The Comfort of Black

De: Carter Wilson

Narrado por: Rebecca Roberts

Though they seem to have everything, Hannah Parks has watched her husband, Dallin, become increasingly distant. Her hope is buoyed when the couple decides to start a family, but what Dallin reveals in his sleep one night rocks Hannah to her core. As she starts to investigate a much darker side of Dallin than she ever knew existed, Hannah peels away the layers of a diseased relationship closely tied to her own abusive past.

When Dallin attempts to have Hannah abducted, she is forced to run, doing so with the aid of a man named Black - an ex-con and expert at helping people disappear. Together they must keep Hannah safe from her husband's far-reaching grasp, all the while trying to solve the mystery behind Dallin's sudden violence. Does Hannah's dark family history hold the key to her survival?

©2015 Carter Wilson (P)2015 Cherry Hill Publishing, LLC

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Gritty, unflinching, and sometimes violent, this thriller is reminiscent of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and the television series The Equalizer. The characters are intriguing and the writing deliciously descriptive. Adrenaline junkies and fans of darker crime fiction will take to this book, which is compelling and exciting enough to be read in one sitting." ( Library Journal)

"Outstanding paranoid thriller." ( Publishers Weekly)

"In addition to its rollicking pace and complex characters, the book's turns of phrase and evocative imagery make it enjoyable. 'Hannah's premarital fling is a romance that lasted not much longer than the flowers.' A promontory is described as 'a snake of land'. Hannah thinks of the color black: 'She could hide in [it]. Wrap it around her.' Thriller aficionados, especially women, will wrap themselves in this novel's pages with gusto." ( ForeWord Reviews)

keeps you guessing until the very end

This book is about, Hannah, a woman whose life is turned upside down when she finds out that her husband, Dallin, isn't the man she thought he was. After confronting him things go downhill quickly for Hannah. She is framed for embezzlement and someone from Dallin's company comes after her for damage control. After they attempt to abduct her, she is rescued and forced to go on the run with a man named Black. Black's job is to help people disappear. Dallin isn't willing to to give up looking for Hannah so easily. As the danger and lies continue to spiral out of control. Hannah must keep running with Black while trying to figure out which parts of her life are real.
Hannah was a strong female heroine. She didn't fall apart under all the stress and pressure. She wanted answers. Sometimes it was a bit hard for her to let go of the past but she was doing what any person in her situation would.
I didn't like Dallin at all. He was manipulative and spineless. He loved Hannah at first but then his world fell apart quicker than he could handle and she didn't matter.
Black was dark, broody and had a sexy edge to him. He was full of secrets and each time Hannah let her guard down and thought she could trust him she found more secrets.
This book was an intense rollercoaster ride. Each time I thought I knew what was going to happen I was wrong. Usually I'm one step ahead of the main character when reading psychological thrillers but I was just as shocked as Hannah when things would happen.
The narrator did a really great job portraying each of the characters. You could feel the fear and anxiety coming off of Hannah. Black had a distant, confidence about him. I think that Hannah's father was portrayed the best though. He was so cruel and full of hate. It was particularly well done being that the narrator was a woman. The narrator also did a good job at keeping up the pace and suspense. I couldn't stop listening.

I was given an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Good Book and Great Narrator

I almost didn't stick with it because the beginning started off a bit twisted for my taste, but I'm glad I hung in there! There were several twists and turns and I never really knew which way it was going. I wouldn't call it an amazing book - but it was really enjoyable and I do recommend it.

Chilling!

This is an absolutely chilling tale of a modern Cinderella who finally finds happiness only to have it taken away in the cruelest ways imaginable. The scariest part of this book is the stark realism of the plot; these are the types of things human beings do to each other. This book had all the elements of a great story, trauma, intrigue, romance, suspense... The narrator did a great job, and I especially liked the voices for the different male characters. Black was my favorite, with that gruff East Coast cop voice. All around, a great book!

Story 3.5 stars, 5 star performance

What did you love best about The Comfort of Black?

I really, really loved the narration. I have listened to more than one book narrated by Rebecca Roberts, but I really felt this was one of her best performances.

