ToxiCity

The Georgia Davis PI Series, Book 3

By: Libby Fischer Hellmann

Narrated by: Beth Richmond, Derek Shetterly

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A prequel to Libby Fischer Hellman's Georgia Davis PI series.

There's an inventive killer at large in Chicago in this dark thriller and police procedural from best-selling crime writer Libby Fischer Hellmann.

When three bodies turn up in rapid succession, all in landfills or waste disposal dumpsters, rookie cop Georgia Davis is drawn into the investigation. Teaming up with her detective boyfriend Matt and his friend, Detective Sergeant John Stone, Georgia must work out who's responsible for the killings, but there's little evidence to go on. The case also tests the strength of Georgia's relationship with Matt - complicating the situation is the daughter of a real estate mogul, who also happens to have her eye on Matt.

Who's behind these gruesome killings in this normally quiet neighborhood? Why are children developing cancer? And will Georgia's relationship withstand the demands of this particularly complex investigation?

Find out in ToxiCity.

N.B. The audio issues cited in one of the reviews below have been corrected. Happy Listening, Libby Hellmann and Beth Richmond.

©2013 Libby Fischer Hellmann (P)2016 Libby Fischer Hellmann

Another top-notch thriller!

ToxiCity is another top-notch entry into Libby Fischer Hellman’s library of police procedurals and thrillers. Even though it is the third book in the Georgia Davis PI mystery series, it is in fact a prequel to Easy Innocence and Doubleback. It takes place ten years earlier, back when Georgia was a rookie cop in the Chicago suburbs. It answers the questions, “What really happened with Matt?” and “Why did Georgia leave the police force and become a private investigator?” Georgia’s story is bittersweet. As the story opens she is young, determined, idealistic and tough, but maybe not tough up to stand up against all the Chicago crime and politics and Matt’s sudden interest in the Jewish daughter of a real estate mogul connected to the murders. We witness some of the pain she endured and it helps us to understand how she became the woman she is.

The story opens with a death, so right away you know what is happening, but not who is doing it. And it’s not easy to figure out who it could be. There are a lot of suspects for the murders and many reasons – money, power, greed, love, hate . . . . It’s a complex mystery. Children are sick and dying. Bodies are showing up in landfills and dumpsters. Even though people are doing very bad things, they didn’t always start out as very bad people. So many lives are touched and changed forever.

Libby Fischer Hellman has written another outstanding thriller. It’s fast-paced and keeps you guessing. She captures the look and feel of Chicago as perfectly as ever as well as the impact of current political and environmental issues. The look into Georgia’s struggles explains a lot and makes her a more real, complete character to us.

I received a copy of the ToxiCity audiobook from the author. I have both listened to and read Libby Fischer Hellman’s books and recommend either type of media. Although fast-paced and complex, the plot and characters are well developed and believable and make for an easy to follow, exciting story.

There are two narrators for the audiobook. I enjoyed the performance of the female narrator but the male narration took a little getting used to. Instead of the ‘voice of Chicago’ I grew up with, he sounded more like New York Gangster to me. However, as the story developed and I become more immersed in the action the style of narration faded into the background, and it’s unlikely those listeners who did not grow up in Chicago would notice it at all.

I highly recommend ToxiCity and anything else Libby Fischer Hellman writes.

Great read/Listen

ToxiCity The Georgia Davis PI Series, Book 3. So many books, so little time to read. I re-read this book in less than a day! It is that good! I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. The author does a great job of developing Georgia quickly & thoroughly. The significant characters in her writing are developed similarly along the way. This book is in all senses of the word, a thriller, beginning with a mysterious murder. That’s it, no more spoilers from me though Outstanding read! I’ve read more than thirty works from author Libby Fischer Hellmann all are well-written & enjoyable I always look forward to the next book from her. Read his books and get into a good author and some amazing characters & stories as I have. Narrators Beth Richmond, &Derek Shetterly’s voices were perfect for this book and added greatly to the listening enjoyment. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I’ll have to get more books in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Captivating experience

I am sure I will listen to this again. I normally listen to single narrators so this was an adjustment for me with the duo...who both performed superbly and it made my adjustment period very brief.

The author did a great job weaving the plot twists, relationships, and the back story that created a horrific and sadly believable story. Treachery, tragedy, dreams, and devotion. Great combo.

I have already added the other audio books to my wish list.

It's really a prequel

Note: While this is labeled as Book #3 of the series, it really is set before Book #1 and can be read as a stand alone novel.

This is a clever serial killer mystery. The Feldman development site seems to be central to the story, but us readers know a little more than the detectives. The story has flashbacks to when houses were just going up on the Feldman site, showing us how families put their dreams into being home owners. At first the bodies don’t seem to be connected, but as Georgia and Detective Matt Singer dig into each one, similarities become apparent.

Singer and his partner Detective Sargent John Stone make a good team. But Matt has some personal issues. First, he’s in a relationship with Georgia, which is against department regulations. That double standard rears it’s ugly head and Georgia pays the price. Then he’s helping out a potential victim of the serial killer, Vicky Feldman (daughter of the Feldman who created the housing complex).

