Sydney Rye Mystery Box Set, Books 1-3

By: Emily Kimelman

Narrated by: Sonja Field

Length: 20 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

My dog once took a bullet that was intended for me. A bullet that ripped through his chest, narrowly missing his heart, and exited through his shoulder blade. This left him unconscious on the floor of my home. Amazingly, this bullet did not kill him.

Ten years ago, I adopted Blue after I broke up with my boyfriend one hot, early summer night with the windows open and the neighborhood listening. The next morning I went straight to the pound in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Articles on buying your first dog tell you never to buy a dog on impulse. Going to the pound because you need something in your life that's worth holding onto is rarely, if ever, mentioned. I asked the man at the pound to show me the biggest dogs they had. He showed me some Rottweiler-German Shepherd puppies that he said would grow to be quite large. Then he showed me a six-month-old Shepherd that would get pretty big. Then he showed me Blue, the largest dog they had. He was as tall as a Great Dane, with the snout of a Collie, the markings of a Siberian husky, the ears and tail of a shepherd and the body of a wolf, with one blue eye and one brown.

Crouched in a sitting position, unable to lie down, unable to sit all the way up, he looked at me from between the bars, and I fell in love. "I'll tell you, lady, he's pretty but he's skittish. He sheds, and I mean sheds. I don't think you want this dog," the man told me. But, I knew I had to have him. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I brought Blue home, and we lived together for years. He was, for most of our relationship, my only companion. But, when I first met Blue, a lifetime ago now, I had family and friends. I worked at a crappy coffeehouse. I was young and lost; I was normal.

Back then, at the beginning of this story, before I'd ever seen a corpse, before Blue saved my life, before I felt what it was like to kill someone in cold blood, I was still Joy Humbolt. I'd never even heard the name Sydney Rye.

P.S. The dog doesn't die.

©2016 Emily Kimelman (P)2016 Emily Kimelman

Edge of my seat the whole way through!

These three books are PACKED with suspense and twists and turns. Great storylines and story telling. The narrator did an excellent job of fleshing out the different characters and keeping the suspense going. The only complaint I have is that I was constantly scared for the dog (I’m an animal lover, what can I say), and I was frustrated by the shit that Sydney Rye kept getting herself into. She just barreled into trouble without thinking things through. Her opinion of her skills was totally inflated for the limited experience that she had. The only reason she lives is because she has friends that know better. That said, those experiences did shape her into someone tougher. Overall it’s a great first few books and I hope I have the guts to listen to the rest. The suspense kind of kills me!

Not a bad start to series, best for YA listeners

I agree with some other listeners, this is repetitive at times and therefore a little frustrating.

But a good listen for families wanting a series they can enjoy together, or those staying in the genre.

I love LitRPG, so if you like this there is plenty more to enjoy!

Drama, romance, shootouts, spies

This set of stories has it all like the well written book it is. It rivals several movies that Bruce Willis would of stared in.

Great Character. Compelling Story

Sydney Rye cares about the innocent and ruthlessly pursues the guilty. Like many women she does whatever it takes to get the job finished.

Had to return the book

The story sound great and I was sort of getting into it. at 3 hours 12 minute mark it stopped, and turned off my app on my phone. tried in my car, it stopped in the same spot and turned off audible. Last thing, I tried on my computer and same thing. Like I said, the story line seemed good, but couldn't get past the 3 hour mark

Exciting Listen

I liked the books. They kept me interested. I liked the lightness of the beginning. It got a little too dark, but it was very interesting.

Not Great

I read a lot. This book felt amateurish. Not enough emotional connection with the characters and not very well written narration.

atypical, increasing character development, engaging

atypical, increasing character development, engaging.

Credit worthy in boxed set of 3. At different points I wasn't sure if I would continue but I like that it isn't typical mystery formula driven. Unclear if this will lead to a tragic heroine's end...

Some portions will turn off those who are easily shocked or offended, especially in book 1. The adventure is constantly changing. The character development continues to grow, including "flaws" such as empathy.

Engaging

The story had many twists and turns, moves along at a face pace. Before I knew it... I've listened to the first 3 books. can't wait to start the next set.

Outstanding! Addictive! Left Wanting More!

Loved it! What a fantastic story and performance! I'm thinking of changing my dog's name. Non-stop action as our heroine, Joy/Sydney encounters and overcomes one, and another adversary. ...but how she and puppy does it is worth the reading and/or listening.