Simultaneously interesting and infuriating

I did not enjoy this book as much I enjoyed the first two Frieda Klein books. In this particular story I found her to be far more annoying. The thread that sets her off on her "mystery tour" felt really weak. I just kept thinking "why are you doing this? Who cares?!". And then her being so closed off from everyone around her was just annoying. So much going unsaid was frustrating, but not enough to stop listening. I'll continue in the series, but man I hope she gets herself together. 😄

5 people found this helpful

A well written , well performed name mystery.

This is a modern English mystery whose characters suffer modern trials of bureaucratic politics and professional jealously. The mysteries themselves are not obvious nor predictable. The characters are interesting and believable even if some situations and motivations are a stretch. There is a serious undercurrent to the story of the murder of the perfect suburban housewife. This is the consequences of our actions and choices. I found it a thoughtful and entertained tale with a likable protagonist.

4 people found this helpful

Can't get enough of Frieda!

What made the experience of listening to Waiting for Wednesday the most enjoyable?

The main character is very refreshing. She is very no nonsense and very practical. I also love the way the author holds back details of the main character's life and slowly reveals them in each new book. I have read all three available books with Frieda Klein as the main character and am looking forward to the next one.

What other book might you compare Waiting for Wednesday to and why?

Well, naturally, I would compare it to the first two books in the series, but perhaps because of the lead character's profession and her relationship with the police, the story reminds me slightly of the Alex Delaware novels by Jonathon Kellerman. The setting and the personalities of the characters are naturally, different, but the books are the same in that they are through the eyes of someone working with the police but not a police office.

What does Beth Chalmers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings the feel of London. I dislike it when a story with characters that are British or Scottish or German is read in an American accent. I like the flavor of hearing the story in the accent that the characters are supposed to have. Also, she has a wonderfully expressive voice and the difference between characters and who is speaking is instantly apparent.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh in sections of this one and I also found myself holding my breath a time or two.

3 people found this helpful

It's gonna be a long week - same thing, new day

Would you try another book from Nicci French and/or Beth Chalmers?

I don't know - this is the third in this series and it is clear that the books are a bit formulaic. Though Frieda and Carlson are moderately well developed characters, the secondary characters are fairly one dimensional and the background characters are ludicrously, predictably stock. They nearly all react with snide, snippy, self-defensive anger. The press is always twisting things around, is easily manipulated by the antagonists, and is always out to get poor, poor Frieda. Poor, poor Frieda is misunderstood, misrepresented, and falsely accused, ad nauseam. After book three, it's tiresome and cheap. In an effort to build drama, it's not fair to keep involving Frieda with characters whose actions and reactions follow the same pattern again and again and which are far, far from realistic - we're talking beyond soap opera.

Would you recommend Waiting for Wednesday to your friends? Why or why not?

No - for the above mentioned reasons. I was annoyed by the obvious character manipulations in the first book - and by book three it's just kinda silly, which sad, because otherwise the books could be good. If only they'd deal with the mystery in a much more straight forward manner and spend much less time trying to elicit sympathy for poor Frieda.

Have you listened to any of Beth Chalmers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, for the other Frieda Klein books and perhaps for others, too. I think she does a very good job. I don't care for the voice she bestows on Carlson - but everyone else comes across OK.

3 people found this helpful

Had great hopes.

This novel began with a terrific plot and well developed characters but the story became muddled in the middle. It lost its steam and I just became quite bored. Not the best of the series.

Kinda?

I adore this series, and if you like stories that take place in London, colorful characters, and crime procedural mysteries this series is for you. But start with the first one! With that said I have to say this one was my least favorite. The main character's long internal dialog describing her surroundings made the story drag along. I think the story could of been tightened up a bit. And Freida is getting on my nerves now, found myself saying outloud" Come on you idiot call the police!". & "friken stand up for yourself, respond to
people bad mouthing you" I hope the next book she comes around.

Great series!

Excellent series with wonderful character development. The narration is outstanding. She performs each character in a way that doesn't seem overdone, but still allows the character's personality to come through.

Frieda is becoming unlikable

The story is OK. I guessed who did it early on, though I didn’t know why. But Frieda is mean and inconsiderate toward those who (for some reason) continue to care about her. And her reckless behavior as she investigates seems odd for someone who is supposed to be intelligent.

Stop the whining

I am struggling with this series because of the whining. Most of the female characters, Chloe being the worst, all sound the same and whine like a child. It’s so irritating I’m actually skipping those parts. Freida appears to be the one female that doesn’t whine. I’ll try one more but if it’s more of the same will quit the series and this narrator.

I have enjoyed this series thus far

This series has been interesting, but this book will be my last, it just has too many useless information that is repeated quite often. After reading this I think Frieda is in serious need of some help herself.