Murder in the Tenderloin

A Peyton Brooks' Mystery, Book 2

By: M. L. Hamilton

Narrated by: Kelley Hazen

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

For years, Peyton has struggled to put her father's murder behind her, but her latest case brings it all back.

When two hookers are found with the mutilated body of a notorious gangbanger, Peyton and her partner, Marco, are pulled into a world of violence, sex, and drugs that might engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war.

And as Peyton comes to realize, sometimes the monsters we most fear are real.

©2012 ML Hamilton (P)2014 ML Hamilton

Good story, good characters, outstanding narration

Where does Murder in the Tenderloin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's among the best.

What other book might you compare Murder in the Tenderloin to and why?

An obvious comparison could be made between this book and the previous one in the series. This is considerably better. The characters are more established and the story has more elements than on book one.

What about Kelley Hazen Storyteller Productions’s performance did you like?

I love that she brings life to the book and the characters. She doesn't just read the book, she gives each character a personality, a voice, a demeanor; she gives each situation the tempo and depth needed. Wonderfully done.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this a lot more than the previous one in the series. The story is more believable and the relationships among the characters are very dynamic. If you were not impressed by the previous book, give this one a chance. You will be surprised and may want to listen to the whole thing in one sitting.

Murder in the Tenderloin

Wow, what an action packed story!

Inspector Peyton Brooks comes face to face with her father’s murderer as part of her latest case. Prostitution, drugs, gangs... this case has it all. It might just be the case that breaks her.

I couldn’t put this book down. M. L. Hamilton kept the plot moving and the suspense kept me fully engaged.

Ms. Hazen once again gave a fantastic performance. I swear when I listen to her narrations, it’s like watching a movie in my head. She truly understands the characters and brings out their emotions and personalities perfectly.

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

Peyton back in action...

Book 2 in the Peyton Brooks' Mystery series is as involving as the first one. The plot evolves around a murder of a gang member so we get an insight into the brutality of life in areas where street gangs are a harsh reality. The dual narration - of the present, with the investigation going on, and of the past - told from the point of view of an innocent girl who got pulled into the world of prostitution, violence and drug trafficking - adds a lot of dynamics to the story and keeps the reader/listener involved emotionally into what is going on.
Peyton shows her more vulnerable side in this installment of her adventures, when she decides to somehow atone for what she and the police did to Jake (a murder suspect from Book 1) by offering him a new job and accommodation. She also turns out to have a very strong protective streak in her, which comes to the surface in some unexpected situations:)
Generally, it's a very good, fast paced police thriller with some great action moments but also some really emotional scenes (I admit, I shed some tears, too).

As for the narration, I have already mentioned a few times that I generally like Ms Hazen's way of reading, though I sometimes have problems with some of the voices she gives the characters from the book. This is one of such cases: some voices, both male and female this time, just sounded a little too strange and unnatural. Other than that, it's a very good interpretation, as usual.

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

Great Fast Pace Listen!

This book kept me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the suspense the author wrote in the story along with the imagery. I thought the subtle humor in the book was well interspersed and great. The narrator did an outstanding performance with all of her distinguishable voices for the various characters, that one could hear who was speaking. I enjoy it when I can visualize the scene. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. Magdalena was my favorite character (besides Peyton) in this book as she was present throughout the story. She showed her desire to recover and overcame so much. I will definitely continue to listen to more books by both this author and narrator.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE FIRST ONE

Would you consider the audio edition of Murder in the Tenderloin to be better than the print version?

Yes, it was fantastic. The tension was unbelievable and the way the storyline switches back and forth in time. And they way the characters are revealed is really dynamic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Magdalena. The heroine. You are so aware of her change through the story, her growth, as she matures, he conviction. And the way she manages to maintain a sweetness even in all the devastation.

Have you listened to any of Kelley Hazen Storyteller Productions’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am so thrilled to hear a mature woman, a rich voice, one with many colors. It's a pleasure to listen to. There is an intelligence that allows this wonderful story to resonate.

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

Definitely. There are so many switchbakcs in the story it really makes you want to find out what is yogin to happen.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next one.

An Awesome Tale

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and it was great. This is the second book in this series and I really enjoyed it. The character are unique and unpredictable with a fast moving plot. A call to the rough part of San Francisco get Peyton and Marco involved with the DEA and the man that murdered Peyton's father. They soon find out nothing is as it appears as the investigation advances. This series just grabs you and won't let go and you'll find yourself listening much longer then you intended. Looking forward to book three.

Great Read

Murder in the Tenderloin (Peyton Brooks' Mystery #2) was a good read by M.L. Hamilton. Peyton has had a hard time putting her father's murder behind her. Unfortunately her new case brings it all back. Peyton and Marco are pulled into a world of violence, sex and drugs. This may all engulf all of San Francisco in a turf war. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series.

Not my favorite

What would have made Murder in the Tenderloin better?

Better dialogue, characters and plot.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Sanford's new Lucas Davenport novel

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The reader has a nice voice but her male characters are not great

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Murder in the Tenderloin?

Most of it

Any additional comments?

Forced dialogue and a tedious plot. This was a romance novel without romance and a police procedural without procedure.