Saturday, September 30, 2023

Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman

 


Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman and narrated by Peter Ganim is my second read (or listen rather) I finished during the month of September 2023.

I am most definitely not a science geek! With the exception of biology, I always shied away from the sciences and math in high school and college. I wish I hadn't been so disinterested in learning more about math or science now, as I find these areas fascinating, especially the sciences in general. Not to mention, my husband is a scientist and his job sounds like one I'd love to be doing as a career.

Bare with me here on how I ended up choosing to read Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman. First off the topic of invisible light and its history did sound intriguing. Additionally, my husband's college educational background is in physics as he has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics. My husband focused his area of attention/studies in graduate school on optics, photonics, and lasers. So, the subject matter contained within Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light is essentially stuff he is very familiar with as he has applied what he has learned to his choice of career. I ended up choosing to listen to Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman not only out of interest, but also because it would be fun to discuss what I was learning with my husband. I was also able to ask my husband questions I had about the different topics I was hearing discussed in the book, which was great as it helped me understand some of the concepts I was curious about in more detail.

Now for the review of Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman. I truly enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading nonfiction, science, and physics related books especially. This book is well narrated, well organized, and covers a lot of ground! I learned so much from this book. If you aren't a science geek, you'll still be able to enjoy this book and learn a lot.

Below is the publisher's summary for Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman I discovered on the Goodreads website:
How much do you know about the radiation all around you?
Your electronic devices swarm with it; the sun bathes you in it. It's zooming at you from cell towers, microwave ovens, CT scans, mammogram machines, nuclear power plants, deep space, even the walls of your basement. You cannot see, hear, smell or feel it, but there is never a single second when it is not flying through your body. Too much of it will kill you, but without it you wouldn't live a year.

From beloved popular science writer Bob Berman, Zapped tells the story of all the light we cannot see, tracing infrared, microwaves, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves and other forms of radiation from their historic, world-altering discoveries in the 19th century to their central role in our modern way of life, setting the record straight on health costs (and benefits) and exploring the consequences of our newest technologies.

Lively, informative, and packed with fun facts and "eureka moments," Zapped will delight anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of our world.

I am giving Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light by Bob Berman a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!! 

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

 


I had Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco on my reading wishlist for a longtime. I love historical fiction, so picking this novel set in London in the late 1800s and featuring the likes of Jack the Ripper was a no-brainer for me. 

I'm so thrilled that I FINALLY listened to the unabridged audio version of Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco and narrated by Nicola Barber. This novel falls into the young adult genre and is the first novel in a series... And I look forward to continuing with this series in the future.

I liked the main character, 17 year old Audrey Rose Wadsworth. She's smart, feisty, and all around fun character. In other words, she's a strong female character. I liked that she was studying science and sleuthing with a sidekick to discover the true identity of Jack the Ripper. 

I understand that Stalking Jack the Ripper is the author's debut novel. I think Kerri Maniscalco's writing is well done. The storyline and characters are fun and well developed. Good read overall.

Below is the plot summary for Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco I discovered on Goodreads:

Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

I'm giving Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Little Free Library in Stinson Beach, California!!

 


Last weekend was my husband's 55th birthday! So, we spent Friday, September 15th through Sunday, September 17th in Bolinas, California relaxing to celebrate his birthday this year. 

Bolinas, California is a very small, coastal town roughly 90 minutes north of San Francisco, Califonia. We stayed in a very rustic AirBnB during our visit that was situated in a very lush perennial garden in a rural part of town. Loads of quail, hummingbirds, butterflies, and bullfrogs could be heard during our short weekend getaway.

On our way into Bolinas, we stopped off in Stinson Beach, California to drop off three audiobooks at a rustic Little Free Library with a reading bench next to the Little Free Library. I loved this Little Free Library and am always happy to find ones on vacation or during day trips.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Little Free Library in Bolinas, California!

Little Free Library in Bolinas, California!

Last weekend was my husband's 55th birthday! So, we spent Friday, September 15th through Sunday, September 17th in Bolinas, California relaxing to celebrate his birthday this year.

Bolinas, California is a very small, coastal town roughly 90 minutes north of San Francisco, Califonia. We stayed in a very rustic AirBnB during our visit that was situated in a very lush perennial garden in a rural part of town. Loads of quail, hummingbirds, butterflies, and bullfrogs could be seen and heard during our short weekend getaway.

