Heart of Stone

The Negotiator Trilogy, Book 1

By: C. E. Murphy

Narrated by: Eve Bianco

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

What secrets lie shrouded in darkness?

Okay, so jogging through Central Park after midnight wasn't a bright idea. But Margrit Knight never thought she'd encounter a dark new world filled with magical beings, not to mention a dying woman and a mysterious stranger with blood on his hands. Her logical lawyer instincts told her it couldn't all be real, but she could hardly deny what she'd seen...and touched.

The mystery man, Alban, was a gargoyle. One of the fabled Old Races who had hidden their existence for centuries. Now he was a murder suspect, and he needed Margrit's help to take the heat off him and find the real killer. And as the dead pile up, it's a race against the sunrise to clear Alban's name and keep them both alive.

©2007 C. E. Murphy (P)2007 Audible, Inc.
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

One major irritation

Good author, good story - good narration. Really, really irritating background music. And not only irritating, but it really almost wiped out the narrator for the first 3 minutes of the book. That's a long time to hope things get better.

Another C.E. Murphy, Most Excellent Writing

I love Listening and Reading this Author's Work!!
This is a Great Story and I thoughly enjoyed listening to it, the Narrator does a Great job with the characters voices and the entire storyline. The Story is about Alban who is Self exiled from his people and his meeting Grit a Lawyer who fights for the underdogs.

I do not care about your run

If like me you are pretty sick of hearing about how much people love running, don't read this book.

I'm not saying you shouldn't read a book about a heroine whose hobbies you do not share. Certainly I don't share the demon hunting or rock collecting hobbies of some other heroines that I have enjoyed.

I'm also not saying you should not enjoy running. I hear it can be exhilarating, and exercise is good for you.

But lets be honest, as a personality trait running is just not that interesting. Most people who run also do other things that form or describe their personality.

But this chick is "a runner." Something happens to the heroine, and then you are treated to a several minute description of her going on a run. Conflict with bad guy, go for a run, win a case, go for a run. Run in shoes that are bad for you and jeans that are uncomfortable to run in and then talk about how running in them hurts but you just love running so much omg. Her love of running even contributes to her willingness to run headlong into stupid situations, which would almost be interesting if she didn't follow up her stupidity with another run.

It just really wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention for so many reasons. Running is just the one I remember.

Good book

CE murphy has done it again. A new world -- the main charater learns about the "old Races" and helps them. Plan to get the second book to see how the races solve their modern day problems -- They need help and Margeret is the willing and has the skills and "grit" to do it

Muh....

CE Murphy has a good concept for a book, but failed to excute the story. The characters all have potential, but they were dragged out into boringness. Some of the story was vague and I had to assume that something happened. She also dragged out a dead end relationship into the story that drove me nuts. Several times I caught my mind wondering and would miss what was going on, but I would not be willing to rewind. I might be willing to listen to the rest if they come on sale but I wouldn't waste a credit on them.

Something other than vampires

I enjoyed this book very much! It was nice to get a different look at some other "old races". Took a bit to get into it, but I'm glad I stuck with it - good book - I think I'll try the 2nd one in the trilogy.

Wasn’t expecting the ending

I loved this story. The narrator was good. I just wish some of it would’ve been cut out. Like the chanting of “irrational” in the main character’s head when she was running. That part got on my nerves. I’m sure it wouldn’t be as bad if I had been reading it. I would get so irritated with Margrit. She was back and forth with Tony. Some times I would get upset at his actions but most times it was hers.

So, the good outweighs the bad. The story brought out every human emotion. The gargoyle was so amazing and hot. I don’t want to get into it much as it would be a spoiler. I wasn’t expecting the ending. It was great. Except the last 4 minutes. I can’t wait until the next book. I’m going to download it now.

Bk 1 Rit meets Alban

Margrit Knight aka Rit a legal aid attorney that seeks escape from her everyday grid by running through Central Park in the dark. Rit is unaware that Alban a gargoyle shifter keeps a vigil eye out for her safety. Then Alban breaks one of the gargoyle's golden rules...thou shall not approach a human.

As Rit is introduced to the fabled Old Races hidden in plain sight amidst the humans, she faces insults and prejudices from beings thought to be urban legends. Rit uses her legal council skills for Alban suspected of serial murders and find the real killer.

Secrets, lies and hidden agendas make things difficult to find the killer, and both human and paranormal world both want to condemn Alban before a trial begins.

I enjoyed this story. I have a soft spot for gargoyles and Alban almost reminds me of my Great Dane. A gentle giant full of love and not always aware of his size.

Great narration. Interesting world and characters.

If you could sum up Heart of Stone in three words, what would they be?

Different. Clever. Well-developed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alban. He was mysterious--not too obvious/open a character.

What about Eve Bianco’s performance did you like?

Her voices and accents were great.

Super-Urban Paranomal

I really enjoyed this super-urban paranormal romance, which is the only way I can describe an urban paranormal set in New York City. The narrator on the audio version did a credible job of a Brooklyn accent, which is no mean feat. Descriptions of dancing in a city nightclub brought me back to my college days, which is priceless. The juxtaposition of a New Yorker’s brash no-nonsense attitude with a centuries-old being’s courtly manners brought a sense of fun to the novel. I thought it was really interesting how the author brought an African-American woman’s take on “race” into the life of a creature to whom “race” means an entirely different species. A good read!