The Sleeping Doll

Kathryn Dance, Book 1

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Anne Twomey

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Daniel Pell is a contemporary Charles Manson. A petty criminal with a history of anti-social behaviour, he had a group of women living with him in a quasi cult in central California. Eight years ago, he and another man viciously slaughtered a family for no apparent reason, though the three women in his "family" were absolved of any part in the deaths. Now, present day, Pell has escaped and interrogator and analyst Kathryn Dance must find out where he is and why he's staying near the prison he escaped from.

©2011 Jeffrey Deaver (P)2011 Whole Story Audio Books

Gripping from the start

It was very easy to get hooked from the start. The narrator was appropriately expressive. The story had unexpected but believable twists.

Good listen but definitely not Lincoln

Not as good as Lincoln Rhyme but a very nice story with some good twists, but felt like the author was trying to hard at the end. got too much at the end, story could have finished a half hour earlier

Deaver does it again!

At the completion of the final scene all of my initial thoughts about this mature, scratchy narrator had faded away. Drifted away with the plot lines and suspense created by Deaver, and indeed Twomey.

Another great Audible audio book which I'll listen to again and again.

Just when you thought it was safe....

Fantastic. The only word to describe this audio book. Well read with suitable definitions between characters, and there are a lot of them. I was totally engrossed with the twisting plot which is quietly subtle and then... wham! a bolt from the blue. The book is long enough to allow the listener to have got to know the 'cast' and delivered with precision. An excellent read and I found myself extending the time on my sleep timer so I could listen to the next chapter, and the next.

Not really sure what i think

Ive only been listening to audiobooks for 4-5 months now and im working my way through lee childs Jack Reacher books, i thought i would give Deaver a go and selected this book based on it reviews.

There are interesting parts in the book with some suspense and some intrigue that does make listening to the book an enjoyable activity. However I've noticed that if i put on a jack reacher book i can finish it within 48 hours of non stop listening whereas i have had this book for 2 months now and im only really two thirds through it and where I would listen to a jack reacher book whenever and wherever i am i only really listen to this when i have nothing else to do. So while i would say the story and plot do retain interest when listening i would say that its not a book that compels me to listen to it.

Really good.

I was dubious about the new character Kathryn Dance as I'm a big fan of Licoln Rhyme but I really liked this story. Her character is believable and likeable. My only critisism would be the constant references to kenesics (her speciality), it's obviously how her character thinks but it can get a bit annoying (although interesting). The villain is also very good in this book and I hope that people like him don't exist in the real world! I liked the narrator but wanted her to be a little more dynamic at some points but all in all it's a great story.

Oh dear, not good

I am sorry but I really did try. I have had a few Jefferey Deaver books with the main characters Rhyme and Sax, and loved them, narrated by the truly great narrator, Jeff Harding (who else??) The narration by Anne Twomey was absolutely awful, though to be fair the story was so boring and dragged out that she was probably doing her best.However I'll avoid any books narrated by her in the future. Although maybe a better narrator could have held my attention...
I persevered for the first half of the story, (my husband gave up way before then) but I really didn't really care what happened to any of them, so I abandonned it.
For anyone wanting to know what it was about. Well... briefly, A chap who wants to be the 2nd Charles Manson cons his way out of jail. He carries on with the killing using a sex mad bimbo who is too thick and desperate for a bloke to see through him and allows herself to be manipulated.... Duh!
I only stuck with it for as long as I did because Lincoln Rhyme got a mention and I thought "thank goodness it should pick up now.... but it didn't.
So sorry but I'm going for a refund.
It's made me double check who the main characters are now and not just think that the author hits gold every time, and the narrator!!!!

Bitter Disappointment

This is the first Jeffery Deaver book in which I have been so disappointed . The new character is dreadful, and her speciality of 'reading body language' is shoved down the reader's throat at every available moment. If someone scratched their nose, pointed their toes or breathed in a certain way we were treated to a detailed explanation of WHY this meant that they were 'agitated', 'angry', lying' etc.
The plot was thin, and it is the first Deaver novel that I have been glad to finish. a waste of my time, and of a valuable credit!

You would expect no less

Kathryn Dance never disappoints ? the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot has strong characters, lots of heart stopping moments and plenty of red herrings. I would agree with a previous reviewer, regarding the constant references to kinesics (her speciality); it?s a bit overdone. However, it would not put me off, its only a minor distraction. Excellent.

TOTALLY EXCELLENT READER AND READING

A great story, with Deaver's characteristic twists and turns throughout. All the upcoming twists are signposted - but in such a way that you only realise what you heard after the plot changes away from you. Brilliant.

The reader is absolutely perfect - a perfect voice and the story is excellently read. The whole flavour of the reading is hugely strengthened by the careful sadness in the reader's voice to match the main character's attitude.

Wonderful.

And with one bound he was free

I wish I'd been the editor.... it doesn't half go on. And on. And on.

Resolutely tedious

Kathryn Dance would no doubt be able to see the sub-text here, why did I not listen to the end? Why did I delete this book for being boring? What unresolved trauma was I betraying?
I just don't care Kathryn/Jeffrey, never again, plus jamais.

The Sleeping Doll

Sorry, but this is bad.
Bad writing, bad plot, bad characters, bad dialogue. Bad narration too. Just bad all round.