Audio Book Review: Dachshund Through the Snow by David Rosenfelt

This is another quick, fun legal mystery that I enjoyed.
Dachshund Through the Snow $2.99
Written by David Rosenfelt
Narrated by Grover Gardner

Run Time 6h 43min
Featured in: Christmas
Release Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.5.

This Christmas, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, can’t say no to helping young Danny and his dachshund, Murphy.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and for the safe return of his missing father.
It turns out Danny’s father doesn’t want to be found, he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place fourteen years ago — a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.
With his trademark humor and larger-than-life characters — including a police officer and his K-9 partner, Simon — Rosenfelt never fails to deliver as Andy and his eccentric crew dash to reunite a family in time for Christmas.

Review:
Andy Carpenter, sardonic, would-be retired lawyer, treats Christmas with the same disdain he treats most things and people other than his wife, son, and dogs. His wife, Laurie, on the other hand, is an avid Christmas fan. This year she begins a new tradition picking a “wish tag” from a Christmas tree at the local pet store. The wish is from a child named Danny who has asked for gifts for his mother and dachshund, and for the safe return of his missing father.

Laurie isn’t quite sure how she can meet the third request. But the next day they learn that Danny’s father has been arrested for a murder that occurred fourteen years ago. Andy isn’t crazy about taking on a murder case, but Laurie thinks they can help. First Andy has to finish a case that involves a police dog, Simon, who needs to retire with his canine handler, Corey, another friend of Laurie’s.

As usual, Andy pulls in his investigation team, soon to include Corey and Simon. The crew includes Laurie as an investigator, a research lawyer, Hike, who always adds his negative opinion and view, and Sam, the accountant and computer genius. And of course, the hulking bodyguard, Marcus.

The crime scene is old and does give up many clues. Andy wouldn’t have much to go on until Marcus announces that someone has been following him. Then bodies begin to pile up. Now Andy just needs to tie the bodies to the true killer if he wants to get a not guilty verdict for Danny’s father.

I always enjoy the legal procedures and unraveling of the crime in these stories. The dogs always add a sweet element to the intrigue. I like that the stories are self-contained although I suggest starting at the beginning to get to know the characters. I recommend this story and the series to fans of mysteries and legal procedures.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner does a great job with the narration of this series. He provides good voices and captures the snarky personality of the primary character. I definitely enjoy listening to this series.

Source: Chirp January 2021 $2.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

My other Andy Carpenter Series reviews.

#NetGalley Book Review: Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22) by David Rosenfelt

This is another satisfying win and read in the Andy Carpenter Series.
Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel Book 22)
by David Rosenfelt

File Size : 2556 KB
Print Length : 299 pages
Publisher : Minotaur Books (October 13, 2020)
ASIN : B084M1ZNNJ
Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Fav Series
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are finding that all is not calm or bright in Silent Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in this heartwarming series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter can finally take a breath; he’s back on dry land after a family Caribbean cruise forced on him by his wife, Laurie, to get into the Christmas spirit. Of course the family’s first stop is to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that has always been Andy’s true passion.
But when Andy arrives, his partner, Willie Miller, needs his help. Willie’s old cellmate, Tony Birch, has been arrested for murder. Andy doesn’t necessarily believe in Tony, but Willie does. And Andy believes in Willie, which is why Andy decides to take the case.
Once again David Rosenfelt puts readers in the Christmas spirit in a tale that is equal parts mystery and holiday cheer.

Review:
As an independently wealthy criminal attorney, Andy Carpenter still considers himself as a semiretired lawyer and he isn’t seeking new clients. Andy doesn’t rouse himself much unless it has to do with dogs. And Christmas is no exception as he leaves all the decorations and shopping to his wife, Laurie. Shortly before the holiday, Andy’s friend, Willie, a former client and his partner in their dog rescue foundation, asks Andy to do him a favor – represent Tony Birch, a former cellmate, recently accused of revenge murder.

