Touched cover art

Touched

Marnie Baranuik Files, Book 1

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Touched

By: A. J. Aalto
Narrated by: Amy McFadden
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About this listen

The media has a nickname for Marnie Baranuik, though she'd rather they didn't; they call her the Great White Shark, a rare dual-talented forensic psychic. Twice-Touched by the Blue Sense - which gives her the ability to feel the emotions of others, and read impressions left behind on objects - Marnie also has a doctorate in preternatural biology and a working knowledge of the dark arts. She is considered without peer in the psychic community.

Then her first big FBI case ended with a bullet in one shoulder and a chip on the other, a queasy heart and a serial killer in the wind, leaving her a public flop and a private wreck. When the FBI's preternatural crimes unit tracks her down at a remote mountain lodge for her insight on a local case, her quiet retirement is promptly besieged by a stab-happy starlet, a rampaging ghoul, and a vampire-hunting jackass in tight Wranglers. Marnie figures the only real mystery is which one will kill her first.

Too mean to die young, backed up by friends in cold places, and running with a mouth as demure as a cannon's blast, Marnie Baranuik is about to discover that there's no such thing as quitting time when you're Touched.

©2011 A. J. Aalto (P)2017 Tantor
Fantasy Supernatural Thriller & Suspense Fiction Paranormal Crime Heartfelt Psychic

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All stars
Most relevant  
Aalto has produced an excellent piece of work with a good balance of characters and wonderful turns of phrase.
On a negative note, I found many scenes far too long winded and overdone. I think the novel could have been about 20% shorter.
That said, I don’t think there was a single badly written line in the whole novel.

Brilliant piece of writing

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I confused myself with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrators performance, and the characters and the storyline were interesting... so why do I feel like I didn't enjoy it so much? I found myself drifting off with my thoughts and not paying attention then realising something interesting had happened and having to rewind to re-listen, and this happened more as I got through the book, which is unusual for me.
The answer? it's too long. the story line is good but could have been much more punchy, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, but it was drawn out too much with too much inner dialogue from the main character that I think I just got bored with after a bit until something interesting happened in the story. Her musings were often repetitive and over-done.

The narrator was fantastic and her portrayal of the characters distinctive. I will definitely look out for her again.

Great narration of a drawn out story

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This book was surprisingly hard to stop listening too, slightly addictive, great story and well read!!!

Great listen, and g reader, hope there is a series

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Well read and amusing in places, but far, far to long for the amount of actual plot in the book. All the constant back and forth of lusting after the two 'love' interests is tedious after the millionth example of it.

Diverting but not satisfying

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Amy McFadden was the perfect choice to narrate. She was without a doubt the ideal marnie and got marnies quirky personality and amusing swearing combos down to a T. Lovely to finally hear one of my favourite series

Spot on

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Would you try another book written by A. J. Aalto or narrated by Amy McFadden?

Unfortunately no. The main character was supposed to be a sarcastic hard-ass, but the writing didn't fit it, and even the few lines that would line up wasn't performed as such by the narrator.

What was most disappointing about A. J. Aalto’s story?

It had a great set up, wonderful potential, and interesting takes on urban fantasy. But never was successfully followed through. The protagonist's main characteristics were only known because of how others referred to her, not in how she talked, thought or moved. Someone who was supposed to never be the kind who gave in to sexual desires sure thought a lot about it. The whole story ended up being a fantasy slashfic smashed into an urban fantasy detective book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Often read lines without the inflection necessary for the character, though this may have been the failing of the writer more than the narrator. Hard to tell.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It had an interesting set up, and a unique take on some of the class urban fantasy elements. Unfortunately just didn't follow through with it

A bit disappointing

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Very disappointing although the original idea is intriguing.

This is not the first book in the series as stated, so the reader is plunged into an existing plotline which necessitates much explanation. The dialogue is tedious and crude, the narrator mispronounces many words and the writer seems to be writing the scenes of intimacy and sex for effect rather than as part of the plot. The heroine is drawn as being stupid and shallow which makes it difficult to engage with her and the humour, such as it is, is crude. The whole novel could have done with heavy editing.

Absolute flop from this listener's point of view and I will not be finishing the book.

Cheap thrills

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