The Echo

By: Minette Walters

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Best-selling author Minette Walters captivates mystery aficionados throughout the world with her evocative, multi-layered novels, which have been translated into 22 languages. In The Echo she spins a finely-wrought web of secrets and betrayals, love and guilt that entangles everyone who touches it. A homeless man has been found dead of starvation—huddled next to a food-filled freezer—in a London socialite’s garage. When journalist Michael Deacon interviews the wealthy woman, he suspects she is hiding something. His search for answers leads him on a perilous journey through unsolved crimes of the past and the shadowy world of London’s down and out. Edgar Award-winner Minette Walters grips her readers’ emotions with her ever-heightening psychological suspense. British actor Simon Prebble’s dramatic performance will keep you enthralled throughout the sinuous plot and the shattering finish.

©1997 Minette Walters (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Cumbersome, dull and not worth the time

Walters is an excellent writer and Simon Prebble is perhaps the best narrator working. However, this is not their best work. I couldn't finish the book, despite hanging in there for most of it. I found the characters lacked motivations, and were continually doing things for very unclear reasons. Much of the book is dialogue meant to move the story forward, but I found it forced and heavy. Nothing was surprising in an interesting way, and I didn't really like anyone in the book. The main character is not particularly interesting, and he is untrue to what we are told is his character multiple times. Try one of her Walter's other books before you slog your way through this one.

Enjoyable read

Minette Walters is perhaps a bit more sophisticated than I am. Not hard to be really. I enjoy her plots and her characters. I generally enjoy her payoff at the end. This had a good story, well-linked, and characters that you could like and even feel for them. I wasn't sure about the payoff in the end.

SPOILER ALERT (kind of):

We get a payoff and then it gets taken back. Maybe others won't agree with me. I like my payoff straight up. This seemed a bit of connivance. Either do it or don't.

Having said this, I will definitely listen to more of her books. I do enjoy them. And they don't make me squirm.

Recommend? Yes.

Wait! What?

A few too many characters from the past intertwined. But all in all, M Walters did a brilliant job telling a great story with suspense. Loved the narrating, outstanding performance.

Not riveting

A well written book, as all of hers are, but somehow the story didn’t grab me. If you want a not too exciting book that won’t keep you up too late, this is it.

Boring,

This book was so boring. I couldn't wait for it to be finished. It may have made a good screenplay but as a book I found it lacking.