Henrietta (Hen) Mazur and her husband Lloyd Harding are new residents of West Dartford, Massachusetts, a commuter suburb of Boston. When they attend a block party, they meet the only other childless couple, Matthew and Mira Dolamore, striking up a conversation and later meeting them at their home for dinner. During a tour of the home, Hen notices a distinctive but familiar sports trophy in Matthew’s office that sends chills through her. She believes it belongs to a murder victim whose case remains unsolved.
I went into the story blind as I’ve read enough books by this author to know that I’ll read any new ones regardless of the premise. It’s really fun to just follow a story without preconceived notions of where it might go. Good thing because there are just as many unpredictable paths here as the tried and true. Hen is an intriguing character who has so many layers I wasn’t always certain I knew her, which is part of the mystery. Hers is the main narrative along with Matthew, who is equally fascinating, and his brother, Richard. The transitions between the three voices were perfectly choreographed in such a way that I rarely found good pause points. So, I just kept going!
I loved the two narrators, though Hen’s voice carried the heft of the story. Their storytelling skills were so good, using inflections in all the right places and infusing the appropriate emotions, or lack thereof, at critical junctures. They made me so happy with my decision to wait for the audio version.
I was completely enthralled by this story. You know there’s going to be a twisty move down the road because that’s typical of a Swanson tale and it’s just a matter of how big. It crept up on me gradually so I saw a bit of it coming but was unprepared for the last irony. There’s a point where I had no clue as to where the story would lead and just loved riding through the waves. This was a wonderful listening experience.
Book Info
- Release Date: March 5, 2019
- Narrators: Sophie Amoss & Graham Halstead
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 15 minutes
- Publisher: HarperAudio
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(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Great review, this is a book I’ve been meaning to make some time for!
Thanks, Jules! I hope you can find the time. It’s something different.
I’m currently reading this book right now and I have no clue what’s going to happen!
That’s how I felt throughout most of it, Kris! It’s why I couldn’t stop listening💜
Oh wow… Riding the waves of the story. I know nothing about this author. But got the Audiobook by him. Amazon was giving 3 credits as a trial offer so picked this up
Oh, Shalini, he’s a really great writer. I’ve read to others and he’s now an auto read. Hope you enjoy💜
I also just loved this one. Great review Jonetta!
Thank you, Holly! Glad you enjoyed it, too💜
I agree, there’s a real choregraphy between the chapters 🙂 Fabulous review! It was my first book by the author, but it won’t be the last!
Thank you, Meggy💜 I loved his A Kind Worth Killing and highly recommend it if you’re interested in more by Swanson.
I am definitely interested! 🙂
Wonderful review Jonetta. I love that expression, “loved riding the waves”. That definitely describes his books. I have this one to read, and need to move it up my TBR.
Thank you, Carla💜 That came to me as I was writing, trying to describe how I felt and suddenly that image showed up. Glad you thought it apt!
Not for me, I’m afraid, as I read this author–HER EVERY FEAR, which was terrible. But then, that’s just my opinion.
His style isn’t for everyone. I haven’t read that one but have two others.
It’s all a matter of personal taste, Jonetta. And we all love and dislike different authors for various reasons.
Heard so much good about this author!
Have one of his books lying around but this sounds really good too 😀
This makes the third one of his I’ve read and enjoyed! Hope you’ve got one of them💜
Fab review! It sounds like we had a similar experience with Before She Knew Him.
Thanks, Yvo! That we did😍
Fantastic review, Jonetta! I also enjoyed this one. 😀
Thank you, Darinda! Love it when I get a great reading experience.
Wonderful review, Jonetta! I am so glad to see you enjoyed this one. Thank you for joining in on the discussion!
Thank you, Brenda! Just wish I could have joined earlier.
Wonderful review, Jonetta! I loved this, too, and it definitely kept me guessing also. I completely agree about going in blind, especially his books. He keeps the surprises coming! ♥️
Thank you, Jennifer! Swanson does know how to do surprises😍
Wonderful review! I have this one on audio just waiting for me, I should bump it up! I just have so many books and not enough time! Not complaining though!
Thank you, Berit💜 Oh, I’m so glad you got the audio edition, too! Don’t even mention not enough time😏
I thought about this one because I liked another one by the author but time is tight for me right now. Wonderful review! I’ll have to pick it up later.
Thanks, Anne! I know the feeling. I bumped this up as one of my groups selected it as a group read.
I love when you get different narratives I really want to read a book by this author! Great review!
Thank you! I hope you’ll give it a shot.
I have this book in the backlog of ng books. I hope to get to it soon. Wonderful review, Jonetta, making me even more anxious to read this one.
Thank you, Marialyce! I hope you like it as the reviews are mixed.