If You Find Emory Walden

De: James Wallace Birch

Narrado por: Thomas Varga

Eight years ago, James’ friend Emory disappeared, leaving behind his memoirs and the promise of a hidden cache of $3 million. James published the memoir and became a famous professor. But his obsession with Emory’s disappearance destroyed his personal life. He never went to find the money.

Years later, James’ former student, Melanie, knocks on his door with a clue that Emory might still be alive. Together, they take to the road with a copy of Emory’s memoir and a taunting riddle someone sent them. Is the riddle a hint from Emory? Why is he reaching out? And what happened to the money James never went looking for?

If You Find Emory Walden is author James Wallace Birch’s long-anticipated follow up to the reader-acclaimed Discontents: The Disappearance of a Young Radical.

Join James and Melanie on a journey through claustrophobic cities, suburban nightmares, and wide-open roads as they chase down the riddle of the disappearance of a notorious fugitive. Follow their van life on the road. Sing along with them to early 2000s pop punk and emo bands. But don’t trust everything you hear in this fascinating blend of suspense, mystery, adventure, and nostalgia.

©2020 Beacon Publishing Group (P)2020 Beacon Audiobooks

twisty mystery

Many twists and turns. Didn't see the ending coming. Enjoyable listen about regret and how little decisions have a cumulative effect on the trajectory of our lives.

Loved this fun book

I felt like I was on an adult scavenger hunt! Excellent character development. You’ll grow to love a few and despise a couple. Easy, quick listen. Great ending. Narration so good you want to reach through the headphones and slap one particular character.

Decent

There are some things I really liked about this book, certain moments that really pulled me in, like the opening scene... The knocking at the door. There were other moments too that pulled me in. But they were isolated, not enough to keep me invested in the entire book.

Narration... sounds like the narrator is in his kitchen, there was so much natural reverb, you can practically tell what the room looks like. Very distracting and in addition there's little to no voice acting. It's just deadpan reading. I'm never sure exactly how I'm supposed to feel at any particular moment or why I'm supposed to care.

As for the story, while I was very excited at the beginning I gradually lost interest as the book went on. It could have been the narrator's interpretation. I never felt the sense of urgency with the task at hand, the scavenger hunt, if you will. I'm still kind of unsure as to what set them off and why it was so important that He had to leave home to do it.

I do think that this author is better than my review. I will keep my eyes on him.