Would you be willing to try another book from Carter Wilson? Why or why not?

This was a thriller that held my attention. I did guess a few things that happened, but I enjoyed the pacing which is a big part of making a successful thriller work. So if Carter Wilson continued to write thrillers I would definitely try another one.

What does Rebecca Roberts bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really enjoy the way Rebecca Roberts makes her characters come to life. Vocal performances add a great deal of emotion to writing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story of love that could be. (I'm awful at taglines, so not sure if that one is any good, but it's as close as I can get to how the book made me feel, off the top of my head.)

Any additional comments?

I received this book in exchange for a fair and balanced review. This is not my first review of a Rebecca Roberts book, and if you enjoy this book I particularly recommend her narration of Raveled!

crazy good

I always try to predict what's going to happen or where things are going, but with this book I was thrown for a loop every time. the writing was excellent and the narration was fantastic. I loved this book and will recommend to to my family and friends.

Exciting from beginning to end

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for the normal HAE you won’t find it here, the ending is happy but sad in many ways. This is one book that pulled me in and keeps you, you won’t be able to put it down. If you think you have this story worked out you had better think again. Nothing is as it seems there are many twists and turns that will blow your mind. Just when I thought I had a handle on where it was going the author throw a major twist and floored me. The author pulls you in from the first page to the last with so much pain, hurt, sorrow, drama, love, need, want and so much more. I so loved this but I am so torn with the ending which is a good one but not your normal. Everything in this book is intriguing from the characters to the narrator and the plot.

My heart so goes out to Hannah she has had a rough life not an easy start but has pulled herself out of the past and made something of herself. Now her husband is never home which means there isn’t much us time. She turns to drinking just like her mother. One night her husband talks in his sleep which will change her life more than she ever could imagine. She starts investigate and finds out more than she wanted. Who is the man and what happen to the man she married? Before she is done she will question everything even herself, what is real and what isn’t, along with who can she trust and why are they doing this to her?

Dallin is just something else you have to read it to believe it and is about all I can say about him. You are not going to believe this man.

As Hannah sets in the lobby waiting to meet her husband a man name Black talks to her asking her questions. Than when her husband has her abducted and she wakes up to find Black is there she runs. He said he can help her but will he? They are on the run for their lives as the work out the mystery of Dallin and why he has become so violent.

Rebecca Roberts did a wonderful amazing job of narration from her character voices to her emotions. You can feel the hurt, pain and hate come right off the pages. Her deep gnawing male voices will give you chills. Even I was scared of Hannah’s father. There are no background noises and no breaks taken that I could hear just a wonderful highly entertaining listen. Ms. Roberts pulls you in and never let’s go. This is one narrator you do not want to miss. I for one cannot wait to listen to more from her.

This is a very thrilling exciting fast pace read. It does have violence in it. The author gives you wonderful characters and some that aren’t so great which adds so much to this story. Hannah is fighting the demons not only of her past but her future as she takes the world on to find the answers to so many questions. It is a game of kill or be killed. Carter Wilson gives you a book you won’t be able to put down as this author takes you through the pace of one woman who loses everything in just a few hours. If you are looking for an exciting read which will keep you guessing that has thrills, chills and passion this is the book for you. You will be torn throughout this outstanding read. There will be times you will say no, no please do let that be true as well as other times when you will do a lot of cheering and say it is about time. I enjoyed this so much from the narrator to the author that I pick this as one of my favorite reads. I recommend this read just keep in mind it does have a happy ending just not an ending we may want it is more of a real ending as life is today.

An Unexpected Adventure!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Comfort of Black to be better than the print version?

The narrator adds elements to the flow of this story that would be seriously lacking in the telling of the story through print alone.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot truly kept me on the edge of my seat! The plot-twists in the story had an easy flow to them, but completely unforeseeable!

Which scene was your favorite?

The erotica in a story tends to be my favorite, but the sexual interaction between Hannah and Black was simple and well-timed...and very satisfying!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If you can't have revenge, at least have Black.

Any additional comments?

*spoiler* For those who prefer to read a story that has a definitively happy ending, this might not be the book for you. It's open for debate though.

