Nancy's Mysterious Letter Book 8, Carolyn Keene, Narrator: Jessie Birschbach

Nancy's Mysterious Letter Book 8,
Carolyn Keene
Narrator: Jessie Birschbach
Audio Book 3 hours 17 mins

Phoenix Books, Inc.

Nancy's Mysterious Letter
Carolyn Keene

Narrator Review: Jessie Birschbach

Sadly, this has to be one of the worst narrations I've ever heard. The only thing I can say good is that Jessie Birschbach has a pleasant enough voice when not trying to do characterizations.

It seems that Ms. Birschbach has no idea where Nancy Drew lives or even in what country. There's so much inconsistency between tempo, accents, and pronunciations, I could fill a book with them.

The greatest misdemeanor is the southern accent she gives Hannah the Drew's housekeeper. Hannah Gruen is not Mammy from Gone with the Wind.

She does a good rendition of Mrs. Skeets although it borders a bit too much into sounding British. The one person Nancy Smith Drew, that is British has such a scant British accent it's barely noticeable. Joey Skeets the old sailor is pretty well done. Nonetheless it is not enough to redeem Birschbach's terrible narration.

The Jeweler, is downright awful, it's hard to find words to describe a man that sounds like he has a mouthful of mush. Even George and Bess, her best friends sound like someone is choking them.

I feel like Phoenix Books Inc just pulled anyone one off the street to narrate for them. Giving no thought to skill or talent or even quality. I can't even link the book to Phoenix Books as they don't have a single Carolyn Keene audio book listed. I got my copy from the library but Audible has it available with the same atrocious narrator. Save your money or Audible credits and if you must listen anyway get it from the library.

If you have noticed there is no link or photo for Jessie Birschbach,  it's because there are none. The only person with that name has no connection with acting, narrating, or voice over work.

Audio Book Review: Nancy's Mysterious Letter, By Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew offers Ira Nixon her mail carrier to stop in and have a hot cocoa to warm himself up. Nancy always so thoughtful and kind has this particular kindness backfire when someone one steals Ira's mailbag. He does remember that there was a letter for her from England but he can't remember the senders name. Nancy and her best friends George and Bess rush outside too try and catch the thief.

Nancy does get a couple good clues from a neighbor boy that saw the thief. The clues are few but they are important. Ira recognizes the man's description as his half brother Edgar Nixon. But he can't believe that Edgar stole his mailbag.

Ira later remembers part of the senders name on her letter and it's enough for Carson Drew, Nancy's lawyer father too call another law firm in London to ask them if they knew of them. They do know who it is and Carson Drew finds out they are looking for a Nancy Smith Drew, who is in the United States, they want to inform her about an inheritance coming to her. Ah, poor Nancy, no inheritance for her.

By putting all the clues she has together, Nancy has to locate Edgar Nixon and find Nancy Smith Drew. Edgar Nixon wants to find Nancy Smith Drew with the intent to marry her and get hold of her inheritance. Nancy has to find them before Nancy Smith Drew marries him. Edgar wants to whisk Nancy Smith Drew off to London and marry her before Nancy catches up to them to prevent it.

 Other Nancy Drew Books:

The Secret of the Old Clock
Nancy Drew Mystery Series, Book 1
by Carolyn Keene

The Hidden Staircase
Nancy Drew Mystery Series, Book 2
by Carolyn Keene

The Bungalow Mystery

Nancy Drew Mystery Series, Book 3

by Carolyn Keene

The Mystery at Lilac Inn

Nancy Drew Mystery Series, Book 4

by Carolyn G. Keene

The Secret of Shadow Ranch

Nancy Drew Mystery Series, Book 5

by Carolyn Keene

A Little Princes Frances Hodgson Burnett Narrated by: Jennifer M Dixon

A Little Princes Frances Hodgson Burnett Narrated by: Jennifer M DixonAudiobook Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Listen2aBook.com 

A Little Princess

Narrator Review: Jennifer M. Dixon

Imagine your dear mum reading to you, while you snuggle down deep under your duvet and become enraptured with the classic story of A Little Princess. A memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Narrator Jennifer M. Dixon

Ms. Dixon does and exceptionally nice job of moving between characters and the imitations of a wide range of young girls voices as they chatter, manipulate and torment and tease one another. The stern an dragon like headmistress Miss Minchin is very convincing under the tongue of Jennifer M. Dixon. A true pleasure to listen to and to hug close to your heart for a very long time.

Audio Book Review of A Little Princess

A Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett is a classic children's book that was first published 1905 and has been a hit with generation after generation of children and adults alike. Sara Crewe is the epitome of a perfect child. Talented, clever, pretty, imaginative. Doubtless this and other Burnett books were my own favorites as a child and many, many years later they remain so. 

Author Frances H. Burnett

Sara Crewe grew up in India, and was raised like a princess, doted on by her father Captain Crewe. Sara's mother died when she was born so she never really missed her and Captain Crewe indulged and loved Sara enough that he filled in the gap.  

Captain Crewe was very sad when it became time for Sara to enroll at Miss Minchin's, Select Seminary for Young Ladies. He and Sara knew one day she would have to leave India, as the popular opinion was that the climate was so severe it was unhealthy for children. 

The days before Crewe was to return to India he and Sara spend their last few days shopping, sight seeing and finding Emily. Emily is the special doll that suits Sara's requirements for a doll that looked like it was listening to you. When they find Emily, she's outfitted with a complete wardrobe as resplendent as Sara's own.

At Miss Minchin's Sara has a lovely suite that becomes the most desirable place for the other girls to visit. Sara is so good natured and kind that most the other girls like her. Her biggest enemy is Miss Minchin who has always disliked and envied Sara. 

When Captain Crewe is listed as killed in the war and his property and money are lost, Miss Minchin is almost gleeful that Sara is no longer rich she relegates her to the attic demanding she pay for her keep by doing whatever chores or errands asked of her by anyone.

A Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett

When people move into the house directly across from Sara's attic window she soon is making friends with Ram Dass the India servant of a very sick man. Ram Dass secretly observes Sara and learns of her friends that visit her in the cold attic, meagre of anything warm or comforting yet they visit and adore Sara. 

Ram Dass and his ailing charge contrive a way to bring some good things to Sara's attic, food, heat, warm clean bedding and much more. When the frisky little monkey that rides on the shoulder of Ram Dass finds his way to Sara's attic she lets him sleep on her bed till morning when she returns him and all is revealed about her neighbors and her own future is not the bleak, hungry one she had thought it would be.

Saving Grace, Author Katie Graykowski, Narrated by: Pam Dougherty

Saving Grace: The Lone Stars, Book 2
The Lone Stars Series
Written by: Katie Graykowski
Narrated by: Pam Dougherty
Audio Book

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Narrator Pam Dougherty

Narrator Review:
Pam Dougherty definitely has a handle on the persona of Grace Kelley and her narration is so fantastic that you just want to sit back and listen, until voila, you're at the end and left wanting more. Ms.Dougherty has a peach of a voice, sultry, languid and all encompassing. Did I mention seductive. She does great voices for all the characters. If you love romance books, you will be pleased with Ms. Dougherty's narration, she made a good book even better.

Audio Book Review: Saving Grace By Katie Graykowski

Author Katie Graykowski

A nearly broke and homeless Grace Kelley by sheer happenstance saves a teen, from being molested by a man that was way too old for her. Coco met him on the internet, but, when her after dinner fiasco left her in a compromising position it was lucky for her that Grace overhead her hassling with him and stepped in and cooling left him laid out on the ground.

Grace kelley is the kind of mother any child would adore, fun, creative, understanding and actually pays attention to them. What's not to like. Coco knew who Grace was already because of an incident that left her with the moniker 'the nipple lady' imagine her surprise to find out she has a following on Twitter. Grace just wants to sing and make enough to move her Uncle to a better Retirement Center and too support herself. So with no steady gigs, she takes to busking and relying on tips.

Coco's father, Chord Robbins is the coach for an NFL team, the Austin Lone Stars and is so full of himself he's pretty hard to take. After saving Coco from being raped and staying with her and his twin sons you'd think he'd be pretty grateful but no, he gets into an argument with Grace about parenting and he kicks her out. She did make a big impression on him and he can't seem to stop thinking about her but he's to stubborn to take any advice from her.



Coco with her eight year old twin brothers take a cab to where Grace is busking in front of the Austin Convention Center. Grace make Coco text her dad to tell him where they are and that she'll take them home later. After much texting with Chord, and him apologizing for his bad behavior, Grace takes a few moments to gloat, then she takes the kids for a fun day of snow cones and train rides at Zilker Park.

This is how Grace ends up as their live in babysitter. Chord's life is turned upside down and he is loving it. Grace is great with the kids, can cook good and the kids like her. For Grace, the pay is great, she is crazy about the kids and she is no longer homeless. Chord turns out to be a really decent guy and their is a certain spark between them. Grace sensibly fights her feelings and his, knowing that a relationship gone sour could leave the kids in a bad position.

Well we know they can only keep up the pretense for just so long before they have to give into their feelings. It does go well until distrust rears it's ugly head and Grace is in just the spot where she dreaded it could become if they became lovers.

There were so many parts of the book I liked but one of my favorites was when the twins are punished and have to volunteer at the Animal Shelter. kindhearted Grace feels so sad for Clementine, a half Pyrenees and half Saint Bernard dog with no chance of being adopted. Grace takes him home, just until they find him a permanent home.

Pam Dougherty does such a beautiful job narrating I can't imagine anyone else as reader or being Grace Kelley. Fabulous is the one word that comes to mind. This is just a great romance story with a lot of laughs, well grounded advice and good depictions of how parents 'should' act.

Mr. Monk Goes to Germany, By Lee Goldberg, Angela Brazil, Narrator

Mr. Monk Goes to Germany
Monk, Book 6
By Lee Goldberg
Narrator: Angela Brazil
Audio Book:

Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Narrator Angela Brazil

Angela Brazil does some excellent German accents and as always she does such an exceptional reading for every character in the book. I've listened to most the Monk books a few times and find new things to appreciate each time about her narration. Her pacing and ability to capture and convey so much of the emotional context is stunning and top notch. Her rendition of Julie, Natalie's teen daughter getting snotty with her is priceless. I never tire of her lovely feminine voice and skilled reading of the Mr. Monk Series.

Audio Book Review: Mr. Monk Goes to Germany
By Lee Goldberg

Author Lee Goldberg

Monk suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and has extreme phobia's about almost everything plus a compulsion to make everything in the world symmetrical, from the shape of his ice cubes to the number of floors in a hotel, even the room number must be an even number. His assistant Natalie runs interference between him and anything that might "violate the laws of nature" and with Monk that could be just about anything.

Monk's world is turned upside down when Dr.Kroger tells him he's going to a week long  conference in Germany. Monk really freaks out when Kroger tells him Dr. Jonah Sorenson will see him while he's gone. Monk knows that Sorenson only has one arm which goes against Monk's balance of nature. Monk is barely able to function and Natalie wonders if she can last the week.



Becoming desperate, Monk decides to take dioxynl, an experimental drug that blocks his OCD and phobia's, it's like kryptonite is to Superman. Unfortunately with his inhibitions gone so are his crime solving abilities. Yet, it's the only way he can fly to Germany to have his appointment with Dr.Kroger.

It is no surprise that Natalie once again is not going to have a pleasant vacation because wherever Monk goes the bodies seem to pileup. Germany turns out to be a shocker of a trip for Mr. Monk when he see's the six fingered man with Dr. Kroger and jumps to the conclusion that they are in cahoots together, conspiring to prevent Monk from solving the murder of his wife Trudie. The only murder Monk has never been able to solve.

Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants, Author Lee Goldberg, Narrattor Angela Brazil

Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants
Series: Monk, Book 4
Author Lee Goldberg
Narrattor Angela Brazil
Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
Downpour: Blackstone Audio

Audio Book Review: Angela Brazil reading Mr Monk

Angela Brazil Narrator

If you've gotten to Audio Book 4, in the Mr. Monk Series then it's no surprise that it is another fantastic narration by Angela Brazil. You really have to appreciate the quality of her narrations. Her emotional delivery is truly amazing, it adds so much depth to the story. Her voice is gentle and ladylike, yet, she manages male annoyance, and incredulity, general sadness, kittenish sexiness, and concern with finesse. Kudos to Ms. Brazil for yet another wonderful demonstration of her talents.

Lee Goldberg Author

Audio Book Review, Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants By Lee Goldberg

Julie's soccer game is the catalyst for Monk solving one murder, and reuniting with Sharona. The green eyed monster hits Natalie when Monk forgives Sharona for deserting him and he wants her back. When Natalie understands that Monk doesn't want to fire her but have her and Sharona share taking care of him, Natalie goes into action.

Sharona's husband is in prison for murder and Natalie is determined to have Monk find out if he really did kill his employer Ellen Cole. Natalie is hoping that trevor is innocent and he and Sharona will reunite, and thereby getting rid of Sharona. After a quick flight to Los Angeles Natalie returns believing he's innocent. Sharona is not convinced so off the three of them go to Los Angeles.



On arrival to Los Angeles, Monk solves in just minutes the murder of a jewelry store owner. and goes on to examine Ms. Cole's murder scene, he declare's that Trevor did not kill her. This doesn't sit well with the L.A.P.D. as their version of Mr. Monk, Ian Lovell (a popular mystery writer)  has laid out the scene perfectly, indicating that Trevor was the murderer.

Mr. Monk doesn't know who killed Ms. Cole, but Monk so far has never been wrong. Bodies are soon piling up and things take a turn into the diabolical with Sharona and Natalie landing in jail for murder. Captain Stottlemeyer and Disher think Monk has finally failed to solve a murder, and Monk is nearly disgraced. 

Mr. Monk in Outer Space

Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu

Mr. Monk Goes to the Firehouse

Mr Monk Goes to Hawaii

Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu, by Lee Goldberg, Narrator: Angela Brazil

Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu

Monk Series, Book 3
Lee Goldberg
Narrator: Angela Brazil
Blackstone Audio Inc
Audio Book

7 hours 6 minutes

Angela Brazil with her feminine and pleasing voice narrates the Blue Flu beautifully. She effortlessly reads the text with uncommon alacrity. The story goes smoothly with accurate emotion. Conversation is chatty and done excellently. Angela Brazil has total control of your ears for seven hours of sheer enjoyment.

Angela Brazil Narrator

Audio Book Review
Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu

Author Lee Goldberg

The San Francisco Police Department is going on strike for higher wages and benefits. Officially they cannot strike but seventy percent of them call in sick with the (Blue) Flu. Captain Stottlemeyer gives Monk advanced warning so he'll know there won't be any work for him while they are on strike. 

With no cases to work on, Natalie takes him shopping with her to Nordstrom's, to hit that big sale. Natalie has to buy Julie's clothes on sale since on her meager wages she'd never be able to buy the name brands her daughter must have in order to not be bullied or shunned at school.

Monk being Monk brings down a shoplifting team that's working Nordstrom's. Only Monk would notice that the Nun is not a Nun, the pregnant woman is not pregnant and the old man pushing his oxygen tank is not a sick old man at all. Just an ordinary day for Mr. Monk

.

When the mayor calls Monk to meet with him, he tricks Monk into taking over Captain Stottlemeyer's job. Monk doesn't understand that taking over Stottlemeye's position makes him a scab and will have a far reaching affect on his friendship with the police. 

. 

A  team is put together, all who had been fired or retired for legitimate reasons. All of them capable in their own way of solving crimes, yet unable to function in a workplace that requires teamwork. Monk covers several murders his first days as Captain, from a stabbed to death astrologer to a convenience store shooting.

Mr. Monk in Outer Space

Mr.Monk Goes to the Firehouse

Mr. Monk in Outer Space By Lee Goldberg Narrator: Angela Brazil

Mr. Monk in Outer Space
Monk Series Book 2
Lee Goldberg

Narrator: Angela Brazil
Blackstone Audio, Inc.
6 hours 53 minutes

Angela Brazil is the narrator for many of the books in the Mr. Monk Series. Her voice is a little gentler and softer than Laura Hicks. Aside from that, they are equal in all important ways. Angela Brazil is wonderful at defining individual characters, and skillfully integrating text with dialogue.

 

With her gentle and feminine voice Ms. Brazil gives emotional texture to each person and great emphasis is brought out in every detail. Listen to Angela Brazil's youtube video about how she reads Lee Goldberg's Mr. Monk Series. 

Angela Brazil talks about narrating the Mr. Monk series

Mr Monk in Outer Space:  Author Lee Goldberg Audiobook Review

Author Lee Goldberg

Mr. Monk sees a coffee stain on his carpet, it's so small no one else can see it, but his OCD makes it impossible for him to stay in the apartment as he will obsess over it all night. Natalie nearly ends up with Monk staying with her again, but Julie's pet hamster freaked him out and he went and stayed with his brother Ambrose instead. We learn a lot about Mr. Monk's brother and even some about their parents.

Natalie's had little time to herself since she started working for Mr. Monk. Now Julie's gone on a weeks camping trip, and Natalie is hoping there will be no murders in San Francisco so she can relax and do things that she can't do when Julie is home. Even a little romance would be welcome.

While mulling over her options, Lieutenant Disher calls for Monk to investigate the murder of Brandon Lorber CEO of Burgerville. Getting Monk into the building is a challenge when he's confronted with a revolving door and the corpse is on the fifth floor. The revolving door is Monk's biggest challenge, he won't go into the door because it results in an uneven number of people. The ever clever Natalie figures out a way of synchronizing everyone to Monk's satisfaction.

Fifth floor, uneven number, another dilemma for Monk. Pleading and arguments with Stottlemeyer about moving the body to an even number floor exasperates the usually patient Captain. Dealing with Monk's needs takes some patience and a lot of thought but everyone co-operates because Monk is never wrong in his assessment of a crime scene. Lorber has been shot three times and everyone is in disbelief of Monk's appraisal of what happened.

The meat of the story is  a convention for a cult television show Beyond Earth, the creator Conrad Stipe was shot and killed in view of at least four surveillance cameras. The killer is wearing an alien costume like hundreds of others milling around the convention. With so many costumed the same as the shooter Stottlemeyer calls in Monk.



Ambrose with his knowledge of Beyond Earth helps Monk solve the murder.  At first Monk is appalled that his brother is an 'earther' as cult fans like to call themselves and that Ambrose has written books about Beyond Earth and even speaks in Drach a made up language used by 'earthers' Ambrose wrote books in at least six languages and is well known and popular even though he never leaves the house.

The Monk series is some of the funniest and far out material on the market today. Lee Goldberg writes with skill and humor shown by few other authors. Each book is original and well written with no dull parts. The stories are always laugh out loud and well worth listening to many times. Prior to listening to my first Monk book I did not know there was a t.v.show about Monk. I will be buying the CD's.

Mr Monk and the Blue Flu

Mr Monk Goes to the Firehouse

Mr Monk Goes to Hawaii 

Mr Monk and the Two Assistants

The Silence of the Chihuahuas By Waverly Curtis Audiobook Narration by Laura Darrell

The Silence of the Chihuahuas
A Barking Detective Book 5
By Waverly Curtis
Narrated By Laura Darrell
Audio Book

7 hours 59 mins

Narrator Review: Laura Darrell

Narrator  Laura Darrell

Laura Darrell does an exemplary rendition of Pepe. She does such a good accent for him and the tone is just right. In fact it is so good you might believe it really is Pepe speaking. I like the tone of Laura Darrell's voice, it sounds youthful and feminine but not sugary sweet. An exceptional narration of this fun and frolicking team of Sullivan and Sullivan Private Detectives. All the characterizations are fantastic. I'd prefer that Ms. Darrell not over pronounce so many words, it would be spectacular if not for that little glitch. Still, Laura Darrell is the perfect narrator for this series. She gets great emotion into each person as well as the dogs.

