If Walls Could Talk

Haunted Home Renovation, Book 1

By: Juliet Blackwell

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Melanie Turner has made quite a name for herself remodeling historic houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. But now her reputation may be on the line.

At her newest project, a run-down Pacific Heights mansion, Mel is visited by the ghost of a colleague who recently met a bad end with power tools. Mel hopes that by nailing the killer, she can rid herself of the ghostly presence of the murdered man - and not end up a construction casualty herself....

©2010 Julie Goodson-Lawes (P)2013 Tantor

Excellent and refreshing read

I would highly recommend this book to anyone! This is the second series written by this author that I have fallen in love with. The characters are uniquely quirky, the storyline is fantastic and intriguing, yes so far all the books I have read have a five star rating by me.

The best in a long time!

What made the experience of listening to If Walls Could Talk the most enjoyable?

The narrator is wonderful and has a great way with sexy guy-voices. I'm surprised I've never heard her read. It's like listening to Anna Fields; you are able to forget there is a narrator and enjoy the great story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of If Walls Could Talk?

Mel's great love for the grand old homes of the Bay Area, especially of San Francisco. It was a new insight to me to hear of the beautiful old homes and their history, and resulting tidbits of the history of the Bay Area. I was totally engrossed and enjoyed the story line. There is a perfect balance of humor, romance, technical information, GHOSTS, & character development (quite a few lovable characters, well developed). When read by such a great narrator, it is the best series I've read in a long while.

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

See above

Any additional comments?

MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!!!!

This one grew on me as I listened

This is one of those books that I wasn’t sure what I thought about it while I was listening to it and then when it was over I started to immediately think about getting the next one. The more I thought I about it the more I realized I actually really liked it. The characters were interesting, the case was interesting and the narrator was good.

Mel has got to be one of the most unique individuals in books that I been introduced to recently. I enjoyed her chemistry with the other characters, her values and her love of historic homes. Which is perfect for the setting of San Francisco as that is a great city for history. The cast of supporting characters are all also compelling except for Graham her love interest – he is a little dry but maybe the author develops him more later on.

The case starts with a bang and has many twists and turns but the author blends all of these well into the finale and you don’t feel cheated by the solution. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Good story with lots of SF detail

Narration was good as was the story line. Characters were interesting. Kenneth the ghost sounded like the gargoyle in the witchcraft series so that was a little distracting.

Sweeeeet!

I'm so happy I found a new series that I like. The narrator can make or break a book for me...and Xe is wonderful. Good plot, nice twist at the end. Onward to book #2!

Good story; annoying narration

This is a fun mystery with friendly characters. But the narrato'rs nasal voice drops the ends of words and ends of sentences, especially when portraying male characters, and she sounds on the verge of tears about half the time.

Very Enjoyable Listen

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would, it's fun and flows nicely and Xe Sands is a wonderful narrator.

Would you be willing to try another book from Juliet Blackwell? Why or why not?

Yes, have listened to all the Witchcraft Mysteries, and now listening to all the Haunted Home Renovation series. Juliet Blackwell has a great sense of humor.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Xe Sands?

Oh yes, she is wonderful

Best yet!

I really enjoyed Juliet Blackwell's previous series about the witch and the reformed art forger. However, for me this is the best one yet in story and maturity of presentation. Even in the audiobook, narrator Xe Sands is at her best so far here. I've really enjoyed all of the different series so far, however. Blackwell's books continue to entertain yet they are so fascinating and educational in all of their heros' various fields of expertise at the same time. It is quite astonishing and always enjoyable for me. I even enjoy rereading her previous books while I continue on new ones!

Lighthearted fun

It's nice to see a main character who's not willowy or super athletic, and who has some miles on her.

Hit the spot

This was a good cozy mystery. I like that it was set around renovation. It was just the right companion to help me get some things done around the house. I'll B back for another one in this series.