Volume 1

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The Hidden Son kept the twists and turns coming as I tried enough to find out what was happening next. It was like watching an action movie as the brilliantly-described pictures blossomed in my mind. Since this is a trilogy-I’ll definitely be back for books 2 and 3.

What about Joe Hempel’s performance did you like?

Joe Hempel's narration is clear and perfect for the book.

5 people found this helpful

Mystery + Romance + The Lord

Any additional comments?

"Hidden Son" really had me going for a while. The murder mystery element is satisfying to unravel, there are several strong female characters, interesting plot and locations. Where the book started to lose me is when it turned into a romance story. I was far more interested in the DEA murder plot than I was a budding romance between the two main characters. I decided to forgive this element, however, as the plot was still pretty good. Ultimately, the book did lose me though. Towards the end the book turns preachy and talks about the necessity of the Christian God in one's life. I did not expect prosthelytizing in my murder mystery, nor was it welcome. The final scene in the book talks about the protagonist's new found faith - a complete right turn from the story. The take away from this book had nothing to do with the murder, the mystery or even the romance. The take away was - accept god into your life. Not cool, murder mystery book, not cool. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone as I don't support surprise dogma in my thrillers.

That said, Joe Hempel is always a wonderful narrator!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

4 people found this helpful

Thrilling exciting listen

Any additional comments?

Since I listened to this and did not read it I didn’t have the issues some posted about. The author may have fixed the issues they talked about. For me it was a very enjoyable audio filled with mystery, excitement and danger. Believable hum I am not sure some parts yes and others maybe not but it does give you a page turner full of excitement. I do not think I have ever seen a hitman with such bad luck lol.

I thought Mr. Hempel’s narration was very good, his voice holds the emotion as the characters go through their day to day lives from fear to excitement. I had no trouble hearing Lelisa’s fear of the unknown not knowing who to trust, where to go or what to do next. His male and female voices where very enjoyable. I do believe there was one place where the volume changed but there are no repeats of wording and no background noises. I thought he carried off each character and their demeanors very well. He really adds and brings a lot to the story delivering a very clean and clean audio. I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Hempel’s work and look forward to listening to more of it in the future.

I thought the author did a really good job in laying out the plot with excitement, danger, thrills and a few chilling scenes. When those you trust turn against you it is hard to put your trust in anyone. Finding out your friends, co workers want you dead is very shocking. Finding the man you have been dating, one that you trust for a long time died in your place is devastating as it goes on you wonder if he is in on bring you down. My mind is blowin away when you know you must get home to clear your name with a hit man hot on your kneels wanting you dead and a cop who wants answers and wants to know what you are hiding what is a girl to do but run for her life. At some point Lelisa going to have to trust someone but who? The cop from the islands is hiding something he isn’t being up front, could he be out to killer her too? This was a fun and exciting read from the danger to the romance. Alec is one hot cop who has been to hell and back and will most likely revisit it before this story is over. The author gives you a story inside a story that really pulls you in with its mystery as well. The answer comes to you about the same time it does to Lelisa leaving you in shock wondering how anyone could be so cruel. The ending is wonderful maybe not so believable. It does leave you shocked and smiling at the same time. There are twists after twists in a dangerous game of hide and seek. Some will end up dead others will wish they were. All in all this was a very exciting read that holds your attention giving you a page turner you can’t put down.

3 people found this helpful

Corruption, murder and intrigue

This is an entertaining audiobook that has lots of surprising twists. It is full of corruption, mystery, intrigue and has some romance mixed in there as well. Set in the beautiful Caymen Islands, DEA agent Lelisa Desmond becomes the hunted instead of the hunter. Caught in a web of deceit and framed by her boss, she meets Inspector Alex Dyer when her boyfriend dies under suspicious circumstances when diving with her. Dyer, still grieving over the disappearance of his teenage daughter two years ago, becomes embroiled in the treachery and both their lives are put on the line. Mental and physical survival for both is dependant on unraveling the lies and revealing the truth. Joe Hempel did a good job of the narration, he made Lelisa's boss, Delford, seem truly selfish and malicious. This is a suspenseful story with characters you quickly become attached to and a plot full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed the story but I did find the ending just a little too perfect for me. Having said that, I will definitely listen to the other books in the series when they come out.