Audio Book Review, The Silence of the Chihuahuas Author Waverly Curtis

Pepe, the irrepressible Chihuahua that is half the team of Sullivan & Sullivan Detectives. Pepe is the egotistical Chihuahua that Geri Sullivan adopted from the Animal Shelter and he's been running her life ever since. True dogs have a much keener sense of smell, and their hearing is far superior, and according to Pepe, dogs are smarter than humans, but, Pepe has stopped talking to Geri, and Geri is worried about it. So worried that she consults a veterinarian. Of course there was no help there. Later she gets a strange phone call from her sister that caller ID shows as coming from The Forest Glen Spa and Clinic. She tells Geri, that someone is trying to kill her and then the call is cut off. Geri calls the Spa and they deny anyone by that name is there or made a call.

Waverly Curtis Author of the Pepe Series

Geri,  has to concoct a plan to get herself into that clinic so she can look for her sister. Once in can she get out again? Or, once in, can she find her sister? With no help from Pepe, Geri is on her own. He is investigating, sniffing around, and gathering information but still not talking or helping Geri. Prior to getting into the Spa, her older sister calls to make sure she is coming to the wedding of Geri's ex-husband that weekend. Geri has no desire to go but her bossy sister gets her to attend.

Geri's getting threatening phone calls, her boyfriend is not returning her calls, and Jimmy G. is calling her to do a job with a previous client. Geri's still mad at him from double dealing and shabby underhanded way he treated her on a Seattle investigation. Her best friend is missing and she needs to find him before the police do.

Geri has her hands full and with so many things going on she is just about ready for a stay at Forest Glen. With no help from Pepi can she solve any of these problems? She is definitely on her own and everything is in total chaos. Pepi does try and help her but being just a human, Geri misses all his unspoken clues. No matter how he tries to get her to read his blog on his Ipad, she misses it every time.

Other Audio Books in the  Barking Detective Mysteries

Chihuahua Confidential
Audio Book By Waverly Curtis

The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice
By Waverly Curtis

The Big Chihuahua
By Waverly Curtis

Dial C For Chihuahua
By Waverly Curtis

:

Murder at Deer Park By: Gary Alan Ruse Narrated by: Erik Baker

Murder at Deer Park
By: Gary Alan Ruse
Narrated by: Erik Baker
Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins

Narrator Erik Baker

Erik Baker's rendition of Murder at Deer Park was exceptionally well done. Baker has a versatile range of voices, giving in depth characteristics to each person. His voice has a pleasurable tenor with just the right amount of masculinity and maturity and he did a very credible depiction for Francis, expressing youth, naivete and budding womanhood. Baker is talented and does other voice over work. I enjoyed this video of him doing the voiceover for a video game. Seems like he is not just talented but has a good sense of humor, and enjoys a touch of acting it out too. 

Author Gary Ruse

In 1886 Grover Cleveland was the twenty second president of the United States. At the age of forty nine he married Francis Folsom who was twenty one. This was a wide gap in this May, December marriage of twenty eight years, seven years more than Francis's years on this earth. Nonetheless it apparently was a happy and compatible marriage that produced five children. Cleveland was executor of her father's estate and long time friends with him as well as law partners, he received permission from Francis's mother to court Francis. There is a well done write up at The Washington Post that would aid in following the historical story.

In Murder of Deer Park, Gary Ruse successfully wove fact and fiction into a charming and fantastic tale of Grover and Francis's honeymoon at Deer Park, Maryland. Cleveland went to extremes to avoid the press disturbing him and his new bride. Shortly after arriving at Deer Park, the press did manage to track them down and Ruse's account of the shenanigans with the press was fascinating and much of it true. 

When one of the reporters is found dead, Grover and Francis don't agree with the police that it was an accident. The police are persuaded by Cleveland that it is a case of murder and of course who would go against the President of the United States and Cleveland sets off on a thorough and compelling investigation. It is extremely well written and moves at a brisk pace. Alan Ruse does skillfully bring out that Cleveland was sensitive, honest and skillful with words and a highly respected and loved president.

I highly recommend listening to the delightful story and if you feel compelled to dig deeper into the lives of our Past Presidents google is a good place to start. Each has an interesting story to tell. Once out of school history takes on a new life and becomes fascinating. For some reason they make history a real bore, I suppose because it is mostly memorizing names and dates. With all the resources on the internet we can now search out little known details, look at pictures and unravel the mysterious. Gary Ruse is a popular author of many excellent and entertaining books that are also available as Ebooks and available as Kindle books, on Amazon as well as at Audible.com. Read also my review of Ruse's The Cross of St. Anne.

