Slow story read by an annoying drawling reader?

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Having listened to the exquisite performances of readers like Sean Barrett and Kobnah Holdbrook-Smith, this was painful in the extreme. I would suggest these authors do some massive editing of their work and hire a different reader.

What was most disappointing about Jessica Park and Susan Conant ’s story?

The idea is good: foodie & mystery. And they obviously know quite a bit about the industry; so it was very annoying to have to wade through several chapters of preamble before anything at all happened. But I thought OK, it's the first in a series, it will have a longer set-up and I stuck with it. Sadly, no. Throughout, the story needed heavy editing, as in the mystery genre it is usual to move things along at a clip. For example - there is no need to explain that on hearing a phone ring, the heroine got out of the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and made her way to the phone. A simple 'dripping, I answered' is sufficient and keeps the plot moving along. We didn't need to hear about a quarter of the material in the book about her student placement, her induction day, her book list etc as it moves nothing along and adds nothing to her character development or the plot. There is a difference between adding colour and making things stodgy. This was very stodgy.

So that was my big disappointment: that it was so dreadfully slow and let down the premise, which was interesting.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kim McKean’s performances?

No. Absolutely not. Unless she was reading Moon Unit Zappa's autobiography.

Her accent is dreadful? Yanno? She sounds like a Valley Girl? And ends a lot of sentences with an upward intonation? That is very annoying? And interferes with the flow and meaning of the story? Also, she has a nasal, drawling quality that is hard on the ears and she mispronounces some words (e.g. do Americans call the act of creating braids 'plateing' - like putting food on a plate? Because in the UK we pronounce it 'platting'). I've got used to some US pronunciation quirks - like 'meer' for mirror. But Ms McKean takes takes it to the extreme.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration, annoyance and disappointment.

Any additional comments?

Can I have a refund?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Gourmet Mystery...

Reading the reviews on Goodreads I was unsure about downloading book, because it's got such a mixed response.

Chloe Carter is studying to be a social worker to get hold of an inheritance and so she continues to get her monthly stipend.
Her very un-p.c view of life will get up some readers noses, but personally I enjoyed the tongue in cheek humor and honest reflections,.Chloe is self obsessed and not really a like-able character, her wry, blunt views were a refreshing change.

The story romps along, her inner monologues and observations had me both cringing and smiling to myself. It's a light mystery from the point of view from a young albeit bright girls point of view, that gave it a different flavor to others I have read,

Would definately download more from this author, because although not wowed was still entertained.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful