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

Best book I have read this year.

Best book I have read this. it was suspenceful, funny , and kept my interest until the end. couldn't put it down.

A Roller Coaster Ride with best friends

I've never known a high functioning schizophrenic, but I feel like I not only met him, but grew to love him like my little brother by the end of the book. He was a totally interesting and believable protagonist. There is just enough tech in it to make it believable. Anyone who has a computer, iphone, or used Google Maps, is going to easily relate to this story. A really solid, well paced thriller that rates a second listen.

Kept me listenting

Would you consider the audio edition of Trust Your Eyes to be better than the print version?

Probably not. I really like when readers use different voices for different characters. This book is pretty much just read by the two readers.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The schizophrenic brother (who seems more autistic to me) - I liked how honest (blunt) he is.

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

When we find out what happened to Dad.

Any additional comments?

Lots of plot twits make this a fun listen!

Coincidence!

I loved that two of the characters had the same names as my sisters!

I loved this book due to the storyline and the narration!

I look forward to reading more books by Linwood!

A Stunning Story!

Barclay has a way of creating great characters and in this novel, an equally great story line that will reel you into a complex web of mysteries. The only criticism I have is the use of two narrators. One was much better than the other, though I don't know which is which. The story didn't need the dual voices.

Consider how a schizophrenic man sees the world and how that characteristic befuddles and frustrates others. Consider that there are evil doers who prey on the mentally ill. Consider how politics and politicos become evil doers on their rise to power. Those all combine to create a very memorable story.

And by the way, there is no such thing as a truly happy ending. But don't miss this one. The ending of this story will shake you!!

Rear Window Redux

What made the experience of listening to Trust Your Eyes the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the interaction between the brothers and the respect that slowly built between them.
Thomas was well-drawn and interesting.

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

The plot was very good but overly drawn out. The important sub-plot was tied up too quickly as if the author just figured out he had ten words or less to complete the book. That sub-plot deserved more substance and complexity.

Have you listened to any of Ken Marks and Rick Holmes ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard these narrators that I know of and I very seldom enjoy multiple narrators. In this case I was pleasantly surprised.

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

It was very entertaining and there were times I wanted to extend my walk to hear more.

Smart, fun and suspenseful

Refreshingly original with well-drawn characters, "Trust Your Eyes" is a great read. Audible outlines the plot above, and I don't like to write book report reviews, so I'll just say that this is very clever and well worth the credit. So nice to have a break from the tired story lines that get recycled over and over! Linwood Barclay is a find - I'm off to explore the rest of his stuff.

worth a credit

Enjoyed every Linwood Barclay I've read. great story, full of surprises, sympathetic characters, and typical political shenanigans.

Loved it all the way to the end...but

But for the very end. Disappointed in how the author chose to conclude the story.

One of my Favorites All Time!

This book sucked me in and never let go. The characters quickly won a place in my heart, from Ray's affection/frustration with his brother Thomas (who is somewhere on the autism spectrum) to Thomas himself. I had a brother like Thomas and another who played the Ray role, so it struck close to home. The plot was complicated (perhaps a shade too complicated?), but the readers were so excellent that it was easy to keep track, despite multiple POV characters and locations. In fact, I'm now going to read the rest of Linwood Barclay's books, but have a strong inclination to do so via audiobooks since the only one I read previously (hardcopy) did not generate the same level of enthusiasm, though I remember it as clever and well-written.

Compelling and unique good guys, nuanced and fully-drawn villains, "Trust Your Eyes" is a true treat of a book.