the setup…
Sean Kenney and his older brother Michael (Kick) were high school track stars, both 1500-meter champions. Sean had visions of attending the 2008 Olympics, even making it to the trials. When he failed to make the team, his whole world seemed to collapse, including his marriage. Michael moved on to become a successful financial advisor. Two years ago, Sean had a serious falling out with Michael that created an estrangement from his family and two daughters. Now his sister has come from the family home in East Carlisle, New Jersey to retrieve him from New Orleans as there’s been a death in the family…his brother by suicide.
the heart of the story…
It’s as much a family drama as it is a mystery as Sean refuses to accept his brother would have committed suicide and he has good reason to believe that, though no one else takes him seriously. Sean’s life has been aimless during the two-year estrangement but pursuing what happened to Michael has given him purpose. The family dynamics were equally interesting, from his sister Katie and her husband Ben, his father who is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and his sister-in-law who he views suspiciously. I was swept up in also learning how running track shaped both men who ended up on completely different life paths.
the narration…
The story is told from Sean’s point of view and Stacy Carolan captured his voice and personality really well. I enjoyed his performance.
the bottom line…
I had expected a legal thriller but this is something different but equally compelling. Sean’s journey to find the truth about Michael’s death set him on a path to his own enlightenment as well, finally finding purpose and direction. The final revelations were surprising and just a little bit twisty. Overall, this was an enjoyable listening experience.
Book Info
- Release Date: August 13, 2024
- Narrator: Stacy Carolan
- Audio Length: 7 hours, 23 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
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(Thanks to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
This sounds interesting, I quite like a complicated family dynamic.
Then you’ll love this one. It’s so well written.
Fab review Jo, glad you enjoyed it! 😀
Thank you, Nicki💜
I liked it too. More of a character journey, not a legal thriller. Glad to see you liked it.
Anne
Thanks, Anne💜 It was a great story.
Fab review! I’m glad you enjoyed it… This might not be the book for me at the moment as family dramas don’t seem to work right now, but I’m definitely keeping it in mind. xx
Thank you, Yvo💜 The good news is it isn’t over the top stop…just mature stuff that most families experience.
Good to know!
Great review, Jo. This is not what I thought this one would be about, I am intrigued.
Thanks, Carla💜 I thought it was going to be a legal thriller. This was better!