~Audiobook Review~ Rusty Nail

Who and What: Rusty Nail by J.A. Konrath, Audiobook Edition, ISBN 9781423312383, Narrated by Susie Breck and Dick Hall; #3 in The Jack Daniels Mystery Series


What it's about: Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels of the Chicago Police Department is back, and once again she's up to her Armani in murder. Someone is sending Jack snuff videos. The victims are people she knows, and they share a common trait - all were involved in one of Jack's previous cases. With her stalwart partner, Herb, hospitalized and unable to help, Jack follows a trail of death throughout the Midwest, on a collision course with the smartest and deadliest adversary she has ever known.

During the chase, Jack jeopardizes her career, her love life, and her closest friends. She also comes to a startling realization - serial killers have families, and blood runs thick. (goodreads)

What I thought: A lot more graphic than a cozy - there were parts where I was cringing for sure. To me, it didn't take away from the book at all. This is the first of this series that I've ventured into and I completely enjoyed it. I loved the fact that there were two narrators, it made it super interesting. The Chicago accents were spot on too. Made me miss home! I seriously never zoned out at all during this book.

Would I recommend it: Definitely. If you don't like gory (sometimes graphic) details of torture you might want to take a pass though.

Where I got it: The library

Challenges this counts towards: 2011 Audiobook Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Audiobook Review~ The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King

Who and What: The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King; Audiobook Edition; ISBN 9780743571180; Narrated by Mare Winningham


What it's about: In the emotional aftermath of her baby's sudden death, Em starts running. Soon she runs from her husband, to the airport, down to the Florida Gulf and out to the loneliest stretch of Vermillion Key, where her father has offered the use of a conch shack he has kept there for years. Em keeps up her running -- barefoot on the beach, sneakers on the road -- and sees virtually no one. This is doing her all kinds of good, until one day she makes the mistake of looking into the driveway of a man named Pickering. Pickering also enjoys the privacy of Vermillion Key, but the young women he brings there suffer the consequences. Will Em be next? (goodreads) 

What I thought about it: The narration was spot on. A well written novella that had me gasping, hoping, and even saying "Don't do that!". Not freaky scary like a lot of King's other offerings, but suspenseful scary. If you are thinking about trying audiobooks I would suggest this as a good starting point - it's not too long and it's worth the listen.

How I rate it: For the first time in a long time I can actually say I loved a book. Even though I'm sure a lot had to do with the brilliant narration the story was still well written.

Where I got it: My personal bookshop (AKA the public library!)

Challenges this counts towards: 2011 Audiobook Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Audiobook Review~ Caught by Harlan Coben

Who and What: Caught by Harlan Coben; Audiobook Version; ISBN: 9780739385203; Narrated by Carrington MacDuffie


What it's about: 17-year-old Haley McWaid is a good girl, the pride of her suburban New Jersey family, captain of the lacrosse team, headed off to college next year with all the hopes and dreams her doting parents can pin on her. Which is why, when her mother wakes one morning to find that Haley never came home the night before, and three months quickly pass without word from the girl, the community assumes the worst.


Wendy Tynes is a reporter on a mission, to identify and bring down sexual predators via elaborate-and nationally televised-sting operations. Working with local police on her news program Caught in the Act, Wendy and her team have publicly shamed dozens of men by the time she encounters her latest target. Dan Mercer is a social worker known as a friend to troubled teens, but his story soon becomes more complicated than Wendy could have imagined.

In a novel that challenges as much as it thrills, filled with the astonishing tension and unseen suburban machinations that have become Coben's trademark, Caught tells the story of a missing girl, the community stunned by her loss, the predator who may have taken her, and the reporter who suddenly realizes she can't trust her own instincts about this story-or the motives of the people around her. (goodreads)

What I think: This is my first Coben novel and if all his books are as good as this one it definitely won't be my last. So many twists and turns that when you think you've got it figured out, you realize you don't. The ending was something I know I didn't see coming. Carrington MacDuffie did a superb job narrating. That's another thing I found completely enjoyable. The recording was as long as some of the other audiobooks I've listened to but I didn't find myself tuning out at all. 

How I rate it: A 4.5 (someplace between liked and loved)

Where I got it: The library

What challenges it counts towards: 2011 Audiobook Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen~ Audiobook

I finished listening to Eight Days to Live by Iris Johansen today. I thought it was pretty good, but a long listen. Maybe because I just get to thinking so much while I'm in the car (you know - what do I need to do next, the budget, stuff like that) but sometimes I found myself thinking "Oh I missed something". Not enough that I couldn't figure it out though.

The narrator got a little annoying with trying to do Scottish accents for almost the whole book. But she did well enough that I could figure out the different people who were talking.

I don't know if I'm sold on audiobooks. I'm still willing to give them a shot though - I started another one today.


I'm giving this one a 2 - it was just ok for me. Mostly because of the length and the annoying Scottish accent thing. The story line I liked.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier - audiobook review

Remember this audiobook I got from the library?

The final offering on the CD was Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier. Have no doubt - I love Leslie Meier and the Lucy Stone Mystery Series. Come on, that's why I picked this one up really.

I enjoyed the performer on this one. She did a good job of varying her voice so I knew who was speaking all the time. I finally figured out that this is important when you can't see the printed words! Sometimes I would find myself sitting in the driveway or parking lot just listening to what was going to happen next. I guess that's the equivalent of not being able to put a book down.

Overall I enjoyed all the stories in this collection - just some more than others!


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Reading Challenges Update

Yes, I have a paper due on Monday so it's time for my procrastination post - reading challenges update! Seriously, you all know you wanted to know anyway!

Show me the Free Reading Challenge
I have listed all the free eBooks I've downloaded for this one. That's a good thing, because sometimes I can't remember which ones were free and which ones I paid for. I've finished 3 out of 12 for this challenge.

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge
Big surprise - I've finished 11 out of 12. The book I'm currently reading doesn't qualify, but the next one will! I'm hoping to have this challenge finished by the end of the month.

Audio Book Challenge
I just started this one, but have managed to listen to 2 out of 12 books. I started my third today, but since I only listen in the car who knows when it will be finished. I've listed a couple of the books I've checked out from the library because I don't think I'll be able to finish them before they are due and I don't want to forget what I picked!

A to Z Reading Challenge
This one is proving to be harder than I thought, but I have managed 10 out of 26. Pretty good I think, considering I read a lot of books that start with the letter 'C'. I don't know why. It's weird, I know.

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
According to Goodreads I'm 12 books behind on this one. I knew it was a huge goal when I set it, but I don't need to be reminded that I'm not succeeding very well - sheesh! I've finished 13 out of 100. I also double checked to see if audiobooks would count, yeah, they don't - but that's ok. I'm still going to plug away and try to reach the ever elusive 100 books! Next year I will probably look for a "beat yourself" challenge or something.

As always, current stats can be seen here.

Now I guess I'll go finish that paper.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Audiobook Review - The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine

This is the second book on this set and I completely loved it. Never having read anything by Laura Levine, I immediately went to the library and checked one out (of course - did you think I wouldn't?!).

I loved the characters (especially Prozac), and the sarcastic wit of Jane. The narrator on this one was 100 times better than the Joanne Fluke offering. Other people may have figured out the murderer right away, but I honestly didn't realize it until she did. Maybe because I listen in 20 minute increments?

So, if you are an audiobook fan, I recommend this listen for the narrator and the funny protagonist (don't be scared - I used a big word!) . If you want to just read it, you have to get it with the other offerings - but I still think you should.

I give a 4 - I loved it!


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown