Baltimore Blues

Why can't more "gentle" contemporary detective novels like this series be created? I usually avoid U.S. contemporaries because of the
*poor quality of prose
*over-the-top plots
*even more over-the-top action heroes and Barbie heroines who can run in designer shoes
*campy dialogue
*even campier formulaic gratuitous sex and violence scenes and
*overall dumbness factor

This series avoids the above and has the strength of quirky characters (but not TOO quirky) and a strong city setting. Lippman almost does for Baltimore what Rankin does for Edinburgh. Tess usually takes on a social issue (secondary to the plot), which may put off some readers. Except for #2 in the series (Charm City), I think Lippman grows stronger in her craft in each.

As for the narrator, Barabara Rosenblatt, who is much criticized in reviews of this series - I am among the minority who don't like her as the voice of Amelia Peabody, but I love her as Tess Monaghan I don't get the criticisms voicied here--- She doesn't slobber over the vowels -- I think her delivery is part of her fresh take on impulsive Tess. She reads as if speaking, so - yes - there are some human sounds. She is not Microsoft Anna!

So - if you seek a listen to relax, to be engrossed (and not grossed out or blood pressure raised), try this.

It pulled me in immediately with descriptive writing and effective narration that allowed me to see and feel the story unfolding. It left me with a very vivid picture and a desire to hear more about Tess and the other characters which are likely to appear in subsequent books. I'm not sure why I initially chose this, but my next picks will be others in this series.

I know, I know this series has been out for a while, but this is the first book and totally new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery/thriller. Tess is a likeable character, story starts with her being unemployed and doing menial tasks for various people. Her close friend and rowing partner asks her to follow his fiance who has been acting strange, she does so and lo and behold finds she has a knack for it. By the end of the book others have come to realize her sluething skills as well. Thus we have the start of PI Tess.
The Narrator did a decent job and made the story enjoyable.
This one is a winner. A wonderful, clean, not too much romance/sex story. I would recommend getting this one.

Hard to get into. I am having a hard time listening to this, she just seems to jump around and not get to the point. I haven't completed listening because of this.

If you want a book that is not violent, not many curse words
(I think they say the F bomb once), sex, drugs, humor, or action this book is for you.
The story was good just not full of anything that would put me on the edge of my seat.
I have to say that I'm not keen on women narrators, sorry, a lot of women use funny voices for the man parts, (they seem to try to hard) but I think Deborah did a great job and did not grate on my nerves.
I was hoping for more to motivate me in the series, but I may try the second book in the series.

I am starting the Tess Monaghan series from the beginning. I've read a few here and there and became hooked. So now I am going to get them all. I like the characters in her stories, and I wanted to get to know them better. I am enjoying the process.

This is the best I've listened to in many months. Perhaps because I once was a reporter, I really identified with Tess and her predicament when her newspaper folded. I liked the fact that this is a real mystery, not a disguised "romance" novel.

SPOILER ALERT! I held my breath, knowing what was coming when the car started up without its headlights. But the details, the word pictures, were not so predictable. The entire book kept me spellbound.

I immediately took advantage of the sale and bought the next three in the series. I know I'll buy the others as well.

It took me a while to "bond" with the characters, but it was worth it in the end. I'm looking forward to more stories about Tess.

The narrator was easy enough to listen to, but left me critiquing her reading in many places. I would not refuse to buy another book with Deborah Hazlett as the reader, but would be prepared to be slightly less than satisfied with her performance. Maybe I'm just spoiled by some of the really great readers with Audible.

All in all, it was a good listen. I would recommend this book to my friends.