The Cavanaugh House

By: Elizabeth Meyette

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

When Jesse Graham unlocks the door to the deserted house she inherited from her Aunt Helen, she doesn't realize she's unlocking secrets that had lain dormant for years. Reeling from a broken engagement to acclaimed musician Robert Cronmiller, Jesse wants to leave the city where her name is linked to his in all the society pages. Her best friend, Maggie, aka Sister Angelina, convinces her to take a job at a private girls school in the pastoral Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Anticipating a quiet, revitalizing life in her aunt's deserted house, Jesse is instead thrown into a maze of danger. Questions about her aunt's death lead Jesse to investigate events surrounding it and the people involved, but she uncovers a web of deceit that reaches far beyond the occurrences of over two decades earlier. Still dejected from her broken engagement, Jesse finds it difficult to trust anyone, even her self-absorbed mother. Joe Riley is irresistible, but secrets obstruct involvement with him until Jesse can solve the secrets of the Cavanaugh House. Someone doesn't want those secrets unearthed and will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep them hidden.

©2014 Elizabeth Meyette (P)2016 Elizabeth Meyette

Better than average cozy

I enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing. Cozy but absorbing. Some romance, some mystery, and even a ghost. I recommend it.

Wonderful story

The story itself was very well written. Started out a little slow but definitely picked up speed quickly.

enough twists and turns to hold your interest

The Cavanaugh House by Elizabeth Meyette is true to the genre, so if you want a cozy mystery with a dash of paranormal (a ghost – not a spoiler), the you’ll enjoy listening to this novel. Jesse Graham, devastated by a messy engagement breakup, retreats to a house left to her by her aunt. With the help of her childhood friend, Maggie, a nun, she tries to start a new life. However, a restless spirit, a possible suicide or murder, family secrets and several possible love interests keep stirring the pot. Layer upon layer of secrets and lies combined with an attempt on Jesse’s life kept me listening. The story line is, of course, predictable, it follows what I think is an outlined genre format and this is probably what most listeners expect. But there are enough twists and turns and interesting characters to hold your interest. Some of the cliché characters (the ‘mean beyond words’ nun, for one) was a bit annoying, but their scenes were blessedly few.

The setting, in the Finger Lakes area of New York was interesting and pleasant and well defined. I did find the climax of the mystery was unexpected, which was refreshing. Endings are often difficult and contrived, but this one wasn’t and for that I was grateful. All the ends were woven in and tidy, happy of course The inserts of women’s lib and how men should address women seemed kind of added in and seemed unnecessary, and at times I was embarrassed for the character’s trying to dance around Jesse’s demands for the proper ‘terms’ like ‘woman’ instead of the exterminator’s ‘little lady’. I know it was a different time, but insisting that every male in town change their ways when so many other scary and serious events were going on just didn’t work for me. The obligatory love interest was well done, but as always, they didn’t get off to a friendly start, and had their issues, but we get the idea that true love will follow after the dust settles. I did find the climax of the mystery was a bit of a surprise which was quite refreshing.

The narrator, Amy McFadden, has a pleasant voice and does a good job with the dialogue, but her narrative takes on a ‘valley girl’ tone that I found distracting, especially considering this story is set in the late 1960’s, when such a speech pattern didn’t exist, unless maybe you lived in that valley? But it was always easy to tell who was speaking and to follow the conversations, and with the many characters, especially male character voices, that was a coup.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Fantastic Mystery full of twists

Where does The Cavanaugh House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Cavanaugh House is one of the best audiobooks I have heard. The story itself is brilliantly written and with Amy McFadden's narration it really comes to life. I was able to connect to the story and characters through Amy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is the MC, Jesse. After a horrible breakup, Jesse strikes out on her own to prove to herself she doesn't need a man or her mother and can make it on her own. Given that the story takes place in the 1960's this makes her feat even more difficult.

What about Amy McFadden’s performance did you like?

