Deadly Lies

Deadly Lies

By: Chris Patchell

Narrated by: Emily Cauldwell, Kevin Stillwell

Series: Jill Shannon, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 09-20-17

I have so many mixed emotions on this story. I am torn between who should be left together and the outcome when the end comes. The ending is great but shocking, I still can’t help but think things could have been different if she could have gotten the help she needed. It is truly a shocking story of a young girl who was abused by the one who should have loved and taken care of her. The outcome of that story is very shocking, sad but you can’t feel remorse for the abuser. As that little girl grows up she puts the past behind her moving on to a better life with a wonderful husband who spends more time with his job then he does her. This leads to events that puts a tail spin on so many lives. As things get out of control Jill goes down a path of killing that she can’t get out of. Just when she plans to stop she makes a choice that will change her life forever.

I thought the two narrators did an outstanding job with Mr. Stillwell being Alex when the story was from his point of view and Ms. Cauldwell being Jill’s voice when it was from her point of view. There isn’t a mixture between the two narrators each take the chapter that pertains to their character doing the voices for all the characters in that chapter. I thought their many different character voices were wonderful. You always knew who was talking and what each was feeling. Their normal voices are very pleasant and I had no trouble listening to their narration. There are no background noises, no volume changes, not even when they changed over to let the other do the narration. I could not tell when they took a break it sounded like they were side be side with one taking over when the other left off with no breaks. There are no repeating of words just a very clear, and clean audio that I very much enjoyed. Their male and female character voices are very clean and clear, very pleasant and sounded like I pictures the character to be. The emotions they give them is outstanding I knew what each were feeling and who was talking with no problem. I know how hard it is for two different narrators to work together getting it all right from the tones, emotions, and volume. I have to give them a five plus for the outstanding job they did. I really can’t wait to hear more of their work.

The plot is wonderful, the author has no trouble keeping you hooked with many twists and turns you do not see coming. There are a few heartbreaking moments, a few shocking ones as well as a few smiles. This isn’t the type of story that makes you laugh it is serious and the author did a great job portraying the emotions of each character. My heart really went out to Jill and all she had to go through but it went out to her husband as well for all he had to deal with. I just have one question how can she be sure. Once you read the story you will understand that question. It is a very emotional read be prepare for your emotions to be all over the place.

The author said it is like Mr. and Ms Smith I do not see this, it does keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see the outcome but I wouldn’t call it an action adventure, exciting or even very dangerous. What I would call this story is sad, horrible for so many people. The author goes a great job showing how man have to have control and will do anything to get the upper hand but the same can be said for some women. The one I feel the sorriest for his Alex, in the end he was the biggest loser and my heart broke for him. It is a very interesting story that keeps you invested. I really enjoyed it and would recommend you give it a try. There is one place I had a question and many other place I wish the outcome was different.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/Deadly-Lies-Audiobook/B075QNY3RQ/ref=a_listener__cco_1_2_t?

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Lies-Jill-Shannon-Murder-ebook/dp/B00HE7OS28/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadly-lies-chris-patchell/1119006950?ean=9781494296520&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc

Summary

As a teenager, Jill Shannon fell victim to her stepfather's cruel abuse. Now, as an adult, Jill's made it - she has a successful career and a solid, if not static, marriage to Detective Alex Shannon. Together they live out what seems to be a perfect life in Seattle.
The vow she made as a teenager to never again be a victim lies dormant - until one day a reporter lures her to his hotel room under the pretense of an interview - and suddenly it all comes rushing back.
Jill seeks revenge on the reporter, triggering a series of events that leads Jill down a wormhole of retribution, forcing her to spin an ever-widening web of lies.
Meanwhile, Alex is on the case of a series of murders that began as cyber relationships. There seems to be a familiar fingerprint on these crimes, but Alex refuses to believe that the murderer could be so close to him.
For those who couldn't put down The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo comes a thrilling ride a la Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where husband and wife stand on opposite sides of a divide created by lies and rooted in a dark and deadly past.

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror

by Jessica Jesinghaus

This is a new author to me having said that I have to say for the most part she held me spellbound with suspense, mystery and romance. There are some very touching, very in-depth, heart in your throat, yelling at the characters, and some very heart broken scenes. This is one author that really knows how to hold your attention giving you a compelling read that hooks you from the first page. There are so many different things you won’t see coming, a few shockers along the way. Very little filler used in this hang on to the edge of the seat read. At times I did have a hard time putting it down, I had to know what happen next. I had a hard time not going to the end to find out who the killer was.