Tony has a rough past, having served time after being wrongly accused of murder as a young man and leader in a gang. Another gang member who testified against Tony has turned up dead and the police were quick to charge Tony. Andy isn’t positive that Tony is innocent, and he isn’t sure Tony is telling him everything which is a major problem. Still, Andy doesn’t want to disappoint Willie and Tony has the unwavering support of his dog, Zoey.

Andy begins to pull together his usual team when he learns that his second attorney is off in South Carolina getting married! The recommended replacement, Eddie, a big guy and retired football player who speaks in sports terms, is introduced to the team. Laurie and another retired cop, Corey (with wonder dog Simon) are the investigative team, Sam is the computer information hacker and Marcus, as always is the big, scary muscle.

When a second member of the gang is found dead the case gets stronger against Tony. But Andy is always ready to search out alternative suspects to create reasonable doubt. This time his search takes him to local crime gang boss, Luther, who was also the head of the group that oversaw Tony’s ‘boyz’ gang. Andy exercises his usual snark and twists in court, stepping on the edge of propriety and finding more clues than expected.

As normal, I enjoyed the characters and the mystery. The story is told by Andy in first person with his usual self-deprecation and dry wit. I often listen to this series on audio and I could hear Andy’s voice in Grover Gardner’s deep narration. My only disappointment with this episode was that, even with the dog on the cover, the dogs didn’t play that much of a role. This might be read as a standalone as each story has its own mystery to be solved. Still, I recommend reading at least the first couple stories of the series to get the character history. And they are fun reading too.

Source: 8/25/2020 Received from Publisher and NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2020NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: Memory Man by David Baldacci

I like this detective with a mental edge.
Memory Man
By: David Baldacci
Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Series: Amos Decker, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-15
Language: English
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Crime Action, Detective, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
With over 110 million copies of his novels in print, David Baldacci is one of the most widely read storytellers in the world. Now he introduces a startling, original new character: a man with perfect memory who must solve his own family's murder.
MEMORY MAN
Amos Decker's life changed forever - twice.
The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good and left him with an improbable side effect - he can never forget anything.
The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare - his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.
His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.
But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final tick.
©2015 David Baldacci (P)2015 Hachette Audio.

Review:
Amos Decker is a man who can’t forget – literally. A major hit in college ruined his football career and resulted in a photographic memory. Then he became a cop, working up to detective. Two decades later Amos returns home one night to find his brother, wife and ten-year-old daughter have been murdered. He won’t ever be able to forget the sight and he isn’t sure he wants to live with the memory. He falls into a bottle and ends up on the street as a sometimes private investigator.

A year later his life takes another twist. A man confesses to the murder of his family and Amos sneaks into the jail to interrogate him. He is able to slip in because a large portion of the police force has been pulled out to a horrific school shooting. Amos is pulled in to help with the investigation particularly because his partner and Captain also know that his keen eye and remarkable memory will pick up on details that others might miss. In addition to his partner, Amos gets help from the FBI and a civilian. An eager reporter, Alex Jamison, tries to get Amos to talk but when he refuses she writes a rather brutal report. After she realizes her error Alex becomes Amos’ biggest support.

As Amos uncovers clues, suddenly there is a clear indication that the events all tie into him and someone from his past. The killer seems to always be one step ahead. Will Amos be able to discover the identity and location of the killer before more of his friends are killed?

Amos is an interesting character and I liked the relationship that developed with Alex. The villain is diabolical and provides a trail of evil. I like Baldacci’s crisp writing that keeps the reader following the clues through Amos’ past. I liked the team that developed, and I liked Amos’ particular skills. I recommend this to readers who enjoy detective mysteries.

Audio Notes: Ron McLarty portrays the male characters while Orlagh Cassidy provides narration for the females. I wasn’t enthralled or distracted by the narration. It worked fine for me, especially since listening moves books faster for me than visual reading.

Source: December 2018 Audible Daily Deal $4.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

This is another fun Sherlock ‘spinoff’ listen.

DEATH CLOUD
by Andrew Lane
Narrated by Dan Weyman

7 hrs.
Unabridged
Macmillan Audio © 2010
Genre: Detective, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult Ages 12+
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 5.0.