Amy McFadden did a great job narrating The Cavanaugh House. I connected to Jesse. If it weren't for bad luck, Jesse would have had no luck at all. Moving to her Aunt Helen's old home opens up pandora's box. Secrets are uncovered and Jesse's life, as well as the town, are changed forever.

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

I love that the author, Elizabeth Mayette, was able to weave woman's lib into this haunting, mysterious, and romantic tale. The book has a lot going on and grabbed my attention from the beginning. I look forward to experiencing other work from Elizabeth and Amy.

Hear this story with your ears and your heart!

Where does The Cavanaugh House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am a frequent listener of audiobooks and really enjoyed listening to this one! I enjoyed the inflections in Amy McFadden's voice as she took the part of the varied characters.
I live in upstate NY so I enjoyed the references to familiar places and products.
The most entertaining part for me was the unfolding of the secrets and mystery that are an important part of the story.

What other book might you compare The Cavanaugh House to and why?

This book is similar to The Mermaid's Chair in the small and interesting details of people and places. Both books transport you to a different time and place. There are mysteries and exploring of spirits in both books.

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

I did read the book shortly after it was released in paperback. I then enjoyed listening to it about 18 months later.
Amy McFadden brought the characters to life by voicing their humor, determination and insecure moments. I could easily picture the situations as I relaxed and listened to the great story.

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

When the main character finds the missing pieces of who she is, after a long and difficult search.

Any additional comments?

I have recommended this book and audiobook to many friends.

Love story mixed with a little bit of mystery

Any additional comments?

The Cavanaugh House is a love story mixed with a little bit of mystery and some twists and turns in the middle. The main character, Jesse just came into town after a break up to a house that she inherited from her Aunt Helen. She ends up getting thrown into a mix of danger when she unearths some clues regarding her Aunts death.
Amy did a wonderful job narrating Meyette’s story. She has such a smooth tender voice and was able to bring the characters to life.
The Cavanaugh House was well written and was always keeping me guessing on who the murderer was and man was I wrong at the end. It was a surprise!

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick easy listen and someone who loves mystery and a loves story.

Very interesting book

I enjoyed the book very much! I had trouble putting it down. It kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

delightful!

Enjoyed every minute! GREAT STORY.
Kept you guessing from beginning to end. I highly recommend!

A mystery mixed with romance and ghosts!

Any additional comments?

The Cavanaugh House is a mystery mixed with some romance and ghosts. There were many twists and turns throughout the whole book to keep you captivated. It tells a story of a woman’s journey with adversity in which she discovers strength, love, friendship and family.

Amy did a good job with narrating the audio book. The dialogue was done well. Her voice is smooth and gentle and she brings the characters to life by expressing their humor and strength of character.

This book was well written, witty and will keep you guessing until the end. The plot is exciting and believable. The characters are engaging and vivid real people. The scenes were described well so that you felt as if you were right there with the characters.

This was the first book by Elizabeth Meyette that I have had the pleasure to read and listen to. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an easy to read mystery mixed with romance and a little tinge of ghosts throughout.

A Book To Listen To More Than Once

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

I would most certainly recommend this audiobook. It was a story that sucked me in right from the beginning. I was a little apprehensive about whether I would enjoy listen to the book. But before the first chapter was over I was hooked and hated having to stop in order to let reality take over.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of the story was getting to know the main character Jesse Graham and following her as a mystery is unfolded.

Have you listened to any of Amy McFadden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to one other book but have a couple more in my Wish List and already have the next book in this series waiting in the wings. Ms. McFadden held my attention and helped me concentrate on the story as it unfolded.

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

It wasn't one particular moment but learning about the house and the secrets it holds.

Any additional comments?

This was the first book I've listened to/read by this author. After listening to the book, I'm now a fan. I'm usually all about the romance but in this book it was all about the mystery. I was almost disappointed once the end came. But knowing I had the next book in the series waiting for me was something to look forward to. It made my commute to work more enjoyable. My problem became when I didn't want to shut my device and my earphones off. If this author puts out any more audiobooks, they will end up in my library.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.