The End of the Wasp Season

A Novel

By: Denise Mina

Narrated by: Jane McFarlane

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

When a notorious millionaire banker hangs himself, his death attracts no sympathy. But the legacy of a lifetime of selfishness is widespread, and the carnage most acute among those he ought to be protecting: his family.

Meanwhile, in a wealthy suburb of Glasgow, a young woman is found savagely murdered. The community is stunned by what appears to be a vicious, random attack. When Detective Inspector Alex Morrow, heavily pregnant with twins, is called in to investigate, she soon discovers that a tangled web of lies lurks behind the murder. It's a web that will spiral through Alex's own home, the local community, and ultimately right back to a swinging rope, hundreds of miles away.

The End of the Wasp Season is an accomplished, compelling and multi-layered novel about family's power of damage-and redemption.

©2011 Denise Mina (P)2011 Hachette Audio

A good story, and the Irish accent

I enjoyed listening to this book, the narrator does a great job and has a smooth easy to listen to voice. Plus I love her accent. The story was good although move slow in some places. I was happy that the final ending was up beat, after a depressed story.

Wonderfully subtle

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

Yes, I already recommended it to about three women. It is written very feminine, soft and subtle. The story is like those Columbo tv serie-movies. You know who did it but the thrilling part lays in the finding out how they will be discovered.
The characters are deep and gradually you get to know them better. You understand why the murder happened.
The detective Alex Morrow is a very smart lady, so as a female reader I could relate to her.

What other book might you compare The End of the Wasp Season to and why?

I've never read anything quite like this. It was so subtle I rewinded some parts to really grasp the story and the characters. Wonderful.

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

Her genuine Scottish accent makes it very real to listen to. Besides she narrated it very good and pulled me right into the story.

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

The entire atmosphere of the book pulled me in. I wanted to keep listening, I felt everything, I saw it before me. But mostly I enjoyed the fact that Denise Mina thinks her readers are smart people and that she doesn't explain everything. We as readers have to work two, to really read between the lines. Without making it too hard.

Any additional comments?

More audible books by Denise Mina

I recommend this book and author

Intelligent story, realistic plot, well written. It was everything I am looking for in a mystery listen, and I highly recommend this and other Denise Mina books.

Narrator is stellar

I stumbled upon this novel while browsing new releases on my audiobook source (audible). I double checked the ratings against Amazon and was good to go!

I'm glad I chose this novel! It was full of suspense and hard to predict and had great stories for each character.

This is the story that begins with the murder of a young woman. We hear/read the murder take place along with being given enough detail about the murdered woman to wish that she somehow survived (you find out in a chapter or so that she did not). The story switches to the boys who killed her and provides their story, more of the life of Thomas, who simultaneously deals with the murder and his father's suicide. The story next switches to the (pregnant with twins) woman investigating the murder and her force of police officers in Scotland that she works alongside with. As Alex investigates the story, we meet a final character, Kay and her children who looks as if they will be unjustly tried for the murder.

I loved this novel because it was unpredictable and I found myself caring for each character (even Thomas). The stories of each were SO interesting. This is a great mystery. The language is a little bit harsh, so if you are suggesting it to high school students, it should only go to more mature students. Not only will this story linger with me, but I will also miss the voice of the Scottish narrator! Great selection!!!!!!

Denise Mina: The Best Author You've Never Read

If you could sum up The End of the Wasp Season in three words, what would they be?

Gripping, clever, well-written

What did you like best about this story?

Excellent character study with an intriguing plot.

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

Jane McFarlane, who also narrated Still Midnight, has a knack for accents. She thoroughly embodies the characters and is a joy to listen to. I've listened to many audibooks, and Jane ranks as one of the best narrators I've had the pleasure of listening to.

Narration is exceptional

Denise Mina is Scottish and her books take place mostly in Scotland. The narrator is melodic. The story is beautiful, compelling. I hated to hear it end.

5 stars means...

...I'm looking forward to reading the rest in this series. The story was gratifyingly unusual for this genre. Great narrator.

Enjoyed

Interesting story, good writing and surprise ending. Liked the protagonist and the realistic way she handled her relationships and their challenges.

Performance can't save plodding story.

When you know the who, what, when, where, and why from the jump there is really no point. My last Mina. Great performance but couldn't save the story, which moved at a glacial pace.

Horrendous! What is the storyline?

What the heck is this book about? I gave it two tries and still have no idea what is happening. Back and forth, upside down, blah blah blah! Definitely NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!