Plain Jane

The Harbinger Murder Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Carolyn McCray

Narrated by: Don Hoeksema

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Plain Jane: Brunettes Beware

A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal....

A city paralyzed by a serial killer stalking the night, taking a most gruesome trophy.

The only thing standing in the murderer's way is an FBI profiler...recently released from a mental institution.

Plain Jane combines the swift action of Patterson with the macabre of Harris.

Just remember to keep the lights on when reading this one!

©2013 Carolyn McCray (P)2015 Beacon Audiobooks

I wish I could return this book!!!

What disappointed you about Plain Jane?

The reader literally sounds like the robot apps that perform text to speech. He doesn't even pause at the ends of sentences or change his inflection one iota. I could not listen to more than 10 minutes of it.

What could Carolyn McCray have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I should have known when it is described as "Patterson-esque". Patterson writes his books by such strict formulas that I believe the rumors that he has underlings who churn out books based on his formula like sweat shop workers making cheap clothes. This story sounds like it's from one of those formulas...the one where the FBI profiler goes so deep into the killers' minds that he can't always come out...yawn...

How could the performance have been better?

A live person could have been hired.

What character would you cut from Plain Jane?

Protagonists and antagonists.

Any additional comments?

You said I could return the last book I read if I didn't like it. but in practice you meant the last book I bought. Not very helpful.

Just can't listen to this

I don't mean to be rude, but the narration is horrible. The story might be interesting but I finally just stopped and removed this from my device. Not worth the frustration listening was causing.

Worst. Narration. Ever.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The plot was fairly decent. However, the narration was terrible to the point of being ludicrous. The voices the narrator used for various characters made them sound like cartoons. His reading was stilted, his inflection was way off, and the number of mispronunciations was too many to count. Some of my "favorites" were "koop de GRAYce" for "coup de grace," "SKOOered" for skewered, and "karp deem" for "carpe diem." I find it hard to believe the author enjoyed this rendition of her work. As I mentioned before, the plot was not terrible (until the very far-fetched and disgusting climax), and some of the characters could have been interesting, but they really weren't developed well. Also, the constant use of the term "the profiler" instead of using the character's name, and the word "uteri," which is so uncommon, became increasingly annoying as the book went on.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Decent little twist at the end - not entirely surprising, but nicely done.

How could the performance have been better?

Anyone else reading this book. Anyone.

What character would you cut from Plain Jane?

The morgue attendant.

Any additional comments?

I hope Audible never promotes or sells another book narrated by Don Hoeksema.

Narration

Worst narrator ever. Mispronounced words. Story full of gratuitous sexual 'tension' distracting from what might have been a plot.

Eh

I try not to let voices affect the story. was a struggle to listen to.

6 hours of my life I can't get back

I hated the story. I hated the narration. I kept listening, hoping it would get better. It didn't.

Voice choice

I could not listen to this book, I can't stand the narrator's voice or the way he enunciates his words.

Worst storytelling ever

I have never written such a horrible review but the narrator was horrible to listen to. I couldn't even tell if the story was good or not.

Wow, never a dull moment. This is a riveting story

Would you listen to Plain Jane again? Why?

I can't stop listening to it. The voice is so soothing, and the story is one of the best I've heard. There is twist after twist throughout the plot, what a good movie this would make. If you are squeamish or faint of heart, this is not the story for you. But if you enjoy shows like Dexter, Bates Motel, ect. then this definitely is one you will want to hear again and again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely, Harbinger, he is so bad, and so hot. Just the kind of man, Mom told you to stay away from, but you just couldn't resist. Brain's, braun and that voice, that nearly makes you wet your pants.

What about Don Hoeksema’s performance did you like?

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome. Such a great job, gentle, smooth narration, great depiction of the characters. Don has a gift, few people have a voice as dynamic and beautiful as he.

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

Come only if you dare!

Any additional comments?

You won't go wrong with this book, it's entertaining and will leave you pondering the end for quite a while!

disliked

I hated the narrator. I couldn't even get through the story. I will never listen to anything by him.