Madonna Noble

Everything here: Suspense & Heartfelt

Revisado: 10-20-24

I especially enjoyed this Audible book staring Maddie Ray, Robo the dog & Cole Walker. The premise of the crime kept getting more horrible as one got deeper into the book, thus ramping up the suspense. It turns out the bad guy is REALLY bad!
A few young boys have gone missing over the past several years near the Olympic Forest in Washington state, the most recent a 9-year-old son to a popular actress who is filming her next movie on location. Many dog rescue teams are called in to search, including tapping the Colorado contingent, which includes Maddie & Robo.
The author and narrator do a good job in describing how grueling the search is in the vast forest in the mostly rainy, damp and bone-chilling conditions, not to mention the thick undergrowth of the terrain making traversing through the woods downright painful.
The suspense ratcheted up as the awful pieces started to come together on just what was going on, and the climax had me listening till the end--forget about sleep! Let me say that the book ended on such a heartfelt and wonderful note featuring Cole's & Maddie's wedding at Cole's ranch with all the people we have come to know in attendance. So much affection; one could feel the love.

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OMG The Twists!

Revisado: 06-22-24

I must admit that for quite awhile in the first part of the narration, I was impatient with the dumbed down dialog between Millie & Enzo (husband & wife). I even thought of skipping ahead but remembered that I really enjoyed Books 1 & 2 of the Housemaid series. I stuck with it.
Sure enough, the story took so many unexpected turns that encompassed their whole family, which now included an 11-year-old daughter, Ada, and a 9-year-old boy, Nicko. For a time, I was convinced the son was a Bad Seed so to speak, maybe on the way to becoming a psychopath. I was eager to see him GO DOWN! No spoilers, tho—I’ll let you find out for yourself what’s up with him.
The narrator is first rate, even taking on the voice of the young daughter so convincingly as she takes over parts of the book that explains from the kids’ perspective what’s going on. From then on, it’s one shocking twist after another. Just when you think the story is all wrapped up, hang on—another twist!

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Another Great Series, A

Revisado: 04-30-24

I think Sally Rigby is one of my top favorite authors AND Clare Corbett one of my favorite narrators. There is a segway from the marvelous series of Walker & Cavendish in that the excellent Sergeant Matt Price ends up in the small Penzance police force.
As in her other books, Rigby does a good job of character development so you become gradually part of the team. Also true to form, the suspense and mystery ramp up wherein I had to stop anything I was doing and give my full attention to the story, again excellently narrated by Clare Corbett. (Thankfully the author stuck with what really works with her books in continuing with Corbett.)
The two mysteries were so intricate that I couldn’t even take a guess at how they intersected or were pulled off. One mystery was finding 20-year-old bones and the other, kidnapped 3-year-old girls from their Day Care. I want to immediately start the next book in the new Penzance series. Here again, I’d like to chain Sally to her computer to write incessantly these stories that are so immersive and enjoyable.

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Quite the Journey!

Revisado: 09-16-23

The main character, Isla Wilson, embarks on, what turns out to be, a very circuitous trip of inner revelation from Sydney, Australia, her home, to out in the sticks somewhere up north near Inverness, Scotland, on a professional photography gig, her being the professional.
I liked that the author took the time (lots of time to be had in a 14 hour Audible book) to develop the characters well AND the story. I had all kinds of half-conclusions about why things were happening the way they were--all of them wrong.
The narrator, which in my opinion, can make or break the Audible version of any book, is absolutely outstanding without being too overdone. I hope she narrates more books by Anni Taylor.

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Great cast of characters

Revisado: 07-18-23

I really enjoyed this book, the story, the mystery, which wasn’t formula and I didn’t guess the “bad guy (or gal)”, and being part of these wonderful characters and animals. Before the book was even finished, I went fishing for Book 2 so I could continue being immersed. No such luck…I guess I have to wait.
I would like the author to drop her many other writing storylines and focus on this one. Hurry—I want more!
I like transferring Jennifer and Aaron from Texas all the way up to northern Wyoming, a real lifestyle change. Jen has a hard time with this, leaving (in her mind, temporarily) a promising career in the District Attorney’s Office in Houston. The transition was made softer with a resident pet skunk whose odor bits had been removed. She carries a fondness for Flower the skunk in the Bambi movie.

