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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. I loved the sound of the plot, it really seemed like one I’d enjoy. But as I read, I realized the book it’s about 85% repetitive internal dialogue. So if the goal was to frustrate readers and make us feel as if we ARE Quinn, then you win. But I read the same things over and over and over again for 300+ pages. Page 100 and there was absolutely no effort to advance the plot, it was completely stagnant. Then we get a random and unexpected POV change, also around page 100, the Detective Reyes chapters are the only time the story actually moves. Now for the 15% of dialogue we get… it’s either excessive amounts of medical jargon that you almost have to skim through just to not get board. Or, it’s the detective going over the story from the start… AGAIN. This book could’ve been finished in 90 pages or less.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Super fun book. It was serious content but told in a light way. Reminded me of a YA novel by the writing and storytelling. However it was super fun and interesting and I enjoyed the characters a lot.
This stand-alone mystery was a true masterpiece. Driscoll’s ability to write suspenseful and engaging mysteries is a true talent. Echoes of Memory tells a truly beautiful story about overcoming struggles and difficulties, wherein the main character faces memory loss after a tragic and traumatic assault, and soon after is witness to a murder. With her amnesia, and her insecurities surrounding it, she is helped alongside a range of characters to help solve this murder and slowly gain courage and confidence with herself.
I felt truly connected to all of the characters in this book, particularly Quinn, whose story was so beautifully brave and so empowering.
The mystery, the suspense, and the tragedy was written so perfectly, and this book is absolutely deserving of unlimited praise.
I felt truly connected to all of the characters in this book, particularly Quinn, whose story was so beautifully brave and so empowering.
The mystery, the suspense, and the tragedy was written so perfectly, and this book is absolutely deserving of unlimited praise.
Thank you RB Media, Sara Driscoll and Netgalley for the audio arc of Echoes of Memory.
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell
Quinn Flemming, a florist witnesses a murder. The problem is after she was attacked several months before, she suffers from post traumatic memory loss so she can't retain memories. By the time the crime was reported and the police arrive, there is no body and just a few details written on a pad. With the help of her note book, DSI Reyes and a self help group for Brain damage victims. They slowly put together pieces of the puzzle from written details and sketches as Quinn's memories start to flashback.
I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. It is more mystery but it's very intriguing all the same. The plot line gets straight into what Quinn witnessed and the multitude of emotions and feelings that she experiences while trying to help herself and the police. I really enjoyed the dynamics between DSI Reyes and Quinn. Reyes almost dismissing her because of no evidence was found at the scene but takes heed and slowly helps Quinn believe in herself, her ability of drawing which opens her up for her memories to break through. I feel that this book airs of the side of almost cosy mystery but its the thriller elements keeps it psychological.
Loved Cynthia Farrell's voice for this audio. The pacing of her voice, the slightly separate voices for the characters helped keep the intrigue.
4 stars
Narrated by Cynthia Farrell
Quinn Flemming, a florist witnesses a murder. The problem is after she was attacked several months before, she suffers from post traumatic memory loss so she can't retain memories. By the time the crime was reported and the police arrive, there is no body and just a few details written on a pad. With the help of her note book, DSI Reyes and a self help group for Brain damage victims. They slowly put together pieces of the puzzle from written details and sketches as Quinn's memories start to flashback.
I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. It is more mystery but it's very intriguing all the same. The plot line gets straight into what Quinn witnessed and the multitude of emotions and feelings that she experiences while trying to help herself and the police. I really enjoyed the dynamics between DSI Reyes and Quinn. Reyes almost dismissing her because of no evidence was found at the scene but takes heed and slowly helps Quinn believe in herself, her ability of drawing which opens her up for her memories to break through. I feel that this book airs of the side of almost cosy mystery but its the thriller elements keeps it psychological.
Loved Cynthia Farrell's voice for this audio. The pacing of her voice, the slightly separate voices for the characters helped keep the intrigue.
4 stars
Some of the dialogue is a little stiff and corny, but it was an interesting story.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wouldn't really call this book a thriller as there's nothing for the readers to 'uncover' and no suspense element really. There wasn't any sense of anticipation of "what comes next", "which one to trust, and who not to trust". There was a crime, and the case was solved as the book progressed with the help of our protagonist.
But I did enjoy the book, which is why I am giving it 3.5 stars. It might not have been gripping, but it was a pleasant one. The character's internal struggles, fight with herself for self-love and confidence, resilience, and the other characters all made it an overall interesting journey.
I also liked the narration, it's always pleasant to find an audiobook with a narrator with a level voice who knows how to change the tones aptly enough for the different characters to be easily distinguished but not sound too odd or forced while doing it!
But I did enjoy the book, which is why I am giving it 3.5 stars. It might not have been gripping, but it was a pleasant one. The character's internal struggles, fight with herself for self-love and confidence, resilience, and the other characters all made it an overall interesting journey.
I also liked the narration, it's always pleasant to find an audiobook with a narrator with a level voice who knows how to change the tones aptly enough for the different characters to be easily distinguished but not sound too odd or forced while doing it!
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll, aka Jen J Danna
Mystery, thriller.
