• All of a Sudden

  • By: R.P. Wolff
  • Narrated by: Danielle Brown
  • Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (39 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
All of a Sudden  By  cover art

All of a Sudden

By: R.P. Wolff
Narrated by: Danielle Brown
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

On April 21, 2016, three vastly different individuals of different ages woke up on top of their graves. Each of them died on April 20 but in different years, and each of them had not aged since their untimely deaths.

One of them was Beverley Smith, a maid for the Bartons, a powerful Dallas family. The Bartons raped and murdered her in 1969. Her husband and son searched for her for over 40 years. Another was Frank Prescott, a wealthy owner of a famous restaurant chain, who died in 2010 from a heart attack after a confrontation with his son, who was embezzling money from his company. The third person was Madison Keller, a 14-year-old girl who died in a fire in 2007 along with her parents and other younger siblings.

The three struggled to acclimate themselves into a society that doubted their identity. People didn't believe them. People thought they were nuts. Beverley and Frank sought revenge against the tormentors who were responsible for their violent deaths. Madison, who feared being sent to an orphanage, searched for someone to care for her.

Like all of R.P. Wolff's novels, All of a Sudden is a pause resister with unexpected twists that keep the listener guessing.

©2017 R.P. Wolff (P)2017 R.P. Wolff

What listeners say about All of a Sudden

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

All of a Sudden

What did you like best about this story?


A murder mystery and paranormal intrigue with a touch of romance. I am drawn in from the beginning and will find it hard to put down.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Glitch

I really enjoyed the three story lines and thought the overall concept was great. I'm glad I had a chance to listen to them. My only complaint about the story was that from time to time the dialogue seemed a bit immature for the characters who were talking. Almost felt like B movie dialogue where it was forced and out of character. The constant whitey talk from the Smiths didn't seem necessary either.

I really had a hard time with the narrator. I felt she did a decent job when not voicing the characters. It is just when she started reading the dialogue her tone and cadence didn't match the characters and made the conversations seem awkward.

I really appreciate the opportunity to listen and review this book and will definitely check out more R.P. Wolff books, providing there is a different narrator.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Intriquing Premise

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This may be the toughest audio book I've reviewed. It has starts and stops to the plot that could be really interesting yet often miss. Some of that is the writing. The narration just needed punched up too.

If you’ve listened to books by R.P. Wolff before, how does this one compare?

This is the third audio book from R.P. Wolff I've listened to and reviewed. It's pretty representative.

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

I'm sensitive to the narration in audio books. Probably like most listeners, I have favorites and some I can't get into at all. This falls nearest the latter description. First thing... There was a "thumping" as in a microphone that was too close to the speaker, for example. One that may be set to loud. I tried listening on higher end headphones and different quality bluetooth speakers and it was there throughout the listening.
Often times, I can listen for awhile to a narrator, and "get used" to the performance. I get that different performances appeal to different listeners. When I took a break and returned to listening, I kept coming up against that "listening adjustment" and maybe it's just me, but I couldn't get into the story easily.

Was All of a Sudden worth the listening time?

That's the question! To me, it was difficult. Others may find it very enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

I feel that there is definitely something here for some listeners. There is a need for more focus and fitting the narrator to the stories.

Despite my criticisms, thanks for the opportunity to listen and offer my opinions on this work!

A review copy was gifted to me at no charge. In return, I am happy to provide an honest review. Also at no charge.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great premise, rough execution

I liked the idea behind this book. While not totally unique (remember "The 4400"?), it still felt like an original idea from the author's mind.

The story follows 3 people who have awoken atop their graves after dying at various points in the past. Two of them have grievances against persons still living, while one is just a child who barely got to live. Wolff chronicles the trials they face trying to rejoin a society that thought them long dead.

While some of the characters were a bit flat (I found all of the relationships felt forced), I did appreciate the growth that others received. I actually found myself respecting the actions one or two that I was dead set on disliking throughout.

While the story does seem to plod along in several places (I think we could have shaved a few hours off the run time), it does reach a meaningful conclusion and we're treated to an epilogue that I found satisfying.

