Title: The Low Road: The McLaren Mysteries, Book 16
Author: Jo A. Hiestand
Narrator: Callum Hale
Genre: British Mystery, Mystery
Book Blurb:
Former police detective Michael McLaren arrives in Scotland, ready to immerse himself in the fun of the Highland Games and to enjoy a holiday with Melanie. But the old saying of plans oft going awry rears its ugly head: Simon Shaw, a member of McLaren's folk group, dies. Murdered a year to the day following his uncle's death.
McLaren is determined to find out who killed Simon. Needing justice for his friend is only half of his incentive. He also needs to appease his guilt for suggesting the group sing there in the first place.
As McLaren becomes immersed in the investigation, he wonders if the two deaths are linked, or have to do with the family or their clan. Perhaps Simon's former wife killed him, bent on revenge more powerful than mere divorce. Or was the killing tied to an old hunt for diamonds? After all, diamonds aren't only a girl's best friend. Sometimes they birth greed and murder. And entrap the innocent.
My Review:
Story Impressions –
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but in the heart of Scotland, they also lead to murder. In the latest McLaren mystery, we get to travel to Scotland in time for the Highland Games. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The mystery flows at a great pace with intricate descriptive narration. As the list of suspects grew, I was gripped. The ending wrapped everything up nicely. If you love mysteries, you’ll want to listen to this one.
Narrator’s overall voice –
Callum Hale is one of the best narrators I’ve heard and trust me, I’ve heard plenty. His voice creates the descriptions needed to follow the story.
Does the narrator fit the characters?
Callum uses different dialects for each character which is beneficial while listening. Callum also invokes emotion while reading.
Narrator’s reading style –
Callum’s reading style is the perfect tempo, allowing the listener to be fully immersed in the mystery.
Narrator’s impact on reading experience –
Callum makes this an enjoyable listen. Everything from his pacing to the intonation in his voice to the recreation of the characters to the emotive effect on the listener all combine to make this a great performance.
Narrator’s pacing –
Callum’s pacing is lingering in parts, quick in others, on pace with the natural ebbs and flows of the story.
Audiobook flow –
The flow of the audiobook is right in line with the pace of the story.
What makes this audiobook unique –
A solid performance by Callum. He becomes McLaren and Jamie plus all the other characters.
Would I recommend this audiobook –
Yes. Fans of British mysteries will enjoy this one.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Jo A. Hiestand grew up on regular doses of music, books, and Girl Scout camping. She gravitated toward writing in her post-high school years and finally did something sensible about it, graduating from Webster University with a BA degree in English and departmental honors. She writes two British mystery series—of which two books have garnered the prestigious N.N. Light’s Book Heaven ‘Best Mystery Novel’ two years straight. She also writes two Missouri-based mystery series that are grounded in places associated with her camping haunts. The camping is a thing of the past, for the most part, but the music stayed with her in the form of playing guitar and harpsichord, and singing in a folk group. Jo carves jack o’ lanterns badly; sings loudly; and loves barbecue sauce and ice cream (separately, not together), kilts (especially if men wear them), clouds and stormy skies, and the music of G.F. Handel. You can usually find her pulling mystery plots out of scenery—whether from photographs or the real thing.
Social Media Links:
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Website: http://www.johiestand.com
Reviewed by: Nancy