Length : 9 hrs 23mins Speed: 1.20x Reading Challenge: 2019 New Release Challenge, Netgalley and Edelweiss, 2019 Audio Book Challenge Purchase: Amazon, Audible
When I saw the title and read the synopsis, I envisioned a series of sinister, frightening, and chilling events. I went into the story with expectations of a fast-paced thriller, which would have me on the edge of my seat and create a feeling of fear for the characters involved. Alas, I experienced none of these feelings. Instead, I got a slow moving mystery, which kept me guessing, minus the thrills and suspense.
The story began on an exciting note. It was a typical Wednesday for Journalist Alice Henderson, but that was until she received a threatening phone call, which would turn the life she worked so hard to maintain upside down. Since then every Wednesday like clockwork her stalker strikes. Who wants to make her pay and why?
Told from POVs of Alice, the stalker and Michael, the Private Investigator who was hired by Alice’s boyfriend to investigate the stalking and protect Alice. It gave me a front-row seat into the lives and minds of these characters. The stalker’s POV focused on his past as a child while Alice and Michael’s POV was based on current events.
I found the stalker’s POV interesting. Despite having the love of his grandmother, he came face to face with horrors that no child should have to encounter. As a result, he became mentally unstable.
Alice had her share of pain in the past. I admired her ability to bounce back from the tragic event in her past. I had a problem with some of her choices, putting herself in unnecessary danger and placing those around her at risk.
I am at a loss how Michael’s viewpoint added to the story. His interactions with his wife and daughter had nothing to do with the plot, so I am not sure why it was included in the story.
The stalker was on my list of suspects, so I was not surprised when his identity was revealed. However, I felt cheated by the revelation his identity. Cheated, because I was hoping it would be dramatic, instead it was unimpressive.
Narration
Steve West and Elizabeth Knowelden narrated the story. This is my first time listening to both narrators. I enjoyed listening to the female narrator. Her female voices were distinct, and she brought the characters to life. The male narrator did a great job with the male voices, but I was not a fan of his female voices. The voices were not distinct and they sounded like an old lady speaking.
Conclusion/Recommendation
To conclude, although it wasn’t what I expected, I thought the story was well written. I would recommend this book to fans of slow burn mysteries.
Every Wednesday, like clockwork, the terror returns.
It seems like an ordinary Wednesday, until the phone rings. A mysterious caller with a chilling threat. Journalist Alice Henderson hangs up, ready to dismiss it as a hoax against the newspaper. But the next Wednesday, the stalker makes another move – and it becomes clear that this is all about Alice.
Someone wants her to suffer, but for what? Her articles have made her a popular local champion – could it be her past rather than her work that’s put her life in danger? Alice is determined not to give in to fear, but with the police investigation at a dead end, her boyfriend insists on hiring private investigator Matthew Hill.
With every passing Wednesday the warnings escalate, until it’s not only Alice but also her family in the stalker’s sights. As her tormentor closes in, can Alice uncover what she’s being punished for before the terrifying threats become an unthinkable reality?
Title: Once Bitten Author(s): Trina M. Lee Series: (Alexa O’Brien Huntress Books #1) Narrator(s): Sarah Puckett Publisher: Trina M. Lee Source: Purchase/Audio […]
Title: The Woman Left Behind Author: Linda Howard Series: (GO – Team #2) Publisher: William Morrow Source: Edelweiss Format: Ebook Release Date: March […]