The Girl from Home

By: Adam Mitzner

Narrated by: Jonathan Walker

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

The acclaimed author, whose recent novel of suspense, Losing Faith, was declared "startling...a well-crafted story" (Kirkus Reviews), takes you on a gripping psychological thrill ride in this electrifying tale of a millionaire who will go to deadly lengths to get what he wants.

Jonathan Caine is a true master of the universe - a currency wizard with a trophy wife, a penthouse condo with a view of the Statue of Liberty, and the desire for more - when his world comes crashing down, spiraling him into a relentless fall from grace. Devastated, Jonathan returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father and attend his 25th high school reunion, where he becomes reacquainted with former prom queen Jacqueline Williams. Back in the day, Jackie didn't even know Jonathan existed. Now she is intrigued by the man he has become. But their budding relationship has problems, not the least of which is Jackie's jealous and abusive husband.

Jonathan is determined to learn from his mistakes, but is he capable of complete transformation? Or will a shocking temptation test his desire for redemption beyond anything he could have imagined?

©2016 Adam Mitzner (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Wanted to like it

I struggled to get into this book. After a few chapters, I really became hooked on the story. I didn't realize the book was almost over and when it ended I just could not believe that was how this book ended. I suppose I thought this book was going in a different direction. Disappointed that I wasted my time listening to it all the way through.

Better production needed

This was a fair story and the reader was fine but I had to listen to his inhales of breath and swallowing through the whole book which drove me nuts. Surely there was a way to edit those sounds! The story has been told a million times and I was waiting for a twist but alas, it never came.

Just couldn't do it

I think this storyline is excellent and I commend the author. I WILL read this book, but the narration is horrible. I tried to stick with it hoping I could get past the flat and lifeless telling of the tale. Sadly, that wasn't the worst part. Listening to the narrator quickly inhaling and WHEEZING while speaking was beyond what I could handle. I just could do it for 8-9 hours. This was obviously a low budget recording and should have not been released. I hope its redone.

Mitzner Delivers Again

Would you consider the audio edition of The Girl from Home to be better than the print version?

I loved Adam Mitzner's latest book The Girl From Home. I was pleasingly surprised how much I enjoyed his departure from the courtroom to the world of high finance. This talented young author has consistently delivered the goods and has a long promising career ahead of him. I look forward to reading the next book he writes.

An emotional, and suspenseful thriller!

This book was a great listen for the most part. The story is gripping and builds tension throughout. The end felt rushed after fleshing out characters throughout the story, I was left with an incomplete feeling. Perhaps there will be a sequel, otherwise, the listener will be left feeling a bit robbed.
During a twenty-five year class reunion, Jonathan reunites with Jackie, an old classmate. They were from different cliques. Jonathan the nerd. Jackie the Prom Queen who --in typical cliche fashion-- married Rick, the high school football star. Jackie's in an abusive relationship. No way out. Rick has made it abundantly clear that if she tries leaving him he will kill her. She has more to think about than herself. Their two kids are equally at risk should she try anything stupid, like divorce.

When Rick is murdered, both Jackie and Jonathan are the prime suspects. They both know the truth. But will they keep the secret from the prosecutors, or turn on each other to get a deal from the District Attorney?

Jonathan Walker was excellent with the delivery of the story

This is NOT a Thriller

If you are looking for a Thriller or even a Mystery, do not buy this.

Not a thriller

I downloaded this book because I enjoyed the author's previous books. There is nothing about this book that makes it a thriller. Absolutely nothing. It was slow, it was drawn out, and it was pretty boring. Don't buy this book just because you liked his others, this one is very different.

Great Story. But...

The story kept me engaged throughout. The Narator did a good job of conveying it. Maybe he had a cold, or the mic was too close but the entire naration is punctuated by wheezing, breathing, swallowing, and various other sounds of the nose and throat that have no place in a professional production. Mike Charzuk has produced many great titles for Audible that I have thoroughly enjoyed, but he kinda dropped the ball on this one. Not a hater here, but clean it up please.

A Long, Slow Burn

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't know that I had a favorite character. I grew to like Jonathan and I could sympathize a bit with Jackie, but I don't have any particularly warm, fuzzy feelings about either of them. They were well crafted and flawed, but I won't be carrying their story with me for days and weeks to come.

What does Jonathan Walker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice is very smooth and was well-suited for the story. I had no problem deciphering who was speaking and his narration helped keep me grounded in a story that was very slow through the middle.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really. I wanted to finish it, but I didn't feel any pressing need to do so.

Any additional comments?

Good novel. If you stick with it to the end, there are some pleasant twists, but it isn't a page turner by any stretch.

It's a good story

Really good story slightly predictable ending but definitely keep you interested all the way. Once you are three quarters through you realize that there has to be a twist and of course there is. I was hoping for a slightly more elaborate twist but all in all this was very entertaining.

Poor narration

This audiobook has extremely poor narration. I couldn't listen to more than three chapters before I returned the audiobook. I'm hoping that audible releases a new version with a new narrator as they did with Mitzner's last title 'losing faith' from last year.
I'd urge anybody else who finds the narration poor to email audible and let them know. I'm really sad that I can't enjoy this latest Mitzner release as I'm a big fan of his stories!