Poison Flower

Jane Whitefield Series # 7

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In this exciting seventh entry in Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield series, Jane spirits James Shelby, a man unjustly convicted of his wife's murder, out of the criminal court building in downtown Los Angeles-but the price of Shelby's freedom is high.

©2012 Thomas Perry (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Anyone who has read Perry knows the anticipatory pleasure that comes just from holding a new book with his name on the cover. Fans of Jane, last seen in Runner, will enjoy this elegantly written tale of pursuit and revenge." ( Library Journal)

Enjoyable, but not one of Perry's best

I'm a fan of Perry (and Jane Whitefield), and did enjoy this book. But it did not have the hold on me that his earlier Whitefield books had. For example, it always bothers me when the hero/protagonist fails to take obvious steps that would improve his/her chances of a good outcome (eg, why didn't Jane take one of her captor's cars--or at least his money--when she escaped?) or does things that put her at risk w/o taking obvious steps to mitigate that risk. These things could have been done w/o compromising the plot (which was borderline believable at best). Jane's motivations were weak as well--eg, how did she know that her client really was innocent of the crimes for which he had been convicted?
I'm talking myself into an even lower rating, but I did enjoy the book, so I will stick with 4*.

Too fast,too fast

I love Thomas Perry's books - still haven't ditched The Butcher's Boy series from my Ipod. That being said, this book was the usual wonder from Perry, although short. The problem was Joyce Bean, who normally is a great reader and has a touch that helps the book's emotion or action. This time Ms Bean evidently had a bus to catch. She read the story as if she was only allowed so much time to read it and, by God, she was going to do it. Ruined a good book, sadly.

Thomas Perry does it again!

What made the experience of listening to Poison Flower the most enjoyable?

The performance by the reader was wonderful, and the main character Jane seemed more human than in other books about her.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, the plot was spellbinding.

What about Joyce Bean’s performance did you like?

She made it all interesting and exciting

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

Yes - about Jane trying to get pregnant.

Outdoes earlier plots

What made the experience of listening to Poison Flower the most enjoyable?

The headlong start of the book kept you guessing how it could end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jane Whitefield only improves with time.

Have you listened to any of Joyce Bean???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have listened to all the Jane Whitefield books multiple times, and this one is on a par with the well narrated pace and characters voiced.

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

It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Any additional comments?

The fact that the heroine is not impervious to injury and pain this time around but nonetheless uses good strategy to survive is a great development.

Jane is evolving

this book is better. the characters are more interesting and are more fully realized.

Loved this whole series.

The book was able to take us through difficult events while keeping it interesting. Loved it. Jane's character seems so flexible to all of the events and never gives up.

Fun but not as thrilling as earlier books in the series.

These books are page turners with great, intricate plots. Jane is a warrior princess who does her perilous job with courage and aplomb.

Not Up to Par

What disappointed you about Poison Flower?

Stale plot

What was most disappointing about Thomas Perry’s story?

Not as exciting as previous tales

What didn’t you like about Joyce Bean’s performance?

Never grabbed me

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Poison Flower?

Most descriptions of Jane Buying things; plot was ludicrous, esp. when she killedall the men at the cottage in the Adirondacks

Couldn't Finish

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book has almost no plot and much of the dialog is so tedious that I finally couldn't stand listening to it. They are sitting in a car just spewing exposition most of which has little impact on the plot or the character development. Perhaps I just don't care for these all action-no plot types of books.

What do you think your next listen will be?

This is my first and last purchase of this authori.

What aspect of Joyce Bean’s performance would you have changed?

Her male voice(s) are pretty bad. Almost insultingly bad (for the male audience)

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The other is good at writing action sequences. The problem is that you can't sustain something the length of a book with only action sequences.

Poor value for money...

Any additional comments?

It's only 8 hours long - all the other Jane Whitefield books were 12/13 hours. Yet this book was the same price as the rest. I feel rather cheated.