• Playing with Matches

  • A Riley Drake Mystery, Book 1
  • By: Julie Hyzy
  • Narrated by: Angel Clark
  • Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (38 ratings)

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Playing with Matches  By  cover art

Playing with Matches

By: Julie Hyzy
Narrated by: Angel Clark
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Publisher's summary

Tough and tenacious, Riley Drake is a first-class private eye who runs background checks for a dating service on the side. She has zero interest in helping billionaire John Stratton clear his name so the man can resume dating again. The handsome widower would be quite the catch - if it weren't for the fact that he probably murdered his wife.

Stratton's woes are only part of Riley's problems. Other clients - a TV celebrity with sexual-perception issues, a Trump-like entrepreneur with an embarrassing fetish, and a worshipful drug-addict trying to go straight - keep her running through the streets of Chicago, ready to take down anyone who gets in her way.

Riley is determined to uncover all their secrets, even though she knows that playing with matches means you sometimes get burned.

©2011 Julie Hyzy (P)2016 David N. WIlson

What listeners say about Playing with Matches

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Why This Narrator

I enjoy Julie Hyzy's writing quite a bit and when I saw she had a new book out I bought it without checking who the narrator was, unfortunately. I don't know why or how this narrator gets as much work as she does. Her voices (the secondary female characters are all performed in a super high-pitched nasally voice) and every dang sentence is overperformed to the point where it's exhausting to listen to. It's like nails on a chalkboard. I feel the same way about Coleen Marlo too, but, evidently, I'm in the minority since they keep getting paid to ruin the books I'm interested in buying. Just want to warn anyone who might be considering buying this audiobook: this narrator isn't for everyone. Julie Hyzy is an awesome writer though, so if you haven't read her White House Chef series, then I recommend you read that instead!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Start on the Riley Drake Series!

Wow, this is the first story I've listened by Julie Hyzy and was very impressed!

The plot and characters were great! I really liked Riley, she was tough and determine to find who killed John Stratton's wife, even if it was him. Along the way she did uncover a few secretes, and after listening to the entire story, the name of the book fits the story perfectly.

As far as the narrations goes, I thought Angel did a great job overall. I've listened to other stories narrator by her, so I guess I am used to her voice and how she portrays characters.

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast dot com."

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Justa bad narration

Just a bad narration I just couldn't take it only made it through 20 minutes.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

On the shelf with this book

Would you try another book from Julie Hyzy and/or Angel Clark?

I am a big fan of Julie Hyzy. I have read and loved all her White House Chef series and I will read more in this series too. As for Angel Clark I didn't enjoy her reading of this book in fact it took away from the story for me. So if Angel is the narrator for future books in this series I will read them and not listen.

What other book might you compare Playing with Matches to and why?

I can't really say I could think of another book to compare it to.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Angel has a nice voice and she reads fine but I just couldn't get into her. The only reason I finished the book was because the story kept me going.

Was Playing with Matches worth the listening time?

No I wish I had read it and not listened to it.

Any additional comments?

I received this book as a gift with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A good start to this series

What did you like best about this story?

I love female sleuth stories. This one did not disappoint. It did not contain unreal scenarios that Riley could not get out of. It was real and entertaining.

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening elevator scene and an unlikely friendship that forged.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wasn't too happy about what happened to the painter to say anything more would be a spoiler alert.

Any additional comments?

Take time to listen to this book you will love it. I look forward to following this series. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Good Book

This audiobook was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. I enjoyed this book. The characters and plot were well developed and interesting. I enjoy Julie Hyzy's writing and will read the next book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Watch for the next in series, too!

The publisher's blurb will give hints to plot without spoilers. The plot is sound and well developed with some interesting twists, and I think that it will grow into another great series. The characters are strong and believable without any artifice. I wish I could say nice stuff about the narrator, but I feel that she oversold the story in too many places.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook BOOM.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that I didn't know who done it from the start! I kept guessing up until close to the end. I figured it out chapter by chapter with the main (kick A$$, girl power) character.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too Many to list!

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

Once I got absorbed into it, yes! I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't listening to it, which made me listen to it.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ok I am now a fan of Miss juice Hazy.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, and I already have! I liked the book. and I have also looked up some of her other work now.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playing with Matches?

this book has a lot of twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, Bam! you realize you were wrong, and have to figure out who else may have done it. its definitely action-packed and starts from the very first chapter.

Which character – as performed by Angel Clark – was your favorite?

I love the main character. a corky, strong, no nonsense female lead trying to make a name for herself. i liked her wit. I also enjoyed Eck. he was fun to hear.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, I wouldn't say " moved" it wasn't that kind of book. But it was good. and was fast paced. I also thought this would make a great TV movie!

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. :)

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Girl Power Midwestern Style

I like the fact that the story’s backdrop is Chicago, and that author Julie Hyzy references core values and culture of Midwesterners in ways that are appropriate and relevant to the story. I am not a Midwesterner, but these kinds of details add color and credibility to any backdrop, and project verve a reader/listener can actually feel. On the flip side, the credibility factor is pushed a bit to its limits when it comes to some of the action, but for Girl Power lovers, I’m sure this is not a problem at all. Part of the fun of this book is helping Private Investigator Riley to identify, weed out and, if necessary, "Power-Girl-Handle" true bad boys in order to weed them out of the dating service-- a part-time gig for Riley. And while we're at it, we can root for Riley to have a love life of her own (she’s a bit of a workaholic).

I am unsure if narrator Angel Clark's choice of pitch works for this kind of story. I’m not even sure if she captures the right mood or pace. Perhaps Clark's style is better suited for children’s books. At any rate, Clark's narration may cost Hazy some points on this installment of Playing with Matches. When it comes to creating “story,” the best writers invest a lot time and effort into each word. The same kind of investment also should be employed when choosing who will speak those words.

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

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