This little free library was just sitting by itself on the side of the road on the way to Agate Beach... Agate Beach is known locally for its tide pools during low tide and is a local tourist attraction. I left four books at this particular little free library.

Visiting Bolinas, California was a mixed bag of tricks! It was out first visit there, but am not sure we'll return in the future. I liked the small town vibe and that it wasn't very touristy. There isn't much going on there at all. There were two areas to take beach walks, hiking trails if you're into that, and a very small downtown with a handful of eateries. Cellphone reception is very spotty unless you are in the downtown area. Parking in downtown is difficult to find at times. 

The two restaurants we ate at were superb! BoVida had the best organic acai bowls I've ever had in my life as well as sandwiches (my hubby loved their paninis), soup of the day, salads (the strawberry & gorgonzola salad is divine!!) and smoothies. The Coast Cafe was delicious too with lots of menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... The fish tacos and the fish and chips were our favorites from the Coast Cafe. 

Bolinas Lagoon... We loved seeing the egrets and other shore birds.

Bolinas Beach

Overlook on the way out of town!

City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

 


Yes to FINALLY reading City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson and narrated by Pascale Armand!!! This young adult novel has been in my 'to be read' pile for a number of years now before getting around to reading it by the end of August this year.

I love the narration for the City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson. A good narrator always makes for a pleasurable listening experience. I liked the storyline for this young adult, mystery/thriller novel as well. 

City of Saints & Thieves is set in Africa, primarily in Kenya and also in the Congo as well. The exotic setting/locale made for interesting reading as one sees a different way of life being portrayed in this novel. 

I liked the main character, Tina, aka Tiny Girl, for City of Saints & Thieves quite a bit. Tina is a strong, resourceful, female character in her teens. Tina is living on the streets as a thief for the Goondas in Sangui City, Kenya to support herself. Tina (and her younger sister's) mother has been murdered. Tina strongly suspects that her mother's murderer is Roland Greyhill, the man her mother worked for as a maid. Her mother was also having an affair with Roland Greyhill. Tina had overheard Mr. Greyhill telling her mother that he was going to kill her. Tina is set on revenge to kill Roland Greyhill for killing her mother with the help of the her Goondas' cohorts. But, of course, things don't work out as expected, which is half the fun of the novel!

The action and pacing for City of Saints & Thieves is pretty steady throughout. I found myself wanting to keep listening to this novel to find out what was going to happen next to the characters as well as to whether Roland Greyhill was the murderer of Tina's mother or not. There are many twists and turns throughout this novel, which kept things captivating.

Below is the plot summary for City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson from Goodreads:

In the shadows of Sangui City, there lives a girl who doesn't exist. After fleeing the Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother arrived in Kenya looking for the chance to build a new life and home. Her mother quickly found work as a maid for a prominent family, headed by Roland Greyhill, one of the city’s most respected business leaders. But Tina soon learns that the Greyhill fortune was made from a life of corruption and crime. So when her mother is found shot to death in Mr. Greyhill's personal study, she knows exactly who’s behind it.

With revenge always on her mind, Tina spends the next four years surviving on the streets alone, working as a master thief for the Goondas, Sangui City’s local gang. It’s a job for the Goondas that finally brings Tina back to the Greyhill estate, giving her the chance for vengeance she’s been waiting for. But as soon as she steps inside the lavish home, she’s overtaken by the pain of old wounds and the pull of past friendships, setting into motion a dangerous cascade of events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. But finally uncovering the incredible truth about who killed her mother—and why—keeps her holding on in this fast-paced nail-biting thriller.

I am giving City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Holiday In Death by J. D. Robb

 


J. D. Robb's 'In Death' mystery series seems to be very popular with readers. I started listening to (or reading) a few of the novels in the 'In Death' mystery series a few years ago and I have been meaning to read more of them ever since. 

I finished listening to Holiday In Death by J. D. Robb and narrated by Susan Ericksen on September 15, 2023. This is the second novel I've listened to in the 'In Death' mystery series this year. Although, I liked Holiday in Death by J. D. Robb overall, I felt it was a middle of the road read and that this series is becoming formulaic in terms of its characters and storyline. This is too bad as I have other novels in the series waiting to be read or listened to in the future. Susan Ericksen is a decent narrator... good, but not great. The characters need to pop a bit more and not be so much the same old, same old... And as I've already mentioned, the plot/storyline seem to be more formulaic with each read.

