Boxes for Beds

By: Maryann Miller

Narrated by: Chloe Adele

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In this historical mystery, set in Arkansas in 1961 when the mob still ruled Hot Springs, babies are being kidnapped, and the local sheriff has to put this case to bed before the bosses come down from Chicago. They don't need the heat, and they have the leverage with the sheriff to make him do whatever they want. It seems like a good move to arrest Leslie Richards, the new woman in town, even though there is only thin circumstantial evidence against her. Better for it to be a stranger taking those babies and not one of their own.

Leslie has left New York with her 10-year-old daughter, Mandy, hoping to escape from her past and the ruins of a relationship, only to discover that there is little peace for her in Pine Hollow, Arkansas.

©2013 Maryann Miller (P)2015 Maryann Miller

A Good Choice

I don’t usually read many books from this genre, but I really enjoyed this one. The narration brought the story to life and held my interest throughout. The story was well thought out, complete and will keep you listening. I will definitely be watching for this author in the future.

* I was provided a free copy of this book from AudioBookBlast for review.

Boxes for Beds

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

I really liked the plot of this book. The mystery of the baby stealing kept me guessing. The struggles of integration in the 1960's South wove

throughout the story line was interesting. The ending was a bit different,

The narration was quite enjoyable.

Interesting Plot

The plot was very interesting and the ending was good. I would have liked a little more background or information on the motive. The motive was presented, but the full story wasn't really presented.

The narrator was perfect for this book. She had nice accents, and she had a voice that seemed was great for a mom in the 70s.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.

A Good Thriller That Kept Me Guessing Throughout

BOXES FOR BEDS was an intriguing thriller with an easy to follow storyline. Although it was fiction, it could've just as well been non-fiction. The characters were likable and I could easily feel for Leslie in the situation that befell her. That's actually frightening. I would've liked to have heard a bit more of her background in New York and her life before moving to Arkansas but with that said, all in all, this was a great suspenseful thriller. It wasn't predictable and the ending was pretty wow. I like MARYANN MILLER'S writing and will be sure to watch for more books from her in the future.

CHLOE ADELE was simply amazing. I love the way she paced the story. She made it sound real. She has a soft voice which I liked and she was the perfect narrator for this book. She made this a very worthwhile and satisfying listen.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Twists and turns keep you guessing.

Would you consider the audio edition of Boxes for Beds to be better than the print version?

I don't have time or the inclination to sit with a book so I love audios so that I can do other things at the same time.

What did you like best about this story?

I was shocked when Mandy was the one who found the babies. I love a twist that I didn't see coming.

Have you listened to any of Chloe Adele’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but she has good diction, easy to follow and knows where the characters are going.

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

Yes. It is so much easier to keep track of the characters in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

A Different Kind of Psycho

This narrative gives a fresh, lighter feel on Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and even has a character named Bates. Underneath the mystery (including a good slather of “who done it”) are mid-century era references to the treatment of minorities in the south and women everywhere. I found myself rooting for the main character, Leslie, who is a New Yorker and writer who transplants herself to the south. Leslie neither loses civility under pressure of small town residences who are easily influenced by local authorities; a neighborly, if false, smile; and the offer of apple pie, nor allows herself to be totally controlled by an imperfect personal past or the people who respond negatively to it. The best parts of Boxes for Beds were the relationships between Leslie and her daughter; Sheriff Bates and his deputy, Gus; and the people of the town and their collective judgements. Author Joann Miller uses these situations to build energy and several backstories around Leslie. These elements make for an interesting narrative. Still, I something was missing, depth of texture or complexity perhaps, to keep me connected and captivated.

The narrator, while speaking slow enough for me to crank up the speed to 1.5x, does a good job capturing what felt like the author’s intent.

Boxes for Beds

As far as thrillers go this book was just ok for me. I'm not a fan of this genre, but I was able to finish it, the narrator wasn't my favorite, but the voice worked ok for the book.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.