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)

WELCOME CHANGE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

ABSOLUTELY GREAT READ

What did you like best about this story?

SEE REVIEW OF "TUESDAY IS GONE"

What does Beth Chalmers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

LISTENING TO THE BOOK(S) AND THE NARRATOR MAKES THE BOOK COME ALIVE

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

THE LAST PART OF THE BOOK..WOW..NEVER SAW IT COMING

Worth the length?

A rather improbable story, confusing at times. Fairly well written but some of the voices were overdone and annoying

Moves well

Interesting characters on a journey of discovery that is almost familiar but not quite what is expected.

Great mystery

Very realistic. the authors did an excellent job presenting very authentic people. the story keeps your attention throughout.

A lucky find!

Would you listen to Blue Monday again? Why?

Yes, after a reasonable amount of time, I wouldn't mind listening to this book again. The characters are interesting and the reader is very good.

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

I dislike this question because I feel it gives away too much about the story. I will just say that there is a surprise twist within the story that caught me off guard. I was fully expecting one aspect of the mystery to be solved but suddenly, the author turned the entire tale in a different direction and changed the game.

Which scene was your favorite?

Again, this gives far too much of the plot away if someone reading this review is hoping to be surprised by events in the story. I will just say that there is a memorable introduction to one of the characters that leads the story a bit of humor.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Because of the nature of this story, there are little bits of it all through the book that played on my emotions and made me feel deeply for some of the characters. The situations in which they become involved are very emotional ones. It's hard not to find yourself wondering what you might do if it were you in that set of circumstances.

Any additional comments?

This was the first book I had read by this author or rather team of authors. I found it through one of Audible's sales and I'm very glad that I did. I have already listened to the second book in the series and when the third one comes out, I plan to listen to it too.

Reminds me of Maisie

This was great, even for first in series. It reminds me a bit of Jacqueline Windspear’s
Maisie Dobbs, love it!!

I was hooked

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.

Only one criticism

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.

I didn’t hate it (that's a good thing)

The central main plot was good, intriguing, kept you wondering; I like that. Based on that alone, I will give book 2 a try. (Tuesday's Gone)

What I didn’t like were all the characters in the periphery. Chloe and the chemistry lessons, the drunken sister, the Ukrainian, Rueben… all that stuff just seems to clutter up the story. I suspect however that since this is a series, the arc needs all these extras to help us get to know Frieda better and give us a view into her world when she is not working.

The next instalment in the series will confirm that theory.

Can't stand narrator... or most of the characters

This narrator drove me half insane. She talks too fast, and I had a hard time following the story sometimes as a result. Besides the protagonist (who I liked a lot), I disliked most of the characters pretty strongly, though I don't know if I would have felt that way if I didn't dislike the narrator. If I read more of this series, I will read rather than listen.