3.45/5 Stars Hound Dog Blues by Virginia Brown

December 24, 2021December 17, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery amateur sleuth, Drew Commins, Karen Commins, Virginia Brown

Narrated by Karen Commins, Drew Commins

Run Time: 8 hrs 38 mins

Summary:

A dog gets dognapped, and Harley Jean Davidson sets out to find him. Her parents sort of flee the law for a while until things cool down. The Main Character inserts herself into an investigation in a bid to get the Crime Stoppers reward money.

Additional Comments:

– Narration 3.5/5 stars: This could have been handled by Karen Commins alone. The edits were decently done, but she seemed to have a better range of voices. I couldn’t tell most of the male characters from one another, especially at the end.

– Content Warning: It was mostly a clean book, except for some curses, until the end when in a bid for humor the action turned very crude. And then the end scene. It was handled well enough not to be filed with steamy, but it probably kicks it out of cozy.

– I wouldn’t really qualify it as a cozy mystery at all. Maybe amateur sleuth and female amateur detective, but not cozy. Don’t think I’d qualify it as a comedy either. There are slapstick things that happen, but it didn’t strike me as particularly humorous.

– I feel like the character’s one of dozens I’ve read already. Kinda down on her luck, out to prove somebody innocent, the normal one in a pack of weirdos, etc.

– There are colorful characters around the MC. The cross-dressing tech support guy is probably my favorite of the bunch. Kamy (sorry, I heard the audio, so I have no idea on spelling)

– It’s not much of a romance or much of a mystery. She just sort of bumbles around until the answers leap out and smack her.

– The title and cover are very misleading. It starts with the dog, but it doesn’t focus on that long.

– The MC’s relationship with her folks is odd. She refers to them as Yogi and Diva. I think that’s a reference to the author’s main series. Her brother is useless. Literally and figuratively. Waste of page space. I think his only function is to prove the MC’s not herself a complete waste of space.

Conclusion:

It’s okay. Not sure I’d seek out another book about this character, but it kept me occupied for the 5 ish hours it took to listen.

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Many of my 57 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

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Devya’s Children Series Links:

Books 1-4 were re-released in audiobook form in 2021.
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (click for sample)
If you’re all in and want to review the entire trilogy (~35 hrs!) go here.

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

I have Author Direct codes from Findaway Voices for the combo book that has Spirit’s Bane and Kindred Spirits. (Click here for a review copy.)

2.75/5 Stars A Familiar Evil by Anne Patrick

November 11, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Christian, mystery Anne Patrick, Leonor A Woodworth

Narrated by Leonor A. Woodworth

3 performance

2.45 story

Summary:

Jordan Russell left her husband and the FBI career to become chief of police of her hometown.

Additional Comments:

This deviates very slightly from the formula for most Christian suspense books. This time around there’s a married couple whose relationships is on the rocks. Expect some mention of sex once they both come to their senses. Still fits the clean category though so it’s all fade to black or talk about in passing.
I don’t buy that the husband didn’t know where she was until the cousin said something. He works for the FBI. She left the FBI. If she up and disappeared, there would be a very thorough search.
If you have very high suspension of disbelief, you may enjoy this more than I did.
It’s about 4 hours too long to be interesting.
Story’s kind of forgettable. That could legit be that the author write very similar stories. Tragic past. Check. Troubled present. Check. Bad guy obsessed with her. Check. Handsome dude trying to win her back. Check.
I read it a few weeks ago and had to think hard to recall the character.
For as hyped up as this lady was, I fully expected her not to become the damsel in distress.
Exciting section was kinda cool, but it took a LOT of visit here and visit there and pitch a fit in between to get there.
They’re clean. The Christian parts are probably a tad heavy handed for most people, but it doesn’t hide that part. It’s probably filed under Christian fiction.

Conclusion:

The author’s worth trying, but I’m not sure this would be my first recommendation if you’ve never tried her before. (I think the one about the psychic artist was better.)

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Many of my 50+ audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

3/5 stars Vengeance on Tyneside by Eileen Thornton

November 3, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Agnes Lockwood, Eileen Thornton

Agnes Lockwood Mysteries 3

Narrated by Deborah Balm

Run Time: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Summary:

Agnes Lockwood stumbles over another body and helps the coppers collar the bad guy.

Additional Comments:

The cops seem especially incompetent this round. I know cozies are supposed to have a supersleuth, but if she’s dating the DCI, it’d be nice if he wasn’t completely useless.
There’s trouble in paradise this round. It’s kind of annoying to read, but it does hit some realistic notes.
These are clean, cozies set in the UK.
Agnes could be taken as a nosy old biddy or a Murder She Wrote wannabe or a harmless rich lady with way too much time on her hands.
The conclusion worked out well and felt satisfying, but the bad guy himself was kind of disappointing. He’s not exactly a Moriarty.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for clean and cozy and British to book, this is a good series for you to check out.

