The Examiner

A Novel

De: Janice Hallett

Narrado por: Anushka Chakravarti, Brendan Dempsey, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Rachel Handshaw, Sarah Durham, Dawn Murphy

Told in emails, text messages, and essays, this thrilling mystery follows a group of students in an art master’s program that goes dangerously awry, from the internationally bestselling “new queen of crime” (Electric Literature) Janice Hallett.

Gela Nathaniel, head of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course, must find six students from all walks of life across the United Kingdom for her new master’s program before the university cuts her funding. The students are nothing but trouble from day one.

There’s Jem, a talented sculptor recently graduated from her university program and eager to make her mark as an artist at any cost. Jonathan, who has little experience aside from running his family’s gallery. Patrick manages an art supply store, but can barely operate his phone, much less design software. Ludya is a single mother and graphic designer more interested in a paycheck than homework. Cameron is a marketing executive in search of a hobby or a career change. And Alyson, already a successful artist, seems to be overqualified.

When the examiner, the man hired to grade students’ final workssifts through the students’ final essays, texts, and message boards, he becomes convinced that someone is in danger…or already dead.

With her trademark “witty, original” (The New York Times) voice, Janice Hallett weaves a fresh and mind-bending page-turner that will keep you guessing until the final page.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Janice Hallett (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Holy guacamole

I didn’t quite know what to expect from a bunch of art majors trying to complete a major project. But it took some turns that were crazy fun. Yes, I would recommend this book.

WOW!

Okay, this might not be for everyone. It's not a relax with an audiobook and go to sleep listen. But OMG, as an adult graduate student in the US, about as far away from Art College as one can get, could I relate to the group dynamics!! It kept me guessing most of the time, and I stayed up too late, extending the timer.

The format is different. It took a bit of getting used to it when you realize it is this way for the entire book, but I'm grateful we can hit rewind.

This was enjoyable and another display of the human condition.

Probably MUCH easier to follow if read

The story was very convoluted with lots of twists and turns. Good thing that the narrators were usually easy to identify.

Kept Me Up All Night Listening

Characters whirl around each other, revealing a bit here, concealing a bit there. Completely drew me in. Loved the myriad voices.

Worked for me, compelling

I enjoyed this format. I normally don't like multiple voice performances on Audible, but this worked well. Four stars as it was perhaps a little longer than necessary, but I found it easy to follow and compelling. I may try another by this author.

Great narration, great twist, jury’s out on story though

I must admit that the book kept my attention. However, I struggled a bit with one of the principal characters (who was expertly portrayed by their narrator). The character was over-the-top unlikable. That and some more mundane elements of the story made me question whether to continue reading. Nonetheless, I persevered.
I must also admit that I did not, in any way, shape, or form anticipate the first of a few twists, which I consider the most significant. If you are a fan of twists, a touch of mystery, a group of vastly different individuals forced to work together (none of whom are who they seem to be), and a smidgen of sci-fi, then I encourage you to take a chance.

Exhausting

Enough already. This story was brilliant but belabored. I will check out the author’s novella

Confusing audio

It’s been a while since I have not had a good audiobook. I listened to the entire thing in hopes it would get better but it didn’t. Too busy with all the texts between everyone and the end was not that great.

Not Your Typical Art Course

Very complicated but that’s normal for this author’s books, it’s a wild ride and very enjoyable. The different narrators bring the characters such unique flair. Loved the format.

A different way to tell a story

I was intrigued by the technique used by the author - Reconstructing a story for emails and chat transcripts. It worked pretty well, but it was a little hard to follow towards the end when the chat sessions moved to real time. Quite an intricate plot. I recommend.