The Memory

By: Lucy Dawson

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A haunting domestic drama about families and secrets, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Shalini Boland and Lisa Jewell.  

She’ll never forget...I’ll never forgive.

People always notice my daughter, Isobel. How could they not? Incredibly beautiful...until she speaks.   

An unsettling little-girl voice, exactly like a child’s, but from the mouth of a full-grown woman.   

Izzie might look grown up, but inside she’s trapped. Caught in the day it happened...the day that broke her from within. Our family fell apart that day, and we never could pick up the pieces....

©2018 Lucy Dawson (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Occult Heavy

This novel could have been interesting but the storyline is weaved with spiritism throughout. Supernatural themes are very popular now but I personally do not enjoy reading this genre of novel. I know there are other readers who don't either and I think reviews should be more descriptive about the content of novels.

Kept hoping it would get better

Too many characters, slow, was hoping it would all build up to a great ending, but just really strange. I’ve adored all Lucy Dawson books up until this one.

Is it over yet? Yawn....

Is it over yet? Yawn....
I struggled to get through this one. I am writing this midway through; sometimes I do this. So far, somewhat disappointing, which surprises me. I like author Lucy Dawson. As usual, narrator Clare Corbett is at her best. I am continuing on for now. The subject matter is about as unusual as anything I’ve listened to via Audible. There are so many twists and turns, I got dizzy. I have high hopes with this book. More to come... not one of the best, but nit the worse either. As this one continues, it grabbed my attention back and I finished it, the ending was very different indeed and not my favorite.

Good but NOT a thriller

This was quite a good book, but in no way a thriller. I ended up liking it because the end was powerful. But for the first 6 hours I kept waiting for something to happen.

Disappointing

The twist was okay. Aspects of the ending are unexplained. I was thoroughly underwhelmed; don’t let the blurb inform your expectations for this one.

The narrator was incredible though; 5 stars for her.

Lots of potential, but...

I enjoyed this book; however, it seems like it just came to an end too quickly. There could have been so much more story, but it seems like the author just got lazy and felt like finishing it too soon.

What a thrilling book!

I was hooked from the very Beginning! I couldn’t stop listening. If you are interested in the super natural this is a great book. Though it’s not quite what it seems. The end will totally surprise you. I love books like this, that keep me guessing! The narrator was also great! A must listen.

Superb in every way!

I totally disagree with most of the reviewers - I was intrigued from the very beginning and even more so as the story developed. After the initial description of the 'memory' incident there is a detailed description of the house which the story centers around - the author uses the potential buyer's tour with the owner to provide the description of this unusual place from the owner's point of view; then the story switches to the buyers point of view and from then on the chapters alternate between the owner, Eve, and the buyer, Claire.

After a few chapters the book starts getting creepy, but the occult aspect is not introduced right away. When it does come up, it is clear that the author is not presenting the occult as valid, but some of the characters strongly believe in it, and much of the action is motivated by that belief. There is always a hint of possible rational explanations, which I think most readers would lean towards all along. The daughter is totally into occult beliefs, and is able to frighten her former friend into believing there is something supernatural going on, but I wouldn't think the reader would share his belief.

The narrator was wonderful - she really made the characters come alive. I especially appreciate the way she did male voices, without going into a deep artificial voice.

One of the best audio books I've listened to - I hope others will not be discouraged by the negative reviews and will give this book a chance.

Difficult to put down.

I did not expect the ending! I loved the way the characters were developed. the story unfolded slowly and at times I was confused as to genre of the story for a moment I thought this was a semi-horror. However, the end put everything into perspective.

Excellent

I really enjoyed this book, very interesting and the narrator was really really good and captured the characters well.

Well paced and gripping thriller

All through the book we're given hints of mysteries that we hope will be explained later, and this alongside a gentle flow of actual revelations, so there's never a flat bit.

The ending moves at a very fast pace and I found I had to concentrate so as not to miss something.

The story is about Tim and Clare who move from the London area to buy an old property in rural Shropshire, and also about Eve Parks and her daughter Isabel who are selling the property to live in a smaller place nearby.

Mainly the book revolves around the relationships between and among the people in the two families and their Shropshire neighbours. Quite a clever plot really. It does involve Voodoo, black magic and similar things, so maybe not one to listen to in the middle of the night on your own. Balancing the supernatural we have Clare a partly trained psychologist who is sure there must be a rational explanation for everything.

