Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg

Audio book:  7 hours.

Read by the author.

Usually the phrase "read by the author" is a deal killer for me with audio books.  Maybe I was in a rush or didn't notice when I was at the library, but I was in the car and needed a book, so even when it announced read by the author, I decided to give it a try.  Better than nothing, right?

The story is about a gas explosion that kills a family on the eve of the daughter's wedding.  The bride's mother, June, is the only survivor.  The novel is told from many viewpoints, but the characterization is so good, that it is (mostly) easy to keep track of who is who.  While I wouldn't call this chick-lit, it is a slow moving story about people and their lives.  The backstory of the characters is told and you ultimately see how interwoven society really is.

5 stars.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner

Flora Dane was kidnapped and held by a man for over a year.  So, how, after she killed him, can she be kidnapped again, possibly by the same man?

Readable, but not my favorite book.  The coffin part was too creepy, even for me.

3.5 stars.

Second Life by S.J. Watson

Read by Susan Lyons.

Audio book: 13 hours.

Grief at her sister's death sends a housewife/mother down a road that leads to self destruction.

Interesting story with a decent plot twist at the end.  My biggest complaint was some of the stupid things the protagonist, Julia, does had me talking back to the radio.  Otherwise, good characterization, dialog, plot.

4 stars.

All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

Typical MHC suspense novel.  I thought I could read her again after being burned out for a while, but I guess it is still too soon, even though I think it's been years.  

This story was about a television producer who re-examines cold cases.  Interesting enough concept, but I thought the end was kind of weak.  I didn't see any signs in retrospect that the killer was, well, the killer.

3 stars.  

Love May Fail by Matthew Quick

Audio book, 12 hours.

Read by Cris Dukehart, Jim Meskimen, Lorna Raver, Tonya Campos, & Tim Fannon.

Highly improbable story of a woman, Portia Kane, who sets off to save her former high school English teacher who, after suffering a brutal attack in the classroom, becomes a suicidal loner.

Book was ok to listen to, but I wouldn't recommend.  Perhaps someone who believes in divine intervention might enjoy the story more.

3 stars.

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris

Audio book:  8 hours, 46 minutes.

Read by the Author.

The story of Tim Farnsworth, a successful lawyer who develops a disorder where he can not control his urge to walk.  This compulsion costs him his career, his family, and ultimately his life.

Normally, I don't care for works read by the author, but Mr. Ferris did an admirable job.

For the most part, I liked this book, but certain scenes went on way too long.

3 stars.

Book #40 in 2015 (Audio)

Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas.  Read by Lorelei King.

8 hours, 24 minutes.

WWII is raging and the government sets up an internment in a small Colorado farming town.  The introduction of the newcomers upsets the locals and causes many rifts.  Told from the point of view of Renny, a young farm girl.

4.5 stars.