The One I Left Behind

By: Jennifer McMahon

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The summer of 1985 changes Reggie’s life. An awkward 13-year-old, she finds herself mixed up with the school outcasts. That same summer, a serial killer called Neptune begins kidnapping women. He leaves their severed hands on the police department steps and, five days later, displays their bodies around town. Just when Reggie needs her mother, Vera, the most, Vera’s hand is found on the steps. But after five days, there’s no body and Neptune disappears. Now, 25 years later, Reggie is a successful architect who has left her hometown and the horrific memories of that summer behind. But when she gets a call revealing that her mother has been found alive, Reggie must confront the ghosts of her past and find Neptune before he kills again.

©2013 Jennifer McMahon (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Another hit by McMahon!

I loved this book the narrator is one of my favs and McMahon again spins a web of mystery with surprising twists. Unlike most of her other books that have a supernatural element this was purely about a serial killer different but still great. A+

Just enough suspense to keep me listening

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would not call this book a waste of time because it was an easy listen for my long commutes. The story line tended to drag at times, but there was just enough suspense to keep me listening.

If you’ve listened to books by Jennifer McMahon before, how does this one compare?

I recently listened to another book by this author, Promise Not To Tell. I liked Promise more than this book.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

Julia Whelan has enough "whine" to her voice to bring life to the teenage characters; however, her attempts at male voices are amusing.

Did The One I Left Behind inspire you to do anything?

Not at all.

Any additional comments?

No.

Another good mystery/thriller from McMahan

I've read several of her books. Some are better than others, and this is one of the better ones. I'm looking forward to more from this writer.

Suspense that won't quit!

This came up in my recommendations, and I'm glad I gave it a shot. The author alternates between 2010 and 1985, telling the story of architect Regina "Reggie" Dufrane and her flaky mom, Vera. Vera's a washed-up former model who asks everyone she meets if they knew she was the Aphrodite Cold Cream girl.

In 1985, Vera disappears, taken by a serial killer. Her body never turns up, though...at least not for a while.

The alternation between timelines adds to the suspense. It's hard to guess what's going to happen next, no matter which year you're in! I have to admit it didn't keep me guessing all the way until the end--but I was still in the dark for much longer than I would have been with a typical mystery.

Going back and forth was also the source of my main issue with the book: some of the characters came out a bit cardboardish. It seemed that with their timelines split, none of them had the chance to become whole. That feeling carried over to a few characters who existed only in one of the years, too. It felt like they just didn't get enough page time to fully develop.

Still, the problem was small in a story that moved so fast, taking so many interesting twists and turns. The ending did not disappoint. And I can't say enough about the narration, expertly provided by Julia Whelan who did such a fabulous job on "Gone Girl."

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good, creepy serial killer yarn!

Good Listen!

keeps you guessing right up to the end! I enjoyed it a lot! Decided to try something new and very happy I did = )

GREAT SUSPENSEFUL LISTEN!

What made the experience of listening to The One I Left Behind the most enjoyable?

There were a lot of twists in the book. It was suspenseful and interesting from start to finish.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

Julia Whelan's performance was excellent. She portrayed all the characters very well. I purchased this book because Julia Whelan was the narrator.

Exciting Mystery and a Real Page Turner

What did you love best about The One I Left Behind?

What I liked best about The One I Left Behind was truth of who a serial killer is. A normal guy, living a normal life.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked best about this story was that its characters were well developed. There were three friends, Reggie, Charlie and Tara who were the outcasts during their school years. Then there was Reggie's mother, Vera, who was never at home but going to a theater to act in plays that never existed. Tara's mom was always gone and she spent a lot of time at Reggie's home. There was Reggie's aunt Lorraine who kept things quite stable and homey at Reggie's house. Stu was Charlie's dad, who was a policeman and was the only normal,(I often ask, what is normal?), parent in the bunch but he too didn't spend much time at home. There were more character's and all of those became well known to me as the story developed. The listener listened intently as it wound its way toward its conclusion. Jennifer McMahon, the author, constructed her story to run smoothly but I never quite knew who the serial killer was. That is what a good mystery is supposed to do, keep you guessing until the end.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scenes took place in the tree house, that was never quite finished, where Reggie, Charlie and Tara spent a lot of time together. The tree house was in a secluded spot in Reggie's yard. They would talk together and share all the kinds of things that kids share when they are young. They were a good trio of friends who I learned to understand and know during the time they spent in that not quite finished tree house.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I wanted to take my time so that I could learn to know and understand how the character's played their parts in the mystery. What secrets would be discovered about each of them made for a longer listen.

Any additional comments?

The novel started good and made me want to continue to listen to more. The book was not what I expected at all. However, once started, it kept me contented, sitting and listening. It was time well spent.

I love this book!!!

I love how the author can write past and present at the same time. I used to hate reading books that are written this way but Author Jennifer McMahon does it REALLY good! This book was amazing. The twists and turns in this book made for a great, edge of your seat story that kept a great pace and kept me wondering through the whole book. I loved this book!!!!

Completely Sucked Me In!!!

What made the experience of listening to The One I Left Behind the most enjoyable?

This story is told both in the present and the past so you get all the details. It sucked me in and I was hooked. I listened to it in 2 days. Really kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to solve the mystery.

What other book might you compare The One I Left Behind to and why?

I guess I would compare this to Shiloh Walker's Ash Trilogy because both have a serial killer that is killing women in a town that doesn't have crime. And both keep you changing your mind about who you think the killer is.

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

The narrator did a good job. I don't think I've listened to anything else she has narrated to compare but she fit this story well. I can say I wasn't a big fan of the voice she used for the girls mother, Vera, other than that I liked how she narrated this book.

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

I couldn't stop listening until I knew what had actually happend!

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth the credit. I will recommend this to my friends. If you like mystery/suspense (with no real romance) you'll enjoy this.

Good story Great narration!

story and dialogue. It had me guessing right till the end. The narration was amazing as always.