Dakota Blues

De: Lynne Spreen

Narrado por: Caroline Miller

While visiting her Midwestern hometown after many years, workaholic Karen Grace risks a few extra days away from the office, to get reacquainted with her extended family and childhood friends. She visits the crumbling homesteads of her prairie ancestors, and rediscovers their immigrant dreams and sacrifices. When her tyrannical boss fires her, she's 1,500 miles from home, just one more middle-aged worker out of a job in a tough economy. To make matters worse, her husband just left her for his pregnant girlfriend.

At a crossroads, Karen must find the courage to change. Needing time to think, she agrees to take an elderly neighbor on one last road trip, but on a deserted highway in Wyoming, Karen is forced to make a lethal and life-changing decision.

I wrote Dakota Blues because I'm fascinated by the idea that the second half of our lives could be more powerful than we've ever imagined, but there's a problem: Our culture teaches us that our youth is the good half, and once that's over, forget it. In Dakota Blues, I try to show a woman who breaks free at midlife and struggles to win her freedom.

©2012 Lynne M. Spreen (P)2014 Lynne M. Spreen

Lovely story

A lovely story about a 50-year-old woman who looses it all, but gains even more. l was glad l read the prequel California Blues first to have some perspective.

Good narration

Good story about changes and life. Narration was really good. This was an enjoyable story.

A touching story of the challenges of lifechanges

I liked this book about Karen, who when life changes a lot, learn to know herself again and also get new friends. The narration was good too.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Crisis or catharsis?

Any additional comments?

This listen was an homage to a life lived, whether on your own terms or not, and what happens when you realize they were not your terms.

The road trip was the center of the book but I enjoyed the story more when Karen, the main character, was in North Dakota and interacting with her family. The author did a great job detailing the surroundings, the culture and the history of the area. It felt real.

On the other hand, the road trip felt surreal. I know you meet all kinds of people on the road but...

The narrator was perfect for this listen. There was a 'background singer' vibe to Karen's life and the narrator nailed it.

I'm a sucker for a happy ending but I couldn't figure out if this book had one. Just like life.
And love. And the blues.

On the Fence

I truly can't decide if I liked this novel or not - while there were parts I did enjoy, I struggled to get to the end. The writing was fairly good but the dialogue seemed weak and unrealistic at times. The story bumped and dragged a bit, edged on boring more than once. I didn't love the narration either, as the tone and pacing was unnatural.

I'd likely recommend the print version of this book, but I'd have to say pass on the audio.


I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audio book by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Middle of the Road, but Worth the Journey

I recently finished Dakota Blues and found myself feeling a bit mixed. There were definitely parts of the story I appreciated—especially the main plot and the way the protagonist navigates the challenges life throws at her. Her journey of self-discovery and resilience was compelling and gave the book its emotional core.

However, some sections felt like they didn’t add much to the overall narrative, and a few moments didn’t quite resonate with me. That said, the story still held my attention, and I’m glad I saw it through to the end.

Caroline Miller’s narration was solid and suited the tone of the book well, though it didn’t particularly stand out for me.

Overall, Dakota Blues is a decent listen with a meaningful message, even if it didn’t fully hit the mark for me personally.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Dakota Blues review

Where does Dakota Blues rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The way it was told.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dakota Blues?

The way it was written, told, an interesting main character.

What about Caroline Miller’s performance did you like?

Yes, by details.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nothing.

Any additional comments?

No.

Redefining her life.

As a 70 something traveler myself, I loved this reminiscing novel. And Karen and Frieda's travel experience was so relatable for me. I read Karen's prequel novel California Blues

Great audiobook

Any additional comments?

This audiobook will surely touch women who have faced strife and have come out the other side changed and renewed, or those who are wanting to do so. The characters are real and flawed. The situations are current and believable. The author brought the listeners into a part of the world I didn't know and made me feel like I do know it. Dakota Blues is a lot like real life in that everything doesn't always get resolved in a neat package even if we want it to.

Good Book

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book about a middle aged woman who's life goes through many changes, seemingly at the same time, which makes her to learn about herself all over again. The narrator did a great job.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.