Get a Grip

By: Annie Hansen

Narrated by: Lessa Nosko

In the wealthy, snow-filled suburbs of Chicago, three desperate housewives try to solve the disappearance of their neighbor, Carrie. During the past few winter weeks, she has been inexplicably missing. Her glamorous, brand-new, three-story house has been left vacant. Did she leave town to avoid the high Covid numbers? Is she missing? Was she murdered? Is it possible that Covid is not the only killer stalking the neighborhood? Or are they just being paranoid?

Behind the doors of these wealthy housewives, the three friends are balancing a lot—divorce, debt, addiction, PTSD, and the start of a hot new romance. So, when Petra, a stressed-out ER doctor, launches a full-on hunt, her friends are hesitant to get involved for fear of making a disturbing discovery.

Determined to find answers and help Petra, Jane and Lisa find themselves unable to say no to their friend. They get involved in searching for clues, plunging themselves deeper and deeper into the quest to find Carrie.

©2023 Annie Hansen (P)2023 Annie Hansen

The mystery

It was a long read but the story kept me going. I wanted to know what will happen in the end and I was happy I did.

An enjoyable listen

I am not usually into mystery books as I generally prefer to dig myself into the self-help niche, but this book was a very nice surprise that I came across and caught my eye. Once I started listening to it, I could not stop. It was a very easy and enjoyable listen. The author and narrator kept me intrigued all the way. I even felt that I could relate to some of their characters and personal struggles. I highly recommend this book for a rainy day or a nice relaxing day at the beach or at home by your fireplace.

A Great tale!

"Get a Grip" is an absolutely delightful cozy mystery audiobook that kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrator's warm and engaging voice perfectly complements the charming, small-town setting and quirky characters that make this genre so enjoyable. The story unwinds with just the right mix of suspense and humor, keeping the mystery intriguing without ever feeling too heavy. I particularly loved the clever plot twists and the vibrant descriptions that made the scenes come alive in my mind. It's the kind of audiobook that's perfect for curling up with on a lazy afternoon, as it transports you into a world of intrigue and charm. Whether you're a cozy mystery aficionado or new to the genre, "Get a Grip" is an entertaining, easy listen that's sure to delight.

Fantastic Book! Highly Recommend!

I've gotta say - I just loved "Get a Grip" - it's a captivating blend of mystery and real-life struggles set in snowy Chicago suburbs. I was genuinely drawn to the narrative that delves into the intertwined lives of three housewives searching for their missing friend amidst their personal battles with addiction, divorce, and PTSD. Petra's character, an ER doctor battling stress, was particularly relatable, highlighting the challenges many young professionals face today. Moreover, the inclusion of the lockdown impact in the storyline offers a modern twist, making the plot even more intriguing. This book brilliantly combines suspense with today's topical issues, making it a must-listen.

Great story! Could use a different narrator

I love the concept of the story and the mystery elements in the storyline worked well together to keep a reader engaged. I think I will pick up the BOOK version versus the audio version to experience the work differently. This story is woven through the eyes of three women whose collective experiences push the narrative forward. The reader will fall in love with the relatable characters. My personal favorite character is Petra. The backstories of each of the characters are creatively crafted however I found myself wishing the pacing of the story was a little faster. You don't get to the juicy mystery parts until well into the middle of the book. Overall the story is worth the read.

Now, onto the narration. Woof. From the very beginning to the end of the book, the narration is uncomfortable. Like petting a cat the wrong way. I immediately questioned whether or not the narration was AI, a huge problem facing the audiobook world today. I understand that lots of audiobook narrators sloooooooowwwwwww down their speech to what the equivalent of a sermon at church would be. (Increasing the speed of the narration on audible did help. Slightly.) This book had character voices and inflection in all the wrong places for a reader's sensitive ears. The only exception I found to be the main character's children's voices. Those were spot on. The bottom line, the quality of the narration did not match the quality of the story.

I was provided this audiobook for an honest review. I look forward to reading more novels from this talented author.