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Devya’s Children Series Links:

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3.5/5 Stars Murder on Tyneside by Eileen Thornton

October 31, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery Deborah Balm, Eileen Thornton

Narrated by Deborah Balm

Run Time: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Genre: cozy-ish mystery

Summary:

Agnes Lockwood goes on holiday (vacation) to her hometown after a long time away. She catches up with an old friend who happens to be the Chief Inspector looking into a series of robberies at the hotel she’s staying at. Then, bodies start showing up.

Additional Comments:

The last little bit had some excitement, but it was otherwise about 7.5 hours of the police chasing their tales and Agnes handing them clue after clue.
I loved the narrator’s accent.
Would have been way better if the police were somewhat useful to the investigation. I get it, you want your amateur to shine, but it doesn’t help them look good if everybody else is completely inept.
Book was kind of boring.
The conclusion turned out satisfying.
Agnes needs a cat to really sell it as a cozy, but there’s nothing in here to justify categorizing it with thrillers or suspense. Mystery still works, but it’s a very, very slow burn sort of mystery.

Conclusion:

I have another book in the series, so I’ll give it a go, but these aren’t gonna end up on any favorites lists.

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Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

Guardian Angel Files:

I have Author Direct codes from Findaway Voices for the combo book that has Spirit’s Bane and Kindred Spirits. (Click here for a review copy.)

4/5 stars Tiaras & Terror by Anne Marie Stoddard

October 30, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Aloha Lagoon, Anne Marie Stoddard, Mary Hildebrandt

Narrated by Mary Hildebrandt

Run Time: 4 h and 57 mins

Summary:

Kaley’s enthusiasm for Halloween gets dampened by a murder. She’s shocked when an acquaintance she doesn’t particularly like asks her to clear her name. I recommend NOT reading the back cover copy because it pretty much spells out the story.

Additional Comments:

– The performance wasn’t anything to write home about, but it fit the story. (The main character’s voice sometimes grated on my nerves. This too fits the character, but that doesn’t make the annoyance go away.)

– Typical cozy mystery. The MC doesn’t do a lot of investigating. She basically asks random people questions and gets into trouble. She’s sort of likable though.

– This is 13 in a series of standalone mysteries set in Aloha Lagoon.

– They’re decent fluff pieces. If you’re looking for a mystery you don’t need to think about, go for it.

– fitting for a Halloween themed book. Might fit some bingo boards or something.

– Incidentally, with that spelling I would not have pronounce the name (“Caileigh/ Kay-ley.” I probably would have gone with Kal-lee.)

– It’s missing a cat to be officially the quintessential cozy.

– Her aunt fulfills the quirky weirdo character role.

– Kaley’s relationship with her boyfriend is decently believable.

– Really wish the woman could defend herself. That would make it much more interesting.

Conclusion:

Kaley won’t ever make the top 10 of my favorite characters, but she’s plucky enough for the role she’s given.

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4/5 Stars Gertrude, Gumshoe and the Vardsale Villain by Robin Merrill

October 23, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, cozyish, mystery Darlene Allen, Gertrude Gumshoe, Robin Merrill

Narrated by Darlene Allen

Run Time: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Summary:

Gertrude’s got her first paying case. A young acquaintance comes to her with the strange case of his disappearing girlfriend.

Additional Comments:

The connections in the mystery are tenuous as best.
Gertrude’s still got spunk and a helpful neighbor with a car.
The villain is kind of sad.
I read these out of order. This is where she meets the mysterious Dave.
They’re not exactly deep thinker kind of mysteries, but they’re fun fluff pieces.

Conclusion:

Gertrude’s a trip every time you meet her.

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Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 55 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

3.45/5 Stars The Prairie chicken Kill by Bill Crider

October 20, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery Bill Crider, Otis Jiry

Narrated by: Otis Jiry

Run Time: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Summary:

Truman Smith is hired by a former classmate, Lance Garrison, to investigate a prairie chicken killed on protected land. He kind of doesn’t want to take the case, but does so because he has a thing for a different former classmate, Anne.

Additional Comments:

If you read the back cover copy, you have pretty much the entire story.
The end isn’t really satisfying.
Law enforcement in the book is either incompetent or corrupt, which is annoying.
It’s a first-person book, but I don’t find Truman Smith a very likable character, which kind of made the book less enjoyable. He’s old school, pavement pounding type of detective.
The excitement is okay, but the rest is a lot of navel gazing.
The narrator did fine job. He doesn’t have the best range of voices, but it’s okay with this kind of story.

