Necessary as Blood

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Macavity Award-winning author Deborah Crombie paints a vivid portrait of England's seedy underbelly in Necessary as Blood.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in mid May, a young mother, Sandra Gilles, leaves her daughter with a friend at the Columbia Road Flower Market and disappears. Shortly thereafter, her husband, a Pakistani lawyer, is killed. Scotland Yard detective Gemma James happens upon the scene in time to witness the investigator making a mistake.

When Duncan and his trusted sergeant, Doug Cullen, see Gemma's name in the report, they decide to take the case. Working together again, Gemma, Duncan, Doug, and Melody Talbot must solve it before the murderer can get his hands on the real prize, Naz and Sandra's daughter.

But just as the case grows more dangerous, a personal issue threatens to throw Gemma and Duncan off the trail. In the end, it is up to them to stop a vicious killer and protect the child whose fate hangs in the balance.

©2009 Deborah Crombie (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Solid, standard Crombie - narration lacks

What did you love best about Necessary as Blood?

I love the characters and their development is part of the attraction of this series.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Overall, I really don't care for Jenny Sterlin. I've read many books narrated by her and it's somewhat nitpicking to criticize her, because all-in-all she delivers a pretty solid narration. But, when a narration draws your attention from the story to the narration, that's an indication that there is a problem with the telling. I find myself annoyed by her adenoidal vowels, her mispronunciation of words, and, in the specific instance of this book/series, her voice for Duncan (which is dreadful and completely mis-portrays him as a boorish snob.) Bronze narration, maybe. But not Sterling.

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

I love the 'Charlotte' parts.

Any additional comments?

Would recommend and would read again.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Crombie delivers

The Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James books always provide a story that works on several levels, enough tension to keep things interesting, and a mystery that holds you. Combined with excellent narration, this volume provides an enjoyable listening experience. I especially like the way Crombie handles all her recurring characters so that each grows and develops additional dimensions, providing a second story that moves apace with the mystery and enriches the whole.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Mystery!

What did you love best about Necessary as Blood?

The interaction of characters and events.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Gemma James, but it's an ensemble cast. Everyone is necessary to the story.

Which character – as performed by Jenny Sterlin – was your favorite?

Gemma.

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

That would give the story away.

Any additional comments?

Deborah Crombie, a native Texan, obviously researches her British settings well. This one deals with the assimilation of Bangladeshi immigrants and does it well.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

One of My Favorite Authors

Where does Necessary as Blood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Don't think of books as they relate to other books

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gemma and Duncan are both very good characters.

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

Yes. They all rate high which is why I listen.

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

All the above.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next one.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Terrible narrator

Would you try another book from Deborah Crombie and/or Jenny Sterlin?

I like Deborah Crombie books, this narrator ruined it for me, Ducan sounded like a snob, Toby sounded like a brat, couldn't wait for it to end.

Would you ever listen to anything by Deborah Crombie again?

Yes

How could the performance have been better?

Different reader

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

good story that started a bit slow

this was a nice edition to the Duncan/Gemma series. the dynamics are changing between the two and the story reflects this. ending wrapped up nice and tidy even if it wasn't a completely happy one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another winner

Deborah Crombie has crafted another winner in the Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James series. This is the thirteenth book in the series and still growing stronger with each installment. The characters continue to grow and the stories remain original. If you’re a fan of mysteries you won’t want to miss a single installment, for the best experience, I recommend starting with the first in this series.

Best one of all!

Loved this one - the personal story of Duncan and Emma was as good as the crime story.

Enjoyable story and writing style. A few questions

As usual, Deborah Crombie delivered another entertaining tale of the lives of Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid -- two very likeable characters. I enjoy the other characters as well, their children Kit and Toby, and in this case, Betty and little Charlotte. The story was engaging and the narration of the audiobook was excellent. I especially liked the prelude to and the wedding scene... very touching. As for the mystery, the resolution was not too credible as I do not believe the victims would have put themselves at risk in the way they would have had to to meet their respective fates. The villain was a very bad person indeed and I think they would have been smart enough to perceive the danger and get law enforcement involved right away.

Not my favorite.

I have listened to most of this series and this is the first one that disappointed me. Kincaid sounded angry most of the time, kids sounded spoiled and what should have been obvious to even a bad detective went right over Jemma's head. Silly really.