Slow beginnng but 2nd half really good

First, I really wanted to love this book. The book reviews (Amazon) were excellent, and with Simon Vance narrating, what could go wrong? Well....the audible reviews weren't encouraging, but there were only a few so my hopes were high. The first half of the book was only ok, it was not very engaging with a lot of details without activity. However the second half the the book was really great. Plenty of action with a number of suspects, twists and turns. If I could, I would rate the first half of the book a 3 and the second half a 4 plus.

65 people found this helpful

New Twist on old fashion mystery

The voice was very pleasing to the ear. Unique story development. Something I had not heard before, I'm glad I tried it and am purchasing the next one in the series. It's not a horror story or rape story it's a good old fashion mystery. I've gotten away from the more violent thrillers, they all seem the same and they started keeping me awake at night. This type of book is excellent and no nightmares.

130 people found this helpful

Unexpected pleasure

Any additional comments?

I didn't remember ordering this, I think it may have been a pre-order or something so I had no idea what to expect. The writing in this novel was SO good. I got the whisper sync for voice so I started reading the book first, I was taken aback by the beautiful writing. Started listening (time) and the plot moved along wonderfully, plenty of action. It was a great mystery.

54 people found this helpful

Mixed bag for this listener

I had very high hopes for this book as I am a huge fan of the Dan Waddell series featuring genealogist Nigel Barnes and was looking for something similar. Maybe I set my expectations too high? The mystery itself was intriguing and had several layers which was a plus. I really enjoyed how there were scenes both in the present day and in the last. However, I had trouble connecting with Jefferson Tayte. I never really got to like him very much. I didn't hate him, but I didn't like him either. He didn't draw much emotion from me at all, except frustration several times when I thought he did some things and made some choices that weren't smart. I found myself yelling at him those times.

As far as the performance went, as much as I like Simon Vance's voice, I had a difficult time with him reading this book. His voice didn't fit right for me. I understand the choice of a British reader since the whole book (minus the very beginning) takes place in England, but it just threw me off because the main character is American and while the book is not a first person narrative, it still put me off-kilter a bit. Plus, I was not a fan of Mr. Vance's American accent. I did not like the voice he gave to Jefferson Tayte at all. His voices for all of the British characters were great but his voice for Tayte and the few other Americans were not good for me.

I switched back and forth between the audio and the kindle version and if I had to choose, I would probably lean towards the kindle version over the audio. It was worth the Whispersync price I paid but I'm glad I didn't spend a credit on it.

45 people found this helpful

Great mystery novel!

Loved this one. The twists were excellent and usually unexpected. I found myself predicting wrong on several occasions which is always lovely. The narration isn't the best. His accent adds a nice touch to the reading, but he lacks the ability to generate distinctly different voices for the characters. But still well worth the listen! Would highly recommend.

12 people found this helpful

Getting into this book was difficult for me.

In the Blood is probably better than 2 stars, but the slow start combined with the terrible narration make the audiobook a loser. The story actually gets quite good near the end. The book would be better if it were shorter and less wordy.

Simon Vance with his rich deep voice and British accent is usually an excellent narrator. The issue with his narration of this book is that he does not do dialog well. He tries unsuccessfully to give a unique voice to each character. His voice range is insufficient to pull it off for the multiple male characters in this book and his voice with female characters it is horrid.

31 people found this helpful

Amazing! You don't have to be a genealogist!

Would you consider the audio edition of In the Blood to be better than the print version?

I have not seen the print version.All the info and reviews kept talking about this being a work of genealogy and I was afraid it would be stiff and technical or scientific - in other words confusing and/or boring. But, that wasn't the case at all. This is a fantastic book about a mystery about what happened to a family. There are some scenes that are silly - like the horror stories where someone doesn't call for help when any normal person would kind of thing. But there are just a couple of those moments in the entire book. I was also thrilled that the publisher was Amazon. Good on you Amazon. What a fantastic writer and story.BTW a note to the writer: The only mistake in the entire book was the reference to Tate feeling like he'd played knots and crosses? I think that's what you said. Whatever this thing is, it's not American.And as far as the performer goes - I didn't like him for the first 20 minutes or so, when the story first starts in America. His American accents are horrible (which is always the case with British actors vs. American actors trying to be either one). But, then the story moves to England, and his accent is perfect.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Blood?

The unraveling of the mystery of what happened to a family many years ago was fantastic. Probably the best part was the reading of the diary finally found by the daughter of the first family.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Tate, of course.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened in two settings. The information for a complicated family tree was tricky to keep in my mind in one setting without a visual - without a paper copy. Plus the story got a bit far fetched at about the middle, because the main character was taking silly risks, where I don't think a normal person would - but would be common in a movie. So, I needed a break about 1/2 way through. But, the second half of the book started to reveal the mystery of the family history, and I became hooked to the end.

Any additional comments?

I haven't Googled the author yet, but I am assuming he is British. And the only mistake when describing an American was his reference to a game I never heard of, when he said the main character Tate, felt like he'd been playing a game of knots and ladders (I think that was the reference). This is not an American game that I know of anyway, but it was distracting. I found myself removed from the story, wondering what this reference was and being aware the that author had made a mistake in referencing a British game for an American character. It took a few minutes to lose myself in the story again. But, this was his only mistake, and very minor. Also, if you find the performer annoying at first, give it 30 minutes. His delivery is perfect once the story moves to England.

19 people found this helpful

engrossing

had issues initially between switching years and scenes but everything just falls into place in the end.

5 people found this helpful

If you're stuck on a airplane. ....

Sometimes when your stuck on an airplane, it's nice to pass the time by reading a story that's so predictable it won't bother you if you never finish it. Here is that novel. This story is well written, although at the plot turning points it gets nonsensical, even to the point of ridiculous. The narrator does a very good job and his voices are excellent and clearly defines the differences in the characters.

4 people found this helpful

An Interesting Story

I wasn't sure that I would like this story but I though I'd give it a go. The story is decent and the narration is good. You will have to suspend disbelief a bit (that a genealogist would be caught up in such goings on). Yet the author does make it seem at least plausible. I am about to start the next book in the series.

3 people found this helpful