The Blue Hour

Merci Rayborn, Book 1

By: T. Jefferson Parker

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Tim Hess is a semiretired veteran cop staring at a death sentence - his own. Detective Merci Rayborn, young enough to be his daughter, is brash, impatient, and not someone from whom Hess wants to be taking orders. He certainly isn't planning on falling in love with her....
Together, they must track down a psychopathic killer who's been abducting beautiful young women from the malls of Orange County. Dubbed the "Purse Snatcher" for the chilling way he brags about his shockingly distinctive crimes, he is one of T. Jefferson Parker's most original creations.©2000 T. Jefferson Parker (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ingenious, intricate, complicated yet credible, a real page-turner. There are leaks, leads, false leads, and an express train of an ending. Within the crackling tale, a quieter current carries an unforeseen and ill-starred love affair. A man much praised doesn't need more encomiums; T. Jefferson Parker deserves all he gets." ( Los Angeles Times)
"One of Parker's best - and that's a major statement considering his track record." ( Chicago Tribune)

Sometimes you find a prize

Good character blend and unlikely relationships.
Teaching life lessons and learning to give in order to earn respect. I enjoyer the book maybe this isn't the best book on audible but it is better than many I have chosen to listen, both the reader and author turned s good piece of work

Fascinating plot line

Tried this because it was on sale. enjoyed the plot line and construction as well as the characters. The only drawback was the narrator. I found it difficult to pay attention to the voice for any extended length of time. It may have been the tone of voice, the speed of narration, or something else. I'm going to find this and purchase the print version.

Interesting story

Great narrator and mostly believable action. Much better than other 4 star books. Plan on getting the others in the series.

Which highway are you on?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The ending of the first loves

What could T. Jefferson Parker have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

stay on track. This book was all over the place. I didn't not is someone had special powers or just smart. I like the story line for the killer but the others you could tell if you missed a part.

Did Tavia Gilbert do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

YES

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

I was happy this was on sell.

Great story

My first listen to this author. One of the best books I have listened to in a long time. Will read him again!

Outstanding book, exceptional reader

I've read most Parker books, he's generally very, very good with an occasional clunker. This is not one of them. The story starts slow with two characters that are initially unlikeable, but gains momentum throughout. I found myself marveling at the complexity of the police work as the two detectives chase the bad guy.

I've not heard the reader before. I'll say that very good readers - Scott Brick and Dick Hill come to mind - often have me admiring their range of voices or accents. Exceptional readers, though, seem to deliver the book directly to your brain without you even noticing that it's being read - it's seamless, flawless, always in character and compelling. That was Tavia Gilbert.

Overall, the last ten minutes are a bit superfluous and a bit corny, but it was great ride getting there and this is one book I'm sorry had to end.

very bad

Bad storyline. Unlikeable main character. Terrible narrator. Very disappointing. Will not purchase this author again.

Mercy Rayborn is unlikable

There’s just nothing about this character that I like I read the first book and the second book not doing the third. I’m wondering if T Jefferson Parker isn’t good at riding a female narrator.

Author is too verbose

Story line was good but the amount of descriptive writing describing characters and scenes multiple times ruined the plot line. I listened to this on auditable and Often found myself skipping to end of chapters that just seemed to drag on with filler.

Mixed feelings, ending was bad, very bad

Would you try another book from T. Jefferson Parker and/or Tavia Gilbert?

It is very unlikely I would try another Parker book. I seek out Tavia Gilbert. She is why I bought the book and I think it might have been on sale. I wouldn't seek out Parker.

Has The Blue Hour turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Have you listened to any of Tavia Gilbert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to many of her books. She did well with this one. Her Night Huntress books are a work of art. In those she played many characters and you wouldn't know it was one person doing all the voices and languages.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Blue Hour?

The last chapter, it was frustrating, disappointing and just bad.

Any additional comments?

If this is your first Tavia book, try others. She is an amazing performer.