Broke

An Imogene Duckworthy Mystery

De: Kaye George

Narrado por: Veronica Newton

Imogene Duckworthy, eager PI assistant, wants to be on her own. She finds a rental house where her four-year-old daughter, Nancy Drew Duckworthy, and Drew's pet pig, Marshmallow, are allowed. The rumors are that the house is haunted. It's no rumor there's a dead man in the bathtub when she inspects the house, though. A long-lost relative is the logical suspect, but can Immy let her Uncle Dewey be railroaded for a crime he, possibly, didn't commit?

©2012, 2013, 2014 Kaye George (P)2015 Kaye George

Fun Storytelling and Quality Narration

I enjoy these books. They are simple mysteries, free of the preposterous plot elements that infect so much of the genre today. The heroine is naive (sometimes bordering on the infantile) but she is also spunky and tenacious. No matter how silly she gets, you still like her, and want her to succeed.

The narrator, Veronica Newton, does a superlative job. Her vocal characterizations are subtle, and never veer into caricature. She keeps the narrative moving at a sprightly pace, and her voice is poised and easy on the ears. She is just terrific.

This book wasn't for me

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was ok. The best part of this book was how the narrator brought to life the characters. It sounded like she was having a blast reading it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It didn't come as a surprise.

Which scene was your favorite?

Marshmallow winning.

Could you see Broke being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not really. There was too much going on the book felt like it was all over the place.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Entertaining Cozy Mystery

Any additional comments?

I just finished the Audible version of Broke: An Imogene Duckworthy Mystery by Kaye George, which is an entertaining cozy mystery. It is easily listened to in a few sittings and is essentially a piece of "brain candy" (think chocolate for the brain).

The story centers around Immy Duckworthy who is a secretary for a private investigator with aspirations of becoming a PI herself. With her delusions of grandeur, Immy's character reminds me a bit of the Barney Fife character from the 1960's The Andy Griffith Show. In this story Immy, her daughter, and their potbelly pig move out of her mother's doublewide trailer and into an old rundown house that should be condemned. The mystery in the story is who killed the dead guy found in the bathtub of her new house? Another question is why do so many people keep trespassing in her house, even after the locks are changed?

Veronica Newton's narration was good. She generally had good pace, inflections, and tone. I also liked the differing voices between the genders. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review.

Broke

Imogene Duckworthy wants to be a PI,on her own.She now works for one,but does her own investigations in work time in the workplace.She has a daughter,Nancy Drew Duckworthy,Drew,who has a pet pig named Marshmallow.The narrator ,Veronica Newton,was ok for this project but the voice of this kid set my teeth on edge.Immy moves into a house,at age 22,shes lived with mom up until now.Turns out the place is haunted and she lives near a fire bug.So much happens in such a short amount of time!Immy seems like a fairly dumb person,taking chances with not only her life but everyone elses.
I was given this book free for an honest review.

A Fun Story

Any additional comments?

A number of years ago, I read a series of four books by Joan Coggins, first released around 1945, then re-published by Rue Morgue Press. These were set just a bit before and after World War Two and featured Lady Lupin, a scatterbrained and very wealthy young woman who married a vicar and who investigated local crimes. They were hilarious and kindly and, all these years later, they still stick in my mind as favorites. Imogene Duckworthy reminded me almost instantly of Lady Lupin and I can’t think of a more favorable comparison.

Immy is goofy and not especially suited to being a private investigator but she’s determined to make her own way in the world and detecting is what she wants to do. Her case this time begins in the falling-apart rental house in Texas she’s moved into with her little girl and Marshmallow, a loveable potbellied pig. Throw in the local cop, Deputy Ralph Sandoval, and the scene is ripe for figuring out how a dead body ended up in her bathtub and why anyone is interested in the old furniture left in the house.

Adding to the fun of this story is the voice of the narrator, Veronica Newton. Ms. Newton has a lively tone and she makes the different characters quite distinctive with the child’s being the only voice I didn’t care for. I haven’t listened to this narrator before but I’ll be happy to again.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, January 2017.