Waverly Curtis The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice Narrator Laura Darrell

The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice
Author: Waverly Curtis
Narrator: Laura Darrell

Audible Studios
7 hours 40 min

The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice
Waverly Curtis 

Narrator Review: Laura Darrell
It certainly was a pleasure listening to Laura Darrell narrating The Chihuahua Always 
Sniffs Twice. Compared to the first three in the series the text portions are smoother with less over pronunciation and emphasis on each word, also there's a significant increase in dramatization. PePe's Mexican accent is impressive, as is Jimmy G's. Laura Darrell has successfully become the embodiment of all the players in The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice. Listening instead of reading gives much more impact and dimension to the story. 

Laura Darrell Narrator

Audio Book Review: The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice, By Waverly Curtis

Waverly Curtis & PePe

Geri plans on sunbathing, in the rare for Seattle, sunny afternoon. Seattle doesn't get many warm sunny days, when Jimmy G. calls her to come into the office 'pronto'  it's always pronto with Jimmy G. With a sigh, she tells the now dancing around her feet,  PePe that indeed The Gerard Agency they work for has a case for them. Nothing makes PePe happier than having a case to sink his canine teeth into. Well, maybe the Spanish Tella Novella's he is fond of watching is a close second. 

"PePe headed for the overflowing wastebasket, and began rooting around...."  "You and your ratdog, he looked at PePe, who was sniffing something he found in a corner, 'yum'  I heard PePe say. Don't eat anything you find down there I warned him, I don't want you getting sick.  'Funny you should say that, Jimmy G. said, that's the case, someone tried to poison some dogs......"

"Oh my God, who would do such thing? "Si, said PePe," coming over to me quivering with indignation, a poisoner of pero's, is lower than a cocaracha....." 

Jimmy G. sends Geri and PePe to Whidbey Island to meet with Barrett Boswell the executor of Lucille Carpenter's estate.  Luciille died and left her fortune of five million dollars and her home to her dogs. Leaving her children to fight among themselves, the one's left out of her trust want to prove she was crazy when she wrote it. Only a crazy person would leave a fortune like that to four dogs. Right! Seems someone is trying to kill the dogs, surmising that once the dogs are all dead the money will then go to them. Except, which one them is targeting the dogs. Which one if any of them is what Geri and PePe will have to find out as well as to try and protect the dogs.

As soon as Geri left the office, Jimmy G. calls up Bernie Bickerstaff, the attorney across the hall from Boswell. Bickerstaff wants to meet with him in person, but, lazy Jimmy G. really doesn't like to handle cases, himself, but double the fee is a sweet persuader. Sounds like Jimmy G. is up to one of his double, double crosses that he likes to brag about. Bickerstaff fails to show up for their meeting at the Windjammer Bar, Jimmy G. thinks because he was late arriving, that Bickerstaff left already, until the bartender tells him about the excitement earlier when the police arrested a murderer. "Yeah says Jimmy G. who was murdered?" An attorney with an office upstairs, Bernie Bickerstaff.  They arrested Barrett Boswell the attorney across the hall from him. 

Another winner from Waverly Curtis, this story was a bit more complex than the previous three in the series.  PePe is the star and brains of this private detective duo, Geri is often at a loss as to what to do next, or what to ask. PePe prompts Geri and makes intelligent decisions, too bad the boisterous little beast never gets credit when he cleverly solves the crimes. 

  

Dial C for Chihuahua

Chihuahua Confidential

The Big Chihuahua

The Big Chihuahua By Waverly Curtis Audio Book narrated by Laura Darrell

AUDIO BOOK
The Big Chihuahua: A Barking Detective Mystery
Series: Barking Detective, Book 3
By Waverly Curtis
Narrated By Laura Darrell

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

The Big Chihuahua by Waverly Curtis

Narrator Review: Laura Darrell

Laura Darrell Narrator

Laura Darrell, has really developed the character of PePe in the  Barking Detective Series. She absolutely can make you believe that a Chihuahua can talk. Geri, rescued PePe from the animal shelter and once he started talking to her it is non-stop chatter mostly about himself and all the brave and heroic things he's done. Her boss and suppose to be mentor, Jimmy G. who refers to himself in the third person is an avid gambler, drinks pretty heavy and continues to call PePe, the rat dog and Geri, doll. Again Laura Darrell does a really exceptional depiction of this wanna be Sam Spade, a true throw back with his brown felt fedora, trench coat, and thin little mustache. Every voice is unique and outstanding. I even like the way she announces the chapter numbers, so upbeat. I wish there was a lot less over enunciation on words when Geri is thinking or the basic text of the story. It would be perfection without that one little distraction. It is not bothersome enough to make me not love the stories or buy the books. You may not even notice it. Ms. Darrell also has a lovely tone to her voice.

Audio Book Review: The Big Chihuahua:

Series: Barking Detective, Book 3
By Waverly Curtis

Mark Darling hires the Gerard Detective Agency to locate his wife Tammy. Tammy had been depressed after a miscarriage and got involved with the Dogawanda cult. That was the last place he'd heard of her being, and he'd only one note from her saying to forget her and not look for her. Shortly after receiving it she withdrew twenty- five thousand dollars out of their joint bank account and he thinks she gave it to the Dogawanda.

