The Amateurs

By: Sara Shepard

Narrated by: Renee Chambliss

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

As soon as Seneca Frazier sees the post on the Case Not Closed website about Helena Kelly, she's hooked. Helena's high-profile disappearance five years earlier is the one that originally got Seneca addicted to true crime. It's the reason she's a member of the site in the first place. So when Maddy Wright, her best friend from the CNC site, invites Seneca to spend spring break in Connecticut looking into the cold case, she immediately packs her bag. But the moment she steps off the train in trendy, glamorous Dexby, things begin to go wrong.

Maddy is nothing like she expected, and Helena's sister, Aerin Kelly, seems completely hostile and totally uninterested in helping with their murder investigation. But when Brett, another super user from the site, joins Seneca and Maddy in Dexby, Aerin starts to come around. The police must have missed something, and someone in Dexby definitely has information they've been keeping quiet.

As Seneca, Brett, Maddy, and Aerin begin to unravel dark secrets and shocking betrayals about the people closest to them, they seem to be on the murderer's trail at last. But somewhere nearby the killer is watching, ready to do whatever it takes to make sure the truth stays buried.

First in a new series by the New York Times best-selling author of the Pretty Little Liars series, Sara Shepard, The Amateurs is packed with the twists and turns, steamy romance, and stunning revelations that her fans have been waiting for.

©2016 Alloy Entertainment, LLC and Sara Shepard (P)2016 Recorded Books

Most irritating narrator ever!

Forget the pros-and-cons of the book (okay mystery but not as compelling as I had hoped considering this is the same author as PRETTY LITTLE LIARS.) Renee Chambliss is one of the WORST narrators I've ever listened to. She reads the entire novel in this voice that is both simultaneously flat and sing-songy. Her cadence doesn't vary from sentence to sentence. It's all read in the same tone, whether it's a funny moment, a scary moment, a dramatic moment, etc. And she does this really irritating thing where her voice RISES near the end of every sentence, so everything vaguely sounds like a question. It's maddening beyond belief and is a complete suspense killer. (In mystery novels, it's imperative the narrator is able to create tension with their voice, something Renee Chambliss is wholly unable to do.) Also, all of the characters sounded alike, it was hard to figure out who was talking. Her attempt at male voices where the worst. Only the character of Madison had a distinct vocal tone.

The book has it's fun moments, but it doesn't feel very professional or polished in both the narrative passages and the dialogue. But maybe I felt that way due to Renee Chambliss, though. I'd suggest if you're interested, pick up the actual novel (or read it on a Kindle). Avoid narrator Renee Chambliss at all costs!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Meh

First of all, the narration was almost painful. I made the mistake of not listening to the sample before getting this book. Squeaky voice and pitiful attempt at making male voices. You learn to ignore it by the middle of the book.

The story was alright. It felt very high school to me and very corny at times with the dialogues. Some of the parts I caught myself thinking "really?" Because it was so unrealistic. Still, there was some suspense and it definitely wasn't predictable - I'll give the author that.

Overall, it was meh.

Great mystery!

I can not wait to read more books in this amateur series! Sara Shepard rules.

Such a good book totally recommend

This book is so great. I totally would recommend this book to anyone for a school project or for just fun! SARA SHEPARD HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH ANOTHER GREAT BOOK! 😀👍