faye

To me there was no mystery about this book and it was obvious throughout.I found the main charachter to be extremely gullible with no real depth and I was frequently telling him 'come on open your eyes'. However, I still enjoyed listening, probably because of the narrator who has a lovely voice for story telling. If you are just looking to be told a story which involves no real thought, this is for you.

This book kept me absorbed and I enjoyed it albeit I loathed the main protaganist - the father. Another review describes him as self pitying and I would agree. Whilst understandably obesessed with daughter's disappearence, he is an aggressive, angry, self interested man. This man is supposed to be a university lecturer but you would think he has never read anything about victims, especially those held by a captor, and the psycological effect on these people. He is abusive to his daughter under the guise if caring for her and is dictatorial to everyone he comes into contact with.
I can't say I liked the other characters much either with the wet week religious wife and her pastor. However, despite this the story kept me interested and the narrator is great (which always makes a difference).

This is author's first book and it shows. I've listened for half hour and cannot bear any more. The characters have no depth and are total cliches. It started badly with 'comedy' villains (you can almost hear the rough 1950's stereotypical cockney crook) It is really dreadful and, regrettably I've wasted my money. I generally finish all books, but this one is impossible. It has left me feeling robbed.

The story is seemingly set in 2011 as it refers to the 'Olympics' next year. However, throughout, I just thought of the 1950s. Whether this is due to the narrating or the writing I am not too sure. The story is not bad and you certainly learn a lot about rowing, however, it was so middle class I felt ostracised from the characters.They are generally privately educated at Eton, rowed for Oxbridge, live in Nottinghill and have Agas as well as being relentlesly 'PC'. The police investigating the crimes had all the rowing terminolgy and this seemed unrealistic.
Some of the characters voices were so cut glass they actively grated on my nerves as they bordered on arrogant. It was a shame as one of the main characters I really disliked whereas, had I stuck to the written word, I probably would have liked him. The principals' backgrounds are twisted but I just was not interested.
The other ratings for this book are high so my view differs from others, however, for me the book dragged and I was half inclined to leave it before the end. I may try another by this author in paper format rather than audio.

I have just discovered Sophie Hannah and downloaded 4 of her books in a row. I have loved them. Whilst you think you know where the stories are going there are good twists built in. I love the humanity of the characters, and the fact the stories are told through differentg characters as well as third party. However, for some reason the main character in this book drives me to distraction. I sort of understand her and to some extent sympathise although her actions verge on hysteria. Over the course of the story,however, I think the reason for the irritation is the narrator voices her character in a whisper. Both narrators are excellent and I don't wish to put anyone off but the whispering......aahhhh. I would recommend this author and have really enjoyed her books so far even if listened to in the wrong order. I have already added the last two to my wish list

Really enjoyed this book. I did wonder if it would be the same old 'ground hog day' style story but not at all. It makes you realise how awful this type of injury is and what people have to live with. The story gradually builds but it really held my attention as bit by bit things are revealed. Can't wait for his next.
(Loved the narrator as well).

I usually like Meg Gardiner books and the main character, Jo Beckett. However, whether it is the narrating or this particular book, I ended up actively disliking her. She is constantly whining and appears full of her own importance. I have never noticed this before and assume, therefore, it is the narrating. The story is fine, but nothing I have not heard before from other authors.

It makes you realise what a skillful narrator can do and how talented some are.

The singing will drive you barmy!

Really poor. Annoying reader who over dramatises everything. (It makes you realise how good some narrators are and how a good one adds to your enjoyment).
Narrator aside, the book is dreadful. Charahcters had no depth, story boring, really don't waste your money. Can't beleive there is a series of these, so formulaic like it was written by a computer.

This is the first of Lescroart's books I have listened to. Really enjoyed it. I too was bit put off by narrator to start but soon settled in and you have to admire narrators as you instantly recognise which voice belongs to which character. Apparently not one of Lescroart's most popular novels but I found myself listening to each word despite the length. Yes somewhat predictable but did not detract from story. You do form likes/dislike of charachters. Will definitely try another.

I can't decide whether its the writing, the reader or both that makes this unlistenable. This was awful, the reader contantly shouts and as its written in the first person you have no empathy or like for the main character. I found Talia White to be self obsessed and annoying, there was nothing about her to like. I can't even listen until the end because the narrator is so awful, but nothing about the story makes me interested enough to want to get to the end anyway. The story has been told a thousand times, (there is no originality) and by much better writers. Please do not waste your money.