The Stepdaughter

By: Georgina Cross

Narrated by: Barbara Barnes

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

It’s a normal afternoon when I walk out the patio doors of our kitchen to check on Mia, my stepdaughter, who is swimming in our backyard pool. But she’s gone. My heart stops when I see the back gate is open, her pink, fluffy towel lying folded on a chair. I was just feet away. Why didn’t I hear her scream? Who took our little girl? 

My husband can’t understand how I could I have let his daughter disappear. And when the police come asking questions, I wish I could wind back time to that normal afternoon when I was cooking lasagna for my family, Mia’s favorite. I can tell the officers don’t believe me: They’ve cast me as the evil stepmother. 

I just wish I could understand the messages I’ve found from my husband on Mia’s phone: I’m so sorry, I still love you. And why his wedding ring is found at the bottom of the pool after Mia disappeared. He never told me it was missing. What else is he hiding? 

But the detective keeps asking me where I was during those 10 minutes when Mia vanished. And I can’t tell her my secret. From the way she’s looking at me, I know she thinks I did something to my stepdaughter. Mia and I haven’t always been that close, and sometimes she drives me nuts, just like any normal teenager, but I would never hurt her. 

I just need you to believe me. 

A twisty novel packed with suspense about the power and damage of secrets we hide. Perfect for anyone who was totally hooked by The Mother-in-Law, Kerry Fisher, and Big Little Lies.

©2020 Georgina Cross (P)2020 Bookouture

Terrible narration - flat characters

HORRIBLE audio narration - robotic and disconnected. I think this would have been a MUCH more compelling story if it had not been so badly narrated. The story was interesting enough for me to finish but ultimately, it was just okay. The characters weren't entirely believable, very one dimensional. The resolution felt anticlimactic

The Stepdaughter was Addicting!

Really enjoyed this storyline and the degree to which the author gave opportunities to get to know all of the characters. Great build up to an action packed twisting and turning of events. Only wish I had been holding the book for this page turner and not merely listening to the audio. Highly recommend!

Sample first- narrator horrible.

The story was fine. The performance was awful. The woman’s voice did not align with the character she was portraying. Literally nails on a chalkboard.

Narrator

The story it self was ok.
The narrator was awful. Narrating children's books might suit better for her.

Marguerite FL

Gripping story that holds you from start to finish

I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed the entire ride. This is a fantastic novel and will recommend to all my friends.

Good all around

I was skeptical about getting this book after reading the reviews, but the 4.5 out of 5 stars convinced me to give it a try. I finish two to three books a week, and after a while, a lot of them have similar plots, and it can become tiresome. This book did not disappoint. It kept me hooked all the way until the end. I.donf get the mean reviews about the narrator. She does a great job changing voices to accommodate many characters. At the beginning, the main character’s voice appears monotone because that is what matches that particular character. Two thumbs up from me to both the author and narrator.

Amazing!

great book. Grabs your attention from the start all the way to the end.

Wish I had paid attention to previous reviews

Vapid storyline. Could not have cared less about the characters, very shallow character development.
The story was all over the place.
As far as the narrator was concerned, she was probably one of the absolute worst I have ever heard and I listen to 3-4 books a week.
One reviewer likened her voice to nails on a chalkboard, and while I wouldn’t go quite that far, I would say it was definitely annoying and childlike.
Please do yourself a favor, save the credit!!!

Fantastically written book!!!

I struggled to connect with the narrator at first. Don't give up! she has many different voices each character has its own. the story is so well written you get tied in.

Great story with a lot of plot twist

The story was captivating and I didn’t want to stop listening. The story kept you wondering what would happen next.

average

I struggled to finish the book and fell asleep several times, and didn't bother to rewind, as it felt as though I hadn't really missed anything.

good story

I didn't like the narrator's voice. I had a hard time listening to her. I wasn't sure if her accent was real.

Repetitive and boring in my opinion.

Far too long and drawn out , I got fed up of listening to it - so repetitious.