Several months earlier, San Diego florist Quinn Fleming survived a terrible attack which left her with post-traumatic amnesia. Her short term memory is gone. In order to remember anything from day to day, she keeps a notebook of hand written notes of things she needs to remember, which she then reads on the bus to and from work each day.
One night when closing the store, she witnesses a murder in the alley. She immediately writes down everything she saw in detail including impressions and calls the police. By the time they arrive though, there is no body and no evidence of a crime. When Quinn starts having flashbacks, Detective Reyes matches a body found washed up on a beach to Quinn’s notes and sketches. Quinn innocently starts investigating a logo she thinks she’s remembering from that night, which triggers a threat from the killer. He heard someone in the alley that night. Now he knows who else needs to be eliminated.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook which was performed by Cynthia Farrell. The narration is fantastic with varying voices for the few main characters and impressive emotional scenes from the victim. Much of the book is high tension and terror which is clearly heard and felt while other parts include her therapy sessions where you hear tension, embarrassment and hope from Quinn.
For me, reading print is more visual and immersive while an audiobook is heard and felt. Both work wonderfully for this thriller.
I listened to the audiobook at a speed of 1.5 which more closely matches speech patterns in my area.
I couldn’t imagine having no memory of yesterday or this morning and having to refer to notes, let alone the shock of reading about witnessing a murder, and being in danger because of it. Talk about a wake up call!
A gripping and intense thriller.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher RB Media.
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A woman with memory issues is the sole witness to a murder
Quinn Fleming is doing her best to live a normal life in the aftermath of a brutal attack. She went from being a normal single young woman working in a florist shop in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and going out with friends on the weekend to someone for whom everyday tasks and life are a perpetual struggle. As a result of the beating to which she was subjected several months earlier, not only can she not remember the details of the attack itself, she can no longer retain or recall things that she does each day. With the help of an understanding boss, a support group for people who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injury, and a whole host of coping mechanisms (like post-it notes throughout her apartment telling her where things are and reminding her to do tasks, and a notebook in which she details everything that she does or needs to do), she is able to get through each day. As difficult as that continues to be for her, things are about to get significantly more challenging. While taking out the trash from the shop one night, she notices someone acting oddly at the other end of the alley. She retreats to the shadows, but is afraid to make herself known….which turns out to be a good choice when the man she has been watching is approached and seemingly killed by another man, thrown into a van and taken away. She runs inside and immediately records everything that happened and that she saw, knowing that within an hour or less she will remember nothing, before notifying the authorities. Although the police initially dismiss her report, a detective who remembers the case that resulted in Quinn’s loss of memory believes her. It turns out that Quinn is actually a fantastic witness, but can she survive if the killer knows that a witness exists who can identify him? And what did the victim do that marked him for death?
A standalone mystery from author Sara Driscoll, this story takes an interesting situation and develops an intricate thriller. Quinn is dealing with challenges that boggle the mind, but keeps working with the hope that her memory capacity will improve through repetition and other practices. Having been a victim, she feels compelled to risk humiliation in order to bring justice for the man whose death she witnessed, and closure for his family. A sympathetic police detective and the man who leads her support group are there to help Quinn in this goal. The discovery of who the victim was and what he was doing that signed his death warrant provides an interesting thread. Readers of Iris Johansen, Megan Lally and Thomas Perry should give this a try, as of course should fans of Sara Driscoll’s other books both series and standalones. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me early access to this intriguing read.
Quinn Fleming is doing her best to live a normal life in the aftermath of a brutal attack. She went from being a normal single young woman working in a florist shop in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and going out with friends on the weekend to someone for whom everyday tasks and life are a perpetual struggle. As a result of the beating to which she was subjected several months earlier, not only can she not remember the details of the attack itself, she can no longer retain or recall things that she does each day. With the help of an understanding boss, a support group for people who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injury, and a whole host of coping mechanisms (like post-it notes throughout her apartment telling her where things are and reminding her to do tasks, and a notebook in which she details everything that she does or needs to do), she is able to get through each day. As difficult as that continues to be for her, things are about to get significantly more challenging. While taking out the trash from the shop one night, she notices someone acting oddly at the other end of the alley. She retreats to the shadows, but is afraid to make herself known….which turns out to be a good choice when the man she has been watching is approached and seemingly killed by another man, thrown into a van and taken away. She runs inside and immediately records everything that happened and that she saw, knowing that within an hour or less she will remember nothing, before notifying the authorities. Although the police initially dismiss her report, a detective who remembers the case that resulted in Quinn’s loss of memory believes her. It turns out that Quinn is actually a fantastic witness, but can she survive if the killer knows that a witness exists who can identify him? And what did the victim do that marked him for death?
A standalone mystery from author Sara Driscoll, this story takes an interesting situation and develops an intricate thriller. Quinn is dealing with challenges that boggle the mind, but keeps working with the hope that her memory capacity will improve through repetition and other practices. Having been a victim, she feels compelled to risk humiliation in order to bring justice for the man whose death she witnessed, and closure for his family. A sympathetic police detective and the man who leads her support group are there to help Quinn in this goal. The discovery of who the victim was and what he was doing that signed his death warrant provides an interesting thread. Readers of Iris Johansen, Megan Lally and Thomas Perry should give this a try, as of course should fans of Sara Driscoll’s other books both series and standalones. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me early access to this intriguing read.