Past Obsession

By: Richard Keith Taylor

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's 1942 and talented young artist Emily Torrance is brutally murdered. Seventy-five years later, Jim Mercer, a reporter for the LA Times, covers a J. Paul Getty Museum showing of Emily's work and is smitten by her self-portrait. Eventually becoming obsessed with the slain artist, Mercer investigates her murder and discovers something the cops of 1942 missed: evidence of Emily's killer, but more - proof of time travel. Mercer will leap back through time to 1942 to save Emily Torrance, if she can be saved, because he's found proof his future self has already time-travelled.

©2017 Richard Keith Taylor (P)2017 Richard Keith Taylor

A fast obsession with this time travel tale!!!!

Time travel. One of my favorite concepts. Something that captivates me whether it is on the silver screen, the boobtube, or a book. It never fails, and I am always on the look out for a good time travel story. Luckily, I found one here.

Past Obsession might seem a touch like the old Christopher Reeves time travel movie, Somewhere in time. And they do share a common link, both main characters fall in love with a woman in the past from just her photo. Beyond that the similarities end, this one has a just a bit more action, intrigue, and danger.

I always appreciate it when an author can get around paradox problems, and Taylor does this nicely too. Also, the emotions in this book run deep, and you may just find yourself falling for Emily Torrence, too. That is because they are raw unshackled emotions that come from a real place.

It doesn't hurt that Paul Heitsch narrates the heck of of this book. He is like a distant black hole that slowly draws you in. The man is absolutely made to tell this kind of noirish thriller. This story is what I call a rib sticker, because it stays with you for days after you have finished. I can honestly say, this is a book I will listen to again and again.

Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.

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one of those you can’t put it down

What would you be willing to do for your true love?  How far would you be willing to travel to save your true love?  James Mercer, an LA Times reporter is given a bread and butter piece to write about a murdered artist, Emily Torrance, from 1942.  Now, seventy years after her death, her work is being recognized.

It is during his research that James falls for Emily and discovers his connection to the night she was found viciously murdered.  James must decide what he needs to discover how to travel back to that night and save his true love and prevent her death.  Can James save her and at what cost to his future?

Richard Keith Taylor, the author, delivers a powerful tale that will hold listeners captivated.  The story line is well-developed focusing on love, murder and the cause and effect rule in the future.  Weaving his tale, Taylor plays on the emotions of his readers like a violin – never missing a beat and keeping the suspense and action moving along steadily.  His characters are well-developed and realistic.  The plot twists are well delivered and timely.

The narrator, Paul Heitsch performed the audio book professionally drawing the listener in with his talented skills of giving each character a voice.  The narration appeared to be natural and realistic.  Heitsch is definitely a “thriller” type narrator.  Excellently done, I hope to hear more works by him.

I enjoyed this thriller very much and listened to it practically non-stop.  It’s one of those you can’t put it down or you will miss something.  Definitely edge of your seat thriller!

I did not experience any difficulties with the audio production or quality of this audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Close to good

No Spoilers.
I finished this book 4 days ago and gave myself time to calm down before writing this review.
So, if you've watched a few episodes of any television crime procedural you'll guess "who dunnit" pretty early into the story. This makes it a little insulting/annoying as the story goes on and you're more and more convinced that you're right. This, however, is not what kills this book. After nearly 12 hours of decent character development and above average narration, the author has the main character do something so ridiculous, so stupid, that it yanks you out of the story completely and makes you feel angry. It goes against what the author has taught you about the character. What he has told us from hour 2 is the driving force behind everything the main character does and after spending 11 hours building up to the main conflict of the story, it's just wrong. That's as clear as I can make it without spoilers. It's stupid and the explanation for the action is insulting to the readers intelligence. It's Lazy,Lazy,Lazy writing.
On the plus side, the performance by Heitsch was very good.

Not sure what type of listener loves this.

it's not a bad book. For lack of a better way to say it it is just boring and hollow. only so many time can I hear how his soul, sun and moon obbsseses for someone he doesn't know. I gave it 16 chapters waiting for some layers to unravel and make it all necessary. nope. just drones on and on about how much he loves her Everytime with 35 adjectives. Then when the "science" part comes its just all neat and tidy and seemed like not much thought went into it all. A long winded super sort read that went on and on too long to live up to the obbsseses in the title. Just not interesting.

Rambles on too long

The book is not bad and the narrator is pretty solid, but the story loses interest because there is a really long stretch where pretty much nothing at all happens. I forced myself to get to the end, where in 10 minutes everything happens all at once. Not very good.

Pretty good time travel story but could have been

So much better. I don't want to spoil it but there was a point they could have gone in a slightly different direction and it would have been frustrating and satisfying all at the same time. Still a good listen though

very good 👍

loved it didn't want to put it down kept my attention the whole time a little long on getting to the actual crime scene

It just never got better.

I listened for a few hours but the story didn't go anywhere. It certainly didn't involve time travel. Just some guy longing for a woman murdered over 50 years in the past. Reads more like a history lesson on Los Angeles. Kinda boring.

Time travel fun

Time travel is my favorite genre, and this one did not disappoint. Awesome performance kept this thriller moving! I guessed the end early on, but that didn’t keep me from enjoying the ride.

Needs editing.

It was a major struggle to get through this book. It's too long and sappy. The towards the end it starts to get interesting but by that time I was already sick of the book. If the book were half as long, more focused on the last third of the story... it would be a decent read. As it is, I recommend not reading the book.

A wonderful story and so well narrated

OK, some of the story may be very hard to believe, but does that really matter? This was my favourite listen since joining Audible. I enjoy science fiction, but there has to be a good story. This was good. I must admit that the main character rather annoyed me at times, but I forgave him by the end. As far fetched as the story was, I could easily understand why he fell in love with Emily. Well worth five stars.

Brilliant

Absolutely loved it. A brilliant story, with the concept of time travel, I was constantly guessing what might happen.

Great Story

Very enjoyable. The story is interesting throughout. The main character seems a bit cringy at times. The mystery and suspense keep this book interesting.

Most memorable

rarely has a book pulled so strongly at my emotions. this story had me gripped in ways that surprised me. don't be put off by the slow start, we need the background to fully immerse us in the story. Enjoy!

Compelling story

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's an unusual story, part thriller, part romance and part time travel. The time travel is cleverly done, believable, and doesn't detract from the other aspects of the book. The narration is excellent.

A great tale

A twist in the final scenes despite anticipating the worst. I very much enjoyed this audio book.

Listen to this

With this book having very few reviews I was not sure if it would be any good
The storyline was believable and at times I found extra time to finish a chapter and near the end the anticipation is building to see if....well I won't spoil the book you will need to listen to this book