Playing with Matches

A Riley Drake Mystery, Book 1

By: Julie Hyzy

Narrated by: Angel Clark

Tough and tenacious, Riley Drake is a first-class private eye who runs background checks for a dating service on the side. She has zero interest in helping billionaire John Stratton clear his name so the man can resume dating again. The handsome widower would be quite the catch - if it weren't for the fact that he probably murdered his wife.

Stratton's woes are only part of Riley's problems. Other clients - a TV celebrity with sexual-perception issues, a Trump-like entrepreneur with an embarrassing fetish, and a worshipful drug-addict trying to go straight - keep her running through the streets of Chicago, ready to take down anyone who gets in her way.

Riley is determined to uncover all their secrets, even though she knows that playing with matches means you sometimes get burned.

©2011 Julie Hyzy (P)2016 David N. WIlson

Modern day Superhero?

Riley is like Batman for dating sites. I can't believe this unique take on contemporary dating, and how the angle of a private investigator's life fits so well into that world we live in. Angel Clark's narration is by far my favorite part, as I am always eager to listen to the way that the book comes alive because of her.

On the shelf with this book

Would you try another book from Julie Hyzy and/or Angel Clark?

I am a big fan of Julie Hyzy. I have read and loved all her White House Chef series and I will read more in this series too. As for Angel Clark I didn't enjoy her reading of this book in fact it took away from the story for me. So if Angel is the narrator for future books in this series I will read them and not listen.

What other book might you compare Playing with Matches to and why?

I can't really say I could think of another book to compare it to.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Angel has a nice voice and she reads fine but I just couldn't get into her. The only reason I finished the book was because the story kept me going.

Was Playing with Matches worth the listening time?

No I wish I had read it and not listened to it.

Any additional comments?

I received this book as a gift with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

Pretty good

There is a lot to admire about this book. Lots of plot twists, interesting characters, intelligent mystery and a lead character that guesses wrong sometimes. Gotta love that! The lead character, Riley, stays a strong, tough woman with surprisingly empathetic tendencies. The romance - what there is of it- is very realistic and really, she can't be bothered with it right now. How refreshing!! Her tag along 'friend' Eck is awesome. I hope he reappears in later novels which I will definitely read.
The narrator is over the top at times - I found myself lowering the volume here and there. However, I liked her. I really like her voice for Riley. It matches what I think she would sound like. I could understand why some would not like her style but for whatever reason, I liked her.
I was gifted this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It is rather unlike any other mystery book I listened to in a good way. Look very forward to more!

Playing with Matches: A Riley Drake Mystery, Book

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."



This is book ` in new series. A P.I. investigating clients for a dating service, becomes involved in investigating murder. Lots of characters with many reasons to have

reason to be guilty.

It kept me guessing about all kinds of secrets. I am anxious to hear next book in series.


The narration was well done but loud and obnoxious in some places.

Female P.I. meets Lady Killer Dad? rough narration

What made the experience of listening to Playing with Matches the most enjoyable?

The action starts from the very first pages. Riley Drake could become a favorite.

What other book might you compare Playing with Matches to and why?

Similarities to Sarah Paretski's V.I. Warshawski books come to mind. A tough female P.I. with moxy and the capability to fend for herself in a male dominated occupation.

Did Angel Clark do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Starting off, I was ready to quit listening. The narration seemed nervous and forced. The choices for differentiating characters weren't done very well. Too extreme from one voice to another. I don't know how many sessions this narration took. but as it progressed the narrator became more comfortable.

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

The interaction between Riley and the children. The tough, skeptical female dick allowing her feminine, motherly instincts come out.

Any additional comments?

Though the narration was dificult to become comfortable with, the characters and story overcame it.

Thank you for making this available for review.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Watch for the next in series, too!

The publisher's blurb will give hints to plot without spoilers. The plot is sound and well developed with some interesting twists, and I think that it will grow into another great series. The characters are strong and believable without any artifice. I wish I could say nice stuff about the narrator, but I feel that she oversold the story in too many places.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook BOOM.

Liked it!

Overall, I thought that this was an interesting book. Solid plot with many twists and turns. There’s a lot of characters, and the different voices that the narrator uses really helps to remember which was which since they are unique.

Girl Power Midwestern Style

I like the fact that the story’s backdrop is Chicago, and that author Julie Hyzy references core values and culture of Midwesterners in ways that are appropriate and relevant to the story. I am not a Midwesterner, but these kinds of details add color and credibility to any backdrop, and project verve a reader/listener can actually feel. On the flip side, the credibility factor is pushed a bit to its limits when it comes to some of the action, but for Girl Power lovers, I’m sure this is not a problem at all. Part of the fun of this book is helping Private Investigator Riley to identify, weed out and, if necessary, "Power-Girl-Handle" true bad boys in order to weed them out of the dating service-- a part-time gig for Riley. And while we're at it, we can root for Riley to have a love life of her own (she’s a bit of a workaholic).

I am unsure if narrator Angel Clark's choice of pitch works for this kind of story. I’m not even sure if she captures the right mood or pace. Perhaps Clark's style is better suited for children’s books. At any rate, Clark's narration may cost Hazy some points on this installment of Playing with Matches. When it comes to creating “story,” the best writers invest a lot time and effort into each word. The same kind of investment also should be employed when choosing who will speak those words.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.

Very Good Book

This audiobook was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. I enjoyed this book. The characters and plot were well developed and interesting. I enjoy Julie Hyzy's writing and will read the next book.

Pretty good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES

What did you like best about this story?

There is a lot to admire about this book. Lots of plot twists, interesting characters, intelligent mystery and a lead character that guesses wrong sometimes

Which character – as performed by Angel Clark – was your favorite?

I love the main character. a corky, strong, no nonsense female lead trying to make a name for herself. I liked her wit

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

I wasn't too happy about what happened to the painter

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom