Black Heart

Detective Dan Riley, Book 1

De: Anna-Lou Weatherley

Narrado por: James Lailey

When Nigel Baxter, a middle-aged married banker with an unremarkable past, is found dead in the bath of a plush hotel suite, his wrists slit, it looks as if he's taken his own life. At first. But when Detective Inspector Daniel Riley is assigned to the case, he soon realises all isn't as it first appears to be. When a postmortem shows Baxter was poisoned, Riley suspects foul play. And then there's the odd addition of a teddy bear left at the crime scene....

Struggling to come to terms with the loss of his fiancée, Rachel, in a freak motorcycle accident and the baby she was carrying inside her, Riley throws himself into the case in a bid to distract himself from his grief. And his infamous intuition is telling him something is off, really off on this one. With the help of his dedicated team, Riley begins to delve into Baxter's life and soon realises that the amenable family man has been indulging in the 'services' of some dubious websites, ones where young women hook up with older men in return for 'favours', and there's one woman in particular he'd like to speak to. A woman calling herself Goldilocks....

©2018 Anna-Lou Weatherley (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

On point!

EXACTLY what I look for in a good mystery thriller. Perfect balance of everything, I purchased the next book in the series before I even finished this one. A nice dose of wit/humor mixed in and made me laugh out loud a few times. I usually mow through this genre, and this was the best story in the last many. Looking forward to more from this author.

Relaxing listen, interesting but lacks depth

Despite the fact the book raises hardly any questions in me, isn’t though provoking, lacks any mystery and genuine suspense, it deserves 5 stars.
A very honest 5 stars, as regardless of what I wrote above, it was a very pleasant story to listen to, it was interesting and I felt a good connection with the characters, although they lacked the same depth as the story itself did.
And even though I seem to be complaining, I would gladly listen to another book if this writer. Thanks you Audible!

Overall good with one thing that bugged me a lot

I really liked the story with one exception. There were too many references, memories and flashbacks to the detective’s dead lover Rachel. It was to the point where I began to feel as if I needed to send him a sympathy card, and the the name of a professional grief counselor. But instead I just fast forwarded.

The book would have been a lot better and the characters background would have been just as good with just a few well placed references and not the plethora of dead girlfriend angst.

Rachel again???

I enjoyed this book except the main character’s frequent and long reminiscing of this late girlfriend. It was to the point if I heard the name Rachel one more time I wanted to just stop listening. Okay we get it. She was the love of your life. She was perfect. Their relationship was perfect. Other than that, it was an exciting story. Lots of intense moments.

Too much introspection

I enjoyed this story for the most part. There was just too much spent on Riley's emotional state. I would have preferred more story line and a lot less introspection. James Bailey did a superb job telling the story

Great listen…but…

I liked the story and loved the performance. But I’m always distracted by plot devices that seem too far-fetched. Especially when they’re miraculously explained in the end. Definitely worth the read, anyway.

Some sadness

Like all of us we lose a love one and hard to move on for a while never forget them.
I listened while I was driving or out on my morning walk.
Enjoyed it.

Great character development

I did not realize I had started a series and chose the second book first. When I noticed that, I went back to listen to this book and I’m hooked. The writer has great character development and I enjoy the audiobook narrator. He very clearly goes from one character to another.

Enjoyed it

The writing is clever and fun and story is good. I love her signature use of song titles and word play. I liked the second book even more.

Deep

This book is a masterpiece dealing with so many difficult subjects with sensitivity and yet without losing the edginess of a solving a serial murder case. Some content is very difficult so I was grateful for the payoff in the conclusion.