Below is the plot summary for Holiday In Death by J. D. Robb found on Goodreads:

No one likes to be alone during the holidays. For New York's most posh dating service, Personally Yours, it is the season to bring lonely hearts together. But Lt. Eve Dallas, on the trail of a ritualistic serial killer, has made a disturbing discovery: all of the victims have been traced to Personally Yours. Eve soon enters an elite world of people searching for their one true love - and one killer searching for his next victim.

I am giving Holiday In Death by J. D. Robb a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Judgement In Death by J. D. Robb

 


Over the years, I've read a few books in the 'In Death' series by J. D. Robb and have enjoyed the ones I've read so far. I haven't been reading them in order of publication, just read whichever ones came my way. I recently listened to Judgement In Death by J. D. Robb and narrated by Susan Ericksenwhich I started in July and finished in August.

Although, I liked Judgement In Death by J. D. Robb overall, I felt it was a middle of the road read and that this series is becoming formulaic in terms of its characters and storyline. This is too bad as I have other novels in the series waiting to be read or listened to in the future. Susan Ericksen is a decent narrator... good, but not great. The characters need to pop more and not be so much the same old, same old... And as I've already mentioned the plot/storyline seems to be more formulaic with each read. 

Let's see what happens/how I feel after I read or listen to other books in the series I already have on hand before I decide to quit this series entirely or keep going with it.

Below is the plot summary for Judgement In Death by J. D. Robb from Chirp's website:

In an uptown strip joint, a cop is found bludgeoned to death. The weapon’s a baseball bat. The motive’s a mystery. It’s a case of serious overkill that pushes Eve Dallas straight into overdrive. Her investigation uncovers a private club that’s more than a hot spot. Purgatory’s a last chance for atonement where everyone is judged. Where your most intimate fate depends on your most intimate sins. And where one cop’s hidden secrets are about to plunge innocent souls into vice-ridden damnation…

I am giving Judgement In Death by J. D. Robb 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Quintessentially: The One by Aleatha Romig

 


Aleatha Romig is a new to me author this year. I took a chance on listening to her novel, Quintessentially: The One, based on the plot summary earlier this summer. I was in the mood for a fun, light, romance read this summer and Quintessentially: The One fit the bill perfectly.

I enjoyed the storyline, characters, and writing for Quintessentially: The One by Aleatha Romig very much. I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed listening to this contemporary romance novel. 

Below is the plot summary for Quintessentially: The One by Aleatha Romig from Chirp's website:
A trip back to the small Indiana town of Riverbend to finalize my grandmother’s last will and testament throws my world off its axis. I wasn’t prepared to learn the stipulations of her will or that she’d left her beloved mercantile Quintessential Treasures to my college summertime love, Kandace Sheers.

Imagine my greater surprise when I learn about the secret that’s been roaming Riverbend for the last five years. Here are a couple of hints:

She’s five years old.

She has her mother’s silky auburn hair and my golden eyes.

The answer is simple.

I take responsibility for the girl and go back to Chicago where my life awaits.

It turns out, Grandma had other plans because life’s never that simple.
I am giving Quintessentially: The One by Aleatha Romig 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Fiction Books Set in Museums!


 Wow, it's always fun to find interesting videos on YouTube that highlight themed book topics. In this instance, I discovered a short video reviewing fiction books that are set in museums! Now I have a list of books to add to my reading wishlist. 

Check out the above video if you too are interested in watching book reviews about books set in museums.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Words Can Be DANGEROUS!! Banned Books. Plus, a Banned Book Museum!

 


Did you know there is a Banned Books Museum in Tallinn, Estonia? Well, I didn't know this factoid until watching a fabulous video created and posted on RobWords's YouTube Channel two nights ago! The Banned Book Museum also hosts a monthly banned books club where they read and discuss a banned book virtually via Zoom, which sounds pretty cool if you ask me.

I've become a fan of RobWords YouTube Channel and am a recent subscriber to the channel. The RobWords YouTube Channel is dedicated to language facts and etymology fun.

Anyway, I enjoy reading banned books. I also enjoy learning why certain books have been banned. And, of course, learning about a banned book museum in the above video also make for an educational experience as well. If these topics are of interest to you too, then please check out the above YouTube video... The video is just under 18 minutes in length.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Monday, September 11, 2023

New Little Free Library in San Ramon, California!!