This bold depiction of a 14-year-old Sherlock Holmes succeeds splendidly. He's as fascinating as Doyle's brilliant creation. Holmes's fans will see how he acquired his vast knowledge and developed into the man he became. Narrator Dan Weyman excels in introducing an intelligent, warm yet shy boy. Sherlock's streetwise friend, Matty, is tough yet sweet, perfectly complementing him. The best character is the American tutor, who sounds like an actual American, as does his daughter, who piques Sherlock's interest. Weyman captures emotion and action in a breathtaking manner that adds to the sheer pleasure. The characters unravel a complex mystery led by a dastardly villain who's also artfully portrayed. High praise is simply insufficient to do full justice to this outstanding work. Please, those of all ages, listen to it for yourselves! S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2011].

Review:
Sherlock Holmes is sent to spend the summer with an Aunt and Uncle in the country. They are mostly uninterested, and the housekeeper is openly hostile. Sherlock is frustrated by his situation and starts to wander the countryside and local village. Sherlock meets another young teen, Matty, an orphan who has learned to survive on the streets. Shortly into the summer, a tutor, recommended by Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, arrives. Amyus Crowe is a mysterious American who soon brightens Sherlock’s days as he challenges the boy with math queries and puzzles.

Matty stumbles upon a death in the alleys and Sherlock stumbles upon one in the woods. Both men died with swollen pustules on their faces and the boys observed a ‘death cloud’ rising from the bodies. Sherlock becomes involved in unraveling the mystery behind the deaths and behind the strange, pale, man whom he glimpsed in a carriage one day.

Amyus’ brave daughter, Virgina, makes friends with Sherlock and soon the three teens and Amyus are all facing danger as they investigate. Sherlock will be kidnapped and beaten on the way to solving the diabolical threat.

All the characters are wonderfully developed, and I was fully engaged in the mystery, which involves bees. Sherlock is presented as a shy, intelligent young man who is just beginning to develop his propensities for detailed investigation. I honestly didn’t recall Sherlock’s hobby of beekeeping but admittedly it’s been years since I read the original stories. The audiobook I listened to last week, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, displayed this hobby too. I highly recommend this series to mystery and  Sherlockian fans.

Audio Notes: Daniel Weyman’s narration brings these characters to life. He provides fitting accents and wonderful energy. I totally enjoyed this work.

SYNC August 1 – August 7, 2013. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Vanished Man: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel by Jeffery Deaver

This reminded me how much I enjoy forensic mysteries.
The Vanished Man
A Lincoln Rhyme Novel
By: Jeffery Deaver
Narrated by: Adam Grupper

Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins
Abridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-07-03
Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Genre: Detective, Police Procedures
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It begins at the prestigious music school in New York City. A killer flees the scene of a homicide and locks himself in a classroom. Within minutes, the police have him surrounded. When the scream rings out, followed by a gunshot, they break down the door. The room is empty.
Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are brought in to help with the high-profile investigation. For the ambitious Sachs, solving the case could earn her a promotion. For the quadriplegic Rhyme, it means relying on his protégé to ferret out the master illusionist they've dubbed "the conjurer", who baits them with gruesome murders that become more diabolical with each fresh crime. As the fatalities rise and the minutes tick down, Rhyme and Sachs must move beyond the smoke and mirrors to prevent a terrifying act of vengeance that could become the greatest vanishing act of all.
©2003 Jeffrey Deaver (P)2003 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Review:
Two young officers are first on scene to a murder of a young woman. A security guard called them into a supposedly closed music school where they stumble upon a man hovering over a body. They try to challenge the perp, but he slips out of the room. The officers hear him in the other room as they plan how to trap him. However, when they enter the room he has vanished. Lincoln Rhyme, the bedridden quadriplegic, former detective and his right-hand investigator, Amelia Sachs, are brought in on the investigation. The initial clues lead them to a magic shop where they encounter a young woman who has been studying and practicing the arts of illusion.

