The Hoarder

Author: Jess Kidd;
Genre: Mystery;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Aoife McMahon;
Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks (2018);
Rating: (4 / 5).

Another fun listen from Jess Kidd, this one narrated by Aoife McMahon. The story is contemporary, but uses flashbacks, and includes dysfunctional people, much like the author’s 2017 novel, Himself. The writing is lyrical, with absolutely wonderful descriptions and sharp, clever dialog.

I turn to him, breathing like Darth Vader through my mask, and shrug. I hope my shrug communicates a profound respect for his discarded possessions (twenty refuse sacks of empty sardine tins) combined with the regretful need for practical living.

He narrows his gimlet eyes. ‘You’re a little shit, aren’t you?’

The protagonist, Maud, has some mysteries in her past and now she finds herself immersed in a current one. Chapters alternate between time periods, and I was a little confused by character names, but it wasn’t a story that I had to concentrate on to enjoy.

Most Americans love Irish accents, and McMahon’s narration is wonderful; she differentiates between characters very well. I did listen to most of the book at 1.25 speed because it was a little slow for me.

Themes include hoarding (obviously), family secrets, caretakers, friendship, greed, and morality.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Mystery Tagged with Jess Kidd, mystery

Review: The Death of Mrs. Westaway

By Jan

on August 31, 2019

The Death of Mrs. Westaway

Author: Ruth Ware;
Genre: Gothic mystery;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Imogen Church;
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (2018);
Rating: (4 / 5).

A British gothic mystery set in modern time about a young woman who tries to infiltrate an old Cornish family to get part of an inheritance. The setting was a spooky old estate that seemed like one of the characters. The mystery itself was complex but effective, and the suspense was well-done. A few plots twists at the end were fun and the conclusion was satisfactory.

There was a lot of repetition in the narrative, however, which was a little annoying; if I found it that way in the audiobook, I’m glad I didn’t read the print version.

Hal (Harriet) is the protagonist and the family and a nasty housekeeper are the rest of the cast. We’re supposed to be on Hal’s side throughout the book, but I didn’t really like her; she’s made some stupid choices and is living in a desperate situation, thus the decision to defraud an estate.

I enjoyed the story and the suspense. Imogen Church narrates the audiobook and used some good accents and inflections, but her pace was much too slow and drawn out for me; I listened at 1.25 speed.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Mystery Tagged with mystery, Ruth Ware

Review: Himself

By Jan

on August 31, 2019

Himself

Author: Jess Kidd;
Genre: Literary fiction/mystery;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Aiden Kelly;
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (2017);
Rating: (5 / 5).

This is a terrific audiobook, made even better by the wonderful narration of Aiden Kelly. His accents and pacing were so good; I had no trouble telling who was speaking.

Mahony returns to his tiny village in Ireland in 1976 in order to find the truth of his mother’s death in 1950. The villagers, a motley group of characters, indeed, were described and detailed very well. There was also a subtle love story, but that wasn’t the focus of the story.

I couldn’t stop listening and spent almost 10 hours straight, soaking up the story, the characters, and the beautiful prose of Jess Kidd. It evoked so many feelings that I feel a little exhausted now that it’s over. (Also, my laughing almost woke up my husband.) Now I’ll get some rest, satisfied that I just treated myself to one of my favorite reads of 2019.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Mystery Tagged with Aiden Kelly, Ireland, Jess Kidd