Trust Your Eyes

By: Linwood Barclay

Narrated by: Ken Marks, Rick Holmes

Length: 14 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Thomas Kilbride is a map-obsessed schizophrenic so affected that he rarely leaves the self-imposed bastion of his bedroom. But with a computer program called Whirl360.com, he travels the world while never so much as stepping out the door. He pores over and memorizes the streets of the world. He examines every address, as well as the people who are frozen in time on his computer screen. Then he sees something that anyone else might have stumbled upon - but has not - in a street view of downtown New York City: an image in a window. An image that looks like a woman being murdered.

Thomas's brother, Ray, takes care of him, cooking for him, dealing with the outside world on his behalf, and listening to his intricate and increasingly paranoid theories. When Thomas tells Ray what he has seen, Ray humors him with a half-hearted investigation. But Ray soon realizes he and his brother have stumbled onto a deadly conspiracy. And now they are in the crosshairs.

©2012 Barclay Perspectives, Inc. (P)2012 Recorded Books

Couldn't believe my ears!

Very few audio books are real page-turners, but I couldn't stop listening to this one. Both the story and the performance we're fabulous. So sad it ended!

google maps meets Rain Man

Thomas is a mentally disturbed person diagnosed with a strange type of schizophrenia. He stays glued to three computer screens in his room, "traveling" all over the world memorizing streets and places using a Web site on the computer. Thomas can come off as being really annoying, but that's just a part of that type of illness and the brilliance with which Barclay has conveyed. Thomas sees in an apartment window on a street in NY while he is scanning the area using a Web sit, What Thomas sees disturbing, very disturbing. Thomas insists he witnessed a homicide over the web

Thomas's brother Ray has come to stay with him to help get things in order after the alleged accidental death of their father. a task that he is sorely prepared to undertake. The job is further complicated by the fact that Thomas insists that he is employed by the CIA and listening to his intricate and increasingly paranoid theories. Ray soon realizes he and his brother have stumbled onto a deadly conspiracy. hey both soon learn that getting involved was huge mistake and now their lives are at stake.

EXCELLENT STORY! Narration ok, just ok

I hesitated about purchasing this book because so many books from this genre sound really great when reading the editors review, but end up kind of hoaky. This one grabbed my attention from the beginning and held on. I will gladly listen to more books from this author.

However, the narration left a little to be desired. There were 2 male narrators which I couldn't understand why, but that didn't bother me. My complaint about the narration is it sounds sort of stilted, as though the narrators are "reading" the book.

I know that is exactly what they are doing, and perhaps I've gotten spoiled listening to narrators such as Barbara Rosenblat, Roslyn Landor, George Guidell, Scott Brick (who I think would have done a great job on this book) and countless other narrators.

The true testimony of this book is despite the amateurist narration, I finished the book and will now look for more books by this author.

Well worth a credit!

why is this so highly rated?

I'll start with the narration, which was my biggest problem with this audiobook. There are two narrators - one is fine, but not especially good, but the other is horrible. Bland intonation and slightly elongated pauses - Stuart McLean uses a similar pacing for comedy, but they just don't work for narrating a murder thriller. I thought the book was kind of painful to listen to, but my sister urged me to go on because of the quality of the story.

The main story line is a good one, involving brothers after the death of their father. One is a political cartoonist, the other is a schizophrenic with obvious autistic spectrum signs who spend his days and night obsessively memorizing street maps from around the world from the computer website. When he sees what he thinks is a murder taking place, it reveals a past and starts a string of future events. That's great......but what isn't great is the myriad of back-stories and subplots that do nothing to help the characterization or clarity and simply add bulk and uninteresting information. A really strong editor would have been an asset.

Secrets, murders and schizophrenia, oh my!

If you could sum up Trust Your Eyes in three words, what would they be?

Surprising, intriguing, intricate.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Brothers Ray and Thomas, as well as Nicole. I found the close relationship between the brothers heartwarming. Another favorite is Nicole who brought her rather extraordinary life and background to the forefront, letting us somehow understand her occupation and current life.

What does Ken Marks and Rick Holmes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I only listen to Audible books.

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

Intertwines so many characters, both good and bad.

Any additional comments?

Narrators were just okay. I would give them another chance though. The ending, though shocking in the last few words, took me by total surprise and I found it a bit disturbing and very sad. Let the book end when we thought it did. Continuing in a different direction disappointed me. The entire book was a good listen with many characters and side stories, but that ending, whew! Still highly recommended.

If you are looking for a good mystery...

This was my first Linwood Barclay mystery and I’m glad I tried it. Many different angles keep you guessing...
I will definitely read another...

Unique Concepts, Twisty to the End

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

Absolutely. It was a great read. Only the second Linwood Barclay I've read but would buy more. He creates characters you care about, situations that are unique rather than cliched, and a lot of twists. While I had inklings all the way along, it was a wild ride to the end - frankly, the final twist was on the only one I didn't like.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Can't pick just one. Ray and Julie. Ray because he's this incredibly reasonable man who is calm in the face of falling into a very difficult role as caregiver. Julie because she is smart, fearless, and a life-saver!

Which character – as performed by Ken Marks and Rick Holmes – was your favorite?

Ray.

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

I was as touched as Ray when his brother Thomas offered to help make dinner. I was (loudly) saying, "No, no, no," when Rochelle telling Nicole she knew who she was (and when Rochelle's husband went into work and made no attempt to convey what was happening). Furious when Len grabbed Thomas to try to force him to leave the house.

Any additional comments?

Didn't like the final twist - because I'd suspected it earlier and then had my suspicions lulled and had grown to like the characters so much.

Really good

An interesting story of a man who is borderline schizophrenic/autistic who spends his days studying maps of the world similar to google earth where you get a birds eye view. One day he thinks he has witnessed a murder. When his brother try's to prove that it was not true the two of them are plunged into a high society conspiracy that may just get them killed. Lots of twists and turns and a good fast pace. I do recommend this to those that like light mysteries.

This was so great!

I loved the characters, they were interesting and dynamic. The story draws you in. The twists and turns popped up consistently through the book sometimes in unexpected ways. The ending was satisfying and yet left you with a good Omg moment. This book has everything I look for in a great mystery/suspense novel.

Good story...but...

This book met my life time quota for the f word. I know some folks actually speak like this, but I would leave the room if I heard it! Wish there was a filter or at least a rating system. Great story though and if language doesn't bother you, go for it!