Whirlpool

By: Elizabeth Lowell

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

When an exquisitely crafted, authentic imperial Faberge egg mysteriously shows up at Laurel Swann's home studio, she knows it can only be from one person - her father, who has drifted in and out of her life for as long as she can remember. But this time Jamie Swann leaves her something too many people will kill for. Out of her league and desperate, Laurel is forced to accept help from the very man who is trying to ensnare her father in his own web of double crosses. Cruz Rowan can help her stay alive, but will he do the same for her father?

©2006 Elizabeth Lowell (P)2018 Blackstone Publishing

I liked the plot and the narrator but...

It came across strongly that women are either weak or are strong only because they use sex to manipulate. It's too bad because I would've really liked the both the female protagonist and antagonist had they just been strong women and the story would not have suffered at all.

Good storyline

There is good character development in this. I listened to it all despite the opening being reminiscent of Jurrasic Park. Could have been better with maybe one final edit.

Not one of Lowell’s best

Good story line & idea but overall it read like a very early book of Elizabeth Lowell’s.

I just can’t get through it.

I don’t know if it’s the narrator or the book. I’ve listened til chapter 8 three times. By chapter 8 I don’t even know what going on…I’ve tuned out long before. The narrator is very monotone in voice. I’m sure it gets better, it’s just not for me

A favorite oldie, originally titled The Ruby.

Listened w Audible Free Included program but I’ve read several times since The Ruby orig pub 1995, retitled in 2005. Action moves quickly, detailed setting descriptions, steamy scenes, Good & Bad guys with twists & turns. Standalone book. Narrated well by Carrington MacDuffle. I own the book as well. Played audio between 1.2 and 1.5 speed.

Pretty good entry

I love romance and adventure and Lowell is such a great storyteller. She has a great collection.

OK Story from the late 80s /early 90s!

"3 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story... 2.5 - 3.5 Stars
If significant, why?

Main Character Ratings...
H = 7/10
h = 5/10

Narrator Rating(s)
M = n/a
F = 7/10
If below 5/10,why?

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No

If Comedy... Type? n/a
Genuinely Funny
Cringe Inducing
Just No!

Angst Level? Light to Moderate
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop


Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 25%
How much of the story? 5%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No

The back story... Too much to list but the blurb is good.

The Romance... The MCs start with instant attraction and then fall in love over the next week or so.

The drama explosion... The bad guys zero in on what they are looking for.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? A bit contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? No
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Ok

Final Notes... I think that this book must have been written in the late 1980s or early 1990s based the character styling, Soviets and lots of newspapers.

Nipples is the most common word in the story.
There is a bit of gay-bashing (one character who is a bad guy of whom is a pedophile). I don't think it was meant to insult the Gay Community and believe that it was to paint the bad guy as a horrible person.

The h is TSTL most of the time.


HEA or HFN? Who knows! "

Old Book

After getting into the audio book, I realized I had read it years ago. It's a good story but just recently recorded for audible. Way too much attention to sex and manipulation with sex.

Very entertaining

Well developed and entertaining, mystery, romance and suspense in the right amounts. Good expressive narration .

Too much porn

It may just be a matter of getting reference, but I was hoping for action w some romance, not soft porn with some action. Narration was not convincing either.