Murder on Russian Hill

Publisher's Summary

When rock star Joshua Ravensong is accused of murder, Peyton must pit her professional reputation against a growing attraction for the legend. Although the evidence is solid against him, Peyton can't deny this is one bad boy she wants to save.

©2012 ML Hamilton (P)2014 ML Hamilton

This series gets better every time

What made the experience of listening to Murder on Russian Hill the most enjoyable?

The narrator. K. Hazen is very talented. She creates a recognizable personality for each character, and gives the story a visual quality that keeps me interested and wishing the story didn't end. I also enjoyed the parallel story of Joshua's childhood.

What about Kelley Hazen’s performance did you like?

The way she narrates conversations among characters. You forget it's only one person telling you the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to all the books in the series and have enjoyed the experience very much. Each book gets better than the previous one. I particularly enjoy how the characters have grown and how they get along and deal with the terrible business of being a cop. The combination of this series and the narrator is excellent. I'm hoping there are more books coming.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Peyton's adventures continue...

Spoilers alert:)

The third book in the Peyton Brooks' Mystery series is engaging and generally intriguing, especially in the retrospections into Joshua's life story. There are a lot of background characters this time for Ms Hazen to read, many of them male, but she manages to give each of them a separate voice, though I personally find some of them a bit irritating (no star deduction for it this time as the task was really difficult:)). Besides that the interpretation is wonderful: emotional in places, impartial when it should be, with quite a lot of good acting.

As for the plot, the dual narration - of the present and of the past - adds dynamics and tension to the storyline. The insight into Joshua's fall into addiction is touching and makes the listener as enchanted by him as Peyton seems to be.
The the only fault I would pinpoint is that some scenes/situations seem illogical to me, like the fact that Joshua remains the main and - well - only suspect even after none of his fingerprints are found at the crime scene (plus some other facts coming into light, explaining smaller details in his favour) while on the other hand the police are really hesitant about arresting a man whose fingerprints are found not only at the crime scene but also on the murder weapon... This is a trend I have noticed in these otherwise fast-paced, involving books: there is one suspect from the beginning and the police sticks to him/her no matter what, even if they come across details, facts or evidence that point in other directions... It goes somehow against the logic of things... But as the characters are in all of the books quite interesting, the crimes intriguing and Peyton generally very likeable, I just choose to overlook those implausibilities and read/listen to the books with quite a lot of pleasure:)

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I love this series!

This book is a standalone listen and part of a series. I love the fact that the story takes place in San Francisco and the imagery is so well done. The author has created some great characters and the narrator brings them to life with their own distinctive voices. I love the consistency of both characters and narrator in this series. The story is original and full of twists. I love the fact that I hadn't figured out who the killer was until the very end. Also, this book brought up some thought provoking questions. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

NEW APPROACH FOR SERIES - really great

This is a great series that just keeps picking up steam with every audiobook. The author chooses a new approach to telling the story - there are flashbacks and a journalist's notes - it makes the listening very exciting jumping around from the various perspectives. I really love the main character is a rock star and that we get to see his history as well. I feel like I'm watching the main character, Peyton, grow as a person with each novel. For those that are unfamiliar with the series - there is a family of characters - the cops in the precinct but also f the families of hte main characters - both blood and friends. Then there is always a case to be solved but also unfinished issues from past novels. I fell like I'm listening to a TV series . I think ML Hamilton is a very good writer - very easy to stay with and get involved in. And the narration is really great too. Each character is like it they come alive.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An Awesome Listen

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining and intriguing. This is the third book in the series and it just keeps getting better. Peyton and Marco head to Russian Hill to solve the murder of a rock star's ex-wife. It should be an open and shut case, except they can't find the murder weapon and too many questions have no answers. As the book progresses, the suspense just keeps building and you'll keep listening to find out what happens next. Looking forward to book four.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful