An Event in Autumn and Love Letters

I have two entertaining audio books to share with you today. Here we go …

AN EVENT IN AUTUMN by Henning Mankell

The simple act of house hunting turns into a cold case murder investigation for Inspector Kurt Wallander in author Henning Mankell’s AN EVENT IN AUTUMN.

Narrator Simon Vance does a great job of bringing the characters to life. His mannerisms explores the emotions of the numerous characters enhancing the story. He gives each one their own unique voice.

Wanting a place in the country, Wallander goes to look at a house and thinks he may have found the perfect one. Troubled by something he stumbled over in the garden, Wallander returns to take a closer look. He discovers a skeletal hand protruding out of the ground.

When the authorities are called in, two bodies are found buried in the garden. As the bodies have been there quite some time, Wallander and fellow officers have the task of tracing down former owners and tenants of the land. While Wallander’s superiors don’t want to waste time and resources on the case, Wallander is determined to discover the house’s history in an effort to identify the victims and find the killer.

As Wallander learns ore about the house, he moves closer to find the killer who has been living with the dark secret for decades and further from finding his dream home.

This is a quick story that flows smoothly. The characters are intriguing and likable. In the short span of the story, the author quickly pulls you in and makes you feel the characters’ emotions.

This is a standalone story in the Kurt Wallander Mystery series. The author also provides an afterword at the end of the story which provides background details for first time readers/listeners and updates for returning fans.

AN EVENT IN AUTUMN is an interesting look at a police officer’s determination to discover the truth as he battles his own disillusions. 

An Event in Autumn by Henning Mankell, A Kurt Wallander Mystery, Performed by Simon Vance, Random House Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-0804192675, Unabridged, 3 Discs, Listening Time: 3 Hours and 17 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A digital download of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

LOVE LETTERS: A ROSE HARBOR NOVEL by Debbie Macomber

 
LOVE LETTERS is a feel-good romance story that follows the lives of several guests at the cozy Rose Harbor Inn in Cedar Cove, as well as the Innkeeper Jo Marie Rose.

Narrated by Lorelei King, the characters come to life through her vocals and mannerisms. King’s cadence emphasizes the highs and lows the characters feel as they find their paths to happiness.

The story flows from one sub-plot to the next in an easy-going manner, never losing the reader/listener. Author Debbie Macomber blends the story in and out of the various characters’ lives before bringing it full circle with hints of more stories to come.

Each minor story involves letters that the people involved exchanged at some point in their lives, including the innkeeper. As the people were reminded of their letters and why they were written, things became clearer for each of them.

Ellie Reynolds, going against the wishes of her mother, travels to Cedar Cove to meet Tom, a man she’s only known online. It turns out Tom had more than one ulterior motive for wanting to meet Ellie.

Roy and Maggie Porter need time away from their two boys and a chance to save their marriage, which is slipping away. While both have been at fault in the decline of their marriage, Maggie’s revelation could destroy their family forever.

Meanwhile, Jo Marie continues to grieve for her husband who was killed in the war. But she finds herself obsessed with finding out more about Mark Taylor, the local handyman who has been helping her around the inn. Jo Marie sees it as a challenge to uncover Mark’s past, while Mark has secrets concerning Jo Marie.

This is the third book in the Rose Harbor series, but can be read/listened to on its own. The references to prior events are made in such a way as to entice to new readers/listeners to learn more, not be left in the dark.

This is a tender romance about several families finding their way to happiness and the love letters that started it all.

Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Novel by Debbie Macomber, Rose Harbor Book #3, Performed by Lorelei King, Random House Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-0553398786, Unabridged, 7 Discs, Listening Time: 8 Hours and 50 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A digital download of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today, I do appreciate it. Do you enjoy novels that can be read or listened to in a matter of hours? What about love letters (the kind written by hand on paper)? Do you think they are a lost art, a thing of the past never to return?

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