A Strange Mix

I think that Audible will soon ban me from reviewing their special choices like this their "Crime and Thriller - Listen of the Month" because I keep getting sold on the concept then not being wholly enamored with the execution. In truth there is quite a lot to like about "The Estate", Liza Costello spends good time building her lead Beth. She's neither a likeable nor a particularly admirable character but she is definitely relatable which is absolutely key.

The main setting, one of Ireland's ghost estates is a good choice and comes to life nicely during the story. But it's that story that never quite hit the right balance for me. There was too much just thrown into it, broken families, drug use, violence against women and so on, all good crime fiction staples but it just got a bit muddled and the idea of the remote retreat and what happened there very much bolt-on rather than integrated.

I was also surprised at the relative flatness of Denise Gough's delivery, she has a lovely voice and accent but there was very little characterisation in there. That said, the last 30 minutes of this audiobook is dedicated to interviews with both the author and the narrator which were both genuinely interesting. Denise explained that as the story was being told from Beth's viewpoint she wanted to relate all through Beth's voice but I'd still prefer more of a performance personally. Liza explained that the whole thing began with the place, the ghost estate, and I definitely got that as she brought it and Beth to life well with the plot being the weaker part.

So, I finished it, I enjoyed it well enough and I'll be tempted to see what this author does next but I'm not convinced it's quite in Listen of the Month territory.

28 people found this helpful

Gripped me from the start - sleepless night ensued

I do not know if this thriller kept me up all night or just kept me company all night - but one way or the other I listened to it straight though and did not get to sleep until 5am!

For me it was so very nearly a five star Audiobook overall.
I loved the narration - which to me sounded so natural it really sounded like a real person reading their diary rather than a narrator telling a story in a polished traditional way which I felt really suited the story and was very un-selfconscious and believable. Genius casting and direction.
The plot was great - It gripped me from the getgo and I did not guess the sneaky twists, in fact I was on the wrong track entirely!
The writing was excellent and the story rattled along at a great rate and the near 7 sleepless hours I spent listening really flew.

Then after the story finished there was a rather odd sort of "What Beth Did Next" section including more of her backstory which tied in with the subplot running mainly altenate chapters with the thriller.
After that there was an epilogue.
Not sure how I felt about that, it felt rather like an after thought or an add on - as if the publisher had mentioned they thought the book was a bit short so it was tagged onto the end. However it was good but somehow once the mystery had been solved it felt a bit like the wind had been taken out of the book's sails and it sort of pottered until it petered out.

Small plot hole for me was why the developer needed for the house to be occupied at all times rather than and why Beth never used her mobile to call for help. But despite this, the plot did hang together well generally.

Hate the introduction of animals being put in harms way to ramp up drama - this was not too upsetting in this book and was not just gratuitous but it was sloppy writing the way there was no mention of what happened to one of them. I mean HELLO! we heard enough about it, then suddenly no mention of what ever happened to it - like the author just could not be bothered after it had served the function she had created it for and made it look as if nobody in the book gave a toss either.

Also Beth's drinking was a bit all over the place swerving from antisocial argumentative car wreck of a binge drinker to daily two glass drinker to bottle a day barely functioning alchoholic. It just seemed a bit random and possibly a superfluous additional theme.

Not sure how I felt about the how Beth and her boyfriend's story ended but I suppose that sort of thing does happen in real life however for people to be so unaware of their feelings was just adding a bit more unnecessary relationship complication twists to an already crowded party.

Also Beth did seem a bit inconsistent - wracked with guilt about snapping up a recession house bargain as others had their homes repossessed and yet not a lot of interest in stopping puppies being killed or going hungry or a teenager being properly cared for as not her problem.

Apart from these little quibbles it was a 5 star gripping thriller with a very surprising twist.
Wish I could have given it 4 1/2 stars as I would really recommend it as I did enjoy it very much.
I will really look forward to Liza Costello's next book.

11 people found this helpful

Gabbled story telling

I enjoyed the story line for the most part. The psychological 'gaslighting' aspect of the story was well told, hoevever despite having listened twice to the story I'm still trying to understand how / why the missing child was intorduced. It feels a bit like the author couldn't find a way to end the story so this the child was introduced to provid the 'out'. It just felt rushed. Other than that I found the performer spoke too fast with little intonation. It was all one pace, one tone. However not a bad listen.

6 people found this helpful

My first audible book

I love reading and like to read actual words on a page. I wasn't bowled over by the idea of listening as opposed to reading. One of the things I thought would be lost in the listening was the details and innuendos that catches the imagination. However, I found the narrator caught my imagination just as effectively and the bonus is that I can get on with daily rituals whilst listening. Definitely recommend. Frankie

5 people found this helpful

Very interesting

Listened too in one sitting.. Would highly recommend. Well done. Great story telling. Thanks very much

5 people found this helpful

Fabulous!

This book ticked all the boxes for me but the narrator let it down, her voice was nice enough but it was just so fast!! I actually had to put the speed down to enjoy it better. Just completely rushed. The character Michael was so realistically creepy. Loved it

3 people found this helpful

A great story!

This is a great listen with twists and turns. I liked the narrator Denise Gough very much...she was the characters! More please!

2 people found this helpful

Do not hesitate download now

I loved this book and the narrator is brilliant. Gripping, hilarious, scary and at times so moving I had tears in my eyes.

2 people found this helpful

the estate <br /><br />absolute rubbish. how it was put in

won't take recommend listening as a benchmark. for women only.total rubbish and no ending? worst book ever read

1 person found this helpful

Good book, good narration.

Was really enjoying this book but I think there could have been more. The characters are all built up with a back story, personality, story arcs etc and then it ends... all too abruptly. So, it was good - but left with a feeling that it could have been longer