Cold Hard News

By: Maureen Milliken

Narrated by: Trudi Knoedler

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

The snowbanks in a small Maine town start to melt, and the town's secrets begin to emerge. Bernie O'Dea, the editor of the Peaks Weekly Watcher, is jazzed to finally have a big story to cover when a body is found in a melting snowbank. But as spring turns into a long, hot, explosive summer in Redimere, Maine, the story gets bigger - maybe too big for Bernie to handle. As secrets are revealed, the town is ripped in half and the body count rises, Bernie is forced to question her part in the town's tragic tale, a part that may cost her and others their lives.

©2015 Maureen Milliken (P)2016 Maureen Milliken

Enjoyable story!

What made the experience of listening to Cold Hard News the most enjoyable?

To be perfectly honest, I've known Maureen and her family since high school, so had been eagerly anticipating this book, and can't wait for the next one. However. That being said, I like the idea of a curmudgeonly middle-aged reporter/editor and police chief in small town Maine, reminiscent of a good British murder mystery and I found it highly enjoyable. Especially since I've lived in areas of Maine that are described.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cold Hard News?

Hmmm. It's hard to say, but I do identify with Bernie as the kind of introverted, easily embarrassed and confused person that she is, and was able to get right inside her head and feel what she was feeling when she made her various mistakes and had her misgivings and emotions get the better of her.

What three words best describe Trudi Knoedler’s voice?

Much too passive.

I finally got used to listening to her, but unfortunately, Trudi needs to add some emphasis to her reading voice. I virtually always listen while driving in the car and I had to continually stop or I was often in danger of dozing off.

Trudi, you have a lovely, articulate and very charming voice, and when I got used to it (because honestly, I'd already had a different voice in my head) I enjoyed listening to you for the most part--but please, I beg, when you start reading the second book (I know you have already been acquired for it) PLEASE add some excitement and feeling to your words!
Perhaps a little more time spent out on one of the Islands with a lobsterman to practice your downeast accent?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Stephen King, watch out!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story. Honestly, I did put it down and pick it up a lot, and I did both read it and listen to it, and had that same problem with both versions. I don't know if that was me or the book. I am anticipating the next one a great deal.
There may be some things that I didn't think were as important to the story but since it was first in the series, I'll wait and see how they play out!
All in all, great job, Maureen, and I am sending out links to everybody I know who likes mysteries so they can read them!

Now, for the PBS miniseries!

Okay Plot, Bad Narration, Potential for Improvemen

I wanted to like a novel set in the beautiful state of Maine, where I was born and raised. While It was obvious that the author is a gifted writer, I thought her characters needed major work and a good editor. I was probably a third of my way through the book before I could decipher Bernie or Pete's age and physicality.

Unfortunately, the narrator was annoying, with a scratchy voice (like she had a cold or allergies) and a stilted, uneven speech pattern. In fact the entire audio production was low quality, with very long pauses between chapters and strange noises. A better reader could have breathed life into this story rather than detracting from it.

Since both newspaper journalist Bernie and law enforcement officer Peter had more than 20 years of professional experience, I expected more maturity, confidence and common sense. However, I would try another novel by this author, since I think she will improve with practice and constructive criticism.