Black Hills

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Nora Roberts takes listeners deep into the rugged Black Hills of South Dakota, where the shadows keep secrets, hunters stalk the land, and a childhood friendship matures into an adult passion.

Cooper Sullivan spent the summers of his youth on his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch, sharing innocent games and stolen kisses with the neighbor girl, Lil Chance. Now, twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills. 

Coop has left his fast-paced life as an investigator in New York to take care of his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something...or someone...has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into a heartless attack on Lil’s beloved cougar, memories of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe.

Lil and Coop know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts has singled them out as prey...

©2009 Nora Roberts (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

black hills

I think this is one of NOra Roberts best novels. The characters are defined so that you feel you know them and are part of their lives. Action packed...great read.

Great Read but a Poor Listen - a Wasted Credit

I always like to read the book first to form my own impression of the story and the characters. I was glad that I read Black Hills before I listened to it; had I done it in the reverse order I never would have bought the book.

The narrator spoke with almost no inflection. Dramatic scenes became boring. I was constantly having to back up to try and figure out who was speaking. My mind kept wandering - NOT a normal occurance during a Nora Roberts adventure!

I wish Audible had a "satisfaction guaranteed or your credit back" policy! This would be at the top of my list for return. I was so disappointed in the quality of the reading that I actually emailed Brilliance to vent.

As is, I feel sad and cheated after listening to the audiobook, as it was mediocre at best and it could have been GREAT with a more dynamic performance.

Excellent!

One of the best books I've listened to! Kept me very engaged and interested!

Love it

This is classic Nora Roberts. She has done a few books along this line, but can still may the story fresh and new make you feel for the people. You have a feeling how it will end, but you have to keep reading/listening. You need to know every twist and turn of the plot. It is a great job on her part and i think this will be one of here lifetime movies. lol The narrater is great too giving life to the people. Drawing you in with a smooth voice, making for easy listen.

Very predicable

This was a typical Nora Roberts book, it actual reminded me of Blue Smoke. The "he broke my heart but I will sleep with him anyways" went on too long. I actually thought the book was too long period and I guessed how the book was going to end way before it happened. Unlike the others I do not think the narrator was right for the book; he made all the woman sound like they were 13 year old teenage girls or dumb blonds; does he really think all women get screechy when they are a little excited? Would I recommend it - if you like Nora Roberts you probably will like it.

SO SAD!

I have listened to EVERY ONE of Nora Roberts books! I am sooo disapointed with the reading of this new book! He has ruined the velosity of this book! There is no descrepancy to either person that is talking! Sandra Burr, Dick Hill, Joyce Bean, Phil Gigane.... and the others have made her books so enjoyable. I have never written a review, but the TRUTH must be told about this really good book and not so great narrator!

Good Story

The narrator is the weak link to this story. Perhaps she should consider someone like Christian Rummel on her next book.

Great Nora Roberts

Although we have the normal NR storyline of heroine, somehow unavailable man and psychotic looming in the distance, it's still a compelling read. It's clear that NR did her research about wildlife refuges. Agree with other reviewers that the narrator wasn't the best; at times I had difficulty figuring out who was talking and I was embarassed FOR him during the sex scenes- I kept giggling as I wondered how m any takes it took for him to get through it. Def. distracted me from my reading! Ending was good if predictable- while up to this point it seemed believable in terms of the animal behavior, the climax made me skeptical. Overall a good story, but if this narrator does more of her books again I'll read them instead.

Terrible Narrator

In the 19 years that I have been listening to audio books, this narrator is at the top of my "worst narrators" list. He seems to excell at making a book boring. I will never purchase another book with this narrator.

Slow moving.

Started out really good, but I'm not even finished Part 1 and I'm not sure if I can handle another 9 hours. Story is interesting, characters well developed, but it really drags. I don't have a problem with the narrator - he's fine for me. But at times I feel like I'm listening to a lecture about wildlife preservation. Where was the editor for this book? It's way too long for the storyline. I'm having trouble staying interested. I never listened to abridged books, but this time I'm wishing I had purchased the shorter version just to get things moving.

story draws you in to the charactors

Would you listen to Black Hills again? Why?

yes, I always find more to a story when listened to again

What other book might you compare Black Hills to, and why?

The Nora Roberts Boonsborough books

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances? How does this one compare?

no and he did good

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

no

Any additional comments?

Good character's and story line. Keep me interested and engaged to the end.

It sure goes on a bit

Whilst the story is intriguing and the performance excellent it does drag on rather. The constant interplay between the 2 lead characters about their on/off relationship becomes tiresome after a while and i was well ready for it to end.

Great story line

The story is really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend it to anyone who reads Nora Roberts
books

Brilliant yet again

Having just found Nora Roberts books and not being able to get enough of them, I loved listening to Black Hills. Again it had all that I expected in a Nora Roberts book, crime, love and will you never learn. I also enjoyed the narration and mine as I would shout or sigh at the odd character to two, which is one of the many things Iike about this book. I would recommend giving this book a listen and I hope you will enjoy having chuckles and shouts as much as I did.

great story

loved the story, plot, description, characters. as a big cat admirer i loved it more. the narrator was alright but put on a slightly irritating soft breathy voice for female characters. v much gave the damsel in distress vibe despite having v strong female characters as the author typically writes

Couldn’t stand to listen any more

This dragged on and on. One minute they were lovey dovey next it was snap snap snap. It spoilt it for me so I’ve given up on the rubbish plot / story…..

I loved it!

Black Hills is an enjoyable romantic suspense, filled with murder, mystery and great characters. I highly recommend it.

Excellent

Nora Roberts, you are a master of storytelling, i love you will you marry me, nick podehl is an excellent choice to tell your story's he never fails to deliver 😉👍❤️😘

Great Read!

Loved the story line. love excitement, the thrill of the chase and animals and nature, what more can you want.

Better

Better than my recent Roberts reads which were very poor formulaic reads. Great at sending me to sleep at night.