You Sent Me a Letter

By: Lucy Dawson

Narrated by: Julie Maisey

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

What if your worst enemy discovered your darkest secret?

At 2:00 a.m. on the morning of her 40th birthday, Sophie wakes in the darkness of her bedroom and finds a stranger watching her from the foot of the bed.

The intruder hands Sophie a letter and issues an ultimatum: the message is to be opened at her forthcoming party, in front of family and friends, at exactly 8:00 p.m. Any failure to comply will not end well.

Sophie can think of only one person who hates her enough to have hired a professional to menace her like this: her fiancé's ex-wife. What can the letter possibly contain? And why must it be read in front of everyone she loves? This will be no ordinary 40th party.

Sophie is not the only person holding a secret about the evening ahead. When the clock strikes eight, the course of several people's lives will be altered forever.

©2016 Lucy Dawson (P)2016 Bolinda

Critic reviews

"Julie Maisey's gripping narration is as compelling as Dawson's unusual mystery.... Hearing the sensational conclusion will rival any high-octane movie." ( AudioFile)

Truth or Dare! Who knows your secrets?

Suspenseful, Funny, and Entertaining! I really enjoyed "You Sent Me a Letter." This book is surprisingly funny, with some great laugh-out-loud moments. The story took place over a 24-hour period, with frequent look-backs by the main character. Readers will find themselves hooked on the exploits of Sophie while she navigates the huge party surrounding her 40th birthday, what is supposed to be a secret wedding, and a guy she's not altogether sure about- not to mention having received a mystery letter warning her to show up for her big night or else! Sophie thereafter plays a sort of bumper-cars between her family, her best friend, her illicit lover, and her fiance's intensely stressful first wife. I can only describe Sophie's big day, in her experience, as super stressful. I was dying to find out who the letter writer was, and this kept me guessing until the very end, as things were very much not as they seemed.
Julie Maisey did a great job as narrator.
This book bucked the psychological-suspense trend in a pleasing way, and I recommend it as a great way to use your credit!

The end & the narrator were both brilliant, BUT...

From the very beginning of this book I was interested , and definitely wanted to know what was happening. This story was never boring, but honestly until the last hour it seemed confusing , and ridiculous, and was actually giving me a headache. Then came the last hour... brilliant. The narration was fantastic all the way through. I'm not sure I can recommend it, but I'm also not sorry I listened to it.

Kept me interested the whole time

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how it was a thriller that kept you guessing the whole time, but also that there were some actually funny parts to it.

What does Julie Maisey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is a terrific narrator. She really brought all the characters to life

Any additional comments?

This book was very entertaining for me I loved that it was a mystery and a bit of a comedy all at once. Definitely didn't see the end coming.

Pathetic Behaviour of a Middle-Aged Person

The story may have been a little interesting if the main character, who is forty, behaved a bit more like an adult. Her constant whining about what she should do, when what she should do is obvious, becomes irritating and frustrating. I kept listening hoping that why she was acting in the manner she was would be made clear. It wasn't.

The plot is badly strung together relying solely on the first voice of the character to explain her childish actions, but she never does. Every teenager I know is a more savvy judge of people than this airhead.

totally surprised me you are in for a treat

This book kept my attention the ending surprised me which made it even better must read

A hidden gem!

Fantastic narration and an overall great listen. This was the craziest story, completely unique, and tons of fun. I am so jealous of the piles and piles of good British thrillers across the pond!

Not Satisfying

Characters are not people a reader can relate to. Ending is not at all satisfying. Don’t waste your time.

Unsatisfying ending

Good plot with some twists, although it did drag a bit pre-wedding, and I'm not sure why the ex was brought in briefly. I didn't care for the ending, though. It was way too abrupt, with no real closure in regards to the kids. Good narration. I just always prefer a tidy ending.

could not put this down

I experienced so much anxiety reading this book. I could not figure out who was torturing the protagonist and it was AGONY getting to the end. very well written and performed

Another amazing story!

I cant get enough of Lucy’s stories!!!!! This one was another amazing gripping one!!!! I love the narration by Julie! Both amazing performance and story!! 10 stars!

Expected intrigue and mystery - just boring

I skipped most of this book after chapter 5, I had to hear what happened in front of the clock.... nothing does. This isn't a spoiler. I found this book dragged and really nothing really goes on, it's full of overly descriptive stuff about pointless stuff. Very little makes sense either. It feels like a really rushed book, written quickly without any thought, and it isn't gripping and certainly is not a page turner (constant listen).

I was disappointed as I normally love this author, but not this one.

Disappointed

Very well read but the story was a let down. Predictable and annoying at times. Main character really irritating at times. Sorry

Just silly

Another silly story. How do they do it? What keeps the writers at their word processors. Money? Yes. That must be it.

Excellent book.

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

Yes, I would and have! I kept trying to guess who it was that sent the letter and was jumping from person to person. It was intriguing throughout. I couldn't have done what she done. I would've had to tear the letter open immediately and read what it said. I couldn't wait for her to open it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of You Sent Me a Letter?

When she was left at the airport, I could feel how she was feeling. I almost had a panic attack! I wasn't expecting that.

What does Julie Maisey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narrator was very good and brought the book to life

Any additional comments?

Well worth reading. Well written. I hope she writes another one soon. Recommend

Desperately sad...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, it was, although at the end, I'm left with a feeling of desperate sympathy for Sophie. Whatever mistakes she may have made, no one deserved what she went through, not to mention the 2 young characters in the book at the end. I don't like what Mark did, serious over reaction I thought, to a mistake anyone might make. Like, OTT? But yes, very good read, but I'm still left with unanswered questions, and sometimes, I find it frustrating when books do that.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have definitely changed the ending, as I found it really sad. I don't like sad engings. It was just... So nice to start with, then it all went wrong so fast. At first I found Sophie weird... And I was frustred with her because she kept lying, but, I think what happened was just a step too far. I wouldn't have put that in.

Have you listened to any of Julie Maisey’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have. While you were sleeping. And I thought this one was just as good. Love the French accent, and again, just as in WYWS, she pulled off male characters well.

Was You Sent Me a Letter worth the listening time?

Definitely. Don't think I'd read it again though. Book that now I've finished, wouldn't read again. I injoyed everything you told me a lot more.

Any additional comments?

I really don't want to spoil it, but if you cry easily, don't read this!

Implausible Plot

Pointless book, to many unanswered questions, good premise but just not thought out properly with too many ludicrous situations. Narration started off badly, but I settled into the voice after a few chapters

Good thriller!

If you could sum up You Sent Me a Letter in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, exciting, creepy!!

What did you like best about this story?

Keeps you guessing!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

That she was able to make a fresh start by the end.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

N/A,

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed this. Good story.

Gripping

An amazing book. Gripping story from start to end, with a great twist at the end that I never saw coming. 110% recommended

Brilliant

What a breathtaking storyline, I was not expecting that twist, the tension was there all the way through, nail biting stuff.

you sent me a letter

excellent read fantastically well played out and kept you in suspense right up to the bitter end you will fully enjoy this good read