Another murder occurs, and it becomes clear that the murderer is using historic illusion tricks and settings. Rhyme and Amelia make progress due in big part to the aid of their budding illusionist. The murderer feels that Lincoln is a threat and he confronts him in a vulnerable situation. Now the case has become personal and Rhyme and Amelia must trap the murderer before Rhyme becomes a victim and before the murderer kills a crowd which they suspect he is going after.

I found the settings and history very interesting. The illusions and slight of hand add to the good suspense. The 'vanished man' continues to be a chameleon, one step ahead of the police. It has been a while since I read (listened) to a forensic mystery and this definitely reminded me why I enjoy them so much. I recommend this to readers who enjoy this genre.

Audio Notes: I was pleased with the narration by Adam Grupper. He adds distinct voices and excellent pausing and energy. I usually listen to unabridged versions, but this shorter version seemed just right for my enjoyment.

Source: 2004 Audible Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audiobook and a "V" title for Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4 by E.J. Stevens

I was more engaged with this installment and really enjoyed all the dangers navigated by Ivy and her friends.
Birthright: Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book 4
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, Anthony Bowling

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
Series: Ivy Granger, Book 4
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-12-16
Publisher: Sacred Oaks
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranomral, Detective
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Being a faerie princess isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Ivy must go to Faerie, but the gateway to the Wisp Court is through Tech Duinn, the house of Donn - Celtic god of the dead. Just her luck.
Unable to share her secret with Jinx, and with Jenna called away on Hunters' Guild business, Ivy must rely on Ceff and Torn to lead her to Death's door, literally, and back again. As if that wasn't dangerous enough, there's no saying what horrors lay in store within the Faerie realm. Too bad the Wisp Court is the one lead Ivy has in the search for her father - and possible salvation.
Maybe hiding away and dodging sidhe assassins isn't so bad after all.
Birthright is the fourth full-length novel in the award-winning Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. The world of Ivy Granger, including the Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series and Hunters' Guild series, is filled with action, paranormal mystery, magic, dark humor, quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, flirtatious demons, sarcastic gargoyles, sexy shifters, temperamental witches, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines.
©2015 E.J. Stevens (P)2016 E.J. Stevens

Review:
Ivy has saved Jinx but she has to leave her behind protected by Forneus. Ivy can’t tell them where she is going as she sets off to follow the clues to find her father. She cannot continue to hide out pretending to be dead so she has to find a way to convince the Faerie court to drop their death order on her. Ceff and Torn are by Ivy’s side to face the dangers as they journey through Faerie land. If they can travel through the water and the forest safely, they hope to find the house of the Celtic god of the dead. If he does attack first, they hope to find the secret door to Wisp.

Each step poses its own dangers and surprises. Some channels recognize Ivy’s blood as the royal blood of her father the former King of the Wisps – this could be for good or ill.

I really liked the dynamics between Ivy and Ceff which is growing deeper. Torn is along to add his usually snark and insouciance. Although there seems to be a little repetition within the story, there is plenty of action that keeps the story moving at a good pace. We meet new characters, some villains and some friends. There is a new hearth brownie who is an especially fun addition. Ivy has to go through heartache and the twists in the story are well done as dark secrets are revealed.

Now that I have read books 3 and 4, I do want to read more in the series. I have book 1 for Kindle so I will get to that at some point. I recommend this series to urban fantasy fans who enjoy adventures in the mixed world of humans and paranormals (although this one is mostly paranormals).

Audio Notes: I have to admit that I didn’t realize that Anthony Bowling was not the same male narrator as Book 3. He did a fine job with the numerous male characters while Melanie A. Mason continued to a portray the females with distinct voices. Mason manages to convey Ivy’s pain as well as her strengths. The narration definitely enhances the story experience for me.

I received this audiobook from the author for an honest review. It adds to my Audio Challenge. Please check my review of Burning Bright, Book 3 and don’t miss the Giveaway feature.

Audible Book Review: Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3 by E.J. Stevens

The primary character in this fun listen has a lot of sass and courage.

