Meh.. replace Frank Amato...

... and the stories would be fine.

An acloholic main protagonist who won't stand up to her family doesn't have much appeal, so the books are a bit off-putting once the ongoing threads become apparent.

They're full of annoyingly repetitive situations:

- Franki is embarassed by her stripper-landlady's skimpy outfits
- Franki wakes up hungover
- Franki refuses to be open about anything with her boyfriend
- Franki wakes up hungover
- Franki's so-called "best-friend" constantly criticises her and tricks her into situations she'd rather not be in, but Franki doesn't call her on it
- Franki wakes up hungover
- Franki is upset and embarrased by her parents' and grandmother's interfering and critical behaviour toward her, but won't risk upsetting them by calling them out on it either.
- Franki wakes up hungover and takes a while to remember how she got there
- Franki wakes up hungover

It's no wonder she's an alcoholic given the crap she refuses to deal with. In fact, it's a wonder Franki has time to investigate any cases, since she spends so much time boringly lurching from one obviously avoidable personal disaster to another.

3 people found this helpful

Epic read!

This book had me laughing so much! I would highly recommend it. And it helps that the mystery was good, it took me a while to figure out 'who done it'.
This is more for adults. There is some mild violence, no profanity and no sexual content except for some nude body's (she has to investigate a death in a strip club and her land lady is an ex striper) and a lot of innuendos through out the book.
I have never laughed so much in my life, I would not recommend listening to it while you are in a public place otherwise the people around you would think there is something seriously wrong with you if you suddenly laugh out loud, which I did a couple of times.
The narrator suited this book really well, I thought she did a fantastic job in voicing the characters and making them feel real. I would listen to other books that she has narrated.

2 people found this helpful

Such a Wonderful Series

I am hooked on the Frankie Amato Mysteries, the stories are so well written, entertaining and the mysteries keep you guessing till the very end. Each book just got better and better and kept me wanting more. Once I started listening I didn't want to stop. The narrator did a fantastic job of portraying each character and in making the story come to life. I really enjoyed listening to each book. I am definitely a fan and will be reading all the books in this series.

1 person found this helpful

Love it!

While I'm not 100% convinced by the narrator choice, as I had a different "voice in my head" for Franki, the stories are hilarious and well plotted and the setting is fantastic.
There are few inaccuracies, but nothing too disruptive to the flow of the stories.

Fantastic

I had never listened to or read anything by this author previously, but I have to say I was very impressed. The story is original and amusing, the characters are unique, and the narration is brilliant. I’m definitely buying the rest of the books in the series.

Really not good, characters not likeable at all

The story really dragged and the main character, frankie, was annoyingly weak and had no substance.

Still as perfect the fifth time around

Love these books. The first story in this bundle is my favorite story in the genre. Have listened to it five times now. It is perfect, world building, characters, plots and storyline. So funny in an absolutely delirious and believable way. If you don´t have a big family then the believability of the story might escape you. Your loss!? The humor should still be spot on though. Given that you still interact with other people. Absolutely wonderful characters and not stop antics. Have started on the fourth story.

Welcome to a great listen and Franki's crazy world

This review is for the audio book.
I really enjoyed this book, the cast and setting was just so colourful and I had no problem imagining the scenes unfold as I was swept on the roller coaster ride that is Franki's life. Often had me laughing out loud and defiantly a book to add to any cozy mystery collection. Each book is great and you can buy them individually but why would you because once you have heard book one you will have to get the others in the series. The characters are so varied from little old grandmas to strippers to drag queens to priest but everyone is so much fun that you can't help but like them. It kind of makes me think of a a New Orleans version of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series but as I enjoyed this more I think Traci might be stealing some of Janet's fans.
Book 1 Limoncello yellow
You would think being a policewoman was hard work but that is a piece of cake compared to being a Pi, dealing with family, cheating boy friends, voodoo priestess, ex strippers for landlords and sea food. When a high end boutique owner is killed Franki starts to investigate but with plenty of suspects she might have her work cut out for her but then again growing up in an Italian family she is tougher than she looks.
Book 2 Prosecco pink
A CEO of a cosmetic company is found dead laying out on a bed where a previous death had occurred and Franki is hired to find out if it was suicide or murder. The historic plantation mansion has a checked past but could that have played a part in the death, especially as a pink diamond was supposed to have been hidden on the property. Then one of the maids is killed and Franki finds herself turning to a psychic for help and Franki's boyfriend Bradley turning to his secretary for support. Can Franki solve the case before there is another death or before she loses her boyfriend for good? Only if she can stay one step ahead of a crocodile, a ghost and a killer.
Book 3 Amaretto Amber
Turning 30 is bad enough but when you are the only daughter in an Italian family then you had better watch out, especially if you don't have a ring on your finger. Franki wishes that hiding out from her Grandmother and her friends in her apartment was the least of her worries but at the same time as dodging flying lemons she also has to go under cover and investigate a murder in a strip club. One of the girls has been murdered and Franki must tackle hexes, witches, snakes and policemen and a stolen necklace all while keeping her clothes on because someone is reporting her every move to the clients of her boyfriend and solving this case might just cost him his job.
I really like the narrator for this series and think she is part of the reason the characters are so colourful

Enjoyable

The narrator was easy to follow. She did an excellent job with the distinction between the different voices. There was one that was a little less clear, but I think with so many characters it’s quite the feat to reach that level of distinction. The voice was a little sharp, but nothing too annoying. Overall: a good job!

The story starts out a little on the over-the-top side, but fun! Well, not much fun for Franki. This is not a quick listen, it’s 27 hours for three books, 9 hours per book. Well-developed. Humorous style! But, I thought it was a little too drawn out in places, too slow. Especially in the beginning. The mystery didn’t start until almost an hour in. I liked the cozy-feeling build up, but it can’t be TOO long. The mystery has to take precedence. Even when the mystery had started, there were a lot of things happening not related to the mystery and while I liked it, I had expected more emphasis on the mystery. Good character development though. Don’t let the cover fool you and mistake this for a cozy though, it’s a PI mystery and a little more tough-talking than a cozy.

I think Franki was a little too quick to judge, and could have been more likeable. But it was easy-to-listen-to, and the mystery was clever. I enjoyed it.

I only listened to the first book so far, I’ll edit my review when I’ve listened to the rest.