Don't Scream

By: Wendy Corsi Staub

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Don't Tell A Soul. . .

In a remote, heavily wooded area near the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Rachel Lorant died on her birthday. But she didn't die alone. That night, her four sorority sisters make a solemn, trembling pledge. They will never reveal what has just happened in those woods - ever. Instead, they will take their terrible secret to their graves.

Don't Think About The Past. . .

Now, ten years later, their secret is coming back to haunt them as each receives a card in the mail from Rachel: "Happy Birthday to Me. xoxo R." It's clear that someone knows what happened that night. Someone is stalking them and sending mysterious, chilling gifts that only they can understand - deadly warnings of what is to come. For the sins of the past have come back with a vengeance, and a killer will see that they all pay in blood.

And Whatever You Do - Don't Scream. . .

Brynn Costello has never felt such pure fear. She didn't want any part in what happened so long ago, but now, the mother of two will do anything to stay alive and protect her family - even if it means matching wits with a killer she can't see...a twisted psychopath who is closer than she thinks and who is saving her death for last.

©2007 Wendy Corsi Staub (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Who cares?

The story idea was weak, but okay. The twist felt like an afterthought that had to be pieced into the already finished product.

The characters were unlikable. Most characters have at least one redeeming quality and those are the characters you're not supposed to like. I just couldn't care what happened to these people. When the time came for character transformations, they were so unrealistic and unsubstantial, I couldn't really be made to believe that the changes actually happened, let alone stuck long term.

This story and its characters were such a waste of time that when I woke up after nodding off halfway though, I didn't feel I missed enough substance during my three hour nap to warrant backtracking.

I was sorely tempted to return this book.

P.S. Dear author,

I've hardly ever heard the happy birthday song sung in any way OTHER than accapella so how is THAT supposed to be what's mournful about it?

Also, if your epilogue is needed to explain and tie together THAT much of your story, you need another rewrite before publishing.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Happy Birthday to You will never be the same!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was an excellent audio. Made me even look over my shoulder to see who was behind me. The Happy Birthday to You song made my skin crawl. This book was excellent. The ending was such a twist. A must read .

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

I wore my Ipod all day just to hear the audiobook. Didn't want any interruptions

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

blah blah blah blah...

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Actually following through with, what seemed like, a decent plot. Waaaay too many pointless details that have absolutely nothing to do with the storyline.

Would you ever listen to anything by Wendy Corsi Staub again?

If her other books were this detailed then probably not. I can't even muddle my way through this one!

Have you listened to any of Jorjeana Marie’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not but I like her narration. After the 1st hour it is her alone that still has me trying to listen.

What character would you cut from Don't Scream?

A lot of them it seems and if any of them stood out enough for me to remember their names I would tell you but they don't. I actually can't tell you any of the main characters names except 1...Rachel; and she sticks out the most because she is dead. Nothing to spoil there folks.

Any additional comments?

I would say to wait for an abridged version but Im not entirely sure that will make a difference. I am going to finish the book because I NEVER put one down for fear I will miss something. Sure wish I hadn't wasted the credit on this :(

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good story - weak ending.

I liked how the author developed the characters. It was slow to start, more interesting in the middle, anti-climatic finish. I could spot most of the twists a mile away but it was still fun to follow the characters through the actions. I didn't like that it didn't smoothly move back and forth from then and now.

Fair

This was a great story idea with a poor author and a very bad narrator. She miss pronounced words. Never good.

Secrets Can Kill

Any additional comments?

Just finished this thrilling listen! This story is about sorority sisters that decided to keep a secret oath between them. Who hasn't ever had a secret? But some secrets should of never been kept. If you are fond of suspenseful thrillers like I am this listen will keep you up all night on the edge of your seat. When I looked at some of the less favorable reviews on this listen I am glad I disregarded them. I found the narrator Jorjeana Marie voice was creative in making the characters come to life and her voice drew you in. I will be trying both the author and narrator again soon.

Spine Chilling Moments!

The quote on the cover says, "If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you'll love Wendy Corsi Staub."
-Lisa Jackson

Well, I do love Mary Higgins Clark, especially her earlier novels! I "cut my 'reading' teeth" on her, so to speak. Through the years, I continued to read MHC's books, but my reading taste evolved a bit, partly because after years of MHC, she seemed to become more and more predictable. So, after seeing that quote, I was a little skeptical of this book... I am so glad I continued on anyway!!

I see how Ms. Jackson came to the comparison... WCS's writing style is similar to MHC - in that she ends chapters with the suspense that keeps you reading "one more page", until you are up all night. She also features the voice of the person "who done it" and offers enough suspects to keep you guessing.

The story held my attention and there were several spine chilling moments & a nice twist, without being overly predictable. I listened to the audio version and I felt the narrator did a great job. I really enjoyed this book, more than any I have read or listened to lately. I recommend it!!

Don't scream, don't bother

I found the story a bit weak and the reader sounded like she had a head cold. The stuffy nasal voice irritated me.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Twisty Plot with excellent narration

Loved this one, kept me guessing all the way through.

I felt empathy for most of the characters, unlike some of the reviewers and I felt the detail was all necessary to the plot, this is a long, involved mystery and I was totally surprised by the big reveal, I had my suspicions (to be honest, I suspected pretty much EVERY character at one point or another) but was taken aback completely when the real murderer took their step forward.

Jorjeana Marie narrates it flawlessly, I could listen to her all day, in fact I did just that.

I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone who enjoys crime/mystery thrillers.