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N. N. Light

5+ stars for The Swim: A McLaren Crossed Paths Prequel Audiobook by Jo A. Hiestand #britishfiction #fiction #audiobookreview #bookreview



Title: The Swim: A McLaren Crossed Paths Prequel

Author: Jo A. Hiestand

Voice Actors: Callum Hale

Genre: Literary Fiction, Fiction

 

Book Blurb:

 

The Swim is not one of my usual mysteries featuring former police detective Michael McLaren. It's a prequel novella giving a picture of his life from teenager to the strong man he is today. He's real to me, and I want you to understand him. I want you to understand a man whose need to help others find justice became his incitement in a world like today. He's been through a lot from his ordeal beginning with the "swim", his move from the Force, and his cold cases. He's made enemies, friends, and he has loved and lost. Like many of us.

 

My Review:

 

Story Impressions – A traumatic event as a teenager propels Michael McLaren into helping others get justice for their loved ones. The Swim is an origins story of retired detective inspector Michael McLaren. Discover the truth behind the great detective in this moving British fiction audiobook. Calum Hale narrates the story in flawless fashion. Once you start listening, you won’t be able to stop. Luckily, it’s a short novella.

 

Narrator’s overall voice –Callum Hale is a wonderful narrator. His voice creates the imagery needed to follow the story. His soothing British accent works flawlessly for this story.


Does the narrator fit the characters? Callum uses different dialects for each character which is beneficial while listening. There were many times I would close my eyes and could imagine what was going on. Callum also invokes emotion while hearing the British fiction. I found myself getting carried away into the story.


Narrator’s reading style –Callum’s reading style is the perfect rhythm, allowing the listener to be fully invested in the story.


Narrator’s impact on reading experience –Callum makes this an insightful listen. Everything from his pacing to the inflection in his voice to the recreation of the characters to the emotional impact on the listener all combine to make this a compelling performance.


Narrator’s pacing –Callum’s pacing is lingering in parts, fast in others, on pace with the natural ebbs and flows of the story. It’s a heartfelt performance.


Audiobook flow –The flow of the audiobook is right in line with the pace of the story. I submerged myself in the story and thoroughly adored it.


What makes this audiobook unique –What a brilliant performance by Callum. He becomes McLaren, at least for my imagination.


Would I recommend this audiobook –YES! It’s such an engrossing listen, especially for fans of British mysteries and origin stories.

 

My Rating: 5+ stars

 

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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 a British mystery series (the McLaren Mysteries)—of which three books have garnered the prestigious N.N. Light’s Book Heaven ‘Best Mystery Novel’ three years straight. She also writes a Missouri-based cozy mystery series that is 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 and sings loudly. She 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.

 

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Reviewed by: Nancy

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