Murder at Five Finger Light

I am a huge Sue Henry fan and have both read and listened to all of her previous books, both the Jessie Arnold/Alex Jensen mysteries and the Maxie McNabb mysteries. All previous audiobooks have been recorded by one narrator- not the narrator of this audiobook. Having a new voice with this book was jarring. Additionally, the narration was not at all smooth. She was reading a book, like I would read aloud to my children. She wasn't bringing the story alive. There was often emphasis in wrong parts of the sentences which jerked me out of the story and made me newly aware of the narrator. She also varied between pronouncing the name Knapp with a hard K and with a silent K. Similarly she did not familiarize herself with the correct pronunciation of some of the Alaskan place names. I was so excited to finally find a Sue Henry on audible.com, but I had a hard time finishing it.

I downloaded this title along with two others, because the storyline sounded intriguing (what's better than a murder mystery at a lighthouse?). I blame myself for not having listened to a sample or read the previous customer review first. I have never experienced a recorded book narrator more monotone and droning as Ms. Snell. As the previous reviewer stated, it was like being read (mechanically) a book. No intonation, no emphasis, no dramatization, no feeling. I'm sure Ms. Snell has talents, but I'm afraid they lie elsewhere than that of narration. I will not purchase another title read by her.

The quality of this book is shameful on every level. The dialogue and plot are week anyway and are further weakened by the reader who is about as exciting as Jack Benny falling asleep. It is the worst recording I've purchased of probably 15 books from Audible.