Burning Bright: Ivy Granger Book 3
Written by: E.J. Stevens
Narrated by: Melanie A. Mason, David Wilson Brown

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
Series: Ivy Granger, Book 3
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-20-15
Publisher: Sacred Oaks
Genre: Detective, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Burning down the house....
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen.... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady - with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
©2014 E.J. Stevens (P)2015 E.J. Stevens

Review:

Ivy Granger has a very unique, and rather difficult psychic gift which has helped her build a successful Private Eye business. Ivy and her assistant, Jinx, usually stay busy with the business but Ivy has been distracted spending funds and energy trying to find her father. Meanwhile Jinx has gotten trapped in a life-draining situation. To save Jinx Ivy makes a bargain with the Green Lady which requires Ivy to kill Kaye, a powerful witch who has helped Ivy and become a friend.

Ivy is half human and half ‘wisp’ princess. She was abandoned by her father, the King of the Wisps, so she never learned how to control her abilities. The current, ruling faerie court view her as a risk to maintaining the secrets of the paranormals in the human world. Accordingly, they have sent an enforcement team to “eliminate” her.

Not only is Ivy dealing with these personal issues but suddenly fires are popping up all over the city. Ivy has discovered that pyromaniacal, demon imps have gotten loose and she needs help to stop them. Along the way to that task Ivy rescues a “runt” of a fire imp who is being played with by the clan of Cats.

Ivy gets support from her boyfriend, Ceffyl, who is the local Kelpie King. She also gets backup from another “ally”, if not exactly a friend, Torn, the leader of the Cats. Ivy also calls on Forneus who is a demon lawyer -- as in a lawyer who happens to be a demon. Ivy doesn’t exactly trust Forneus, but she knows he is interested in Jinx and will help protect her if they can rescue.

Ivy needs to find a way to kill Kaye without really killing her while also keeping herself from being killed so she can save Jinx from her kidnapper and save the city from burning. The tasks all blend together and keep Ivy and her 'friends' on the run in creative and dangerous situations.

Even as Ivy stumbles through some of her exploits, I soon realized that being a rescuer is a big part of who she is. I liked the steady support from her strong water Kelpie boyfriend, Ceff, and the flirty, suggestive snipes from Torn and Forneus which add another fun element to the mix. You might not think a demon is cute, but little imp “Sparky” is really an adorable character with an importance that Ivy didn’t know when she saved him. I am expecting/hoping he will grow into a helpful member of the team. There are other fun characters, including Father Michael, Humphrey the Gargoyle and a  mischievous hearth brownie.

I might have more easily and more quickly related to the characters if I had read/listened to the first two books of the series. However, I think I finally adjusted to them and was able to pick up on the important characters, elements and tensions as presented in this third book. I enjoyed the fun and by the end I was looking forward to listening to the current release, Birthright (which I enjoyed even more than book 3 - review coming soon).

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the team narration by Melanie A. Mason and David Wilson Brown. Melanie presents the female characters and aspects and David adds depth and counterbalance with the male characters. They both did a good job with the different character voices and the teamwork made the narration a fuller experience which I liked.

I received this audiobook from the author for an honest review. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Please see the next post for a GIVEAWAY CELEBRATING AUDIOBOOK MONTH and RELEASE OF IVY GRANGER BOOK 4!

Audible Book Review: Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14, by J.D. Robb

This is another grand crime thriller for Eve, Roarke and Peabody.

Reunion in Death: In Death, Book 14
Written by: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
Series: In Death, Book 14
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-15-13
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Modern Detective
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
At exactly 7:30 p.m., Walter Pettibone arrived home to over a hundred friends and family shouting, "surprise!" It was his birthday. Although he had known about the planned event for weeks, the real surprise was yet to come. At 8:45 p.m., a woman with emerald eyes and red hair handed him a glass of champagne. One sip of birthday bubbly, and he was dead.

