The Mystery Next Door

By: Michael Rodney Moore

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Oak Harbor is a 168 year old plantation house in North Carolina that has been shrouded in mysteries since it was built. Millions of dollars have been stolen from the family trust. Murder, suicide, and violent death has stalked each generation that has owned the old estate.
Some long-term residents believe that the house is cursed since it is rumored to have been built over a Tuscarora burial ground. Others believe that the evil goes back to the man who built the house, Dupree Durant. He was rumored to have been a pirate and sadistic slave owner who murdered for his own pleasure.
The greatest mystery associated with the property is the gold rumored to be hidden there!
Down through the years no one has ever been able to unlock the secrets of Oak Harbor. At least until the newest neighbor arrived in the form of a thirteen-year-old girl by the name of Zoey Morganton. She is curious by nature and smart as a whip but can she unravel the mystery next door?

performance was better than story

Too dragged out for my tastes. I enjoyed the narration which helped me finish the book

4 stars

This standalone is told in third person POV in the main parts of this story, first person POV in the other parts of the story and leaves you with a HEA.

The narrator of this story did a great job on bringing this story’s emotions and events to life. There were a few times that I felt it was a little monotone, but overall enjoyable.

I loved that Zoey didn’t let being new to town stop her from making friends. She is definitely wise beyond her thirteen years. She gave off great Nancy Drew vibes. I loved her bravery and ability to solve the mystery. I loved that Rodney befriended Zoey from the beginning and was eager to not only help her, but protect her the best he could for their age.

I also loved that Zoey’s mom, Hannah played the mother role of protecting Zoey, but also allowing her to feed her curiosity and grow to the be her own person. I was happy that she also got a HEA of her own aside from the mystery aspect of the book being solved.

This would be a great book for young readers. While I’m not a big fan of third person POVs, I could understand why it was written the way it was. It was interesting to see the events from the journals that Zoey found play out in first person POV. It was almost like being transported back in time to experience the pirates, slave trading and high seas.

This was an enjoyable read that definitely takes you on an adventure. I received an advanced readers copy via Hidden Gems and Author’s Direct. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

didn't like the ai voice

AI voice was not great. The best part was the southern accent. i wanna check for no a I in the future

The journals of the secret abolitionist

I was quite impressed with the accuracy of the accent for a North Carolinian on Virtual Voice.
That said, it struggled with Latin phrases, homonyms like “tear, wound,” and uncommon names. Still, surprisingly good narration, though without any differentiation of character voices as SAG AFTRA narrators can provide.

Absolutely hated having AI as the narrator.

Could not finish book because of AI…also was very juvenile with a predictable plot and outcome