A Trace of Death

A Keri Locke Mystery, Book 1

By: Blake Pierce

Narrated by: Elaine Wise

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Keri Locke, Missing Persons Detective in the Homicide division of the LAPD, remains haunted by the abduction of her own daughter, years before, never found. Still obsessed with finding her, Keri buries her grief the only way she knows how: by throwing herself into the cases of missing persons in Los Angeles.

A routine phone call from a worried mother of a high-schooler, only two hours missing, should be ignored. Yet something about the mother's voice strikes a chord, and Keri decides to investigate.

What she finds shocks her. The missing daughter - of a prominent senator - was hiding secrets no one knew. When all evidence points to a runaway, Keri is ordered off the case. And yet, despite pressure from her superiors, from the media, despite all trails going cold, the brilliant and obsessed Keri refuses to let it go. She knows she has but 48 hours if she has any chance of bringing this girl back alive.

A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, A Trace of Death marks the debut of a riveting new series - and a beloved new character - that will leave you listening late into the night.

©2016 Blake Pierce (P)2017 Blake Pierce

British narrator; story set in LA?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story held my interest, but the narrator was pretty bad. Every statement by the characters was over emphasized making the non-urgent action difficult to follow. Not only that, she has a British accent. Why the heck would a story set in Los Angeles with American characters be narrated by a British narrator?

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

I haven't listened to Blake Pierce before. The story intrigued me, and the characters were engaging enough that I chose to read the second book in the series.

What didn’t you like about Elaine Wise’s performance?

Every statement by the characters was over-emphasized making the non-urgent sections difficult to follow. Not only that, she has a British accent. Who the heck would select a British narrator for a story set in Los Angeles with all American characters? It was constantly confusing to remind myself that the story was in LA, California.

Any additional comments?

I hope I can return this book. I couldn't bear to finish listening to it despite my interest in the outcome of the story.

Narrator is all wrong

I couldn't really get into the story due to the narrator, she's British and Keri Locke is a detective at LAPD. I actually listened to half of the story thinking that I could get around the narrator but I just never could. I think the narrator would be wonderful with the right story as she was spoke very clearly, just not this story at least for me. I wanted to finish the story so I bought a Kindle edition.

Good story

Basically having a person with a British accent read the book ruined it for me.

Odd choice of narrator

The book takes place in California, but the narrator has an English accent. The accent made it difficult to imagine the location.

Very disappointing

Blake Pierce has written a book that is way out there, totally unbelievable to say the least. I can't go into any details without there being spoilers. There was nothing redeeming about this story, except possibly the narration. I did have one problem with the narration, the British accent. Tell me why in the world would a British accent be used in a story that took place in Southern California? Elaine Wise did a nice job with what she had to work with. I do not recommend this book to anyone, unless of course, to see how not to write a mystery/thriller.

Bobbys in LA

Extremely off putting to hear Los Angeles police with English accents. Reader's occasional screeches actually hurt my ears.

Not fond of English accent

I loved storyline and it was very exciting definitely want to read the rest of them. But when you have a cop from LA it would be much better on audible to make sure that you have someone that has a similar accent to what the storyline portrays.

AWESOME

I really enjoyed listening to this book, it really felt like you were there and watching everything happening.

Good book

Good plot. Well read by performer. There is a disconnect though in that the story takes place in California but the reader is obviously British with absolutely no attempt to sound American. Uses terms like Mum instead of Mam. I kept expecting her to say DI this and Chief inspector. I think the reader should attempt to sound as if they’re from the setting the book is written in

Definite psychological thriller

Did not enjoy the narration performed with an English and sometimes Cockney Accent. It was a definite distraction for I loved the book but will read the kindle versions without narrative for the next 4 books.

interesting twists.

The story line was captivating. However it was spoiled by the often shrill irritating narration. I was also irritated by the lead characters being irresponsible, argumentative and breaking rules all the time. It made me want to put the book down, but I persisted and got to the satisfying end.