Envy

By: Sandra Brown

Narrated by: Victor Slezak

Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

New York book editor Maris Matherly-Reed knows a best seller when she sees one - even if it is just a tantalizing partial manuscript submitted by a writer identified only as P.M.E., with the return address of an obscure island off the Georgia coast. Maris is intrigued enough to search for him.

Her trip to Georgia to meet the mysterious author takes her to an eerie, ruined cotton plantation, where Maris finds Parker Evans, a man confined to a wheelchair who carefully hides his past. Coaxing his novel from him chaper by chapter, Maris becomes caught up in his tale of two friends who rent a boat with a young woman for a night of sex and drinking. Only one person will return from that trip.

Disturbed about her sexual attraction to Parker and worried about her marriage to author and her co-publisher Noah Reed, Maris returns to New York, where the delivery of Parker's newest chapters convince her they are more than fiction. She wonders how well she knows her husband and begins a harrowing search for a truth that ties back to a terrifying crime and a man who will use her, or anyone, to get his revenge.

©2001 Sandra Brown Management, Ltd (P)2001 Simon & Schuster Inc.

Envy

Wow, after 300+ audible reads, this is the first one in 6 months to break into my top ten list. Amazingly well thought out plot line, great characters and an incredible ending. I did predict the surprise ending about 3/4 way through, but was still amazed when and how it was revealed. This is a must read for all suspense lovers. BE ADVISED there are very steamy, graphic sex scenes.

You won't be disappointed!

What can I say about this spectacular piece of writing? It is one of the most satisfying reads I have had in a long time and I have read over 600 books in the past two years. It has a many layered plot riddled with well developed, complex yet believable characters. Back story is revealed in a tantalizing and veiled manner that has you guessing about nearly everyone's motives throughout. The author has an ingenious knack for keeping you wondering while drawing you inexorably into the story and the characters before you can even decide who you like and who you fear. I love the author's development of a main character who is disabled and sexy as all get out.
The narrator is terrific, too. Fantastic!

fun listen.

I thought that this book was a perfectly paced drama with some hot scenes - perfect as a beach escape or something to take your mind off of traffic. This was my first Sandra Brown novel and I was pleasantly surprised; I tend to enjoy thriller/suspense novels from authors like Tess Gerritsen, Dean Koontz, Robin Cook, & Michael Crichton. I thought the narrator did an excellent job and I really enjoyed the story - be forewarned that this author verges more on the side of romance/erotica as there are some steamy scenes - but the writing is good and the plot is solid. I couldn't wait to get in my car every morning to hear what happened next! I'll be on the lookout for more Sandra Brown books.

Worst Audio Book Yet

Envy was not only the worst audio book I have purchased, it was the first one I threw away after reading half way through it. It is everything that is bad about popular fiction: thin, unbelievaable characters; pruriently drawn scenes that depend heavily on the tools of soft porn, depending on gullible readers to believe they somehow reflect real peoples lives and motives. The long soliloquey, where a main character immobilizes another by reciting his mother's experiences in a Nazi death camp and how their exposure would ruin her son's career nearly sixty years later was particularly inane and ended my read abruptly. There is no insight here, other than Brown's insight into how to titilate readers into coughing up dollars. If you care about good literature, avoid this piece of boredom.

You Won't Be Sorry! And I Mean It.

Envy had my undivided attention from the beginning until the very end. I didn't need time getting into the book at all, in fact, I couldn't recall a single dull moment. This book is well-written in every way, especially in the literary aspect. Sandra Brown likes to use some really rare and sophisticated words. She has just been added to my list of favorite authors.

I really like the idea of combing the two stories into one. Both stories are intriguing, compelling and gripping. They are connected and will eventually lead towards a climaxing ending. Seriously, I'm worried that a layer of skin is going to grow over my earphones, for I'd been listening to it literally nonstop. The characters are interesting and the plot twists are shocking. If you enjoy reading mystery, thriller, romance, fiction or even none of the above, you will love this novel immensely.

Great Parallel Plot

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a well written mystery. The plot twists and depth of character development make this story interesting from the first page to the last.

A Plot Within A Plot

I am a Sandra Brown fan... this is the third listen (Play Dirty and Mean Streak) by SB and overall this one is the best so far and with the most complex plot. It's a story within a story that's well developed with lots of mystery that kept me listening and wanting to know what's going to happen next. As far as flaws in the story are concerned, I didn't like how Daniel ignored his common sense and put his safety in jeopardy. To me that was a stretch that most 70-something year olds would not do.

Sure, there are a couple of flaws but who cares, the story is good and entertaining. I liked how the two stories were weaved together and especially liked the ending. The characters are likeable and I could not have disliked the main villain more.

This is a story about revenge for a murder triggered by "envy", one of the deadly sins. It's a story about an elaborate plan of revenge for a murder that happened 14 years ago and that story is the catalyst for this story. While the link between the two stories is evident early on, it does not take away from the other mysterious elements as the story develops. There are sex scenes which I think were well done and not over-the-top.

Victor Slezak is an excellent narrator. I really have come to enjoy his voice which is sort of laid back and relaxed but with serious acting skills that fit this story very well.

Highly recommend

WHOA

Whoa.......this is a GREAT book ! This is a must buy for anyone that loves a great story that touches you in every way possible. It has all the twists, turns and romance that grabs you and won't let go. You won't want to stop it until you've reached the end.....AND....then you'll want to start all over again.

unnecessary sexual graphics

I agree with the "reader" who felt the sexual graphics were unnecessary. I too wanted to fast-forward and actually did a couple of times. I really enjoyed the parallel plots and the characters, but I think the author tried too hard to shock us with graphic sexual encounters that did nothing for the plot.

The Best of the Best!!

I "read" this book over a year ago. It still is and will probably remain the best book I've ever read -- better than any movie I've ever seen. It was awesome and I couldn't put it down. The reader was excellent!!, the plot unguessable, the characters believable! I was totally drawn into this book. I find myself judging all others by it and while I've read some pretty good books...none are as memorable as this one!!

Envy

If you like Sandra Brown, then this book will certainly not disappoint. Once again, it has all the ingredients of a great audio book. It will keep you listening at every opportunity and if you are listening while driving, you will wish the journey to outlast the book. I really enjoyed the way the book within the book slowly unfolded with the story, and how the characters of both books became one. Afterwards, thinking back over it, I saw how I new and liked Parker because I knew and liked Rourke. And as usual, Sandra Brown keeps some surprises till the very end! If you haven't read this one, don't wait for a rainy day. Read it now!

Sweet Love

A lovable unexpected twist. Recommend and you will be gripped into this world

Enjoyable listen

Really enjoyed this although I could guess the end because Sandra Brown doesn't write 'heavy' thrillers. Quite a clever idea to draw you into the story. Enjoy it for what it is - easy listening but not overlong!

Paying the Piper

An intricate novel within an intricate novel. A feud between one time best frienemies. Maris: a chip off the old block, daughter of publishing magnate, is married to a social climber/psychopath.

This is possibly Ms Brown's best book. Well written, well crafted. Has fared well in time considering when it was written (2001)

RECOMMENDED

A new author for me

and one who I will certainly listen to more of. Whilst I did see the majority of the plot coming it was intriguing nonetheless and there were a few unexpected twists to keep me on my toes. It is incredibly well read at just the right pace. Parker's southern drawl is excellent! Recommended.

Excellent engaging story

Really engaging story with great characters though the plot was a little obvious it was exactly what I came to Sandra brown looking for.