Crime and Paradise

Wild Crime Series, Book 1

By: Julie Howard

Narrated by: George Johnson

Meredith has been uprooted to the middle of nowhere with two kids and an abusive husband. After she fantasizes about ways to kill him, he ends up dead. Despite all the evidence pointing to her, Meredith finds an unlikely supporter and friend in the county sheriff. Together, they uncover some ugly truths about her husband and this small, isolated town. Can Meredith make this place a new home for her family, or will the real secret behind her husband's death send her away for good?

A suspenseful mystery, and a little bit of romance.

©2017 Julie Howard (P)2019 Julie Howard

Good story.

First time reading this author. Enjoyed the story and could understand the motivations of the characters. A mother with two kids and their interactions, realistic. I’d rate it 3.5 stars.

Good Mystery

This was a good mystery that involved a sweet family that just melted my heart. My heart just went out to Meredith. Her husband was so verbally abusive throughout their marriage I just wanted to reach in and give her a big hug and take her away from him. She was such a good mother to her two children and it was fun listening to some of the comical scenes with her spirited daughter. Her little boy was absolutely adorable. There was a good mystery around her husband’s death and it was certainly a surprise when it was revealed who did it. This was a very good listen that kept my interest throughout. The narrator did a very good job with all the voices, including all the females and children. I received a free copy of this audiobook and have voluntarily provided an unbiased review.

Perfect Summer Read

I've been wanting to read this book but haven't had time to sit down with a paper copy so I was pleased to learn there was an audio version. It was the perfect book to listen to while I worked on projects around the house. With a smidge of romance and a some intrigue, this book has become my favorite summer story this year. Since the book is told from the perspective of a female protagonist, I thought the male narrator would throw me off but found George Johnson's smooth narration captured the cadence of the writing.

Love and murder in rural Idaho

Meredith's abusive husband suddenly moves her and their 2 small children from Oakland, CA to the middle of nowhere Idaho in the middle of winter into an old house. Left alone much of the time, Meredith discovers a box of money in the attic. Where did it come from? What is her husband into? She begins to fantasize about killing him and he turns up dead. When she starts having dreams she begins to think she did it. Certainly everyone else in the tiny town thinks she did it. Except the sheriff seems to believe her. Or does he? This was an interesting mystery with an ending I did't see coming. The characters were well developed and the story moved along well. The narrator did a good job. Thanks to the author for giving me a copy of this audiobook through Story Origin.

Interesting read.

Interesting read. Meredith's abusive husband packs her and their two kids up and moves to a house in the middle of nowhere. When her husband is murdered, Meredith starts to question whether her fantasies have become real; did she turn her fantasies in to reality and murder her husband or is someone else behind his murder? Find out in Crime and Paradise. Great murder mystery and great narration.

Engaging suspense

I've read another book by this author and once again was not let down. I enjoy her voice and writing style very much. Though told in a woman's POV the male narrator did an astounding job. This story had a darker edge and I felt it hinged on women's fiction (a genre I enjoy). I was surprised by the twist and the "who" of the whodunit! The author did a good job planting seeds of doubt and kept me wondering. It is a standalone book but there are two more out with the lead heroine and I look forward to reading or listening to both to see how far Meredith grows.

I couldn't solve it!

Try as I might, and I'm usually pretty good it, I could not figure out the Killer until it was exposed in the last chapter. I didn't like some of the decisions of our main protagonist made in the middle of the book, but an abused woman gets some leeway. I otherwise enjoyed the character development and the twisty storyline. Give it a listen and I challenge to figure out the culprit!

Cime and Paradise

This was a light summer read of a crime novel. The narrator did a good job with the different characters. This was a story with a little bit of romance to go along with your intrigue and crime story. I wanted to hug Meredith a few times. Her kids were adorable.

Very interesting and a great ending.

I really liked this audiobook. I was a bit worried about a male author and a female lead character, but I didn't even notice once I started the book. This was my first time listening to this narrator and I absolutely enjoyed it! This book made me feel frustrated, upset and happy. I would recommend this book to listeners that prefer little to no romance and a who did it that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The Perfect Murder

Loved this story!! Likable characters. I couldn't figure out who did it till it was reveled. Hope to read more from Julie Howard