Geri and PePe go undercover to a Dogawanda free weekend hoping to find Tammy, if she is actually there. They do find her right away and Geri delivers Mark's message. Tammy isn't happy with the message especially when she finds out that Mark changed all their bank accounts and she can't draw out another twenty- five thousand, without it she can't move up a level in the cult, and she did not want to leave the compound until she reached that next level.

The next day Geri and PePe find Tammy dead. With Tammy dead and the message delivered Geri returns to Seattle get paid.  Unfortunately Jimmy G. failed to tell Geri she was suppose to collect half their fee before starting on a case. With Jimmy G. bragging about showing her how to get their money, they go to Mark's to collect. Mark out foxes them by making a deal with them to find out who murdered his wife, as he is suing the Dogawanda to recover the money. Jimmy G. can't resist a gamble, so instead of leaving with their thousand dollar fee, they leave with nothing but a promise of a percentage his lawsuit.



Geri and PePe, return to the Dogawanda compound to do further investigations. Geri is not as pleased as PePe with the life style of the Dogawanda's. She is frustrated when she finds out they don't serve coffee, deprived of her morning jolt of caffeine she's not a happy camper. At lunch she learns there are no utensils to eat with, as they ate the way of the dog, with their hands, this is the beginning of her frustrations. PePe thinks all humans should worship the dog and he loves the Dogawanda compound.

During an evening meeting, Crystal Star, channeler for the great Dogawanda takes an interest in PePe and seems able to not exactly hear PePe the way Geri does but, knows what he is saying or seems to. All this attention goes to PePe's head and he's ecstatic with his power over the Dogawanda members. PePe the little egotistic makes all the Dogawanda members bark. He becomes less pleased with Crystal when she relays his message in ways he doesn't like and didn't say.

Waverly Curtis and PePe

I laughed so much with this entire book beginning with word Dogawanda. It's almost thumbing your nose at cults. The performance of Crystal channeling Dogawanda for dog wisdom had me laughing till my sides ached. Jimmy G. is a riot, with his swaggering bravado he's almost as bad as PePe. PePe even mentions to Geri that they should start their own detective agency. I would miss Jimmy G. if he was dropped from the story.

With PePe's keen sense of smell and sharp hearing they solve the cases on their own. If not for them, Jimmy G. would be homeless and living out of his car. Yet, Jimmy G. manages to come through in the nick of time to help the detective duo. The Big Chihuahua is definitely a winner. We have the on going romance with Felix the dog whisperer, two murders, more about Geri's missing sister and her older sister who bullies Geri. She just can't accept that Geri is a private eye. So listen to the book and get some Dog Wisdom.

As good as the first two in the series, Dial C For Chihuahua, Book 1. and Book 2. Chihuahua Confidential, are I thought The Big Chihuahua was the funniest. Fingers crossed that the next one The Chihuahua Always Sniffs Twice meets the same high octane standard of humor.

Chihuahua Confidential by Waverly Curtis Narrator: Laura Darrell

Audio Book
Chihuahua Confidential
Book 2. in A Barking Detective Mystery
By Waverly Curtis
Narrator: Laura Darrell

Audible Studios
7 hours 17 minutes

Chihuahua Confidential By Waverly Curtis

Narrator Laura Darrell

Laura Darrell really is the perfect choice for the Barking Detective Mystery Series. Her interpretation of PePe is fantastic as is Jimmy G. Geri's, boss at the Gerard Detective Agency. Ms. Darrell will take you skillfully through the most fun book series imaginable. She captures PePe's overbearing although charming personality to perfection. Her booming voice for Jimmy G. the sleazy detective is superb. She does Rebecca Tyler, the elegant but aggressive creator of Dancing for Dogs brilliantly. Laura Darrell does a very enthusiastic and wonderful reading of Chihuahua Confidential.

Audio Book Review:
Chihuahua Confidential by Waverly Curtis
A PePe Novel

PePe, Geri's adopted Chihuahua talks to her, and his lies, stories just continue to become more fantastic. Geri can only laugh and shake her head when he tells her he once raced in the Iditarod (Trail Sled Dog Race) in Alaska, and had once wrestled an alligator in an Alabama swamp. PePe is downcast that Geri doesn't believe him but, no one believes her either when she tells them that PePe talks.

Even her New Age psychiatrist Susanna thinks it's delusional thinking. Excerpt: "Susanna, So Geri, is your dog still talking to you? Of course I am still talking to her, who else would I talk to she's the only one that can hear me. " "That's not true I pointed out to him, there is one other person who can hear you"..... "So you believe he spoke to you just then ?" "Yes, I said, and he pointed out that we met another person who can hear him. "  "Oh, really" I'd like to meet this person....."



The one tale that PePe speaks of often is when he belonged to Caprice Kennedy a famous movie star. Geri doubts this, even if most the Chihuahua's in the shelters came from Los Angeles. In Dial C for Chihuahua, PePe and Geri got involved with Rebecca Tyler who is putting together a reality show, Dancing with Dogs. PePe of course is a natural born ham and loves the lime light and Geri who prefers to stay in the background is reluctant to be PePe's partner. Rebecca Tyler is as bossy and pushy as PePe. Geri, we know will always be over ruled by her dog.

Rebecca has gotten Caprice to be a  judge for Dancing with Dogs, as well as the grumpy Nigel St. Nigel.
When Rebecca and Geri get to the sound stage they are suppose to use for their show Nigel St. Nigel is there. Problem is Nigel might be sitting there but he is very much dead. Now Rebecca has to find a replacement judge for Nigel and it will delay practicing for at least a day. Geri and PePe have to figure out who murdered Nigel while at the same time practicing dance routines and doing rehearsals.

Author Waverly Curtis and PePe

A lively tangle of events ensues from PePe's insistence to pursue the investigation. Jimmy G. flies to Los Angeles to aid Geri and even gets a bit part in a television show. Dogs, dogs, dogs, everywhere, with PePe taking a leading role in rescuing his true love Siren Song. Geri, finally gets the final answer to PePe's claims to having been Caprice's pampered pet. Romance is still in the air between Geri and Felix. Seems some will stop at nothing to pursue their aims of fame and fortune and some get both with little effort. The PePe Novels are a winner in every way from being excellent writing to ingenious imagination with generous doses of laugh out loud humor.

Dial C for Chihuahua, By Waverly Curtis Narrator Laura Darrell

Dial C For Chihuahua:
Book 1
A Barking Detective Mystery
By Waverly Curtis
Narrator  Laura Darrell
Audio Book

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Published byAudible

Dial C for Chihuahua by Waverly Curtis

Narrator Review

Laura Darrell does a very nice job narrating Jimmy G. from the Gerard Detective Agency. He is a blowsy 

cigar smoking detective, except he never really seems to do many detective jobs or have many calls either.

He calls Geri, 'doll' and refers to her as his Girl Friday and calls her his operative to his (few) clients. Her voice for PePe also is impressive and believable. Although her reading of Geri's thoughts can lag a bit being to precise with pronunciations, but she does well when Geri is involved in conversations. The male voices are not distinctive but she makes up for that by emphasizing the emotional intent. Overall, Laura Darrell makes Dial C For Chihuahua a fun listen. 

Laura Darrell Narrator

Audio Book Review:
Dial C for Chihuahua, By Waverly Curtis

Geri Sullivan has gotten her final divorce decree from her cheating ex-husband Jeff.

The Real Estate Market has bottomed out and she is worried that she will lose

her job as a stager as it's looking like that will crash too. Feeling down and a little sad

thinking about the poor dates she'd been having and worries about her finances. She decides to 

go to the Animal Shelters and look at the Chihuahua's she's read about that have been sent

around the country to find homes for them. Off she goes to get some unconditional love from

man's best friend. 

When she gets to the shelter and sees so many little Chihuahua's together in one cage, only the 

little white one sitting off by himself, catches her fancy and she knows he's the one she wants. His

big brown eyes melt her heart. PePe is quiet until Geri, puts down food for him. Absurd as it may 

sound, PePe thanks Geri for his food and in Spanish of course, but he also talks English with a Spanish accent. PePe is no ordinary dog that's for sure. Geri must be really lonely because she answers 

him back and in Spanish. Wait, what, dogs don't talk, Geri thinks she's really losing it now. Pepe introduces himself and from then on, PePe rarely stops chattering. No one else hears PePe talking, they only hear Geri's side of the conversation. 

Geri had applied for many jobs but only had one interview and that was with a Private Detective

Agency. Three weeks of not hearing back from Jimmy Gerard she forgot about it until he calls on the phone and tells her he has a job for her to do. She's to go interview a client about her missing husband, right away. Everything with Jimmy G. is right away giving Geri very little time to consider anything, like she has no experience. That's no problem as far as Jimmy G. is concerned, ask questions and keep notes in shorthand. Jimmy G. always refers to himself in the third person and lives in some distant long gone past 

PePe is excited and wants to go with her, of course Geri thinks differently but, PePe is not to be denied. He wears her down by telling her what a valuable asset he will be to her. PePe has the most fantastic stories about himself, "I have chased the bulls in Mexico City," to show his bravery, "I have also worked as a search and rescue dog in Mexico City" to show his value in searching things out. " I've worked with the Federal Authorities in the battle against the Mexican Drug Lords," to impress Geri with his keen sniffing ability. PePe according to him, has done so many things , and always he is the hero. What PePe does best is get Geri involved in some dangerous situations, starting with her very first job as a private detective. 

Waverly Curtis has done a bang up job with Dial C for Chihuahua and I laughed out loud through most of it. It is hilarious and PePe up stages Geri at every turn. Jimmy G. is just priceless, and Laura Darrell has him down pat. Awesome narration of the messy, retrograde Jimmy G. I loved this book and have listened to it several times, it's that funny. I promise you will love it too as you listen to PePe's lies, I mean stories of the many things he has accomplished and people he has met. He really shines when he falls in love with a little bitch and gets involved with 'Dancing With Dogs.'