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Excellent narrator enhanced the story

Revisado: 05-30-23

This was reminiscent of Nora Roberts in the past: that is a compliment. She does romantic suspense very well, particularly in creating a unit of friends and family that you enjoy being a part of. She also does a lot of research in flushing out the storylines and occupations that go into her books.

I am pleased that she often chooses January LaVoy as her narrator, as she is one of the best. I like Audible books because I can do other things while I am listening to the story or enjoy them late at night on my bedroom Echo Dot.

The story would not have suffered if an hour or two were shaved off, but again, I enjoyed the group of people she created along with their interactions. Nora is good at painting a world with words and emotions. In this story, the bad guy was REALLY bad, somewhat of a caricature. We got the idea that he was a bad actor very quickly after his first kill. I liked the happily-ever-after ending (you knew the heroin was not going to get murdered, no matter how close the call).

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Loved every Minute

Revisado: 04-29-23

I always listen to the Ruth Galloway mysteries via Audible book. Narrator Jane McDowell knows how to bring the characters to life and infuse the book in atmospheric nuance. I’ve listened to (instead of reading) every edition and love them all. The characters are well developed and are endearing in their various idiosyncrasies. What I like about this series is that the characters continue to evolve.
That being said, I am very excited for the author to take this series in a somewhat new direction based on the evolution experienced in this last book. It is always fun to have a slightly new direction for long-loved characters instead of keeping them in one mode and then ending the series when that mode comes to an end. Please don’t do that! There is no time that I ever want to end interacting with the storylines and characters of the Ruth Galloway books. I hope the author hurries the next edition along…am eager to experience new dynamics and circumstances, most particularly with Ruth and Nelson.

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Story enhanced by superior narrator

Revisado: 04-09-23

I listened to the Audible version of the first book of the series: Murder in Tuscany, and I was hooked. Upon completion, I bought the next one: Murder in Chianti, then moved right onto the last in the series (so far): Murder in Florence.
Not only are the stories engaging, the main character, Dan Armstrong and dog Oscar, are developed to the point that you like being with them. The feeling of the Tuscany environment is a pleasant backdrop and gives a good sense of atmosphere.
The narrator, Simon Mattacks, is so excellent. His soothing voice doesn’t grate, he doesn’t try to over-embellish and what mastery of accents! He can voice any accent well and does so throughout the books so that it gives the listener the feeling of multiple characters from different regions around the globe. Very enjoyable.
I’d like to tie the author to his computer churning out more Tuscany mysteries with Armstrong and Oscar. Am not looking forward to the gap ahead until the next one comes out.

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More Willows & Lane…Quick!

Revisado: 12-03-22

I finished all the D.C. Smith mysteries by Peter Grainger—all through listening to the superb narration of Gildart Jackson, who enhanced the stories even more. Will miss DC a lot but thought I would try a new series of female sleuths: Emily Willows and Summer Lane by the same author.
I listened to the first book, Lane, also well narrated by Henrietta Meire, and wasted an entire afternoon unable to stop the addictive pace of crisis-building. I was hooked and immediately downloaded the second book, One-Way Tickets, and finished that in two days.
I unfortunately have to wait a short while for the 3rd book and then how long will I have to wait for the 4th? Too long, I can tell you!

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Another great Walker & Cavendish story

Revisado: 10-22-22

This mystery series is my favorite of the author’s and have listened to every edition. Even though I was able to read the book for free through my Kindle Unlimited membership, I always elect to buy the Audible book narrated by the fabulous Clare Corbett. There are only a few narrators that I will do this for because like Clare, they bring the characters to life so expertly.

Without giving away a hint, I knew that the early obvious choices for the stalker/then rapist/escalating to killer were probably red herrings. However, as the book progressed I became just as stumped as to whodunnit as DCI Walker and her crew.

Thankfully all the enjoyment I derive from the quibbling between Doug & Frank were in this edition. What will happen when Frank retires? Oh dear!

I loved the Cavendish possibilities upon which the book ended. Yay for George stepping into the Unknown!

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