. You will be on the edge of your seat and wanting to listen to the next book immediately.

Not in the same league as Tana French, but okay.

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.

One of the Best

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!

Entertaining series

I purchased Dark Saturday unaware that it was part of a series. Went back and purchased the rest. Entertaining series.

Good book

I like this series so far. The characters are likable and I anticipate enjoying the stories to come in the following books. I'm a huge Tana French, Elizabeth George, and Louise Penny fan. This series holds a lot of potential.

Highly recommended!

Excellently written book with very real characters that made this unable to be put down! If you liked the Girl on a Train you will LOVE this book. I can't wait to read the next one! The story kept you guessing right until the very end. I will definitely listen to this story again to see clues I might have missed. This is a must read/listen if you like psychological thrillers and mystery novels. This is my first book by the authors known as Nikki French and I can't with to start the next book!

Spoiled by Tana French

I have been spoiled by Tana French and listened to this after Broken Harbor. This was quite good and had a fun twist.