Late yesterday afternoon, my husband and I found a new Little Free Library located within the city we live. I absolutely love Little Free Libraries and this includes discovering new to me ones! I exchanged two books for two used paperback books.

Have you discovered any Little Free Libraries lately?

Sunday, September 10, 2023

18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb

 


I truly enjoy reading nonfiction books on a wide array of topics. I especially enjoy topics on forensic science and true crime in general. So, I took a chance on listening to the unabridged audio version of 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb and narrated by Nan McNamara

What a delightful book! 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb not only covers modern forensics, it also encompasses the interesting life of Frances Glessner Lee and her major contribution to modern day forensics. Frankly, I'd never even heard of Frances Glessner Lee before discovering Bruce Goldfarb's book!

I really enjoyed listening to 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb. It's packed with a lot of information from start to finish and well narrated by Nan McNamara. If you're fascinated by science, history, biography, and nonfiction in general, then this book may be right up your alley.

Below is the publisher's summary for 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb from Chirp's website:

The story of a woman whose ambition and accomplishments far exceeded the expectations of her time, 18 Tiny Deaths follows the transformation of a young, wealthy socialite into the mother of modern forensics… Frances Glessner Lee, born a socialite to a wealthy and influential Chicago family in the 1870s, was never meant to have a career, let alone one steeped in death and depravity. Yet she developed a fascination with the investigation of violent crimes, and made it her life’s work. Best known for creating the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, a series of dollhouses that appear charming until you notice the macabre little details: an overturned chair, or a blood-spattered comforter. And then, of course, there are the bodies splayed out on the floor, draped over chairs clothed in garments that Lee lovingly knit with sewing pins. 18 Tiny Deaths, by official biographer Bruce Goldfarb, delves into Lee’s journey from grandmother without a college degree to leading the scientific investigation of unexpected death out of the dark confines of centuries-old techniques and into the light of the modern day. Lee developed a system that used the Nutshells dioramas to train law enforcement officers to investigate violent crimes, and her methods are still used today. 18 Tiny Deaths transports the reader back in time and tells the story of how one woman, who should never have even been allowed into the classrooms she ended up teaching in, changed the face of science forever.

I am giving 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Saturday, September 9, 2023

The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling

 

I've found paranormal romance/fantasy to be very hit or miss to be honest. I purchase a lot of my audiobooks these days through Chirp.com as they do not require a subscription like Audible does and Chirp offers several daily deals each day. So, when I noticed the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling deeply discounted through Chirp's website, I thought why not try this trilogy? After all, I do like paranormal romance/fantasy occasionally, discovering new to me authors, and also the storyline sounded interesting enough... Plus, the average rating for this trilogy is currently 4.3 stars out of 5 stars with 450+ reviewers. So, The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling sounded like a series not to be passed up.

Well, quite frankly, I was disappointed with The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling. The best part of the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling is that it was well narrated by Piper Goodeve... Let me state that again, the best part of the The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling is that it was well narrated by Piper Goodeve. This trilogy had so much potential!! But I felt it flopped BIG TIME. I can't understand all of the good reviews for this trilogy.

I liked the narration as stated for The Moon Marked Trilogy, along with the premise of this trilogy, and lastly, that it is a paranormal romance. 

However, there was too much senseless drama/action throughout the The Moon Marked Trilogy for the sake of drama/action... It felt like the senseless drama/action was the author's weak attempt to propel the story/plot along. I think there were better ways to develop the storyline than through the endless treadmill of action sequences and drama. I was so bored by the storyline and characters by the end of this trilogy, that I was simply glad it over with.

Additionally, Mai Fairchild's younger sister is a whiny, brat who pitches a fit in most of the scenes we see her in, which grew very old after a while.

As far as paranormal romances go, there was little of it in The Moon Marked Trilogy... There was always the promise that Mai was going to hook up with the alpha werewolf, but there was always something that interfered with their romance until the end of the last novel. Even then, there was little romance to satisfy the reader.

Below is the plot summary for The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling from Chirp's website:

I’m Mai Fairchild — fox shifter, sister’s keeper, and bane of the local werewolf pack. In a world where different is dangerous, my sister and I must pretend to be human at all costs. Too bad I just lost the job that lets me live under the radar while putting food on my sister’s plate.

Enter an enticing werewolf who offers enough cash to upgrade our diets from ramen noodles to salami if I join him on a magical hunt. But can I afford to accept the opportunity when the risk of working closely with every fox shifter’s sworn enemy is so great?

