Long Time Coming

By: Edie Claire

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Years and distance kept the memories at bay. But back at home, the past is ready and waiting to haunt her... Eighteen years have passed since Joy's childhood best friend, Jenny, met her death in a tragic car accident just a few days after their senior prom. A broken Joy left their small Kentucky hometown shortly after - determined never to come back. But when her father's illness forces her to return, she realizes that neither time nor distance have truly healed her troubled soul.

Plagued with nightmares of the accident and crippled by a vague fear whose source she can't identify, Joy realizes that in order to move on she must face the truth behind several disturbing gaps in her memory of that fateful spring. But the only person who can help her is a man she despises - Jenny's erstwhile boyfriend Jeff, now a respected doctor, whose carelessness as a teenager was the cause of Jenny's horrendous death - and Joy's own emotional destruction. Can she ever forgive? She may have no choice but to try. Because both the danger she sensed - and the childhood friendship she treasured - now suddenly seem very much alive...

©2003 Edie Claire (P)2013 Edie Claire

Critic reviews

All the reasons for Gabrielle de Cuir's success as a prolific narrator are apparent here. She slowly reels the listener in with this compelling story as she expertly weaves between voices and accents. Veterinarian Joy Hudson returns to her small Kentucky hometown, having left 18 years before, after her best friend Jenny was killed in an auto accident. Living with gaps inher recollections, Joy must turn to the man she blames for her friend's death, handsome doctor Jeff Bradford, who was in the car when Jenny died, to discover the truth about that night. De Cuir can act and she turns it on here, building the tension and suspense as the story takes some surprising turns. The addition of a paranormal aspect adds to its appeal. -(A.C.P. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine) [Published: APRIL 2014]

It was a nice story

it was amazin story, it took me time to finished it but I liked it

Whiney main character.

Joy started out as an independent character. But, the author gave her too many neuroses and by the end I wanted to just slap some sense into her. Loved all of the other characters, especially Bear and Jeff.

great read

this story always keeps you guessing... it's not over until it's over...keep reading and reading

very unexpected

Was not sure at first as it seemed slow to start, but was pulled in and enjoyed the story. Few times seemed to explain over and over. But was an nice suprise.

Romance and Mystery!

If you could sum up Long Time Coming in three words, what would they be?

Well Told Tale.

What other book might you compare Long Time Coming to and why?

I am new to romance stories. I am a great mystery fan. The author has combined the two elements to good effect. It reminded me of Truth Stained Lies by Kingsbury but without the Christian slant.

What about Gabrielle de Cuir’s performance did you like?

I think the reader's performance actually improved the novel. I enjoyed the character of the Southern mother and the Sheriff suitor. The story did go on and on at times, but the reader made it very personal, so I kept listening.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The opening chapter was very good and moody, when the protagonist first encounters the ghost of her friend.

Any additional comments?

Book could have been sized down a bit, and I feel the ghost elements could have been turned up a bit. But then, I prefer mysteries over romance, as a rule. I would listen to more by this author, but I don't see other of her works listed in audio.

Suspenseful but boring

Liked the suspense in the book but felt the story became boring in the middle and found it hard to finish the book. The narrator

A good story

This was a good story. It kept me curious and interested enough to continue BUT I personally found it rather obvious. Many of the plot twists didn't feel like twists to me because I saw them coming. Still, I found the characters well developed the premise intriguing and it was certainly worth listening to.

Nice performance but a bit whiny...

What did you love best about Long Time Coming?

The story was well written and kept my interest. The ending was not predictable.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I wish the voice of Joy was not so whiny. I understood her grief and desperation to know the truth, but she often sounded like a 5 year old not getting her way. She whined when she was angry, sad, frustrated... I frequently skipped ahead during those scenes. However, I wanted to the finish the book because the story was good.

Any additional comments?

I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I read it.

Edie Claire weaves magic.

An intricate story designed around flawed characters who appear to have built successful lives. From teen heart break to adult anguish this story moves through the memories buried in the heart aches of yesteryear. The paranormal gives an edge that’s both comfort and bizarre. The little girl voice of the adult Jennifer distracts. Recommend this author.

I love YA--but WOW! This is worth your time. CLEAN

Would you listen to Long Time Coming again? Why?

Absolutely.

What did you like best about this story?

The descriptions within create a full storyworld. I loved the characters and how we felt their inner struggles.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.