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Before the Storm  By  cover art

Before the Storm

By: Diane Chamberlain
Narrated by: Abby Craden, Kris Koscheski
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Publisher's summary

Laurel Lockwood lost her son once through neglect. She's spent the rest of her life determined to make up for her mistakes, and she has succeeded in becoming a committed, protective parent - maybe even overprotective. Still, she loosens her grip just enough to let Andy attend a local church social - a decision that terrifies her when the church is consumed by fire. But Andy survives...and remarkably, saves other children from the flames. Laurel watches as Andy basks in the role of unlikely hero and the world finally sees her Andy, the sweet boy she knows as well as her own heart.

But when the suspicion of arson is cast upon Andy, Laurel must ask herself how well she really knows her son...and how far she'll go to keep her promise to protect him forever.

©2008 Diane Chamberlain (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A complex and emotional story." ( RT Book Reviews)

What listeners say about Before the Storm

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book...HORRIBLE performance

What did you like best about Before the Storm? What did you like least?

The story was very well done.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Quite a bit, there are two narrators for this book and they are horrible. The woman does this inflection thing at the end of most sentences that causes me to just focus on that, in addition to this almost breathy quality. Both narrators just sound so fake.

Do you think Before the Storm needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It does have a follow up book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • KN
  • 12-05-21

One of my favorites, so many twists and turns

Could not put this one down! Another great novel by Diane Chamberlain, great narration as well

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, but I would prefer to read it myself

The story was well done and intriguing, but the narrators were very distracting. Their awful Southern accents and slow drawls were painful to listen to .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. I am so excited to read the next part, Secrets She Left Behind, so I can find out what happens!! The narrator did a great job telling the story. This is my favorite Diane Chamberlain book so far!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good Diane Chamberlain Story, but...

What did you like best about Before the Storm? What did you like least?

I thought the story was interesting, although a bit drawn out. It would have had more punch minus some of the filler, but the "mystery" part of it was good. I changed my mind multiple times about who the culprit was, which to me is a sign of a good plot.

What didn’t you like about Abby Craden and Kris Koscheski ’s performance?

Kris Koscheski's performance was well done, but Abby Craden was probably the worst reader I have ever experienced in audible books, which I have listened to from one source or another for twenty years. Perhaps if you were just sitting down next to the speaker, it would be okay, but her voice dropped often and way too much. I understand that she was probably trying to create an effect, but I am definitely not used to having to turn the volume up and down on an audio book just to hear it comfortably. And I definitely do not sit next to the speaker listening to a book-I am often driving, using ear buds while walking or doing things around the house listening to the book and having to constantly alter the sound level is absurd.

Do you think Before the Storm needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It might be interesting to have a sequel to learn what happens in Maggie's and Andy's lives.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Book

I liked the story overall.. However the narrator whispered so much during certain characters that I constantly had to adjust the volume. Very annoying!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

Held my interest the whole way through. Couldn’t believe laurel didn’t know better not to drink while pregnant. Selfish!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Story - excellent narrators

Love the characters, story and the narration was spot on! I highly recommend this book!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Diane is one of my favorite authors. This was not my favorite story of hers but it was still really good. Slow at the beginning but had a good ending.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Before the storm

A wonderful story,the tension was palpable.I really felt close to the characters and shared their distress.

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