Devil's Elbow

A Harbor Secret, Book 2

By: Kristie Dickinson

Narrated by: Allyson Voller

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Harbor Springs, an idyllic resort town in northern Michigan, has always drawn visitors. However, hundreds of years before it was known for sailboats, cottages, and fudge, it was known for its hunting, fishing, and tribal conflict.

Kylie Branson thought she was getting a quiet day at the Good Hart Beach with her boyfriend, Jason, and dog, Cupcake, until a fawn ventures down to the water for a drink. When Cupcake takes off after the fawn, Kylie and Jason chase her to the ravine of Devil's Elbow, where they discover what appears to be human remains. Intrigued by the DNA results and the types of bones left behind, Kylie delves into the history of the area and soon uncovers a secret that has been kept for hundreds of years, discovered, and then hidden again. Could the Native American sign at the bend warning of an evil spirit be more than a legend? Could there be a deeper meaning behind the local ghost stories, reported sounds of a drum, voices after dark, and even apparitions? Follow Kylie as she learns about the history behind the treacherous curve in the Tunnel of Trees known as Devil's Elbow.

©2016 Kristie Dickinson (P)2017 Kristie Dickinson

Really wanted to like this book, but....

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

Maybe to a younger group of people. Seems like it was written for teens.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Little Fawn. She seemed to be more believable to be a real person than the other characters.

What does Allyson Voller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think I would have rather read the book myself.

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

It was a so so story. No reaction to book.

Any additional comments?

The story would have been more exciting if there were no flashbacks. If the modern part of the story had been left out, it would have been a better story. The modern part of the story was very unbelievable, with the characters spending most of their time pinching their lips and doing things that had nothing to do with the story. The story also had way too many adjectives describing things and repeating them over and over. This is the first book I have read from this author, so I'm not sure what age it is geared toward. If this story was for teens, then I can highly recommend it. but for seasoned readers, not so much.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the narrator, Author or publisher.

Great Read

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy how the story flowed from past and present.

Any additional comments?

Being familiar with the Harbor Springs area, I was especially drawn into the story with the interesting historical and present day perspectives. I found myself caring deeply about the main characters and could not put the book down. I highly recommend this book!

Predictable romance

This book is basically two stories being told at the same time. An old Indian romance and a more contemporary romance. Although the book was very predictable a nonetheless enjoyed it. I was voluntarily provided this review copy by the author publisher or narrator

the best book in the series

This book was a great way to tell a historical event , mystery, romance and mild action all rolled in one to keep the interest and attention of the reader. it definitely kept my interested and wondering what would happen next.

timelines interlude

a very nice book it was a fun ride I liked it very much it was nice and entertaining and very interesting I think the narrator did a good job with the book I liked it
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Past meets Present

Both the author and narrator were new to me. I loved how this book had multiple stories woven into one. The tragic love story based on Indian myth, the poem as a basis for legend, and the current love story. The author and narrator are extremely talented. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher.

A tame mystery

Any additional comments?

A bit formulaic and predictable. I could see the potential of this book and just wish it was reached. The present characters were not very interesting. The best part of the book was the Little Fawn indian flashbacks. The flashbacks themselves were somewhat annoying since the present action just didn't flow already. This could have been better with a different narrator, possibly. . I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

FASCINATING, LOVED IT!!!

This was an intriguing, historical, legendary and beautifully written and narrated story. I really enjoyed it! I'm a fan of Indian legends & lore, and really thought it was well done. Great characters, great story, great narration. I would definitely recommend it to my family and friends, and anyone who would like to read a great story :) Well done!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Another great mystery!

Massive thank you to the author, who provided a free copy of the audiobook for me to listen to and review.

This was a fascinating tale despite a not-so-good narrator and a few odd writing choices, such as "an appalled look on her face" rather than just "appalled." What bothered me the most about the narrator was how stiffly she delivered the Native dialogue, as if she didn't quite know how to inflect it so she forewent all inflection. It made it sound awkward and forced and was distracting. She read the modern-day parts well, though.

One of the few criticisms I had aside from the narrator was that the scene in which the Native woman gets cornered by rapists was unnecessary to include. It was already mentioned and established a couple times before that--actually, it could be that the scene should have been positioned before it was mentioned casually in conversation, perhaps soon after Little Fawn has the thought that the victim wasn't in her dream. Probably still wasn't necessary to include another irrelevant POV, though. But it helped build the case against the other tribe... Hmm. Debatable.

I liked all the characters, past and present, though Dickinson could perhaps give Cupcake more of a personality beyond plot device. Lastly, while Tunnels felt like it could have been longer, the length of this one felt appropriate.

Loved it.

Would you listen to Devil's Elbow again? Why?

Absolutely! The story is exciting, sad and uplifting. I found the historical aspect to be quite fascinating particularly as the author spent a lot of time on research. She managed to mingle fact and fiction superbly. Native American history is so different from Irish and European history and I found that I simply couldn't stop listening when those parts of the story were being told.
This was just a brilliant read and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Devil's Elbow?

I can't describe these moments without spoilers. The most memorable were the sad or tragic parts but I my favourite scene was at the ending.

Which character – as performed by Allyson Voller – was your favorite?

I didn't have a favourite. They were all performed very well.

Any additional comments?

I voluntarily received a review copy.