Good narration by Clare Corbett. Great range of voices.

Outstanding Gripping Characters and Narration

Memory is a greatly well written book but what makes the audiobook come to life is the narration, here Claire has brought each individual character to life, her range of voice and regional accents is fantastic keeping your ears tuned in to the book all the way through.

The story is well constructed, each character is depicted in depth, there is a nice unexpected sinister twist towards the end which finishes it all of nicely.

It’s not a supernatural thriller as described in other reviews although there are small references to voodoo dolls, symbols and the occult, it’s not the emphasis of the story.

Family secrets, life changing event, friendship, deep genuine love, fear, gossip, jealousy, all the ingredients which make for a gripping listening experience.

I really enjoyed this one, there were no zoning out moments during listening, I had to rewind if I wasn’t paying full attention to listening as I didn’t want to miss any of it.

Full five stars from me.

Good but not great

Very strange book which veers between being part creepy horror with an adult who is still a child in the head who dresses like a doll, you have voodoo dolls, ouija boards and a bizarre backstory of kids being shot at by a crazy teacher with a pellet gun which scared them all for life. Add in the sexual abuse, trauma and crazy in laws and it all just gets too much. Its performed well although the middle/upper class accent of the narrator starts to grate after a few hours. I think sometimes less is more...felt like a couple of books crammed into one strange story.

So nearly a five star - enjoyed every moment

I am going to be honest, I am not a Clare Corbett fan - mainly as her voice usually sounds rather prim and goody goody like a sporty headgirl and this nearly put me off this audiobook completely and I have also read some Lucy Dawson books which just lacked something and though started off well, became a bit lacklustre and ended leaving you feeling a bit disappointed .......... BUT despite my earlier experiences I LOVED IT!

I thought Clare Corbett did a great job of the children's voices and the two main female characters though as usual her male voices were pure cringe panto style charactures but luckily the men did not say much so all good.

The storyline was great and covered many themes and backstories. For all animal lovers like me who hate the tired cliche of pets coming to harm in thrillers, you can relax - nothing gory or gritty happens to man or beast though it is full of thrills and chills and intriguing spooky atmosphere.

It kept me hooked from the very beginning as the different backstories and dynamics between the characters unfolding and tensions mounting as mysteries abounded.

I really liked the way it was written, with touches of humour and characters being described though other characters eyes which was a very holistic and natural device through which we got a rally good sense of them.

This is by far the best Lucy Dawson book I have read/listened to and the best read also by Clare Corbett - I would have liked to give it 4 and a half stars if possible and I really recommend it as an entertaining and gripping audiobook.

Loved it....😊

This story really surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect at first listen as it was a random purchase so I just hoped for the best. But -wow-it was fantastic. Had absolutely no idea that it would turn out as it did and I’m usually pretty good at guessing the outcome. It kept going in directions I did t expect and became more and more gripping . An absolute belter of a story which I didn’t want to end.

Amazing

This was the srory that gripped me at every turn. Absolutely brilliantly written and read. I couldn't stop listening.

What a belter!

This creepy little number was my first Lucy Dawson and it won’t be my last! I finished it in 2 days and thought it was a brilliantly paced and narrated thriller, and I loved the psychological / supernatural touches. It was one of those books that has you thinking - It’s him.... no it’s her.... It’s definitely not a ghost..... but maybe it could be a ghost?.... is it that person AND a ghost?... nope it’s 100 percent him.... or her.... all within the space of one chapter. Great fun!!

intriguing right to the end

loved it. the structure of the book was perfect and made for compelling listening. great characterisation

Great book

Really enjoyed this book. Kept me quiet for hours. But the narration was something else. Clare Corbett has the ability of making it seem like about 10 different people are narrating - she is so good at the different voices. Bad narration puts me off what may be a good book, but this one was fantastic, thanks, in no small part, to the narration.

Compelling Read Lacklustre Ending

What a great read, the story was full of twists and turns and you really had no idea what was going on throughout this well written novel. I did not guess or predict the ending but that was probably due to the fact I was expecting a better and more elaborate finale.

Clare Corbett read well however I found myself disliking Tim from the start as her 'voice' for him was so similar to Glenn from Fiona Barton's The Widow I found myself getting confused.

Overall, it is definitely worth the monthly credit but I would be reluctant to spend £30 on the download.