Broken Promise

By: Linwood Barclay

Narrated by: Quincy Dunn Baker, Brian O'Neil

From the New York Times best-selling author of No Safe House comes an explosive novel about the disturbing secrets of a quiet, small town....

After his wife's death and the collapse of his newspaper, David Harwood has no choice but to uproot his nine-year-old son and move back into his childhood home in Promise Falls, New York. David believes his life is in free fall, and he can't find a way to stop his descent. Then he comes across a family secret of epic proportions.

A year after a devastating miscarriage, David's cousin, Marla, has continued to struggle. But when David's mother asks him to check on her, he's horrified to discover that she's been secretly raising a child who is not her own - a baby she claims was a gift from an "angel" who left it on her porch. When the baby's real mother is found murdered, David can't help wanting to piece together what happened - even if it means proving his own cousin's guilt. But as he uncovers each piece of evidence, David realizes that Marla's mysterious child is just the tip of the iceberg. Other strange things are happening. Animals are found ritually slaughtered. An ominous abandoned Ferris wheel seems to stand as a warning that something dark has infected Promise Falls. And someone has decided that the entire town must pay for the sins of its past...in blood.

©2015 NJSB Entertainment, Inc. (P)2015 Recorded Books

Disappointing

Saw the ending coming from afar. Not much suspense to this suspense novel.

I enjoyed it

Not my absolute favorite of his books, but I liked it. Some complained about the end, but most of the big events got wrapped up and I hope the next book in the series follows up. I do enjoy the style of books Linwood Barclay writes. They hold my interest.

Very confusing ending

This was an interesting book but the ending left lots of unresolved issues. I couldn’t believe it ended that way. Other books by this author weren’t like this.

Broken Promise

I liked the book all the way to the end and felt a big disappointment when it ended so abruptly with no resolution of who the killer was.

Loving Linwood

What did you love best about Broken Promise?

The storyline was like many stories at once. Very much like King's "Under the Dome". I guess mostly I just like the plain old good writing, the style and the performance.

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

Yes mostly. Some suspects were made pretty evident, but not until well into the book.

What about Quincy Dunn Baker and Brian O'Neil ’s performance did you like?

The contrast in the sound of their two voices. One dark and commentary and the other lighthearted. They are both great! I don't know who did David's voice, but it was a perfect fit for him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's not really that kind of book, but I guess you could say at the end and what happens with Marla. Also, I liked the part when she claims that an "Angel" brought her the baby.

Any additional comments?

The end could have been a lot better. That's why I give the storyline 4 stars.For me it left many things un-explained and just hanging. What was the "23" about? It almost seems like there should be a sequel. Maybe, I didn't get the little subplots, and how they related to the main plot? If some one could clue me in I would give it 5.

Interesting

The book is full of cliches and that makes it less of a serious thriller. It’s an interesting premise and it leaves loose ends to be solved in following books. Not a bad thing necessarily.
The writing is very basic.

Good yarn

This is a good, solid mystery. Believable characters, just deep enough to be acceptable. I will read more of this author.

Another strong Barklay book

Well written. Lots of twists. A little bit of left hanging at the end though.

Not worth it

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

No, it has holes in the plot, and the abrupt ending makes you feel like he needed more time to finish it. This feels like he thinks we'll all be waiting for the ending. I won't waste a credit.

What was most disappointing about Linwood Barclay’s story?

I don't know if it was a narration error or if it's in the book, but at one point it says that someone is saying something when it is clearly another character. But mostly, the book ends. Just ends. There is no reason for this and it is not one I would recommend. I won't waste my time on the sequel when he writes it.

What does Quincy Dunn Baker and Brian O'Neil bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Their narration was good.

Do you think Broken Promise needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Duh. He didn't finish it! Frankly he needed to just contain it in one book. Write another about that town or characters if you want, but don't do this to your readers. We bought a book, not a serial.

Any additional comments?

Very, very disappointed. I've always enjoyed his writing, but he's let us down with this one.

Awesome

So compelling! Couldn't put it down! Great narration! Can't wait to listen to the next one in this series.