The Doll Maker

De: Richard Montanari

Narrado por: Scott Brick

Detectives Byrne and Balzano return to the streets of Philadelphia to put an end to a macabre succession of murdered children.

A quiet Philadelphia suburb. A woman cycles past a train depot with her young daughter. There she finds a murdered girl posed on a newly painted bench. Beside her is a formal invitation to a tea dance in a week's time.

Seven days later two more young victims are discovered in an abandoned house, posed on painted swings. At the scene is an identical invitation. This time, though, there is something extra waiting for Detectives Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano: a delicate porcelain doll.

It's a message. And a threat. With the killers at large, Detectives Byrne and Balzano have just seven more days to find the link between the murders before another innocent child is snatched from the streets.

©2015 Richard Montanari (P)2015 Hachette Audio

There is murder in the walls

What made the experience of listening to The Doll Maker the most enjoyable?

I am not sure enjoyable is the key word here, but the puzzles behind these murders are without limit...this story will keep you guessing clear up to the epilogue.

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

Yes you are constantly trying to make the pieces fit, but I suspect I wasn't up to the task. I wouldn't make a very good detective.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I didn't want to listen to it in one setting but after a while I just wanted to know the next step, and how it fit into the puzzle.

A very good suspenseful story

A very good but disturbing thriller. Lots of twists and turns keep you hooked from beginning to end. I did have a bit of a hard time following the story though, so many characters are involved that really aren't introduced or explained clearly, but eventually it does add up and is very worth the time to listen. If you have read any Joe Hill, I found the writing similar. And being narrated by Scott Brick, my narrative crush ;), makes this sssooooooo much more enjoyable.

This novel has a bit of everything.

Another Balzano and Byrne story. Crime fighters par excellance. These two characters were well formed in previous work by this author. This was a great build on that foundation. I have read some comments that it was unbelievable. Well. It is after all fiction. Certainly nothing is cut and dried in detective work. Innocent people are convicted. Guilty people go free and so on. Another well written gem by Richard Montanari.

In the he start of the story we had a crime which preceeded, and apparantly was unrelated, to the real story. It is important to keep that crime on the back burner for it will be brought into the story to fill in some blanks.

The grissly murders of all the children was difficult to take. The creepiness of the murderers was astounding. It is clearly tied to their own suffering as children. It is presented as more a reason than an excuse. I know several people with horrible childhoods who did not become psychopaths.

Scott Brick was amazing in his creepy talk while speaking as the murderers. I seen a comment either on this book or another one speaking of FOSB. Fear Of Scott Brick. He can scare a person with his affectations but that is his talent. Please do not allow yourself this ailment. I find he never disappoints.

Well done gentlemen.

A thrilling must listen!!!!

This book was a metaphorical page turner full of suspense and mysteries! You won't be disappointed.

The Doll Maker

Is there anything you would change about this book?

That's a hard question for me to answer. While I liked the book I can't help but feel I've either read or watched this in a movie somewhere before.

If you’ve listened to books by Richard Montanari before, how does this one compare?

The story is ok, Scott Brick.... well you just can't go wrong with him!

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Not enough continuity.

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

This is the problem for me, I can't remember if I saw something like this already.

Any additional comments?

Felt like I already read or saw this concept (doll maker) in a movie BEFORE.

Good!!

Any additional comments?

This book was crazy, some parts were slow but overall a good read. Excellent if you are doin a long road trip.

USA United States

Loved reading a good police procedural that doesn't make believe cell phones don't exist and traveled over many known stomping grounds of this Philadelphia pseudo-native.

Yes...GIVE ME MORE

This is my first attempt at this genre since I tend to spook easily, but LOVE Procedurals like CSI, and boy am I glad I did try it out.

Loved it from beginning to end, and I've loaded up my cart with the rest of the series.

Great narration by Scott Brick, and thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the story telling.

Fun read

Very entertaining. I like the way the author gives the history of the different characters in the book.

Clever!

The storyline was very interesting and clever. I kind of had no idea what was happening, but then it all starts to come together. Its a great feeling when you get it! I never write reviews, but this one deserves a little more from me. V