An outstanding debut

What an amazing, unexpected listen. This is an original, gripping and compelling book that kept me guessing throughout. If like me you are a fan of Lottie Moggach or SJ Watson I would highly recommend this outstanding debut novel which is beautifully narrated by Clare Corbett.

19 people found this helpful

Interesting but unsatisfying

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who never learnt that a book needs a beginning, a middle and an end.

Would you be willing to try another book from R. S. Pateman? Why or why not?

I would not be willing to read another book by this author, the premise of the story was interesting but the book overall was a massive disappointment. There was no conclusion, there was quite a lot of repetition and I was left with a feeling of "what, is that it?"

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

I have not listened to any other of Corbett's performances but I would, she was an excellent narrator.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration and disappointment. Of course there were moments of sadness because of the subject matter of the book and it did make you think but I expected more.

Any additional comments?

I genuinely can't understand why people have given this listen such rave reviews.

8 people found this helpful

A very belivable story

I did not think I would like this book due to its re-incarnation content - but was pleasantly surprised and intrigued - It had me gripped so much that I did not want it to finish.

7 people found this helpful

Astonishly brilliant story telling

I just couldn't put this book down 'so to speak😀). Utterly brilliant story telling and read wonderfully as always by Clare Corbett. I would recommend this to anyone and am actually envious of those just about to listen to it as you have hours of story to enjoy ahead of you. I just wish there were more by this author. Can't wait for the next........

6 people found this helpful

Great story

What made the experience of listening to The Second Life of Amy Archer the most enjoyable?

The story, the few characters that populate it and the narator was excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I wasnt sure what I was expecting with this book but it immediately caught my imagination. It was a bit different from the run of he mill fantasy stuff which I am not always a big fan of. Its the story of a mother trying to cope ith the dissapearance of her daughter 10 years before. Its a mystery story of the very best kind. I actually gasped in shock a few times.

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

I believed in the characters. Each one had a distinctive voice and it was almost like listening to a radio drama. She was excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. The book hints at the possibilities and reasons for various events happening and I certainly didnt see the ending coming. But I also wanted to savour how good it was and felt quite gutted at the end because of the ending and also because it was finally over

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to listen to a good story and something a little bit different. Its certainly the best book I have listened to for a very long time and only the second, from the hundreds I have listened to, that I have ever commented on.

5 people found this helpful

This kept me guessing

Really good listen with amazing narration. Frankly i can't imagine anyone else do such a great job at a variety of voices - male/female/young/old. Good supernatural thriller with endless twists. Would buy other books by this author and this narrator.

2 people found this helpful

Something a bit different, thought provoking...

This is a very interesting story - along with the main character, you don't know from one moment to the next what is true - is this supernatural or a con? I did really like that the book never gives too much away too soon, so you are keen to keep listening to find out what exactly is going on... is Esme a reincarnated Amy? Is it all a hoax? And an ending that leaves you mulling the book over for days after. Narration is generally good, while the male voices are a little irritating, this is more than excused by Esme's brilliant Mancunian accent. A good book.

2 people found this helpful

Disturbingly convincing! Beautifully narrated.

Any additional comments?

First of all - the narrator was superb. She did all the accents excellently and she did fear frighteningly. I kept thinking I knew everything on at least 5 different occasions. I was usually wrong. I am not sure why I couldn't give the story more stars. It is possible that I found it so disturbing that I am not sure I could say I "enjoyed" it. Very well written though and I will be looking for more from both the narrator and the author.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting subject.

What did you like best about The Second Life of Amy Archer? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the idea that the book was based on, I found that it did go one a bit in the middle and I became a bored.

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

Shorter perhaps

What about Clare Corbett’s performance did you like?

I really like Clare Corbett so enjoyed hearing her read,

If this book were a film would you go see it?

errrrr yes i would

Any additional comments?

no

1 person found this helpful

This was hard work

I'm not sure why, I couldn't feel any enthusiasm for this. It was so uninspiring that I was frequently distracted from the narrator and had to replay segments numerous times to try to keep up.

I have begun this novel 4 times now and feel I have given it my best shot.