Dakota Blues

By: Lynne Spreen

Narrated by: Caroline Miller

While visiting her Midwestern hometown after many years, workaholic Karen Grace risks a few extra days away from the office, to get reacquainted with her extended family and childhood friends. She visits the crumbling homesteads of her prairie ancestors, and rediscovers their immigrant dreams and sacrifices. When her tyrannical boss fires her, she's 1,500 miles from home, just one more middle-aged worker out of a job in a tough economy. To make matters worse, her husband just left her for his pregnant girlfriend.

At a crossroads, Karen must find the courage to change. Needing time to think, she agrees to take an elderly neighbor on one last road trip, but on a deserted highway in Wyoming, Karen is forced to make a lethal and life-changing decision.

I wrote Dakota Blues because I'm fascinated by the idea that the second half of our lives could be more powerful than we've ever imagined, but there's a problem: Our culture teaches us that our youth is the good half, and once that's over, forget it. In Dakota Blues, I try to show a woman who breaks free at midlife and struggles to win her freedom.

©2012 Lynne M. Spreen (P)2014 Lynne M. Spreen

Lovely story

A lovely story about a 50-year-old woman who looses it all, but gains even more. l was glad l read the prequel California Blues first to have some perspective.

Good narration

Good story about changes and life. Narration was really good. This was an enjoyable story.

A touching story of the challenges of lifechanges

I liked this book about Karen, who when life changes a lot, learn to know herself again and also get new friends. The narration was good too.

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

Crisis or catharsis?

Any additional comments?

This listen was an homage to a life lived, whether on your own terms or not, and what happens when you realize they were not your terms.

The road trip was the center of the book but I enjoyed the story more when Karen, the main character, was in North Dakota and interacting with her family. The author did a great job detailing the surroundings, the culture and the history of the area. It felt real.

On the other hand, the road trip felt surreal. I know you meet all kinds of people on the road but...

The narrator was perfect for this listen. There was a 'background singer' vibe to Karen's life and the narrator nailed it.

I'm a sucker for a happy ending but I couldn't figure out if this book had one. Just like life.
And love. And the blues.

On the Fence

I truly can't decide if I liked this novel or not - while there were parts I did enjoy, I struggled to get to the end. The writing was fairly good but the dialogue seemed weak and unrealistic at times. The story bumped and dragged a bit, edged on boring more than once. I didn't love the narration either, as the tone and pacing was unnatural.

I'd likely recommend the print version of this book, but I'd have to say pass on the audio.


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