The only issues I had was when Sam bought her house she went to her grandmother to get some of the few things she had in the basement. I was unsure why she didn’t go to her parent’s house to get some of the things there. It was like her parents died which really hurt her a lot but that was about it. What happen to their things?

I doubt you can read this and not have your heart go out to Sam from the first page she pulls you in when she goes to report on an accident and has her whole world turned upside down.  From there is seems she cannot get a break just one things after another. The plot is well thought out leaving the read guessing and wondering what in the world could happen next. I thought for the most part it was beautiful written, so much so I picked up the other books the author has out. She does have a free one and the others are only 99 cents at the time of this post.

The romance part is done nicely not overpowering and not a lot of detail from their most private moments. Her roommate is a delight and really holds your attention with her budding romance. It seems there are a lot of characters that are full of surprises and secrets, just when you think you have a handle the author throws you a spin. There are a lot of twists and turns that keep you on the edge. The characters find away to your heart in a short time, they become family and you become very invested in their lives and the outcome of the plot. I love the paranormal in it, the author writes it in a way that it is very believable. It’s like a guiding hand but doesn’t give it all away.  If you like mystery, romance, and suspense in your stories you are so going to love this. But hang on to your hats you are in for one heck of a ride.

Buy Links

Amazon in KU

https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Jessica-Jesinghaus-ebook/dp/B01JB8QN7U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511994155&sr=1-1&keywords=Mirror%2C+Mirror+Jessica+Jesinghaus

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mirror-mirror-jessica-jesinghaus/1124216944?ean=9781538017890

Summary

Nearly twenty years ago a teenage girl was murdered...

Samantha Williams was just a young girl when her cousin, Emily, was brutally raped and killed in her own home. As a child, Sam's family did their best to shelter her from the gruesome details. Now, working the crime beat for the Portland Tribune, Sam has the resources at her fingertips to investigate the case for herself.

Through the eyes of a killer...

After inheriting a family heirloom, an antique vanity table that once belonged to her murdered cousin, Sam begins seeing visions in the mirror's depths. Like watching an old home movie, she bears witness to Emily's murder. As if that weren't frightening enough, she starts to see other things too: fleeting glimpses of the killer himself! Are the things she sees just a figment of her imagination or could something otherworldly be trying to communicate with her? When the killer strikes again and leaves clues behind meant specifically for Sam it becomes a race against time to try to catch him

Wings of Mayhem

Wings of Mayhem

The Mayhem Series, Book 1

By: Sue Coletta

Narrated by: Andrea Emmes

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 10-19-17

Language: English

Publisher: Crossroad Press

From the first page to the last you are captivated from one page to the next as the story unfolds with a cat burglar on the prowl breaking into a home of a man that steals money. She plans on steal from him selling what she takes and giving it back to those innocent people. What takes place next will leave you spellbound, shock, horrified, screaming for her to put it all back and run, run as fast as you can. She thinks she is safe, making it out alive with no one the wiser but she is very wrong. He knows who she is and he is on the hunt to get back what she took playing a game of cat and mouse this is one cat burglar who is scared out of her wits. Those she loves and hold dear are now in the sights of a very evil man. It is anyone’s guesses who will be left standing when he gets done what he is doing.

Ms. Coletta narration was great, I loved her northern accent it really fit Shawnee. I have listened to other audios of hers but I think this one is the best so far. She really knows how to pull you in making you buy into the story, leaving you hanging on the edge, making you feel the danger, leaving you with her heart in your throat, yelling at the characters demanding they get their act together. I love her character voice, you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. I love the emotion you can hear in her voice as she pulls you in holding you spellbound waiting for the next shoe to drop. The volume never changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. There were no repeating of words, no background noises just a very clean and clear audio that I got lost in. I do not think I would have felt the same way had I read it because the narrator really pulls out all the stops given you an emotional listen, making you feel the excitement, pain, sorrow, scared that each character is going through.

The author really gives a wonderful read with a very well thought out story covering everything. When that camera flashed I could picture each thing she saw in my mind. I set there with my mouth wide open asking myself what in the heck she had gotten herself into now. There was no way for her to come clean and lord my heart went out to his victims. There is one that I wanted to grab and pull right out of the book. I kept saying no no no you can’t do that no no no go back oh lord that poor women.  The suspense, danger, and excitement just about killed me. I couldn’t put this book down I had to know what was happening. Oh those poor bodies oh the things he did what a mess. I really liked the ending how it all played out. I loved the mystery and thought when it was over why didn’t I think of that. I felt the killer deserved it and so much more. This is one story that will keep you spellbound until the end. I know I will not forget it for some time to come. It is also one I most likely will listen to again.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/Wings-of-Mayhem-Audiobook/B076HYNTMX

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Mayhem-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01G9P1JGS/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wings-of-mayhem-sue-coletta/1123858177?ean=9781941408902&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20IncM000004

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sue_Coletta_Wings_of_Mayhem?id=QRNADAAAQBAJ

Summary

Listen to this true crime anthology to learn about 12 more true crime stories that shocked communities and grabbed headlines around the world. You will learn about tragic cases of family annihilation and relationships gone horribly wrong. Among the most shocking of these cases is the murder of the Westerhuis family in South Dakota, who on the outside appeared to by an all-American family, but inside they harbored a felonious secret.

