Friday on My Mind

By: Nicci French

Narrated by: Beth Chalmers

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Nicci French's thrilling fifth book, London psychotherapist Frieda Klein herself becomes the prime suspect in a murder.

A bloated corpse turns up in the Thames, throat slashed, and the only clue is a hospital wristband reading "Dr. F. Klein". Frieda is taken to see the body and realizes with horror that it is Sandy, her ex-boyfriend. She's certain that the killer is Dean Reeve - the man who has never stopped haunting her. But the police think he has been dead for years, and Frieda is their number one suspect. With few options, Frieda goes on the run to save herself and try to uncover the truth.

©2016 Nicci French (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Meh. Not as enjoyable as some previous Kleins.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoy this series for the most part but Frieda Klein is not exactly a likeable character. I think the other "regulars" in the book save this. And I think the "lady in distress" is starting to wear thin. Like the Helen Grace books, we have a heroine who is basically a victim of her own baggage.

What did you like best about this story?

It was short! 9 hours. It was an easy read.

What three words best describe Beth Chalmers’s voice?

She's good but takes a while to settle in. When the book first starts she's kind of annoyingly sing-song-y but then settles into the roles and starts to flow quite nicely. It's like that with every one of these.

Could you see Friday on My Mind being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I actually think about this a lot when I'm reading these because they almost seem like TV shows. Maybe Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey? I've seen her in other shows besides Downton Abbey and she is EXTREMELY versatile. She'd be believable as both a doctor and the object of desire.

Any additional comments?

N/A

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Frieda Klein Fan!

I am really enjoying this series of books, I just found them and I'm very excited to learn that the series is now complete, with the release of book 8! I must admit that I'm having trouble, I seriously want to skip to the last book and read backwards, they're that good! This story has great characters, page turning twists and unpredictable endings, like all the books in this series, well Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, those I've read and loved! Now on to Dark Saturday! Thanks to both author's and to narrator Beth Chalmers, job amazingly well done! 👾📚💖

Always welcome, but getting a little stale

The hook of the mysterious killer/protector who haunts Frieda Klein is getting a bit stale. For goodness sake, it's been years, yet he's still out there, and Frieda still doesn't know where he is, and the police never seem to catch him, even though he has killed multiple times for Frieda. And they still don't believe her.

Yet, given all that, the characterisations are strong. The pace is excellent, and one just can't stop listening. Frieda, herself, is a masterful and memorable character.

The best so far in a great series!

What did you love best about Friday on My Mind?

Twists and turns galore.

What did you like best about this story?

The psychological insight into human behavior. Frieda is maddening sometimes but always fascinating. All the characters are well defined. They are people I'd like to know.

Any additional comments?

I'm totally hooked on this series. Can't wait for the next book.

Flawed reader; very good story

I really enjoy this series by Nicci French. It has a nice mix of psychology and crime. I don't, however, like the narrator. For the first time in a very long experience with Audible, I have had to reduce the speed of narration to avoid a very shrill voice. I also find too little differentiation between female voices. Male voices are lower than female, so one can tell men from women, but again, except for accented voices, it is very hard to tell one from another.

I don't understand either why Audible doesn't have the Saturday book. If anyone knows, I'd be grateful if they explained it.

Story is so, so, but I loved being back in her world!

I have eagerly awaited the release of the next Dr. F. Klein book,
unfortunately this felt like a half-hearted attempt to move the story along. I just couldn't get past the implausibility that in the most heavily monitored with cameras city in the world, Our main character who is on the run from the law just strolls around going from interview to interview trying to solve the murder.
I did love being back in F's world and hope that the Carlson relationship takes off in the next book.

I couldn't stop listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Friday on My Mind to be better than the print version?

No way, the story is so well performed by the reader.

What other book might you compare Friday on My Mind to and why?

The previous books of this series.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Frida went to the hospital to see her patient.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just sometimes hold my breath

Any additional comments?

I was captured - couldn't stop listening.

Friday -- the best day of the week

After the disappointment of the Thursday installment of the series, I began reading with some trepidation. My fears were soon dismissed by mid chapter one. Friday on My Mind is by far the best of the series. Hopefully, Saturday brings about more intrigue, and, perhaps, an end to the weekday thematic titles.

Best yet in the series

I always enjoy the Frieda Kline stories, but occasionally I get very irritated with what appear to be very foolish actions by a smart woman. In this entry, however, even what seemed foolish was quite rational. Great characters. Looking forward to "Saturday. "

Terrible narrator.

Is it bad when you hope the protagonist is guilty? I find Frieda completely unlikable and urgently in need of a therapist.