Pause

By: O. W. Láav

Narrated by: Michael Bauer

There’s really only one thing you need to know – I’m innocent.

Yes, I’m struggling to get over some stuff. I mean, my whole family did just tragically die in a terrible car crash. And then my girlfriend and I broke up. It was mutual, trust me. And yes, immediately after our breakup, she mysteriously vanished. Disappeared.

Oh, and I do have this secret superpower that allows me to pause time.

So, I guess the decision I have to make is – do I use my powers to help my ex’s sister and the local police in the missing persons investigation… or do I just try to move on with my life?

Look, I know I’m writing this from a police station holding cell, but you have to believe me – I am innocent.

I did not murder Kimberly Kim.

©2024 O. W. Láav (P)2024 O. W. Láav

Great story, great narration

Very engaging narration. Ending might not be what you expect, but in a good way. Highly recommended!

Not what you’d expect but good

This is less a story about a murder mystery or a story about someone with an ability, and more of a character exhibition.

So less of a “who done it” and more of a “what makes this guy tick”. It kind of rambles, and the entire internal dialogue and self examination (which makes up 98% of the story) gets side tracked down little rabbit holes from time to time, but it all ties in together in who the protagonist really is.

Near the end you get a little worried that you’ll be left hanging with no answers, rest easy… at the last chapter everything gets wrapped up neatly and you’re left… well I don’t want to spoil it. It gets very interesting, and there is even a moment that you doubt everything you’re led to believe… it makes you fear your emotional investment in the story is misplaced, but it is handled well and in an interesting way. There still plenty of mystery, and we are left to understand how easily the authorities can be led to their conclusions. Kind of scary that.

There is some twists and turns that are not entirely predictable though, and it helps keep your investment in the story continue until the very end. (Don’t skip ahead! It’s worth it!) it doesn’t end bleakly like the Depresso Trilogy, so rest easy there. I am looking forward to more works from this Author.

The narrator is excellent in this reading by the way. Clearly spoken, and it is easy to tell the characters apart. I listened at 1.2x speed.

A winter story for lonely people

I was getting excited around chapter 11. I didn’t see the twist and many other twists after that. If you an INFP, you will find this story very relatable.
Kim Kim could’ve been trapped in a cyber scam network in Cambodia. Just saying.

Vibey, personal

A book that feels like talking to a friend - it’s not really about the plot, but about how someone sees the world and coping with trauma. I especially liked the themes around control (or lack thereof). I would have liked if the author had skipped a few lines at the end that felt too optimistic / like self help. Trigger warning for miscarriage.

Narration was ok, some of the women’s voices were a little whiny and the accents not believable (eg why is there someone with a stereotypical Brooklyn accent in a Toronto police station?).

Not your typical crime mystery

As a big fan of crime novels, I found this audiobook to be highly engaging, even though it is not the usual whodunnit that I typically gravitate to. The author builds suspense by writing the story from the POV of a person of interest rather than the investigator, making the reader constantly second-guess his motive and culpability - especially with the clever addition of a superpower that is disturbingly perfect for crime. I also like the plot twist at the end.