While I really enjoyed the plot, the characters fell a little flat for me. Matt is a wishwashy guy who can’t decide what he wants in a relationship. Georgia is drowning in self-pity and alcohol. Stone is interesting but we get so little of him. Ricky starts off as a capable business woman but later huffs off in anger, putting several people in danger.

The ending is full of suspense and action. The story revealed the motivations of the killer in such a way that I did sympathize with them in many ways. It was an excellent wrap up of the murder mystery. I did want a bit more from Georgia, showing us clearly how she went from being that drunken sorry sot to the competent PI we know and love. 4/5 stars

The Narration: Beth Richmond and Derek Shetterly tag team this book. I’ve gotten used to Richmond narrating the first 2 books solo, so I feel she could have pulled this entire book off. Again, I like her voice for Georgia. She also tackles several Jewish words with ease. Shetterly was OK. I often had trouble differentiating his voice for Stone and his voice for Singer, so I sometimes lost track of what each guy was doing. Over all, the pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 4/5 stars.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Libby Fischer Hellmann. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Tight, Gritty Grip on All Kinds of Melee

Kellerman made this installment a total win. I jumped in midstream with this series and felt no need to backstroke. The third-person story stands convincingly upright all by itself, with multiple points of view and differing perspectives in time. Warning though, if you like tight writing with a nice blend of police procedural and office politics; complex interrelationships and complicated personalities; all kinds of social issues; and solid momentum and grit, you will be tempted to take in the entire series from book one.

In this installment, something rather profound happens. As the narrative cuts through wave after wave of plot entanglements and tension, our main character, Georgia, slowly squats into a critical back seat. The deeper Georgia slips into the backdrop, the more she becomes an intricate part of the story and the grittier the theme. With this move, Kellerman masterfully shifts realities and perspectives so that they spin around Georgia without her being the center of attention.

Kellerman juxtaposes a myriad of character arcs, fast-pace investigation activity, and controversy in a way that makes this ramped up semidocumentary noir detective story pump like a heartbeat with credibility, and suck-you-in interest, and she does so without cluttering it with the kind of "extra" that can make a story hard to keep up with. Best yet, Kellerman does not leave you with the aftertaste you get when someone has jammed their opinion down your throat. This telling wiggles in plenty of room for the opinions of readers/listeners to breathe comfortably on their own.

Narrator Beth Richmond and Derek Shetterly performed well, nailing both male and female characters. Audible should consider an option of rating narrators separately or adding a new category for editor. Shetterly repeated whole lines in multiple places (editing issues, I’m sure), and worse, at Chapter 51 (the Audible rubric reads “Chapter 53”) where Shetterly again repeats a line, there is a terrible, almost disgusting clearing of the throat that “clearly” is not a part of the storyline or the author’s intent.

I was gifted with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Thanks AudioBook Boom!

Gritty crime novel

I was given this audio book for an unbiased review. Libby Fischer Hellman is a new author on my shelves after listening to TOXICITY.

I developed a love/hate relationship with the characters. Realistic crime scenes, murder, love - all the ingredients needed for a good read- and an unexpected twist that makes you take a deep breath and cringe.

A Thrilling and Suspenseful Novel ..

Any additional comments?

This book was very interesting, fast paced, and kept me guessing at every turn.

The story line has it all: Crime, Suspense, with a side of Romance.

Georgia, the female lead, is a police officer and she is investigating a murder along with her boyfriend and detective, Matt .

The characters are well developed, the plot intriguing, and a killer that has a knack for evading the police.

I don't want to give too much away but this is definitely a Good Weekend Read.


Robin Rowan did well with the narration.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."

I am such a huge fan of the Georgia Davis series

I have read several other books in this series and loved each and every one of them. This book did not fail to impress me, I enjoyed it very much. The writing was excellent as allways and I am definitely a fan of dual narration. Seeing a portion of Georgia and Matt's history together was a definite plus. I recommend this book to any one who enjoys reading.
I received this book at no cost to me for an honest review

Engaging

ToxiCity was an engaging mystery with twists and turns and surprises. I enjoyed the ride.

The performance was by two narrators. Beth Richmond performed the female points of view. Her performance was solid by I found it lacking something. Flavor or edge but still kept the story engaged.

Derek Shetterly's performance was with the male narrative and characters.

This was gift and I gave an unbiased review.

Scary world makes for Great story

I enjoyed this book. This is book three in the Georgia Davis series which is a bit miss leading as I think it should have been book one, Georgia is still working on the police force and the story was more about Mat and his partner Stone solving the case. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the story and thought it was great to find out more about Mat and Georgia relationship as they big parts in the books. The plot was interesting and I hadn't guessed who the killer was. The story jumped from character to character and also in time but with the use of two narrators it was easy to follow along and added to the mystery and suspense. Over all a great listen as either book one or book three.
A number of bodies turn up all over town with no obvious cause of death. The police have no clue who the murderer is, why they are dying or even if it is the same killer. They turn up a number of secrets but none that connect the bodies until Matt turns up a photo in one of the victims mail. Could this be the possible link they were looking for? Following up the team discover a cover up in the past that has grave consequence on the future.
I like the use of two narrators for the story and think it added to the enjoyment. The male narrator didn't have much of a variation for the male characters but that could be because there was a lot of characters and it didn't effect the enjoyment