Tell Me

Pierce Reed/Nikki Gillette, Book 3

By: Lisa Jackson

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times best-selling author Lisa Jackson creates her most electrifying thriller to date, as a mother’s unspeakable crime sparks a new killing spree....

The most hated woman in Savannah, Georgia, is about to be set free. Twenty years ago, Blondell O’Henry was convicted of murdering her eldest daughter and wounding her two other children. The prosecution argued that beautiful, selfish Blondell wanted to be rid of them to be with her lover. Now Blondell’s son, Niall, has recanted his testimony and demolished the case in the process. Reporter Nikki Gillette is determined to get the true story, and not just for professional reasons. Blondell’s murdered daughter, Amity, was Nikki’s childhood friend. The night she died, Amity begged Nikki to meet with her, insisting she had a secret to tell, but Nikki didn’t go. Her guilt is compounded by other complications - Nikki’s favorite uncle, Alexander, was the attorney who helped save Blondell from execution. And rumors swirl that he was one of her many lovers.

Nikki’s fiancé, Detective Pierce Reed, is concerned she may be compromising the case. As she digs for answers during one of the most sweltering summers in Savannah’s history, he also worries for her safety. Everyone involved seems to have secrets, from Blondell’s old boyfriend and his fundamentalist, snake- handling in-laws to the cop who led the original investigation. And somehow, the events of that tragic night connect to Nikki’s own fractured family. But now the killing has begun again. Is Amity’s murderer still at large, or is this a new, darker danger? Soon Nikki will discover what really happened twenty years ago, but the answers may come too late to save her life....

©2013 Lisa Jackson (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Entertaining but confusing with all the characters

Its a great story but trying to keep up with all the characters is a little difficult unless you listen to the entire thing all at the same time. I do like this author however!!

Tight and tense

Where does Tell Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right at the top. Lisa Jackson is one of my favorite authors and the narrator brought the story to life perfectly.

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

I loved the addition of the prison interviews. The reader had the chance to see inside the mind of the woman behind bars. What was going on in her head while being interviewed.

Which scene was your favorite?

The climactic ending! I was driving home and noticed my speed was increasing with each sentence. Next time I listen to another Lisa Jackson bestseller, I will do so while walking around the block.

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

A few of the less than stellar characters made me angry enough that, if they were real and close to me, I would enjoy giving them a punch in the throat.

Small Town Love

This author is not for me. I am a new fan of Ms Whelan as I love her male voice as of 2015 forward. I do use 1.2 speed to enhance my listen as Ms Whelan narrates new author’s for me. I love mysteries and when from a great author eg Sandra Brown, a mystery romance. DO NOT MISS Ms Brown Mean Streak narrated by the great Jonathan Davis who does very few mystery romance.
This author definitely writes. Mystery romance but she needs so much better editing as she has repetitive dialogue and thought processes that need to be eliminated. Audible Book 3 has no reviews as it has a new reader and the Amazon ones are awful.
When will these authors figure out good editing is needed and stay with a good narrator!!!
This story was very good if you can stay with the repetitiveness author uses as a red herring. Premise had good old fashion small town theme of gossip, bad deeds and selfishness. Good mystery ending.
Were my comments of help?

A Great Mystery and Romance!

Wow! This was my first book by Lisa Jackson --will definitely be reading more from this talented author. I look forward to reading the other prior books (Savannah 1 & 2) in the series, as Tell Me was #3; however, it can be read as a standalone.

I purchased the audio version from audible.com and the narrator (Julia Whelan) was outstanding –capturing the essence of each character perfectly with the southern charm. I was listening to the book while hiking in the Carolinas in the woods, so the ideal setting. I also liked the reference to the Dahlonega, GA (Lumpkin County) cabin -- a very quaint little town north of Lake Lanier (I previously dated a guy who lived on the lake in the area, and is rather remote) so can envision the hideaway for the snakes. Savannah, GA is so historic and was fitting area for Nikki, the author in the book and the central character with some mystery.

I could not put down my iPod as listened to the wee hours of the morning, as you do not want to miss a thing. The books goes back and forth from the original murder to today, twenty years later when the mother (Blondell) imprisoned for a murder of her daughter Amity who was pregnant and damage to her other children. Her sentence is being overturned, due to the testimony of her son, since he was only 8 during the original trial.

Nikki is close to the situation as Amity was her best friend, the murder took place in her uncle’s cabin (and the lawyer for Blondell, who is now in a rest home), snakes, and an array of characters and men connected to this blond bombshell femme fatale. There are many other connections and secrets from the past leading up to the murder and Nikki is bringing a lot of these to the surface while she battles her own past (which I will learn more about from her previous book).
During this time, Nikki is assigned to write a story, and her fiancé Reid is a police detective, assigned to the case. Lots of romance and sex with this dynamic duo (similar to Castle except Nikki is the crime writer and Reid is the PD).

I loved Lisa Jackson’s writing style, as she gives you enough to keep the tension mounting yet not as gruesome as some mystery and crime writers. I highly recommend – a 5 star and look forward to reading her previous work as well as new ones to come! PS I figured out the killer before the ending; however, had to keep reading to confirm. Full of crime, mystery, suspense and romance!

Better than I initially gave it credit for

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

Yes. I think that it is a good, who-done-it mystery. A few unseen twists and turns, but some predictability as well.

What other book might you compare Tell Me to and why?

I don't usually read mysteries, so I honestly don't have a comparison except maybe a Karen Slaughter type read.

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

Wasn't really impressed with the narration. It wasn't bad, just not anything noteworthy.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This small town is one where everyone knows everyone else's business, but no one really knows a thing.

Great listen

I recommend. Such a satisfying ending. I also love the relationship between Nikki and Reed! Very believable!

Just O.K.

The Story was good, not one of the best, but it did keep me in suspense, although I knew blondell didn't do it, I just couldn't figure out who, and it got sort of confusing mid way thru, I think I couldn't keep up with all the character's, but the ending was a big surprise, I would suggest this book to anyone who like's suspense,

Great performance so so story

The performance was good but the story was a lot of lead up 2 so story

Disappointing

It sounded really good but not as compelling as I thought it would be. The narrator was good but the story line was just average. It took me a long time to finish. This was my first Lisa Jackson book I will try another title probably before I write her off.

Who’s did it….

The story makes you wonder who the killer is which I happen to enjoy. The snakes were a great addition to the story.