Blood Memory

I was overjoyed when Audible included author Greg Iles. It's such a personal charge to find an author so compelling, so gifted that I go searching the web for more information about what makes them tick, who they are as individuals. Greg Iles is such an author! Blood Memory takes incest and weaves a story with a sledge hammer kind of nuance - I promise you won't forget it!

There are two story lines in BLOOD MEMORY. The one involving the lead character's childhood sexual abuse can stand on its own. The 2nd felt more contrived. (They are interwoven in the book so my separation of them is artificial). I've given the book 5 stars based on how well-researched and sensitive is Iles' portrayal of the impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult survivors. He's an amazing author.

I got so involved in listening to this book I got out of my car while listening and went off and left it running! I loved this book. Cat is a flawed woman who many of us will relate to. Though she lives with issues that could be crippling to some (alcoholic and bi-polar) she has incredible strength to live her life intelligently and with courage. Though the story line is a nail-biter the real lesson for me was that if we can honestly evaluate our own condition and fully understand how it affects our emotional responses and our situational reactions we can function in a positive and at times heroic way. One of the previous reviewers was critical of the reader, and I couldn't disagree more. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the reading of it.

It's always interesting to see what Iles will do with a plot. His books - and this one is no exception - are always satisfying. They're longer than most with great detail. More than anything, I think he does an amazing job of creating characters with depth (and flaws) and tying up the storyline completely. When it's over, you actually feel like it's done. The ending isn't rushed. It's never abrupt. It has the same pace as the rest of the book. It may not end the way you want it to, but it ends the right way for the characters.

It takes me a day before I want to listen to another book. I know it's likely the next one I listen to won't be able to measure up to what I've just heard from Iles.

This book had such great potential but the author threw in so much child molestation psychology and memory repression that the main plot got lost. Had Greg Iles stuck to the mystery, this could have been one of his great thrillers. In my opinion, 18 hours should have been 10 hours; it was tedious. Frankly this book turned my stomach hearing the horrible details of rape and hurting children. The narrator did a fantastic job earning my 2 stars.

I was so burned out on the cookie cutter thriller/mystery that I almost did not get this one. It seemed a bit different so I took the chance. I am thrilled that I did! Pun intended. This was a very good book. Yes, there were moments when the over the top reaction of the main character went to far, but that's the only downside. Narration was almost perfect. Having a female partner for years that worked on the NOPD I can say I thought I was listening to her again! Mr. Iles reallly seems to capture the human element, our worst fears, dreams, reactions. I just finished Spandau and that was amazing too, just different. I'm going to go through all his books, and based upon the two I have heard, I'm in for some good times!

I thought this story was pretty good but the narrator came up short with the character, Sean, and the pseudo New York/New Orleans accent. It made me cringe. If I hadn't been caught up in the story, I would have quit listening.

Way too long...an ineffectual heroine...

This could have been a splendid listen. But it absolutely needed someone to come alongside the writer to tell him that we do NOT need endless descriptions of the heroine's blood turning to ice and her hair standing on end.

The hero of the novel is only slightly more interesting that watching lawn bowling...and is constantly going into shock about stupid things.

I listened to it...and the ending was good. But I thought about switching to another book several times.

The plot seemed to go round and round in the same circle. No innovative characters.

Outstanding narration...in a losing text.

I found myself totally engrossed in this book. There are a lot of mysteries within this mystery and I tried to solve them all. This is one of the main reasons that I so enjoy mysteries. Mysteries are like mind puzzles. The more difficult the puzzle, the better I like the book. This was well worth the credit. I am looking forward to more from Greg Iles. Joyce Bean did an excellent job at narration.

Loved this book! The plot kept twisting and twisting as more and more characters were introduced. I would think that I had the solution and then there would be another twist!