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The Memory Game  By  cover art

The Memory Game

By: Nicci French
Narrated by: Harriet Walter
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Editorial reviews

The Memory Game, written by Nicci French is a chilling psychological thriller audiobook narrated by English actress Harriet Walter. At once a mystery but also a fascinating example of attempting to recover those early childhood memories people can never recall in adulthood. Two little girls always play in their garden until one goes mysteriously missing. Her body is not discovered until 25 years later, buried in the same garden. It is a dangerous task to unravel the mystery of who killed the girl. Available now from Audible.

Publisher's summary

The Memory Game is a haunting psychological thriller from the top-ten best-selling author Nicci French.

You remember an idyllic childhood. But your memory is deceitful. And possibly deadly...

When a skeleton is unearthed in the Martellos' garden, Jane Martello is shocked to learn it's that of her childhood friend Natalie, who went missing 25 years ago.

Encouraged by a therapist to recover lost memories, Jane hopes to find out what really took place when she was a child - and what happened to Natalie. But in learning the truth about her and Natalie's past, is Jane putting her own future at terrible risk?

©2012 Joined-up Writing (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Memory Game

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    131
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    41
  • 2 Stars
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  • 4 Stars
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    45
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Boring

I agree with the last reviewer, in that this story was pretty boring. The main problem I had was the fact that it really didn't get into much of the mystery until the very end of the book. The rest of the book was just too detailed about everything outside of the actual plot. It wasn't until the very end of the book that the story got back on topic and discussed the plot. Too much detail about off-topic stuff and not enough plot.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Not quite as strong as previous efforts

I find it difficult to review my issues with the plot without spoiling the book for others. So, please proceed with caution. Based on the event that Frieda experiences, the ultimate perpetrator is shown to have had a level of sophistication early on that doesn't ring true. Crime perpetrators evolve over time and typically have priors before being able to commit the big ones. So, although the book is well written and I love the Frieda Klein series. However, the resolution of this case didn't make sense to me so I was disappointed when the culprit was revealed.

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2 people found this helpful

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

A little less than okay

I love a good story with a twist at the end, but this one was morally reprehensible. Couldn't the author think of any other relationship for the main characters than what she came up with? Seriously?
Also, I'm always amazed that talented writers can't think of any better way to express themselves than using the "f" word over and over again.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Not the best Nicci French

This was a good story but not the best I have read from this author.
I would read another Nicci French novel.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Boring!

I've seen plows that didn't drag as much as this story. I still don't know what the point is.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Not French's best

This was obviously one of the author's earlier works. While the plot was a bit cumbersome, it was rescued buy a magnificent performance given by Harriet Walter.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Predictable

Boring and very predictable. What is with writers these days. They don't have an original thought of their own.

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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

Favorite find in a long time!!

Just when you think it's not possible to shock you more, and you've figured everyone out... That's when the characters you've grown to love, leave your head spinning yet again.

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

Bla bla bla

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

This story is just a bunch of rambling about the mundane lives of a group of people who think they are very important and special but one could care less about. I regret listening to it.

What was most disappointing about Nicci French’s story?

It was terribly unimaginative. The characters were hollow and I was never encouraged to care a bit about any of them or even who the killer was. No one in the story even really seemed to care about the victim or that she was dead, let alone be all that interested in who did it - so why should you? The ending seemed thrown together at the last minute in an attempt to add a twist. The only satisfaction it gave was that the book was finally over.

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

The narration was good but couldn't make up for the story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • GW
  • 07-09-14

Surprises with every turn of the page

What made the experience of listening to The Memory Game the most enjoyable?

I would just think I had things figured out and then suddenly I would get a surprise. Great plotting!

What other book might you compare The Memory Game to and why?

The look into the past and the surprises make this one a bit like reading a Kate Morton book.

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

This is the only one I have listened to but I enjoyed it very much. I would like to hear more from her.

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