A trio of politically motivated murder stories will also keep you intrigued and glued to listen to this audiobook. Two of the cases involve hate crimes committed in the United States, while the other was the first major act of Islamic terrorism in the US. The three cases were also examples of organized crime, much like the murder of Australian biker Wayne Rodney Schneider. You may be shocked when you learn that the criminal investigation of Schneider's murder has uncovered suspects from two different continents, and that the actual crime took place on a third continent.

Unfortunately, many of the cases profiled in this audiobook involve innocent victims, such as nine-year-old Amber Lucius who was murdered by her own mother. Now that you have been warned, start listening to this audiobook and learn about 12 more high-profile true crime murder cases. You may be disturbed at times, but if you enjoy learning about forensic science and criminal investigation procedures, then this is the audiobook for you!

Arnold Sodeman: The True Story of the Schoolgirl Strangler:

Arnold Sodeman: The True Story of the Schoolgirl Strangler: True Crime by Evil Killers, Book 1

Written by: Jack Rosewood

Narrated by: Gaius M. Thynne

Length: 51 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-10-16

Publisher: Wiq Media

I really enjoyed this author who gives the facts as they are with no add on or fillers which makes this a wonderful short listen that really holds your attention. My heart really went out to the families of these children as well as the victims. I think the thing that touched me the most was the letter his wife wrote to him asking for the truth and talked about their daughter. The next thing that really hit home as how he killed and then went visiting, to understand what I mean you will have to read or listen to this story.

Mr. Thynne narration was great he gives the facts as they are only giving emotion if it is needed. He narrates a clean, clear, crisp audio with no background noises. There are no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. He did no character voices but I didn’t feel they were needed. The audio was done in even tones but in a way that you feel the effect of the horror of the act that was done. I told his performance was really good. He has a very nice pleasant voice to listen to that really pulls the listener in.

I have mixed feelings about Mr. Sodeman. I do feel he used his alcohol as an excuse. I am not saying it didn’t play a part in his act just that it is too easy to blame what you do on drinking. With his families past and how people thought he was strange I would have thought the family would have kept an eye on the whole family throughout the years and got help for those that needed it. There are a lot of interesting facts one being what they found in his brain that might have lead him to do what he did. If you love true crime and you are looking for an interesting listen that only gives the facts I hope you pick this up. It will make you wonder if he could have been helped before he started murdering if he had the help that we have today back then. There are places where you jaw will drop and others where your heart just about breaks for the victims as well as the families.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Bios-Memoirs/Arnold-Sodeman-The-True-Story-of-the-Schoolgirl-Strangler-Audiobook/B01LX4KYRV

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Sodeman-Schoolgirl-Strangler-Historical-ebook/dp/B00VEMMPY2/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Captured in the 1930s before the words psychopath and pedophile were part of common vernacular, notorious serial killer Arnold Sodeman murdered four young girls with little thought of remorse. Without guilt, the evil serial killer strangled them to death with their own clothing and left their small bodies alone in the Australian brush, earning himself a chilling position in the annals of Australian crime.

The first victim in his child murder spree, 12-year-old Mena Griffiths, showed signs of having been sexually assaulted, although the man who would become known as The School-girl Strangler denied the assault, and blamed the killing of both Griffiths and the other girls on his inability to control himself after he’d been drinking.

The horrific story of this true-life murderer – a tale of mental illness, childhood abuse, brain damage and alcoholic blackouts – is true crime as its most terrible, and ranks among the worst child murders in world history.

After his arrest, Sodeman calmly confessed, saying that when intoxicated, he became overcome by thoughts of revenge, and like a real-life Jekyll and Hyde, transformed from doting husband and family man into a barbarian who strangled four little girls.

He chose children and teens, he said, because he could lure them away much easier, but the cold-blooded killer really didn’t seem to recognize the abhorrence of taking a child’s life.

Experts now say the handsome but strange Sodeman would likely have been unfit to stand trial for his crimes, given his family’s extensive background of mental illness, but in the 1930s, the serial killer’s biography was a tale that left Australia stunned.