Complex, full of twists and turns

This is a well written entertaining book, with lots of twists and turns. One chapter you believe one character and suspect the other but in the next chapter you reverse your opinion! The only flaw for me was the narrator. She doesn't have the vocal range to give texture and difference to each character. The "heroine" often sounded whiney and I felt myself wanting to shake her sometimes. But apart from that an excellent listen which I managed in two sittings.

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8 people found this helpful

A great story well read

I listened to this in two sessions - on a drive from London to Newcastle and back, and loved it. Despite the long hours in the car, I would have happily driven to Timbuktu to continue it.

The suspense was held throughout, and despite endless speculation I didn't guess the twists.


The reading contributed to the suspense, and though I am not usually keen on American accents - the voice was well suited to the content. Nicki's story and voice was the most rounded and clear, and her confusion, panic and grief was so palpable it made you root for her.

I thoroughly recommend it.

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5 people found this helpful

Fabulous

I listen to 2/3 books a week and this is the best book I have heard in years. It was totally gripping and I couldn't stop listening to it. The twists and turns kept me guessing all the way through to the end. Fabulous book

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5 people found this helpful

I think the perseverance was worth it....

I nearly gave up in the first 15-30mins - really irritating start and once again a very loud strident shouty narrator. Taking the story first, I decided to stick it out and it did improve. I guessed some of the plot twists, but not all of them. Tessa and Wyatt are appealing enough, but Nikki and Thomas were not engaging, and for Nikki, she could be downright irritating. The narrator had a very limited ability to perform different characterisations. This type of narration has now spoiled several Lisa Gardner books, and I think next time I will revert to Kindle, and forego the audio.

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4 people found this helpful

Cheap Gruesome thrills

This book substitutes cheap thrills and gruesome melodrama to disguise lack of true suspense or writing skill. By the time you get to people eating the maggots out of their own wounds, it becomes merely laughable.

Plus... so MANY adjectives!

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4 people found this helpful

Enormously Disappointing -But SO well read

What would have made Crash & Burn better?

Less of the hysterical meanderings of a troubled mind might have made this a better novel and SO much easier to listen to.

What will your next listen be?

I'm anxiously waiting for the follow up from Stephen King to 'Mr Mercedes' which was just terrific! Meanwhile I'm about to try a Kerry Wilkinson novel for the first time and 'The Ice Twins 'by S.K. Tremayne. PLEASE let them be better than this one.

What about Jennifer Woodward’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance. I had to admire the way she dealt with all of that hysterical and disjointed prose.

What character would you cut from Crash & Burn?

None.

Any additional comments?

Overall, pretty thin plot that lacked credibility. I was so disappointed especially in view of the high ranking of the novel by other readers. This was not my first Lisa Gardner novel but it's been the worst so far. Waste of a precious credit but at least I got through it otherwise could not genuinely have offered up an opinion, albeit one that is very much at odds with other reviewers. Can't please all of the people all of the time.

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3 people found this helpful

Well written story

The story itself was very well written, unfortunately it wasn't really my cup of tea. I gave it four stars because I did enjoy the ending. I have previously read Find her, which I enjoyed more, but think another survivor/victim story was a bit too samey. Maybe I should have left longer between books. The narration was very good.

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1 person found this helpful

Great twist that made me gasp!

A finely woven, complicated (in a good way) tale of the worst betrayal of a parent, the nightmare of a child's life, and ultimately discovering the truth.
You feel compassion, see obsession and travel the unravelling mind of the lead character. Lisa Gardner delivers yet again.

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1 person found this helpful

It will keep you guessing

First Lisa Gardner book I've listened to. The story was well paced with lots of twists and turn. I will definitely be listening to more.

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Really entertaining story

I was really surprised with how much I liked this book - usually I find crime/mystery stories very repetitive and predictable, but this one kept me interested right to the end, and was brilliantly read.

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