The woman's name is Julie Dockport. No one at the party knew who she was. But Detective Eve Dallas remembers her all too well. Eve was personally responsible for her incarceration nearly ten years ago. And now, let out on good behavior, she still has nothing but bad intentions. It appears she wants to meet Dallas again - in a reunion neither will forget...
©2013 J. D. Robb (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc

Review:
NY homicide detective, Lieutenant Eve Dallas, and her successful businessman-husband, Roarke, have returned from a relaxing vacation. Initially Eve has no pressing cases so she pulls a cold case and begins to work it with her aide, Peabody. Soon a murder comes in to pull Eve's attention so she gives the cold case to Peabody as a side assignment as they begin the pursuit of the new murder.

Very quickly Eve suspects the MO of a female killer she put behind bars years before. Sure enough, the woman has been released from prison and has lined up targets, including Eve and Roarke. This sets up conflict between the strong-headed couple as they jockey for ways to protect each other and to capture the deadly enemy.

Peabody's intriguing parents arrive to make matters interesting on the home front. Eve isn't the most comfortable hostess and now she has to play nice with this unusual and sensitive couple.

Eve's chase of the murderer has Roarke accompanying her to Dallas and Italy. I laughed over the city girl's reaction to the country setting, keeping in mind the futuristic aspects that result in Eve being unfamiliar with farm smells and critters.  On the other side of the globe, Eve has to work her way through the red tape of the Italian police hoping to get to their suspect before she slips back to US where she is likely to go after Roarke.

As always, there is plenty of good action and police procedure as well as engaging dialog. There is emotional trauma as Eve faces her childhood memories in Dallas. I liked how Peabody’s parents came to appreciate her skills and career choice as she got to cut her teeth on a case of her own. There is some POV, head hopping that works with this series.

This is a reliably wonderful series with each book presenting police suspense and personal conflicts among the characters. Although the stories could be read out of order I recommend starting at the beginning so you can enjoy the development of the character relationships.

Audio Notes: Susan Ericksen once again does a stellar job of narration. She added the voice of the villain and Peabody’s parents to her already wonderful range of characters. I always enjoy the listening experience for this series.

This is from my own Audible Library, picked up last year. It does qualify for my Triple Dog Dare, my Audio Challenge and R in my Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones

This is fun, quick listening entertainment.

Seventh Grave and No Body

Written by: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 7
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-21-14
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre:  Paranormal, Detective
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there's that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she's ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.
But all of that combined barely scratches the surface of her problems. Recent developments - and a few distressing prophesies - have forced her to become a responsible adult. Exactly the kind of adult she's never aspired to be. To conquer such a monumental task, she's decided to start small. Really small. She gets a pet. But how can she save the world against the forces of evil when she can’t even keep a goldfish alive? A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it. We're doomed.
©2014 Darynda Jones (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Review:
This is the seventh story in this fun series. Charley is excited to be pregnant but she is insecure about her ability to succeed as a mother. Meanwhile she still wants to continue her PI duties and she is glad to help her Uncle Bob on a case of suicide notes and missing people. It is just too inconvenient that the twelve hounds of hell are out to kill her.

Reyes, Charley’s ‘affianced’, is frustrated because he wants to keep Charley and the baby safe but Charley keeps slipping out on him. She gets help from The Dealer, a demon who Reyes doesn’t trust, and Garret, Charley’s skip trace buddy who learned the truth the hard way. But no one really knows how to kill the hellhounds.

Charley helps FBI SAC Carson to find the bodies of missing girls. In the process Carson begins to uncover some of Charley’s secrets. Charley is also worried because her missing father and she has learned that the Vatican has a full file on her. Charley is being annoyed by the whiney ghost of her former bff and Rocket actually leaves his ‘asylum’ to complain to Charley about her actions that are upsetting heaven.

I continue to enjoy the snarky t-shirt and bumper stickers that open each chapter. I also enjoy the humor and the action that keeps the crew hopping. Charley is a little whiny herself at times even as she grows into her surprising strengths and skills. The sex scenes are on the steamy side but I like the natural frustrations that spark the relationship between Charley and Reyes. The overall story moved forward only a little with a bit more history and some new elements thanks to some dead flashbacks and a Priest from the Vatican. Still this is fun, quick listening entertainment.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King does such a great job narrating this series. Her reading completely enhances the story entertainment.

This title is a purchase in my Audible library.