Sydney Rye Mystery Box Set, Books 1-3

By: Emily Kimelman

Narrated by: Sonja Field

My dog once took a bullet that was intended for me. A bullet that ripped through his chest, narrowly missing his heart, and exited through his shoulder blade. This left him unconscious on the floor of my home. Amazingly, this bullet did not kill him.

Ten years ago, I adopted Blue after I broke up with my boyfriend one hot, early summer night with the windows open and the neighborhood listening. The next morning I went straight to the pound in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Articles on buying your first dog tell you never to buy a dog on impulse. Going to the pound because you need something in your life that's worth holding onto is rarely, if ever, mentioned. I asked the man at the pound to show me the biggest dogs they had. He showed me some Rottweiler-German Shepherd puppies that he said would grow to be quite large. Then he showed me a six-month-old Shepherd that would get pretty big. Then he showed me Blue, the largest dog they had. He was as tall as a Great Dane, with the snout of a Collie, the markings of a Siberian husky, the ears and tail of a shepherd and the body of a wolf, with one blue eye and one brown.

Crouched in a sitting position, unable to lie down, unable to sit all the way up, he looked at me from between the bars, and I fell in love. "I'll tell you, lady, he's pretty but he's skittish. He sheds, and I mean sheds. I don't think you want this dog," the man told me. But, I knew I had to have him. He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I brought Blue home, and we lived together for years. He was, for most of our relationship, my only companion. But, when I first met Blue, a lifetime ago now, I had family and friends. I worked at a crappy coffeehouse. I was young and lost; I was normal.

Back then, at the beginning of this story, before I'd ever seen a corpse, before Blue saved my life, before I felt what it was like to kill someone in cold blood, I was still Joy Humbolt. I'd never even heard the name Sydney Rye.

P.S. The dog doesn't die.

©2016 Emily Kimelman (P)2016 Emily Kimelman

Outstanding! Addictive! Left Wanting More!

Loved it! What a fantastic story and performance! I'm thinking of changing my dog's name. Non-stop action as our heroine, Joy/Sydney encounters and overcomes one, and another adversary. ...but how she and puppy does it is worth the reading and/or listening.

great for a road trip.

really liked the story. new characters introduced make me want to check out the next book. very enjoyable. great for a long road trip

Very enjoyable 💚

Sydney Rye Mysteries speed along on its exciting, witty and who dunnit course. Emily Kimelmans writing is clever and  creative. The first book was approx 10 hrs and more a true mystery while books 2&3 around 5hrs. each were more about Sydney (Joy) growing into her character and seeking justice.

A superb performance by Sonja Field, spot on narration including numerous accents .  

The writing and reading of this three book series are a winner. 

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntary leaving a review I recommend this this book and think it's worth buying.

Once I was hooked… HOLY COW! I’m writing this and about to start book 11.

Let me start with, if you get easily triggered, this series might not be for you. The main theme is fighting for justice on a broad scale. The matters are handled as gently as atrocities can be handled, but this could be overwhelming. Unfortunately, the subject matter is as current as it is timeless. The characters are compelling and organically developed- complex and flawed as everyone is. The negative reviews I have read seem to primarily be from people offended by these things and don’t allow the characters to come into their own or simply be themselves. I’m not savvy with geopolitical issues or religion, but I feel like the author is. The depth this lends the story is impressive. If you have an open mind and open to some interesting perspectives and motivations, you are likely to appreciate this series at the very least. At one point I was so frustrated with the direction the story was going that I almost gave up the series. I was being judgy then lazy. I continued in part because I had already purchased the next box set and it would have required me to give up a credit or ask for a refund. I’m so glad I was lazy! I should have known better and trusted the author and the characters. She certainly did her job and elicited some strong emotions from me.

It took me a while to get into the story. I usually am not drawn to this genre as much and perhaps that is why. Perhaps it was laying down the foundation, I was simply distracted or some combination. None the less, I was about to switch to a different book when it happened, I was hooked! I was hooked to the point I could not stop listening. I was hooked to the point I was not sleeping so I could continue to listen. The lovely author, has the talent to end a chapter without ending the energy of it. And the next chapter is oh so tempting, just go ahead, click that button, extend to the next chapter, listen, then repeat. Next thing you know it, dawn is nearly upon you and why bother sleeping with just a little left. And then, just one more credit and the adventure continues.

I have never heard this narrator before, but she is incredibly talented! I have listened to 100’s of books and her skill is unmatched. While I knew she was talented from early on, her true genius cannot be appreciated until later in the series when so many characters and their cultures are being portrayed. I will actively seek out books she narrates.

There is obvious skill and intention behind the writing paired with a fantastic narrator. Overall I am thrilled with the credits I have spent. I used to not think twice about spending the credit/money, but have gotten into the habit of revisiting stories in my library or getting a free one. It has been several months since I have bought a single book. I am on book 11 and will continue until the series ends. Go ahead, click that button, get absorbed into this world.

Edge of my seat the whole way through!

These three books are PACKED with suspense and twists and turns. Great storylines and story telling. The narrator did an excellent job of fleshing out the different characters and keeping the suspense going. The only complaint I have is that I was constantly scared for the dog (I’m an animal lover, what can I say), and I was frustrated by the shit that Sydney Rye kept getting herself into. She just barreled into trouble without thinking things through. Her opinion of her skills was totally inflated for the limited experience that she had. The only reason she lives is because she has friends that know better. That said, those experiences did shape her into someone tougher. Overall it’s a great first few books and I hope I have the guts to listen to the rest. The suspense kind of kills me!

Too much

It would have been kind to warn that the protagonist - I wouldn’t call her a hero - was an alcoholic. Every time the plot gets interesting, she can’t resist another bottle or glass so she can describe the next morning’s agony. A surfeit of F—-king and
sh—ts and enough sex to fill a wh-re house.
I’m going to try to get Audible to take it back.
I had anticipated a good series from the Facebook description.
I got to chapter 24 hoping to finish the first book but gave up.

Drama, romance, shootouts, spies

This set of stories has it all like the well written book it is. It rivals several movies that Bruce Willis would of stared in.

Not a bad start to series, best for YA listeners

I agree with some other listeners, this is repetitive at times and therefore a little frustrating.

But a good listen for families wanting a series they can enjoy together, or those staying in the genre.

I love LitRPG, so if you like this there is plenty more to enjoy!

Great Character. Compelling Story

Sydney Rye cares about the innocent and ruthlessly pursues the guilty. Like many women she does whatever it takes to get the job finished.

Exciting Listen

I liked the books. They kept me interested. I liked the lightness of the beginning. It got a little too dark, but it was very interesting.