Blood Games

A True Account of Family Murder

By: Jerry Bledsoe

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A true story detailing the events surrounding the murder of wealthy North Carolinian Lieth von Stein. The case seemed cold until police followed a trail leading to von Stein's stepson, a smart young man who was obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons and wrapped up in drugs.

©1991 Jerry Bledsoe (P)2015 ListenUp Production, LLC

Horrible narration

Would you try another book from Jerry Bledsoe and/or Kevin Stillwell?

The writing is good, but the only way I'd read another is if there is a different narrator. Why on earth does this book have a narrator with a syrup-thick southern accent? Just because the events happened in North Carolina? Since when is regional dialect appropriate for narration? Too distracting.

Would you recommend Blood Games to your friends? Why or why not?

Not with this narrator.

What didn’t you like about Kevin Stillwell’s performance?

Really can't stand the accent. Who says "PO-lice" like Boss Hogg in a book narration? It this was an attempt at a "folksy" style, it wasn't well-done.

Another Jerry Bledsoe success

This is not the most exciting true crime book I've ever read but it has all the characteristics of a compelling read and I spent more time listening than I really should have. What makes it different from many true crime stories is the contrast between the potential of the young men involved and the road they chose. Academically they could have succeeded in any number of rewarding careers and contributed to society in so many ways, but while still in their teens they left the 'straight and narrow' and headed down the path to disaster. I'm left wondering why the discrepancy between reported events and the victim's stomach contents was never followed up - it seemed like a really important piece of evidence. As for Kevin Stillwell's narration, my only acquaintance with US accents is from the occasional TV program so I can't comment on its authenticity, but to me it suited the subject matter perfectly and I found the accent, voice, and presentation very pleasant to listen to.

Love the author; perturbed with the narrator

What made the experience of listening to Blood Games the most enjoyable?

Having read several of Jerry Bledsoe's books in print, I was excited to see Blood Games in audio format. I like Bledsoe's meticulous detail in presenting the investigation of the murder, especially since this one involved settings in Raleigh, North Carolina.

What other book might you compare Blood Games to and why?

Blood Games is similar in its topic to Bledsoe's Bitter Blood.

What does Kevin Stillwell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I had listened to Bitter Blood before Blood Games, and Kevin Stillwell narrated both. He has an easy, semi-southern drawl that works for the regions examined in both books. The most annoying quirk about Stillwell is his pronunciation of the word "police." He pronounces it "PO-lees," with a long "o" sound and the accent on the first syllable. Since both books involved cases in which the law enforcement played vital roles, this annoying pronunciation continued ad infinitum, much to my chagrin. In addition, there were several mistakes in pronunciation of places in Raleigh and in North Carolina. Ex: Bragaw Dormitory was consistently mispronounced "Burgaw." Burgaw is a town in North Carolina, but it not the name of the dormitory. In my opinion, a savvy editor should have caught this kind of mistake; of course, I am assuming that Bledsoe spelled it correctly in the book. Because the skill of the narrator can make or break an audio book experience for me, I am not sure that I would listen to another book narrated by Stillwell.

perfect combo...

perfect convergence of great writing...great story...great narration...phenomenal to listen to...couldn't wait to get in my car and sit in traffic...

Good book, but a jarring tick in narration.

Jerry Bledsoe is one of the best in the genre, but my cringe at the narrator's gratuitous pronunciation of the word "police" persisted all the way to the end. And since the work is true crime, the word comes up a lot. I found it quite distracting.

Ok book ,story seems good

Would you try another book from Jerry Bledsoe and/or Kevin Stillwell?

Jerry Bledsoe yes Kevin stillwell ,no.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot did ,but I really don't need to know about the way the town was in the 1800s. I wish someone could give basic outlines for these true crime stories without telling me about the Great Great Great Great Grandparents

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator must believe that Southerners are IDIOTS he made me dislike listening to the book by pronouncing the word "Police" as "Poe-lease" he tried to come across as having a "southern" accent but it was really badly done. I am a southerner and I do not say "Poe-lease" nor do I say " tabacca"

Was Blood Games worth the listening time?

If it wasn't for the rambling history and narrator ,yes.

Poe-leese

Kevin Stillwell!!!! Why do you say police so annoyingly??!!! This is the only reason it lost a star. He narrator' accent is too much at times.

Terrific true crime!

I read Jerry Bledsoe's books several years ago, and was thrilled to find them on Audible recenetly.

This book described the brutal murder of a stepfather and attempted murder of the mother of a young man who, seemingly, had everything going for him. He wanted their money, and his friends wanted their money, and one life ended and another would never be the same.

The book seems to jump around a bit, describing the main participants in this plot... particularly from Chris' upbringing to Bart's. Occasionally, it drags unnecessarily and leaves some loose ends hanging. But bledsoe is a terrific researcher and reporter, and Stilwell is a smooth-toned narrator, which allows one to overlook some of these flaws.

If you are looking for good true crime, you can't get much better than Bledsoe; Stilwell's rich smooth tones and pronunciation of "poh-lease" stand him apart as a narrator for Bledsoe's southern true crime bookes.

Well worth the time and credit.

Faux Southern accent is RIDICULOUS!

What did you like best about Blood Games? What did you like least?

Good story, but let's get to the real story. Kevin, if you have any professional pride, RE-RECORD this book with your normal voice. I know you have one because you've recorded other books. Not only is the faux Southern "ak-sent" beyond stupid, it's also PATRONISING to people who have real accents. Would you fake any other accent for the entire book? It's one thing to use an accent for an individual's words in a book; a whole 'other thing to read the entire book in a fake accent. What does it possibly add to the story? I am enjoying the narrative, but it's unlikely I'll finish it. I'm listening at 1.5x speed, but I still probably can't handle 900 more repetitions of "po-leese," not to mention every other chalkboard scratching word he spins "Southern". Shame on you, Kevin, and on Audible. Ya'll need to review your "ak-sent" policy for readers. It's borderline racist.

Evan's Review

They interesting book. Makes me want to find out more what has happen to the guys that where convicted of this crime and also the parents of these boys. Like all of Jerry's other books his research in the cases are important to understand the background of the victims and player. If you like true miseries read this and Jerry's three of other on high profiles of munder cases in North Carolina.

what a long listen...

when really it could have taken half the time.

I'm really not sure how the editing if this book was not better done. I'm v disappointed and carried on until tgd end in the hope I'd finding something of interest.

I didn't.

sorry.