Gripping and Addictive

This was my first book by Carter Wilson and I now want to read more of his work. I do not usually read Thrillers, but I am drawn to psychological thrillers. This was perfectly executed. I was hooked right from the first chapter.

The comfort of Black is just a whirlpool of emotions. Hannah had always had struggle in her life, first an abusive father Billy. It was a long time ago that she took desperate measures with him. Then she found love. For eight years she had thought they were happily married. Now her marriage seemed to be falling apart and was based on lies. Words that Dallin had mumbled in his sleep set her on a search for the truth abut him. Something was wrong, it was unexpected and she was fighting for truth. Maybe she had inherited something from Billy that might be helpful.

During a kidnapping attempt Black stepped in. A virtual stranger. Met for just moments before in such a seemingly innocent manner. Could she trust him? Could she trust anyone? She was not sure of anything any more. It is intense and full of conflicting emotion. Black is not telling her anything about himself and Hannah is not happy with that arrangement.

So much attention to detail really brought the story to life. The story line has pulled me in and kept me involved and intrigued. Twisting back and forth like a roller coaster, You never know what is going to happen next, nothing is as it seems. Each chapter brought new revelations and more of those fine points that made this such a wonderful story.

The narration was amazing in the Audio book. The voices were individualized and were easily identifiable. My first occasion to hear Rebecca Roberts as a narrator and she is very good. Her men's voices are also really great. The inflection and the feelings were right there for me to hear and it totally added to the intensity. Just a great audio book

The Comfort of Black

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely, I thought the narrator did an excellent job. The story was one of the top 5 I listened/read so far this year!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Comfort of Black?

Black standing at the window waiting for Billy.
The very end - no spoilers!!!

What about Rebecca Roberts’s performance did you like?

The way she did Billy!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The ending brought tears to my eyes.

Any additional comments?

Didn't want the book to end. Wonderful characters, great story, so many twists and turns you'll find yourself going back to reread as to make sure you didn't miss anything! Wonderful Book!!!!

A Thrilling Story and Excellent Narration

What's the story?

HannahParks met Dallin back in the days when he was a man with plenty of potential and big ideas. They married, and, with time and hard work he fulfilled his business dreams, he became very rich and very powerful which allowed him to provide Hannah with everything she could ever wish for.
Hannah and her sister were raised with very little, their father, Billy, was a drinker and made life very unpleasant for his wife and daughters. Now, with Billy out of their lives and their mother dead Hannah was now in a position to not only live in comfort herself, but to help out her sister who struggled to raise her own children as a single parent.
Two incidents were to change Hannahs' life in ways which she could never imagine;
A few sentences overheard when Dallin spoke in his sleep followed by the discovery of something rather shocking on an unused laptop were the beginnings of a story of the truly unexpected.

My Review

For the first hour of listening I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this story, it seemed to drag a little, but then it took off. This is a very convoluted tale which takes the most unexpected paths, just when I thought I could predict the next step it would take a surprising turn. Despite its complexity it is well written, there are no superfluous unnecessary details clouding the storyline and I had no trouble in keeping up with the many exciting twists and turns.

It really is a page turner (or binge listen), I didn't take to Hannah, I failed to find much about her that I could relate to, but this served to make the story that much more interesting as, though I didn't much like her, I was rooting for her all the way!

Of course, it isn't until nearing the end that we discover the reasons for the whole plot, this did disappoint me a tad as I did think that the author could have devised a more plausible justification for the means to the end. I didn't really see the point of the sexual content either, it was by no means hard porn, not by a long way, but a bit much for me. Despite this, The Comfort of Black is a good read.

Narrator

Rebecca Roberts has developed into a master storyteller, had it not been for her excellent reading I would most probably have given up on the book within the first hour and would have missed a great story.
She has perfected the skill of conferring a distinct and unmistakeable voice to each character, she doesn't miss an emotion either, the listener always knows who is speaking and what they are feeling.
When Rebecca Roberts narrates the listener is assured of a top quality product.

This audiobook was provided by the narrator, author or publisher in return for an honest review.