One Breath Away

By: Heather Gudenkauf

Narrated by: Joyce Bean, Susan Ericksen, Laural Merlington, Kate Rudd, Buck Schirner

In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.

Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town’s children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And 13-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.

As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.

©2012 Heather Gudenkauf (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Totally Addresses Events in our Time

A gifted writer. I couldn’t stop listening. All events could have happened in our time.
Readers added to the characters in the book.

I would like to recommend this book to any person in education.

great listening

I love her books Never dull

Good stories and suspense She gives you surprise endings

A very good read

Books for me don't have to be great every time, but they have to make me feel like I didn't waste my precious time. This was one of those books, not breath taking, but a good lazy read.

Tension Builds Throughout

Would you listen to One Breath Away again? Why?

Yes. I really enjoy this one. The Narrators were fantastic and the tension in this one builds gradually but, oh so very effectively. I only gave the story four stars, because I did not walk away having a true understanding of the cause of the rift between Holly and her father. Early on, I did have my suspicions correct as to who the gunman was, but the author managed to convince me I was incorrect and throw enough doubt on my theories to make me disbelieve myself. I love it when someone can do that! By the end I was convinced it was someone else.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's hard not to love and empathize with Augie, as it is clear that she has mothered not only her little brother, but her mother as well. She is one determined and protective young lady.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I think if I read the book on paper, the sincerity and angst of little P. J. might have less impact. The narrator managed to bring home the lost and somewhat abandoned feelings this little boy carries in his heart.

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

Yes, it kept drawing my back.

Any additional comments?

I will read more of this author.

Not a fan of the narrative style

I enjoy Heather Gudenkauff books. They keep me engaged until the end. Generally, I prefer a single narrator, so the multiple character voices was not a personal favorite. I particularly found the voice of Auggie to be unnaturally stilted. Overall, I recommend as I recognize these are personal preferences rather than a reflection of the quality of the book.

ehhhh....

I neither loved nor hated it, but she has other books that are much better. The storyline was fine, but could have been about 20 chapters shorter. The only major thing I disliked were the narrator who rccread Wills chapters. when he did the voice for Wills wife it sounded like Mrs. Doubtfire sucking helium while driving down a dirt road. it was terrible.

excellent who is it?

Great story that keeps you guessing until the very end. Perfect performance by all readers that enable you to see each character and visualize the story. I really enjoyed it.

If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult

If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult, you are going to love this tightly knit drama.
What could be more terrifying than a gunman in a school!

Told from the viewpoints of the children, their families, teachers and the police, this story is a compelling account of the events that unfolded on this horrific day.

Heather Gudenkauf had me captivated from the start and it is easy to see why I love her novels.

Not realistic story line

Not believable story line. After working in a school for over 25 years I couldn’t get into the mind set of trying to figure out the who and why. If there’s a gunman in a school you don’t wait to find out who/why you go in and end it.

Not Gudenkauf's standard

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. This book would've best been served as a novella. It drags on so long, and honestly doesn't go anywhere. The characters just ring flat in some places and act emotionally overrun in others.
Perhaps the narration also contributed to this thought; no narrator shines in this performance either.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The relationship between Holly and her parents and children was the most interesting; the least interesting was probably the gunman and his identity and motive.

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

I have listened to some of these narrators before; some are better than others, but as an ensemble I just couldn't finish.

Any additional comments?

This is not up to the potency of Gudenkauf's "The Weight of Silence" or the strong female leads in "These Things Hidden." I wanted to like this book, but it just meanders along with rabit trails that lead nowhere and everywhere, and I know that Gudenkauf is up to better than this.