Bobz

Audiobook Review True rating: 3.75/5 Narrator rating: 5/5

This was a very interesting listen. From the start I was drawn in by the lies, fabrications and grandiose tales this woman created in her life told to those closest to her. It is scary to think that we share the world with people like Liysa Northon, she is probably much more dangerous than a “typical” serial killer even though to date she has only killed one person (that we know of). She uses her looks, intelligence and cunning to manipulate others to her will and get them to totally believe without question, any lie she utters from her mouth. It is even more disturbing that she plays the victim of domestic abuse when she is in fact the abuser. There are so many women who are true victims but have had doubt cast upon their claims of abuse due to people like Liysa who play as victims to gain sympathy and attention and also to lay the ground work to commit murder disguised as self-defense. This was an abridged version of the audio book, I can only imagine what was left out or should I say how many more of Liysa's lies were cut. Overall this was a good listen and typical Ann Rule, chronicling the lives of the perpetrator and their victims. The only knock on this book would have to be the last few chapters of the trial, which sort of ended abruptly.

Realistic Rating 3.6

Family Drama + Unsolved Murder Mystery.
This was a very well-crafted, character driven story about family dynamics, sibling drama and consequences. The tone is pretty bleak and mirrors some real-life family dynamics and other issues so if you're looking for an escape from that, this read might not be for you. This story might have been better served if it excluded the murder mystery aspect because it was underwhelming, and the killer was pretty obvious (and I say this as someone who usually guesses wrong) otherwise I enjoyed this read.

Audio notes: all the performers did well, good casting.

Real rating: 3.5.

I enjoyed this read but the ending was disappointing or rather I should say the antagonists motivations were weak and didn't correlate to their actions. The “surprise twist” in the third act was also underwhelming but aside from that I enjoyed the book up to that point.

Audio notes: This book is narrated but a full cast for some reason. They all do a fine job but it felt totally unnecessary as we don't spend enough time with those supporting characters to justify the need for them to have their own voice actor.

I rarely ever give anything 5 stars but this nice short read really impressed me. Coming of age stories are a dime a dozen, not as much for for lgbt stories but even still the field is saturated enough that its rare to find a story with characters that stand out with a great balance of wit, drama and lovey-dovey fluff with just a touch of magic. Another testament to the authors writing skills is how the story still feels very modern even though at the time of this review the book is almost 11 yrs old it might even be set in the future the story is set in a pretty much idealistic world where sexuality and gender identity (for the most part) aren't social stigmas (I'd love to live there) Great characters, good story short and sweet.

Warning: If you are a survivor of stalking/ domestic abuse, this book is probably going to be HIGHLY triggering for you and you should probably skip it and the TV adaptation.

Watch out for Crazy ass Joe. As probably most of the recent reviews, this book was brought to my attention through the TV adaptation which, I feel faithfully honors the source material. That being said, it's odd watching the show and or reading/ listening (great audiobook here and my preferred format) to the book in a post 2017 world where #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are in full force. The subject matter and events can easily be seen as heavily problematic and regressive especially when compared to media with similar themes in the past that were romanticizd but are now looked at as troublesome to say the least cough Twilight cough. If you're however, looking at this from a purely entertainment stance, as I am, this work checks all the boxes, it's thrilling, scary, good pacing, shocking and dare I say, sexy and same goes for the TV show which has been renewed for a second season and moving to Netflix that I'm guessing will focus on the sequel to this novel called: Hidden Bodies, needless to say I'll be tuning in and probably listening to the book as well. So, just to clarify, though this book is a work of fiction I feel it necessary to say that Joe Goldberg is not a romantic character and DOES NOT deserve your sympathy. His actions and relationship to Beck (and other women) is not a blueprint for a healthy and normal relationship, HE IS A MONSTER and no matter how he rationalizes his actions (which happens a lot) HE IS WRONG and YOU DO NOT WANT a Joe Goldberg in your life ladies and gents, he is a monster, watch out for crazy ass Joe.

Real rating: 4.9/5 lol

Beautiful. Tragic. This book makes you face your mortality and will have you questioning how you are spending your time here on Earth. Are you living your life to the fullest? What would you do if you knew your cause and age of death? How would you use the time you have left? Who would you spend it with? This book eloquently handles those themes through engaging, layered storytelling with grounded, well-crafted, and interesting characters.

Audio Notes: Fantastic performance from both narrators here, masterclass. 10/10

DNF

Trigger warning: This book is about inappropriate student/teacher “relationships.”

This was a highly entertaining novel; HOWEVER, the story and subject matter is extremely problematic and toxic. Though this book is a work of “fiction” these types of situations do happen in real life and there is a conversation to be had about romanticizing these types of abusive relationships. Of course, this author isn't the first or last person to do this I guess my notice of it is that it is done so...well?

This book has no real narrative or characters, it's basically a fantasy manifesto where conventionally attractive masculine men walk around naked, get discounts in stores for having an erection and can pleasure themselves publicly without penalty. As a novel it doesn't succeed, it's also VERY redundant. That being said, I would definitely like to visit

Rating: 3.5

An interesting short read on a very real dangerous topic (not sure if I should mention what for fear of spoiling) rare to read a novel from the narration of the main antagonist. The story is divided into 3 parts the 2nd being the best there's something about the 1st and 3rd that feels a bit rushed but overall a goodread. (Somebody get Amber some help!!!!!!!)

Rating: 3.5 - Goodread I liked the first book and this was no different easy to follow and read thru quickly but it also had some of the same problems of the first novel, predictable characters and story plots, some of the characters are a bit cookie cutter but still enjoyable to read about the MC can be a bit exhausting at times but not to point of not wanting to read if the author is planning to write another book for this series I really want her to take some risks with the characters and story, I really like the idea of the MC's ability, I could see thks becoming a movie or mini series.

Trigger warning for SA and then some

This was already a tough one to get through due to the subject matter, but I was hoping for some balance in the form of interesting/compelling characters and a triumphant, satisfying ending unfortunately that was not the case here. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be held as a sex slave so I'm going to give the author a slight pass on the MC's POV, however the Emily character!! No ma'am, like why are you a grown ass woman acting like a highschooler obsessing over their first crush?! I was hoping she would be integral in saving the MC, she was not and was overall a disappointing and useless character. This book's conclusion was not worth the journey of this woman's long-suffering experience. I know that all stories aren't destined for a happy ending but damn this is fiction, and this story could have used some light through all the bleakness.

Audio notes: The voice performances for these characters were very good. Special s/o to the voice performer for Cecelia's character.

Rating : 3.8/5.0 - This was a good short read, story was engaging from the start characters were believable even if not the most memorable (although the MC work partner is hilarious their work relationship is like a character in itself) . The author does a good job painting a gritty storyline, I was prepped to give this 4 stars but somewhere along the end details and methods of the investigation got a bit cloudy and convoluted and the killer is revealed in like the last 4 pages just seemed a bit on the fly like maybe the author didn't know what else to do with the story and the killers reason for killing was kinda stupid and general. Overall enjoyed the and I loved the fact that everything wasn't about the fact that the MC is gay (even though that's one of the main reasons for me picking this up) as a matter of a fact he doesn't really spend much time with his bf or family (widowed dad) despite their attempts (most of the story is about the murders), he's just a good homicide detective who happens to date other men.

Love Pendergast and his southern charm, would love to see these novels turned into a TV series