The Memory Game

By: Nicci French

Narrated by: Harriet Walter

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Memory Game is a haunting psychological thriller from the top-ten best-selling author Nicci French.

You remember an idyllic childhood. But your memory is deceitful. And possibly deadly...

When a skeleton is unearthed in the Martellos' garden, Jane Martello is shocked to learn it's that of her childhood friend Natalie, who went missing 25 years ago.

Encouraged by a therapist to recover lost memories, Jane hopes to find out what really took place when she was a child - and what happened to Natalie. But in learning the truth about her and Natalie's past, is Jane putting her own future at terrible risk?

©2012 Joined-up Writing (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Boring

I agree with the last reviewer, in that this story was pretty boring. The main problem I had was the fact that it really didn't get into much of the mystery until the very end of the book. The rest of the book was just too detailed about everything outside of the actual plot. It wasn't until the very end of the book that the story got back on topic and discussed the plot. Too much detail about off-topic stuff and not enough plot.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not quite as strong as previous efforts

I find it difficult to review my issues with the plot without spoiling the book for others. So, please proceed with caution. Based on the event that Frieda experiences, the ultimate perpetrator is shown to have had a level of sophistication early on that doesn't ring true. Crime perpetrators evolve over time and typically have priors before being able to commit the big ones. So, although the book is well written and I love the Frieda Klein series. However, the resolution of this case didn't make sense to me so I was disappointed when the culprit was revealed.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A little less than okay

I love a good story with a twist at the end, but this one was morally reprehensible. Couldn't the author think of any other relationship for the main characters than what she came up with? Seriously?
Also, I'm always amazed that talented writers can't think of any better way to express themselves than using the "f" word over and over again.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not the best Nicci French

This was a good story but not the best I have read from this author.
I would read another Nicci French novel.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not French's best

This was obviously one of the author's earlier works. While the plot was a bit cumbersome, it was rescued buy a magnificent performance given by Harriet Walter.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Predictable

Boring and very predictable. What is with writers these days. They don't have an original thought of their own.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Favorite find in a long time!!

Just when you think it's not possible to shock you more, and you've figured everyone out... That's when the characters you've grown to love, leave your head spinning yet again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Surprises with every turn of the page

What made the experience of listening to The Memory Game the most enjoyable?

I would just think I had things figured out and then suddenly I would get a surprise. Great plotting!

What other book might you compare The Memory Game to and why?

The look into the past and the surprises make this one a bit like reading a Kate Morton book.

Have you listened to any of Harriet Walter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the only one I have listened to but I enjoyed it very much. I would like to hear more from her.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Boring!

I've seen plows that didn't drag as much as this story. I still don't know what the point is.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Even Dame Harriet Walter couldn't save this book

The narrator, per usual, was great but the book was terrible. A good idea for a mystery but the inept writing and ending made for a terrible listening experience.

Hard to care by the end-usually love Nicci French

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really time worth spent. The story seemed implausible, as if it was merely a vehicle for the authors to examine the concept of false memory syndrome. The characters weren't likeable, particularly the main character, Jane.

If you’ve listened to books by Nicci French before, how does this one compare?

Not good at all. I kept listening to it because I'd always enjoyed Nicci French books in the past so hoped it would get better. It didn't really.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Probably the final scene.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

I really would rather watch paint dry than sit through the film of this book.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad I've listened to other Nicci French books and enjoyed them immensely. If this is your first Nicci French book, don't let it put you off the authors - everything else they've done has been first-rate.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

Really good and interesting

At times I wondered where this story was going but the reader was so good I decided to keep with the flow. Thoroughly enjoyed it

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Long drawn out but worth it..

Not the best Nicci French story, taking longer to play out the narrative than others, but worthwhile if you stick with it. Excellent narrator.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Mesmerising!

What did you like most about The Memory Game?

I couldn't stop listening. Believable and sympathetic protagonist and Harriet Walter excellent on portraying many diverse characters.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great

Well read and the story had me hooked right to the end. Would definitely recommend it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Too melodramatic for me

I found this book annoyingly twee and trite, Enid Blyton but a murder mystery. The whole book was too set on wordy descriptions that is fine for a essay but a novel needs to have something clever, witty or sarcastic that gives it an edge. The end was predictable in many ways, I used it to fall asleep !! It has put me off Nicci French novels.

a bit slow at times but otherwise a good read

it seemed to ramble a bit but if you want an easy read with enough of interest to keep you entertained then this is fine. I listened whilst painting and gardening and it was good for that. the narration is good.

Grabbed Me Initially

I have read books by Nicci French before but this is my first audiobook of hers. I was initially grabbed by the story line but soon began to suspect where it was going. Having said that, it was still a good story, I just felt it lacked the suspense. There were a couple of characters that felt a bit superfluous to the storyline and didn't really serve any great purpose. However, this has not put me off listening to other books by the same author

very good if a little predictable

Good story and well written and very well narrated sort of Guessed what was going on quite early but maybe that's because I have read about the subject, Don't let that put you off and overall it was quite excellent.

Brilliant narrator. Compelling story

This is the first Nicci French book I have read and the first narrated by one of my favourite actresses. Couldn't stop listening to it. There were a couple if big holes in the plot but nevertheless I enjoyed it and now want to read more from the author.