LENGTH
11 Hours, 25 Minutes
READ BY
Joe Hempel
Performance
Overall
Excellent, Unforgettable, Best of the nest
Very good, thoroughly enjoyed,
Good, Solid, Enjoyed many aspects
STAR RATINGS GUIDE
A carefully crafted mystery with echoes of (and I don't bandy this about) Gone Girl
THE BIRDICT
I was totally unprepared for this journey. This book is like that friend who suggests coffee only to end up taking you to Colombia for the beans. Fun, complex and full of surprises.
There's a lot going on in this plot. Lots of little threads, themes that come together to create intrigue and doubt. The mass shooting, Aaron's grief, each clue along the way. I liked how each one touched on different aspects of the psychological thriller genre. What's more, it was subtle.
I suspected every character at different points of the story. This - to me at least - is the main hallmark of a good mystery, especially for someone like me who reads so many of them.
I would not call this a horror story. Supernatural and creepy elements are woven in effectively, but they are not prominent enough to define the book.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me with an audio ARC in return for an honest review.
SQUAWKING THE TALK
Joe Hempel elevates this story by giving Aaron Decker' the kind of relatable, affable voice not normally found in darker genres. It makes Decker more authentic in his grief, his motivation and his actions. Hempel's voice brings to mind that typical guy you might know, maybe a Ted Moseby of How I Met Your Mother (Josh Radnor). I liked Aaron and trusted his intentions and Hempel had a lot to do with it.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: SIMILAR AUDIOBOOKS
If I had a critique it is that the voice in Aaron's head is not explained thoroughly enough.
