A Discount for Death

By: Steven F. Havill

Narrated by: Stephanie Brush

In this sequel to Steven Havill's Scavengers, Estelle Reyes-Guzman plunges into her new job as undersheriff of Posadas County and the action never stops. As Bill Gastner, recently retired sheriff, lurks diplomatically in the background, Estelle must deal with the disappearance of a local insurance broker who was about to be indicted for fraud. A far worse challenge comes when one of her officers, on a wild chase through town, causes the death of a young single mother in a motorcycle crash. And if that wasn't enough, now there is a dead body. It looks like suicide...or does it?©2003 Steven F Havill (P)2005 Books in Motion

First Rate All the Way

Havell is near the top of my list of favorite authors. He can give you a mystery that nails your eyes and ears to the story without relying on over-the-top plot twists or implausible action sequences. They come across real and even if certain parts seem “ordinary” they remain interesting because you are so engaged with the characters, plot and environment. Stephanie Brush is a great reader since the main protagonist has become Reyes-Guzman rather than Gastner. Her voice is silky smooth and easy on the ears but there are other female readers who do a better job at a true representation of Havill’s characters. Still, I give Brush high marks.

Good story ruined by a bad reader

Surely Books in Motion could have found a decent reader for the Estelle entries in this series! Their lack of diligence is insulting to both author and fans.

I have notes for Ms. Brush:

1. The main character is Hispanic - not some mobster's galpal.

2. Screeching is not a good way to distinguish between characters' voices.

3. When the author says a character chuckles or exhales or gasps, you don't need to do it in my ear.

4. Listen to some Spanish before you speak it.

Potential purchaser: the book itself is worth reading - but i suggest you buy the ebook and let your ereader's text-to-speech function read it to you.