3 people found this helpful

Oh my!!! So many unexpected twists

This book was so good!!! I loved the unexpected twists in this book. I was totally surprised with the ending and never saw it coming. I hate giving away spoilers in reviews and will not in this review other than this book ended so well. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator. I was voluntarily provided with this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of.

3 people found this helpful

DEA Murder Mystery Blah Results...

What can I say about The Hidden Son: The Cayman Islands Trilogy, Volume 1. For starters I will not be listening to volume 2. The only reason I was able to finish Volume 1 was I enjoy the work of the narrator Joe Hemple. The does an excellent job and can bring life to even the most mediocre story. Less than 1/3 of the way in you could tell how the story would end with both plots. I became tired for the main character Lelisa and her paranoia and the standard cliche of a woman in a mans world in law enforcement. Alec Dyer is a Detective in the Cayman's investigating the death of her dive partner helps her solve the case against Lelis set up by her boss RAC Delford who ordered her to destroy evidence she had against RAC Delfords son a pro athlete. I could have given the story a third star except for the subplot about Alec and his dead daughter. Ugh.

The narration is top notch. Joe Hemple is a genius. He gives life to a story that limps along at times. He makes RAC Delford a character of pure malicious evil. That is why he is one of my favorite narrators. The man is simply awesome.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge via Audiobook Boom.

2 people found this helpful

The Hidden Son Should Stay Hidden

This was a decent mystery/thriller. Played out exactly as you would expect and seemed to be a bit more predictable than I would have liked. While there were some difficulties the characters had to face, the plot played out very easy and seemed too convenient for them. I enjoyed the story quite a bit and it kept on the edge of my toes even though it was quite unbelievable how things worked out so well.

I really enjoyed the characters. Their chemistry between the two main ones was great. I liked the tenacity Desmond had for not trusting anyone, and how she was constantly able to shut Alec down, despite her clearly needing his help. Her inability to trust him was both frustrating and nail-biting as I wanted her to spill her beans so I could find out what was going on. I liked listening to them chase their target, seemed a bit easy, but was a fun listen. I didn’t really think there were twists and turns and was just a solid safe and easy listen. It reminded me of watching a TV show where you are supposed to think someone is going to die but know they are in the next season so you don't have to take the threats against them seriously.

Joe Hempel did a fantastic job. His ability to breathe life into the story and really make you feel it is second to none. The tension he brings to this story was perfect and I really felt the anxiety of Desmond trying to determine who she could trust. He really ratched up his voice when needed and brought the story to life.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

3 people found this helpful

👍🏻

On the edge of your seat thriller. Lots of action with unexpected twists this was a fun read.

I always enjoy Joe Hempel. Great performance as always.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

1 person found this helpful

Absolutely loved this story!

Would you listen to The Hidden Son again? Why?

I would most certainly listen to this story again. I appreciate a well written mystery with characters that grab my attention and are true to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The flow of the story was perfect; the police and investigation aspects were bang on. The characters were believable and easy to like. Although it took me quite awhile to finish listening to this story, I had no trouble at all, picking up where I left off.

What about Joe Hempel’s performance did you like?

Joe's performance was amazing, and he does the voices of the characters with enthusiasm and skill. It is one of the reasons he is my favorite narrators.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Two storylines, meshed into one.

Any additional comments?

If there is a second volume in this series, I would drop everything to read it!

1 person found this helpful

Great Author ever better Narrator great team

I was gifted this audio ARC for a honest and unbiased review from the author/narrator
Dianna T. Benson has the ability of telling a story that has so many twists and turns coming at you you are always looking to the next chapter to see what will be happening. The Hidden Son , to me, was like being in the middle of an action movie on the TV,
Joe Hempel's narration is clear and concise, he is top notch and wow such a genius.
I can recommend this audio book to anyone who wants to listen.

1 person found this helpful