Harm’s Reach

By: Alex Barclay

Narrated by: Penelope Rawlins

FBI Agent Ren Bryce finds herself entangled in two seemingly unrelated mysteries. But the past has a way of echoing down the years and finding its way into the present.

In the end, the truth will find you…

When Special Agent Ren Bryce discovers the body of a young woman in an abandoned car, solving the case becomes personal. But the more she uncovers about the victim’s last movements, the more questions are raised.

Why was Laura Flynn driving towards a ranch for troubled teens in the middle of Colorado when her employers thought she was hundreds of miles away? And what did she know about a case from fifty years ago, which her death dramatically reopens?

As Ren and cold-case investigator Janine Hooks slowly weave the threads together, a picture emerges of a privileged family determined to hide some very dark secrets – whatever the cost.

Critic reviews

Praise for Blood Loss:

‘Snappy dialogue … a meaty read’ Irish Independent

‘Blood Loss is cleverly paced, with Barclay drawing out the suspense but giving you just enough information to keep you hooked’ Hot Press

Praise for Alex Barclay:

‘Gripping, stylish, convincing’ Sunday Times (Ireland)

‘Tense, no-punches-pulled thriller that will have you on the edge of your deckchair.’ Woman and Home

‘Right now, she’s the rising star of the hard-boiled crime fiction world, combining wild characters, surprising plots and massive backdrops with a touch of dry humour’ Mirror

OK mystery; IRRITATING narrator

This narrator has a heavy Southern or Southie or something accent that breaks through much too frequently—but not consistently, so the variations in pronunciation are numerous and distracting. For instance, she refers to a couch as a sofa in one sentence and a "sofer" in the next. The name Connor comes out "Cah-nah," but only sometimes. And I'm still unsure whether another character is named Ellena, Helena, or Eleanor.

The narrator also seems to have some kind of sinus condition/congestion that made my head throb when I listened to it. Or maybe that was an attempt at characterization she resorted to because of limited vocal range. Tough to say.

Recommendation: Read this book in print.

This narrator gets kudos!!

I throughly enjoyed this book. The author has hit it out the ball park. The bipolar FBI agent is off the hook! I loved her thoughts. I laughed out loud so many times.

There is a tremendous amount of characters and the narrator did them all well. I commend her because she performed them all well.

The mental health issue is nicely done and is not a character of its own.

Overall, the book is well written and well narrated.

mstiff2u!