Blue Monday: Frieda Klein, Book 1

Can't wait for the next book in the Frieda Klein series. My wife was able to predict some of the story, but it all took me by surprise. I like the Frieda character a lot. Beth Chalmers is a terrific reader, perfectly delivering different characters' voices, and the narration parts are done without the changes in volume that make it hard to listen to books when driving. Very good story and performance overall. Definitely worth a credit!

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the narrator did a great job keeping the characters separate. The story was predictable, but interesting. It was a shame so much of the story was used setting up the series and not concentrating on the story itself. I would still recommend it tho.

Outstanding on many levels! The story line was unexpected, the characters were different (not caricatured), the plot pulled me in and held me throughout. The narrator was superb!! I hope the future books by the Nicci French writing team (with Dr. Frieda Klein as the main character) are narrated by Beth Chalmers as well. Highly recommend.

No, her voice and accents were grating. The whiny, nasal voices given to a couple of the male characters were especially bad.

The amount of time devoted to the philosophy and methods of psychoanalysis was excessive and deadly boring. The main character was apparently meant to be intriguing, with hints of family secrets to be revealed later in the series, but was not in the least an interesting person. Too much description of long walks, biting wind and sleet, and Freida's inexplicable love of London. Irrelevant cardboard romance that is supposed to show us Freida's proud independence and need for solitude (and, of course, love of London) but is just icky. Irrelevant and irritating plot interruptions by niece and sister-in-law. Cutesy relationship with Joseph that seems to have been inspired by Murphy Brown and her painter, Elden. If I sound excessively negative, it's because I was expecting a much better book on the basis of reviews, etc. I was looking forward to listening to it on a long car trip and it turned out to be like driving with someone that is kind of okay, but you can't stand being trapped in a car with for 12 hours.

The premise that makes the story possible is a tad silly (I cannot say more without divulging too much). That said, I was hooked from the very beginning and could not wait to see what would happen next. Some of the twists you see coming -- but not too, too far ahead of the moment when they are actually revealed (so it only makes you feel good about your sleuthing). The narrator was phenomenal. And the character of Frieda extremely human.

The second book in the series is already out (last month, I believe), but not on Audible. I hope it's only a matter of (not much) time. I can't wait to read it.

The book started off a little slow in the very beginning (intentional I'm sure) but kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the rest of the book to the end. I would like more!

This book was recommended at the end of Tana French's Broken Harbor. I allowed myself hope, but alas, the story was just okay and very predictable. The dialog was on the weak side, suspension or reality was high and the characters seemed a little forced.

Overall there were points that were gripping, but to many others where I had to rewind because I drifted into my own thoughts.

Don't know if I will try the second in the series.

This book has so many layers...I can see how a series is developing and the characters are likeable and real. The good thing is although there are a lot of characters, there is enough development that I had no trouble remembering who was who.

I thought it was great how Joseph enters the story

Chalmers does a great job- right amount of emotion, love the different voices and the accent. I hope she reads the next one too!

This is probably one of the best audiobooks I have listened to.

Alan's character was one of my favorites because the turmoil he was experiencing was almost palpable and I found myself really feeling for him. This is not to say the others weren't memorable as well - Matthew drew me in and Freida herself was such a strong figure.

The narrator's voices for the different characters was so spot on...I could picture each of these characters as Chalmers moved in and out of them during conversations. She brought a different type of clarity to the book.

Riveting all the way to the last word!

Highly recommend the story itself and- as an audiobook - OUTSTANDING! I am downloading the next in the series as soon as I finish this review!

Interesting main character.

Frieda is a reluctant heroine. Can't wait to see how she develops.

Freida

Audible U.S. needs to get the next book right away!!