I am generously giving The Moon Marked Trilogy by Aimee Easterling a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my post, happy reading!!!

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

 


I've been a fan of Agatha Christie's novels and short stories most of my life. I started reading her novels during my teenage years. Yet despite being an avid fan of Christie's writing, I haven't read her entire collection of published works... Mainly, because her entire collection of work is so vast and also because the Hercule Poirot is my favorite character created by Dame Agatha Christie. So, I've largely stuck to reading works that featured Hercule Poirit as a character.

I don't recall reading Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie in my youth. So, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of this novel in July, which was well narrated by Hugh Fraser. Listening time is 6 hours, 41 seconds.

I was able to listen to Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie for FREE on YouTube. It's truly amazing to discover all of the free audiobooks one is able to listen to for FREE via YouTube at one's leisure! Click on the link above to listen to this novel for free for yourself.

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie is a Hercule Poirot novel. It is different from other Hercule Poirot novels in that Hercule Poirot is working in conjunction with three other people to solve the murder. 

I was hooked into the storyline for Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie from the start of the novel. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the writing for most of the novel. In fact, I initially thought I would be giving Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie a 5 star rating... That is until I listened to the last 20% of the novel, when things went south fast! Too many plot twists at the end of the novel and a few other things just didn't sit right with me. I was forced to lower my rating.

Below is the plot summary for Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie from the Goodreads website:

A flamboyant party host is murdered in full view of a roomful of bridge players… Mr Shaitana was famous as a flamboyant party host. Nevertheless, he was a man of whom everybody was a little afraid. So, when he boasted to Poirot that he considered murder an art form, the detective had some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view Shaitana’s private collection. Indeed, what began as an absorbing evening of bridge was to turn into a more dangerous game altogether…

I am giving Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

 


A few of Grady Hendrix's novels have been on my radar for awhile now based on reviews I've read. However, it wasn't until July of 2023, that I actually chose to listen to my first Grady Hendrix novel. I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix based on the storyline, reviews and narrators, Bronson Pinchot and Tai Sammons.

I wasn't disappointed! Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix is a very fun, fast paced, and entertaining read. It offers a different take on horror and what it means to be inside a haunted house! I liked the 'Ikea like' themed setting in this novel too. The characters are well developed and relatable. The plot for the most part was excellent, except for a few uneven spots. Overall a great read. 

If you like audiobooks, then I recommend Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix in audio form.

Below is the plot summary for Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix from the Goodreads website:

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.

To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

A traditional haunted house story in a thoroughly contemporary setting, Horrorstör is designed to retain its luster and natural appearance for a lifetime of use. Pleasingly proportioned with generous French flaps and a softcover binding, Horrorstör delivers the psychological terror you need in the elegant package you deserve.

I am giving Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!!

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer

 


Earlier this year, I had my first experience with reading, well actually listening to, one of Belinda Bauer's novels titled, Exit. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel quite a bit and found it well narrated too. 

Because I enjoyed Exit so much, I decided to try another one of Ms. Bauer's novels. This time, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Rubbernecker. Again, I wasn't disappointed with Belinda Bauer's writing! Her novels are unique in terms of perspective, their storyline, and characters. 

In Rubbernecker, the main character, Patrick Fort, has Asperger's Syndrome. We learn a lot about how Patrick views and deals with the world around him through the specific filter/perspective of Asperger's Syndrome, which makes for interesting reading. I actually liked reading a novel where a main character has Asperger's Syndrome. Patrick has his quirks, but he is able to function in the world around him in his own unique way... All the while, attending classes and eventually solving a murder!

Listening time for Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer is 8 hours, 8 minutes. This novel is well narrated by Andrew Wincott.

Below is the plot summary for Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer from the Goodreads website:

The dead can't speak to us, Professor Madoc had said. But that was a lie. The body Patrick Fort is examining in anatomy class is trying to tell him all kinds of things. But no one hears what he does, and no one understands when he tries to tell them.

Life is already strange enough for Patrick - being a medical student with Asperger's Syndrome doesn't come without its challenges. And that's before he is faced with solving a possible murder, especially when no one believes a crime has even taken place. Now he must stay out of danger long enough to unravel the mystery. But as Patrick learns one truth from a dead man, he discovers there have been many other lies closer to home.

I am giving Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer a rating of 3 stars out of 5 star.

Until my next post, happy reading!!