• The Unbidden Truth

  • A Barbara Holloway Novel
  • By: Kate Wilhelm
  • Narrated by: Anna Fields
  • Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,328 ratings)

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The Unbidden Truth

By: Kate Wilhelm
Narrated by: Anna Fields
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Publisher's summary

When Louise Braniff hands Barbara Holloway a large retainer and asks for complete anonymity, the Oregon attorney is both intrigued and suspicious. The woman, a respected music professor, is a member of a group that sponsors worthy causes involving women. And they want Barbara to defend Carol Fredricks, a gifted young pianist who stands accused of murdering the manager of a piano bar.

Not long ago Barbara heard Carol play, and that is enough to convince her to take the case. But now the questions are coming faster than the answers. Carol's straightforward version of what happened the night Joe Wenzel was murdered clashes with the incriminating evidence against her. And how can Barbara explain the oddly incomplete picture she gets of the young woman herself?

Carol can't remember a huge part of her past, only the new life that began when she woke up in a hospital at the age of eight to learn that her parents were dead. She has no memory of learning to play the piano and is having haunting nightmares about a woman named Carolyn Frye.

Soon Barbara is convinced that her client is not only innocent but that she is being framed by ruthless foes who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. However, proving the case and keeping her client safe will require every drop of Barbara's notoriously fierce determination to get at the truth. And as she unravels the stunning trail of deception, hatred, and remarkably deep abiding love that holds the key to the mystery of Carol Fredricks, Barbara discovers that the unbidden truth may just damn them both.

It's legal: download more of Barbara Holloway's cases.
©2004 Kate Wilhelm (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"As always, genre veteran Wilhelm creates a thought-provoking, complex plot that will keep readers interested and make them think about ethical issues." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Unbidden Truth

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

4 stars- that's pretty darn good!

No great character development or delving of motives here, but plenty of action. The plot moves (not quite as swiftly as it might) and there are suprises the reader can guess at, but probably not solve. I prefer that to "sudden" suprises that I have no chance to solve or "predictable" ones that I get really tired of.

The good guys are good and likeable, the bad guys are the ones you love to hate. It''s a good listen.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great listen

I truly enjoyed this book and the narration, It was well paced, and kept me interested and wanting to keep listening till I got to the end.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Mystery! Recommend Highly!!!

First, note that there is nothing wrong with the audio and those complaining should instead check their listening device or download a new copy. Just finished this book, my 2nd Barbara Holloway mystery and I was on pins and needles until the end. Great writing, enjoyable and believable characters. I plan to download all of the novels eventually. Set in Eugene, Oregon is also a plus as my husband is a UO grad. While I don't know the city and eateries, I'm sure he will when he listens. Keep writing these Ms. Wilhelm! Good job!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Spectacular Wilhelm

Kate Wilhelm is one spectacular mystery writer. Holds your attention from beginning to the end.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful listen

I really enjoyed the Unbidden Truth, as well as the other Barbara Holloway mysteries. It is well written with believable, likeable characters and expertly narrated.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A good listen

This book is totally different from the cozy's I have become familiar with. I like the suspense, intrigue; thought provoking. Great with a cup of coffee or tea . I will continue to listen to this series.

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1 person found this helpful

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

"Thing 1 and Thing 2"

What made the experience of listening to The Unbidden Truth the most enjoyable?

Ms Fields uses one of her very best voices for the "Herbert and Detective last scene characters" See Susan E. Phillips, It Had To Be You, Dan character. She did not use this accent often, but it was her best.

What other book might you compare The Unbidden Truth to and why?

Like a few of this author's works, there are several stories being unveiled so you must have patients as these are not fast pace adventures, but unfolding bits of information that give you the "ah ha". When you finish a story, you immediately want to start another in this series that A.F reads to see how and what the characters contribute in the next adventure.

Which scene was your favorite?

All scenes with cats and dogs were sweet. Herbert's cooking tips, will have to try duck when making chili.

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

yes, when the exchange of a story was told in the last couple of chapters.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Too long

Like this author/series, but after many hours and side tracks, I gave up and stopped listening.

Just too many puzzle pieces that could not be connected even 3/4 of the book.

I’m done.

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

2nd Time Through and Even Better!

Kate Wilhelm is a masterful story teller. The details, the details. her knowledge of criminal law, as well as, her ability to understand human action and reaction are amazing. Kate Wilhelm's stories touch the heart, and her characters are developed to a realistic depth. I miss them when I'm not reading her books. Anna Fields brings it all to life with her total enactment. Her ability to place emotion and to use inflection to bring to life the charactors and the story are sheer wizardry. wait a minute, I think she has that down to a science. Beautifully done, Ladies. Thank you

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

Another gripping story

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Kate Wilhelm. Sometimes her stories start slowly but not this one!

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