Screeching narration!!

The story may be ok but good lord! The narration was so inconsistent and irritating I never got to find out. The character “narrating” the story sometimes had an English accent,sometimes didn’t. All of them were harsh ugly sounding especially Dame what’s her name. Quite overdone,screeching was her “go to” mode. It just got too much,too irritating.

9 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Trixie and Evangeline

Being a fan of old movies I love this series about two aging and feisty Grand Dames of the stage and screen. These ladies have not lost a bit of the verve and wit that made them stars back in the day. By a happenstance, in the first book, Reel Murders, the two find themselves sharing a suite of rooms when they are asked to attend a retrospective of some of Evangeline's more dramatic films. Trixie rose to fame as a "hoofer" and singer". Evangeline rose to fame in dramatic melodramas. Sometimes they were in the same movie. They were always rivals. My first thoughts were this would happen if Betty Davis and Joan Crawford became forced roommates. But no. I think Debby Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor fit the characters better. Trixie can still dance. Evangeline can still throw a dramatic temper tantrum that would raise eyebrows even today. Trixie has a very staid conservative daughter named Martha who is constantly embarrassed by her mother's high spirits. (No Martha and Carrie Fisher are nothing alike, so I do not want to push the comparison too far).

Both still want to work and are constantly looking for good scripts. Arsenic and Old Lace is often mentioned.
This book introduces three more actresses. Two of whom are playing in a production of Arsenic and Old Lace in London. Yes, this is where the lovely, bob tailed cat comes in. There is even competition for the cat. I have an ironic sense of humor and I found myself laughing to myself.

When I read this series years ago, I heard their voices in my head as sharp and ironic and well very experienced and judgmental. Sarah Nichols has a lovely soothing voice. I think even Trixie who is the more empathetic of the two would not sound this nice. But even though some of the snark was lost in her soothing tones, her performance is terrific.

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Don’t waste your time or a credit

I’ve been a member over 10 years and this is by far the worst book I’ve downloaded.

The story is not engaging or clever. You will not learn anything or enjoy a laugh.
The reader puts on voices that wouldn’t cut it in a high school play and distract from the thin storyline.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Part entertaining part really annoying

as a pet lover my biggest problem was that the character telling the story,while claiming that they love the cat, makes no attempt to find out who wants it dead, hands the cat over without question to anyone without making any effort to find out if they were going to take the cat and have it killed ,or warn them that someone had already tried to kill it.She didn't even tell them where she found the cat.She has common sense,but makes no effort to use it, she just goes along with what everyone else wants even though it makes no sense, apparently just because it's easiest.They run out of a burning building where a man has been murdered,in broad daylight,in front of countless witnesses,and it doesn't occur to any of them that the police are going to find them in no time.When their taxi driver gets arrested,instead of rushing to the police station to give him an alibi,the just sit on their butts and make a couple of phone calls.They could easier have told the police what they knew ,instead they decide that they have to solve the murder to help their friend.Then another person is murdered in their house,and they destroy all the evidence of it being a murder, because a murder investigation would inconvenience them.I have no problem with the silly self absorbed grande dames,I do have a problem with the one person who has a modicum of sense, going along like a mindless sheep ,with those who don't simply because it's easiest.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Enjoyable

This was good story, there was mystery, some heartwarming ,there was a cat that seemed like everyone wanted, even me lol! I just enjoyed the story.The performance was good too.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Funny characters, excellent plot!

This book was excellent! The characters were funny and they didn’t make stupid decisions. I hate it when authors make the characters do stupid things to forward the plot. Be creative and write the action into the story for a good reason. This book does exactly that.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Silly and not my usual read

This was sort of a murder mystery mixed with comic situations. It was good in its own way if a bit predictable.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Laugh out loud humerous mystery!

A favorite series by a great author. Only sorry is not longer. The narrator has a nice voice.

A fun listen

I really enjoyed this book it was A delightful listen. I put the next book on my wish list.. I love the cat

Disappointing

This book could not hold my attention. I finished it but struggled. The mystery was hardly part of the story and then in the last few minutes it was all wrapped up.