The Escape Artist

By: Diane Chamberlain

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From the Sunday Times top 10 best-selling author of Big Lies in a Small Town, a gripping novel that asks...what if you can't outrun your past? 

Susanna Miller loses custody of her 11-month-old son, Tyler, but rather than turning the little boy over to her ex-husband and his new wife, she goes on the run. She dyes her hair, changes her name and escapes from Boulder, Colorado, leaving behind everyone she knows, including Linc Sebastian, the man who has been her best friend since childhood and who knows her better than anyone. 

Susanna lands in Annapolis, Maryland, alone, frightened and always looking over her shoulder for someone who might recognise her. Just as she's beginning to feel safe in her new surroundings, she stumbles across information that could save the lives of many people. If she's willing to take it to the police. But going to the authorities means revealing her identity, admitting her guilt and, worst of all, losing her son.

©1998 Diane Chamberlain (P)2013 Tantor Media

Critic reviews

"With beautifully drawn characters and a string of twists that will keep you guessing right up to the end." (Stylist)

"Chamberlain puts so much grit, emotion and drama into her books that it's impossible to stop thinking about them." (Heat)

"Gripping." (Woman & Home)

Good story

I enjoyed listening to the story the ending for me was a bit far fetched apart from that a good story.

My second Diane chamberlain book in a week

Having not read or heard of Diane Chamberlain until last week, I enjoyed her dream daughter book so much that I couldn’t wait to read another of hers. It did not disappoint in any way although the plot was not as imaginative as the dream daughter. I am now hooked on this author and debating whether to read a third book or to have a different author as a bit of a palate cleanser!

Wonderful & heartwarming.

What a heartwarming story!
It had me shouting in indignation at some of the characters at the plot twists etc but in a good way.

fantastic read

I really loved this book another smash from Diane chamblian my favourite author aways a good read

Brilliant!

Loved this book from beginning to end. I was completely gripped throughout and couldn't stop listening. Great twist at the end, and I was in tears at the conclusion. Happy or sad tears? You'll have to listen to find that out! Highly recommended.

Terrible

I am a HUGE Diane Chamberlain fan but this book was a real let down. The premise of the story is off and nonsensical from the start, the events are predictable and lack drama or suspense, the characters are one-dimensional and the narrator seems to have a cold, so is very hard to listen to. I hate to be a downer but honestly - give this book a miss and go check out Diane Chamberlain’s other amazing works!

Another cracker!

I loved this book. Right from the start your heart goes out to Susanna, but as the story unfolds the full extent her agony becomes clear too.

Another well crafted story from one of my favourite authors.

narrator

Great story as usual but didn't enjoy narrator at all. harsh voice and spoken too fast.

Blocked nose lady!

I have to say that my enjoyment of this story was spoiled by the narrator, Coleen Marlo, having a blocked nose! The stuffed up voice is such a shame (and really quite distracting). Surely she could have waited to record the book until her cold was better or her sinuses had been washed out? Or if this is a permanent ailment, the author should have considered that her book deserved a better delivery and the narrator might perhaps consider a different job? Luckily, several of the book's characters are crying, emotionally upset or have a respiratory infection, so she was able to capitalise on that.

Apart from this issue, the narrator has a pleasant voice and was able to manage the different voices pretty well, and the story is pretty interesting.
Suzanna is escaping with her baby son Tyler, from her ex husband and his new wife, who have just been granted custody of Tyler. She runs away the night before she has to hand him over. She would do anything to keep her child. She starts a new life in a town far away, and is befriended by a friendly local artist and his sister. Slowly, all kinds of interesting details emerge, as a whole other intriguing storyline unfolds, with drunk driving, bombs exploding and children dying.... Lots of themes of loss and heartbreak. (Might be painful to read if you have lost a child.) And back home, her ex hubby's wife sees her new husband for the selfish arrogant bastard he really is and has a change of heart. Plenty of intriguing twists and turns, and mysteries eventually unravelled. A great and satisfying story. I love Diane Chamberlain but will be careful to avoid Coleen Marlo in future.

Not for me

I gave it three hours and gave up! I couldn’t abide the narrator, neither voice nor speaking style. Three hours in and still was not gripped by the story. Really disappointing because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of DC’s other books.