A sort of cold case story

The story keeps you guessing howeverJuanita McMahon reads beautifully; very important for an audio book. This is my first Sarah Ward. I shall try another at some point.

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Loved this!

This had me gripped from start to finish. Juanita McMahon is easily the best narrator I've heard. I look forward to hearing another.

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Well narrated but too confusing.

Any additional comments?

My first comment would be that for a book that is about family trees and a researcher of such one would assume that the editor or proof readers would know that the study of such is geneAlogy - not geneOlogy. Ooooh! How it made me grit my teeth every time I heard it. Again, as the book was based around family trees, there were too many names to remember and it could be confusing. Nevertheless the story was a good one .

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5 people found this helpful

Not a bad story!

The book was good. However, what I found irritating was the pronunciation of Mair. Juanita should have taken advice on how to say the name from a welsh speaker. It annoyed me all through the story and was distracting. It is pronounced as ‘My rr’ and not as ‘M air’

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A good book on the whole

What made the experience of listening to In Bitter Chill the most enjoyable?

I liked the characterisation and the irony of the plot. Little clues were to be found all through the book. The ending was sad but happy as well; life was moving on and old issues were resolved.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Bitter Chill?

When Rachel discovered that her family history was not quite what she thought it was.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, it did, but I was disappointed with the mistakes that keep happening in audio books. It is not GeneOlogy, it is GeneAlogy. And it is NOT renumeration it is remuneration, from the Latin verb munire, to reward.

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

I really don't know; the story is a little complex to tag.

Any additional comments?

I would listen to another of this author's books.

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2 people found this helpful

Pronunciation coach needed.

The story is quite absorbing, although it seemed to get bogged down in the genealogy, which the narrator kept pronouncing "geneology". The name 'Yvonne fluctuated between the correct way and "Eevonne", in the same sentence sometimes. The worst, though, was the lovely Welsh name 'Mair', which was just pronounced "mare". I nearly threw my kindle out of the window! Ask any Welsh person.

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Entertaining, if slightly bland

I enjoyed this novel, but it was let down by rather bland main characters and some dodgy narration. I found myself muddling Inspector Sadler with his male sidekick, neither character being strong or their names particularly distinctive. I also found Rachel deathly dull and could quite happily have shaken her to get some reaction out of her. The plot twists were good and the outcome satisfying and, overall, it was a well-structured novel. Sadly, I don't care for Juanita McMahon's narration, some of her accents are very dodgy and there were some odd pronunciations which should surely have been sorted before recording?

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The Secrets That Won't Stay Buried - Gripping!

What made the experience of listening to In Bitter Chill the most enjoyable?

Firstly, the storyline was very well constructed and involved a cold case review of the disappearance of two schoolchildren in 1978. Exceptional plotting, numerous twists and characters who are believable. This is the kind of incident that could happen in any village or town and is sensitively portrayed and well paced.

Secondly the narrator did a superb job and must be given credit. She gave an impassioned delivery of the novel and I really did get the feeling she was involved and interested. The narrator brought the village and characters of Bampton alive! From the elderly folk in the village to the police team, she found the perfect voice and her distinction between characters was excellent.

Who was your favorite character and why?

DI Francis Sadler headed up the cold case review for the police as is a fascinating character who I long to see reappear in future novels. Slightly reticent and staid, he is a thoughtful man who commands his team well and the undercurrent of tension with DC Connie Childs is authentic. I would love to see this police team return in future novels.

Which character – as performed by Juanita McMahon – was your favourite?

Juanita McMahon did a thoroughly superb job with all of the characters, but DI Sadler came across as a good man who cared about the girl who was returned and his understanding of her fragility was well conveyed.

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

In Bitter Chill was very thought provoking as this is a scenario which is plausible and could happen to any of us, anywhere in the country. At the time it would have been harrowing for Rachel Jones and never totally unravelled it has remained with all of the locals.

Any additional comments?

The narration and the gripping storyline make this an involving listen and I will look out for Juanita McMahon again.

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15 people found this helpful

Good plot, but.....

Initially this annoyed me with esther thumping historical references which felt a bit heavy handed. I did get drawn into the story and enjoyed unpicking it, and it kept everything believable right through to the end. The 'but' I'd that I found the characters a bit lack lustre, and the way they were tired up at the end was all a bit smultzy for me. A good read but the writing was a bit pedestrian and so not a great read - but the narration is pretty good!

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2 people found this helpful

decent story with a good pace

story unfolds carefully and with a good pace - felt plausible towards the ending - good book

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