Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons

Rose Gardner Mystery #2

By: Denise Grover Swank

Narrated by: Frances Fuller

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she's lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she's picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men's restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there's not a cotton picking thing she can do about it.

Or is there?

As if things weren't bad enough, Rose's older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons, and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can't commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn't about to let the best thing in her life slip away.

©2012 Denise Swank (P)2014 Denise Swank

Good for the genre

This second book in the Rose Gardner series is good for the niche into which it falls in the "cosy" genre (plucky small town heroine investigates in her own and gets herself into hilarious trouble). This type of book often seems too "precious," but the author rides the line well. The narrator's twang no longer grates as it did with the first book, but I was distracted by mistakes, such as one time when she said "detective" when "defendant" was clearly meant, and mispronunciations ("incarcenation" instead of "incarceration").

Narrator

The content of the book was enjoyable
I did not like the narrator for this book. She sounded as if she were in her 60’s and the main character was in her 20s

Narrator's performance - please consider do over

Denise Grover Swank's book series are addictive, but the narration performed by Frances Fuller isn't representative of the quality customers expect from the author or audible. Words are misread, they're difficult to understand and the intonation of the narrator's speak with the same end pattern for every sentence over and over was so annoying that I almost gave up on reading and listening to the books in this series. Please consider new recordings with a decent narrator.

Meh, Leaves Something to Be Desired

This wasn't nearly as interesting or engaging as the first book. The narrator speaks at about a quarter of the speed and mispronounces a ton of words, if not uses the wrong ones altogether. The story seems a bit forced. I'm not sure I'll continue the series.

I loved the first book! The new narrator is 50+??

I loved the first book! I was excited about the second book in the series. Unfortunately, they switched narrators for the 2nd book. The new narrator has a 50 year old smokers voice. The main character is 24. The listener can no longer relate the voice with the characters...such a shame. I will no longer listen to or buy these books.

Meaningless Apologies

Her stories are very entertaining, however, naiveté will only last for so long b4 her behavior jus comes across as a plot mechanism to get her in trouble in order 2b rescued. Knowingly causing loved ones 2 worry, then a useless apology after the act is dishonest & manipulative.

I'd still recommend the series and will read the 3rd bk but I really hope the author plans on having Rose use common sense when deliberating her future actions.

CUTE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's a light and frothy romantic suspense that doesn't require too much concentration. It's enjoyable and entertaining.

What other book might you compare Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons to and why?

Most Janet Evanovich books.

Which character – as performed by Frances Fuller – was your favorite?

Rose - she's a lovable airhead.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, it was enjoyable not heart-wrenching.

Amazing Series

This is a fast paced series. No luls or struggling to get through.
As a matter of fact, it's very hard to make yourself take a break from listening or reading.
This is a highly addictive series with good strong characters, laugh out loud situations, crying out loud moments and edge of your seat drama unfolding time and time again.
I love Rose...she's funny and fun, maddening and goofy, brave and reckless, innocent and inventive and just plain interesting.
wonderful narration too!

Another amazing book

Really love these books, just wish the narrator was the same as number one. When I think of Rose I hear a younger voice not someone that sounds like my grandmother. She did a good just just wasn't feeling her for this type of book.

Narrator is TERRIBLE - PLEASE REDO!

Great book, wonderful story...but I just can’t wrap my head around these producers or directors who allow the narration of some of these books be published. This woman sounds older than my grandmother, and the main character is in her early-mid 20s. This narrator HAS to be at least 65 years old. The book is difficult to listen to, but I’m trying to tough it out because I like the other narrator in this series. I’m honesty just playing the book and not really listening. I just want it over.

Love love love

I'm loving these books. I'm secretly hoping for a change in the next one though. I love Rose but have my heart set elsewhere for her... let's see what happens ...