Dying to Tell

A Slaughter Creek Novel, Book 1

By: Rita Herron

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

What happened to Sadie Nettleton’s twin sister at the psychiatric hospital all those years ago? 

Sadie Nettleton fled Slaughter Creek ten years ago, leaving behind the only home she’d ever known - and the only man she ever loved. Unable to cope with her sister's madness, or the terrible secret she and her sister share, Sadie swore never to return. But when her grandfather is murdered, and her sister charged with the crime, Sadie has no choice but to come back and face the ghosts of the past... 

For Sheriff Jake Blackwood, time has not dimmed the love he felt for Sadie Nettleton - or the pain of her leaving. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to help her uncover the truth about her grandfather’s death and what happened to her sister at the asylum. As their investigation leads them deeper into a world of secrets, lies, and betrayal in Slaughter Creek, Sadie becomes the target of a madman who will do anything to keep the truth buried. Jake would give his life to protect Sadie. But can he again risk giving her his heart?

©2012 Rita Herron (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Is this a book for adults?

I haven't finished listening to this book, but there is something I just have to say.
The writing, especially the romance, was very juvenile. I rolled my eyes so many times over the romantic thoughts going through the characters' heads I'm surprised I can still see. I kept asking if these were really adults. In checking out the author, I can see that she's an adult. So, why are her characters so immature?
The author also repeats things over and over. Guess what? I'm a reasonably intelligent adult who doesn't need to be bashed over the head with the same details you just mentioned in the last chapter. And the chapter before that. And the paragraph before that.
The narrator did an excellent job. I'm going to search out more books by her.

More twists and turns than a mountain road!

In Dying to Tell no one is the person he/she appears to be and nothing is as it first seems. The story, centering around multiple personality disorder, is actually quite good. Its is a very good suspense/action thriller. It is an excellent psychological thriller. It is also a romance novel with two horribly written sex scenes apparently flowing from the distant memory of an old lady who forgot what it was like.

I would give the novel 4 or 5 stars based on the quality of the story were it not for the pathetically clumsy writing of the sex scenes.

Not what I expected - Mystery, not romance

Not what I expected, definitely not. I was expecting a romance with some mystery and instead this is a mystery with some romance. The H/h circle each other endlessly (while the mystery plays out) and the final chapter is where they really come together as a couple. Too little, too late for my taste. If the romance portion of the book had been a little more developed, I would have given it another star. I'm thinking of books like Dream Man by Linda Howard, for example.

***SPOILERS***
I also had a few plot issues - overall, the mystery is well developed but it starts to get sloppy toward the end. Jake and his brother Nick are both law enforcement and are both representing their agencies (County Sheriff and FBI) in the investigation of their father's case. Wouldn't this be a conflict of interest? I can't imagine any DA agreeing to have a case investigated by a family member because of the potential trouble it would generate if the case were to go to trial. I was equally distracted by the fight scenes that take place near the end of the book. Maybe it's because I was listening (audible.com) and not reading that they struck me as fake. E.g., does anyone still refer to a 'karate chop' motion in today's fiction? Maybe so, but more important is how Jake comes out the victor, without harm, in every fight and regardless of who is armed, who has the element of surprise, etc. Then there is the repeated reference to who the mastermind is - Jake & Nick catch the bad guys but they talk about who was in charge. Yet they never follow up, this particular thread is just left to unravel for someone to maybe pull it loose in a future book. Not all loose ends have to be tied up by story's end (this is not Charlie's Angels, after all) but somehow I'd have liked it if Ms. Herron had acknowledged the we'll-never-know aspect of this one, or maybe never raised it at all.
***END OF SPOILERS***

Those items were irksome but overall, the book was good. I picked it up thinking it was a romance, however, so be aware it leans more toward mystery.

Horrible

What disappointed you about Dying to Tell?

Soooo much angst. The same thing repeated over and over. If you insist on reading this, just read the 1st two chapters and the last 3 and you'll get to keep the hours you would have spent on the whole book. How many times do we have to have the female characters kidnapped or drugged or attacked or helpless. Don't waste your time. I feel for the narrator.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Almost anything else.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The narration was fine.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration.

Wonderful read..

Any additional comments?

I really liked this book. It was a little wordy but not so much that it ever got boring.
Loved Jake and Sadie. Felt really sorry for Amelia but liked her other personalities, Bessie, Viola and Skid.
I was surprised at who the bad guys were.
This was a great mystery, murder, love, lust and sex book.
Now, I'm off to the next Slaughter Creek adventure.

I got this book and the audio for free with my KindleUnlimited.

As to the narrator: FANTASTIC! She gave every man his own voice, I loved Jake's.
When the book called for a whisper she whispered, and that tells me when a narrator is any good. When you're hiding out or sneaking around and someone "whispers" to someone else and the narrator just reads in a normal tone I lose all interest in the book at that point. Narrators have to be aware of HOW things are being said, murmur, yell, whisper, laughter in their voice, anger, whatever. Like Tanya Eby or Kirsten Potter or Katherine Kellgren or Robert Petkoff, these are all great narrators. IMO..

I was surprised by how much I LOVED this story!

What did you love best about Dying to Tell?

GREAT story. I couldn't quit listening...narration is awesome, too!

What other book might you compare Dying to Tell to and why?

A Karen Rose book...it's that GOOD

What about Tanya Eby’s performance did you like?

She's great at doing multiple characters voices...I love the way she GETS the nuances of books, like I'd read them. I just truly enjoy her narration.

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

Several, but just overall a great listen.

Any additional comments?

I'll be buying more Rita Herron...waiting for new books in audio!!

So glad this is OVER!!!

I am so happy that this story is over. Thank God this is part of my Kindle unlimited book, because there is no way I would spend $14.99 for this book series.

Just Okay

What aspect of Tanya Eby’s performance would you have changed?

I like Tanya Eby, but did have to speed up my ipod to get through the book. Narration was a bit too slow.

Could you see Dying to Tell being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

wouldn't watch if it was a TV series

Any additional comments?

Had most of it figured out mid way through, not sure I'd listen to another by Rita Herron

Absolutely Fabulous!!!

What did you love best about Dying to Tell?

One of the best books I have ever heard!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Saddie!

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Sherrif saw his father with Saddie

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No...

Excruciating, but "free"

I continue paying 10 bucks per month for Kindle Unlimited precisely because I listen to many audiobooks. I wade through a great deal of junk on Amazon, occasionally finding a good and even great title, meanwhile additionally paying for Prime AND Audible memberships. I must admit this book was a mistaken choice, as I do not read or listen to Romance novels. I believed this was a mystery, and was interested in the description of the institutionalized sister (DID is rare). I'm not expressing any negative feelings or judgment regards Romance novels, they're just not my personal preference. However, I must say anyone seeking a Romance won't be finding it here. This book slogs on and on and on interminably, with the most sophomoric relationships, the most ridiculous plot, no rational explanations for anything, and an ending that honestly made me LOL. CIA?! I listened out of morbid curiosity, wondering how on earth the author intended to wrap up this mess. 🤦🏽‍♀️