Conclusion:

I may try other Bill Crider books, but this one ends up in the meh pile.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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Scratched Off by Julie C. Gilbert

October 19, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery Julie C. Gilbert, mystery, Rick Struve

Narrated by Rick Struve

Run Time: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Genre: mystery, suspense

Summary:

Sam Kerman is given the monumental task of catching a serial killer. This case could make his career or crush it.

Additional Comments:

One of my most intense books. It’s clean in terms of adult language and scenes, but it’s about a serial killer who is experimenting. The descriptions aren’t gory, but it could be disturbing for some people.
I got to listen to this recently. Been a while. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with Sam, Mel, Josie, Andy, and Josh.
The story bounces between Mel, Andy, and Sam. Mel is Andy’s older sister. Sam’s the agent trying to catch the killer. Andy is the killer. That’s not really a spoiler, it’s in chapter 1. Generally, I don’t recommend outing your bad guy right off, but hopefully, it still works.
Andy’s sections are more like journal entries.
Mel and Sam have third person limited sections.
Tie ins to other works: Sam Kerman has a short role in the last book of Megan Luchek’s Cyber League Crimes series. I’m sort of obsessed with writing about FBI agents. I’ve thought about writing a story that involves Megan, Sam, and Ann and Patrick (from Heartfelt Cases) … maybe even through in some of Devya’s children. Those characters already cross over to Heartfelt Cases.

Conclusion:

I aimed for intense here. I would bill Scratched Off and Beyond Broken Pencils together, even though they’re different genres. There’s something similar in the feel of the works.

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3.5/5 Stars Mystery at Little Bitterroot by Felix F. Giordano

October 17, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery Felix F. Giordano, J. Rodney Turner

Narrated by J. Rodney Turner

Run time: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Genre: mystery

Summary:

Bodies are popping up all over the place. The sheriff has to get to the bottom of it fast.

Additional Comments:

I feel like there’s backstory I’m missing. This might be the second in a series. Not sure. It doesn’t say.
A lot in here is far-fetched.
I don’t feel like I got to know most of the side characters, which is kind of crazy since this is a 9 hr book.
The narrator has a nice voice for this kind of story. It’s very deep.
It has less to do with spirits and more to do with greedy people. Big surprise there.
Jim seems to have a really crappy few months here.
I’d read more by the author.

Conclusion:

Nothing blew me away here. Poor Jim went through a lot, but he came out all right.

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5/5 Stars In the Name of the Children by Jeffrey L. Rinek and Marilee Strong

October 16, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery, Nonfiction Jeffrey L. Rinek, Marilee Strong, P.J. Ochlan

Narrated by P.J. Ochlan

Run Time: 13 hrs and 10 mins

Genre: True Crime, nonfiction

Summary:

Aside from the intro stuff and maybe the first few cases, there’s no real timeline to follow here. It follows the career of FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Rinek through a select number of his horrifying, heartbreaking cases.

Additional Comments:

If you’ve followed my reviews, you know I don’t hand out 5’s like candy. I listen to a lot of different kinds of stuff. I’ve only recently started listening to true crime stuff. It’s all for research, promise, but it’s also just fascinating, disturbing, morbid, and crazy too.
This is hands-down one of the most interesting and simultaneously horrifying and disquieting books I’ve ever listened to. It’s the first book in a long time, I finished because I wanted to finish it, not just because I had free time to listen.
Like young Jeff, I’ve been fascinated by the FBI for a long time, but he pursued a career with them, while I just write stories about agents. I have the utmost respect for those like Agent Rinek who dedicate their lives to giving victims a voice.
Content Warning: This book is disturbing on so many levels. Even hearing some of the horrific things people have done is gut-wrenching, especially when the crimes are committed against their own children.
The selection of cases worked out well. There was variety.
The narrator had good reading instincts.
Being around death, darkness, and evil took its toll on Rinek and his family. He brought that part up a few times, but I don’t think it was overstated. It wasn’t just about missed birthdays and key events and broken promises. The man almost killed himself because of the craziness he dealt with on a daily basis.
This book, way more than the fiction works, emphasizes the fact that some cases go unsolved, some take years and years and years to complete, and many don’t have satisfactory conclusions. They don’t always “get their man,” and nothing can bring back the dead or return a sense of innocence to the victims.
It’s the kind of book that’s hard to say one enjoys. It was excellent and compelling, but still disturbing.

Conclusion:

This is a brief glimpse into some of the dark side of humanity. Jeffrey Rinek and other law enforcement officials face monsters so some can sleep easier. Their service often goes unsung and unnoticed or just relegated to things like “oh, that’s the job they signed up for.” Statements like that do the profession an injustice. They truly are heroes.

*Found the book on Audible plus.

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