The Invisible Ones

By: Stef Penney

Narrated by: Dan Stevens

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Small-time private investigator Ray Lovell veers between paralysis and delirium in a hospital bed. But before the accident that landed him there, he'd been hired to find Rose Janko, the wife of a charismatic son of a traveling Gypsy family, who went missing seven years earlier. Half Romany himself, Ray is well aware that he's been chosen more for his blood than his investigative skills. Still, he's surprised by the intense hostility he encounters from the Jankos, who haven't had an easy past. Touched by tragedy, they're either cursed or hiding a terrible secret-whose discovery Ray can't help suspecting is connected to Rose's disappearance.

©2012 Stef Penney (P)2012 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Utterly new and utterly enthralling.” (New York Times best-selling author Tana French)

“Fascinating.” (The New York Times)

“Penney gives her plot plenty of twists and saves the best for the end, with a truly unforeseen and unpredictable conclusion.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Great narration! Slow story that plods along.

I purchased this audio book based on two things . . . First, Dan Stevens was the narrator and, in my opinion and without a doubt, Dan Stevens is one of the best narrators I've ever listened to. He truly enriches any book he reads. Second, after reading the reviews, it sounded like a worthwhile read.

The story was interesting, but it seemed to plod along. It took so long to get through the plot and then it suddenly ended. I liked the two main characters Ray Lovell and JJ and how they shared the story. I felt sympathetic toward both of them . . . especially JJ.

One of the Best Listens Ever

If you could sum up The Invisible Ones in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing, Informative, and Touching.

Which character – as performed by Dan Stevens – was your favorite?

JJ Without a doubt was my favorite. His vocalization of the character added so much life to the story and to the Janko family. It made me feel as if JJ was real and was telling his story.

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

Yes. I admit I am a fan of Dan Stevens' work but I was so moved by his interpretation of this book that the buildup to the 'big reveal' was perfectly executed.

Great plot and narration keep you reading!

Well constructed and excellently narrated. I did figure out the "mystery" well ahead of the end, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of this book. I will be looking for more works by both of these artists.

I chose this because of the narrator!

Where does The Invisible Ones rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was my first audio book. I only chose to listen because of Dan Stevens and his dreamy voice; however, I found I couldn't turn the story off!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved JJ. He was written as such a sweet boy.

Have you listened to any of Dan Stevens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Dan Stevens performance. It will not be my last!

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

When JJ was in Lourdes, filling up the cans with holy water. So much sweetness and innocence and love in that character.

Any additional comments?

I love how Dan Stevens's is able to give each character an individual voice without sounding like he is doing an imitation of them. I don't know how to better explain that. The story is interesting and the ending is totally unexpected.

Absorbing!

Dan Stevens performs The Invisible Ones with a wonderful conversational style as though you're having coffee with a great story teller. The performance matches the excellent first person narratives to a "T". Stef Penney's novel is a really neat investigation into the culture of travelers. It also blends in the life of a private detective. The detective's story brings us a significant exploration into what happens when you do a great job according to the rule book but miss the human factor. It's dark in some places; however, it's not a downer book at all (to my estimation). It's kind of a "guy book", I think. It's always a great sign when an author perfectly gets the opposite sex.

Generous narrator saw story through

The story was a little slow, but the amazingly talented Dan Stevens brought the characters to life in such a way to keep it interesting.

Incredible and Complex Novel

I haven’t yet read this author’s previous novel, but if it’s half as well done as this one I’ll be ordering it directly. The portrayal of the Rom characters — of all the characters, really — was continually vivid, convincing, and complex. Everyone flawed, interesting, and fully human. The plot builds slowly but surely to more and more surprising events and revelations. A great read, well crafted.

From a great start to total confusion!

Having started this a few months ago and again now, I didn’t get very far. Written by Stef Penney, she interweaves intricate subplots, quirky characters and twisty surprises that I am sorry to say lost me in translation, though Dan Stevens’ narrative skills are top-notch. I was the lucky one to have bought this during an Audible 2-for-1 sale and did not waste a cherished credit.
Perhaps it as just me. As my editor, dear friend and mentor wisely told me in 1979, “If everyone liked the same things, the world would indeed be a boring one.” RIP Dan Di Leo

Best narrator ever

This story is great and Dan Stevens makes it incredible. Buy this book. You’ll love it!

Never a Dull Moment

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

Absolutely! Even people who aren't

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes! A plot within a plot within a plot within a . . .

What about Dan Stevens’s performance did you like?

He is perfect for the book. My book club friends who read the book saw it in a whole new way when I played them exerts of Steven's voices

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

If only it were possible - yes

Any additional comments?

So satisfying I wish I had a cigaret when it ended.