A Family Business

De: Ken Englade

Narrado por: Stephen Hoye

For more than 60 years, Southern Californians entrusted the bodies of their loved ones to the Sconce family's Lamb Funeral Home. But the heirs to the fourth-generation funeral empire betrayed that trust with a series of gruesome crimes against the dead. Featured on ABC-TV's Nightline.

©1992 Ken Englade (P)2014 Audible Inc.

grim, odd, compelling

Would you try another book from Ken Englade and/or Stephen Hoye?

I don't think I would, in fact. I think that the facts of this case were what saved this book and made it worth listening to. The narrative and the narrator both actually distracted me pretty badly. Too theatrical, something to be tolerated, rather than adding quality to the work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Family Business?

The facts of the case. I won't spoil it.

Did Stephen Hoye do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not really, but then, there aren't many characters in this book- it's very authorial voice. So the fact that he didn't isn't a slight on him, just a reflection of the fact he didn't need to.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

If it were a documentary, absolutely. Fictionalized? Nope, never, too schlocky.

Any additional comments?

A great true crime book without any horrifying sexual violence, which is a really niche space in the genre. I wish there were a way to search for that, specifically.

Did not care for narrator!

Interesting story but got too bogged down in courtroom legalese and lost my interest toward the end. The Scones got off way too easily, esp. David! What an evil bastard!

Terrible narration, excellent story

The narration is horrible. But I had to finish the story. The facts and other tidbits were worth hearing about in detail. This story has been made into an HBO docuseries and will also be a tv series coming soon. I found that learning how David became this way was the most interesting part.

Mediocre Crime

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would eliminate the last half of the book, which is mundane court proceedings.

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

Very decent reader, great pace, no complaints.

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

I could see this being a great 48 hours, short and sweet.

The narrator is like nails on a chalkboard!

Would you try another book from Ken Englade and/or Stephen Hoye?

Yes, but it must have a different narrator.His voice is more suited for an announcer.

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

The ending was okay but should be updated because of recent events.

Would you be willing to try another one of Stephen Hoye’s performances?

No, not at all, I suffered through this one.

Do you think A Family Business needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, much more has happened.