Sadly, I found the narration distracting. The dialogue was especially hard to get through as it was read with no emotion and the male voices tended to sound like a kid puffing up his chest and pretending to sound grown up. I could actually visualize her faux gruff expression moreso than the words being spoken.

Listening at 1.2-1.5x speed made the narration (and runtime) more bearable.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. It's not a bad way to spend a credit, but I think you may enjoy reading this more than listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Would you try another book from R.P. Wolff and/or Danielle Brown?

I feel as though I would be willing to give R.P. Wolff a chance on another book, but I'm not sure about Danielle Brown. Maybe if she did a straight read of a book, then I would consider it.

What was most disappointing about R.P. Wolff’s story?

The most disappointing thing about this book is that the premise was so interesting, but the story wasn't able to come close to matching the level of intrigue. I don't want to come across as overly harsh because I think the author has potential, but he just needs to keep honing his skills. There was quite a few errors, plot holes, and awkward sexual references that pulled me out of the story.

What didn’t you like about Danielle Brown’s performance?

I enjoyed Danielle's normal reading voice, and that's why I said I would give her another try on a straight read. However, in this story at least, her voices didn't mesh well with the characters. There were also numerous times in which she started doing a character voice, but then dropped the character voice within the same line of dialogue. I have no problem with narrators doing either straight reads or character voices, but they need to remain in the character's voice if they're doing the character's dialogue.

What character would you cut from All of a Sudden?

If I had to cut one of the bigger characters from this book, then it would be the 14 year old girl who came back to life. I understand her importance within the story because she is who connects Kevin to the other characters. However, unlike the other two characters who came back to life, her story is the least interesting and really peters out after the midway point of the story.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this audiobook in return for my honest review. If the author reads this, then I hope you don't find this review too critical. I do wish you the best of luck, and I hope you keep writing. You have potential, but you need to keep working on your craft.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story idea

I received this book free from ebalst and the author, and publisher , and this is my unbiased opion. The story was really good the author did a good job jumping from one character to another. the storyline was good as well. my only two criticisms are. the dialogue can be predictable in places. my main criticism is the narrator, she not very good. Her voices are bad, especially when she tries to sound like a man. it sounds like she is a teenager. if you can get past the narrator it really is a pretty good book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

All of a Sudden


All of a Sudden
by R.P. Wolff

A murder mystery, wrapped in suspense and paranormal intrigue with a touch of romance for good measure. The reader is drawn in from the beginning and will find it hard to put down. I enjoyed this book so much I re-read it twice more.

Good job R. P. Wolff, I look forward to more in the future,




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Danielle Brown adds emotion and spirit to this book.



"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting plot...

What made the experience of listening to All of a Sudden the most enjoyable?

The plot was very enjoyable. It was an unbelievable tale that the author made seem plausible.

What did you like best about this story?

Mostly, it is hard to say without spoiling the story. The weaving of the eras was done very well.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was not the smoothest. Perhaps a more experienced narrator could have enhanced the story more. She was not so bad as to keep me from listening to the book, but for much of the book, it was if I was listening to someone who was playing and giving voice to barbie dolls instead of good character impersonations. The delivery was very stiff and didn't flow smoothly most of the time.

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

Perhaps. It was interesting enough to keep it playing.

Any additional comments?

There were some instances where the legal terminology was a little off putting. For instance the repeated use of squash a subpoena instead of quash caused a little annoyance, but I am probably being too particular.

Additionally, better editing of the audio recording would have been appreciated. There were instances where sentences were repeated and the narrator made some mistakes. Simple and expected errors that could have been cleaned up in editing.

I would likely read another of R.P. Wolff's books especially if the narration and editing was more professionally done.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story ideas

What did you love best about All of a Sudden?

I received this audiobook for free with the understanding that I would give an unbiased review

What did you like best about this story?

The whole story and the narration could use minor 'tweaking' but overall a fun listening experience. I think that this is not for everyone but most people would really enjoy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Different but good..

I liked it .. it's different but good.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful