Source: Audiobook Review, Provided by Simon & SchusterFormat: Audiobook
Speak of the Devil by Allison Leotta
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
Date Read: 2014
Genre: Legal Thriller, Thriller
More Information:SPEAK OF THE DEVIL—AND HE WILL APPEAR
On the very night she gets engaged to the man she loves, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis’s professional life takes a shocking turn that threatens everything she holds dear.
While Anna is enjoying a romantic dinner capped off by a marriage proposal, a few miles away two separate groups are gearing up to raid a brothel. A vicious killer known as Diablo—the Devil—leads one group. A few minutes later, Anna’s own investigative team heads in to search the brothel, as part of the fight against human trafficking in D.C. Both groups are caught off guard, with deadly results.
As Anna investigates the bloody face-off, the boundaries between her work and home life begin to blur. Though eager to focus on her new fiancé, the chief homicide prosecutor Jack Bailey, and her soon-to-be stepdaughter, Olivia, this case and the search for Diablo are never far from her mind.
When Anna discovers a web of long-buried secrets and official lies leading straight to her doorstep, the truth about this case threatens to rob her of the happiness she seemed so close to securing. And everything Anna counted on becomes a question mark as Diablo moves in for yet another kill.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon and Schuster
Series: Anna Curtis #3
Listened for Review (Simon & Schuster Audio)
Tracking Books Read Review (Short)
Overall Rating: 3.00
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 2.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Speak of the Devil had a super strong case but it was weighed down by overly dramatic relationship things.
Overall Thoughts: I am going to admit that I am not a fan of super messy relationship drama in my thrillers unless it is the reason that certain things are happening. In this case, the drama was distracting for me. The twist should have either happened earlier or better yet the beginning shouldn’t have happened. The case was very good, the extra layer of angst was not needed. I did enjoy the tracking down of clues, information, and the court drama. I thought all of that was done really well. I will read more in this series because overall I did enjoy Allison’s writing voice.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Tavia Gilbert / Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
Tavia nailed it! I loved the narration for Speak of the Devil. I think it helped me stick with the story (glad I did). She was great as Anna!
Final Thoughts: Despite the relationship issues, I really enjoyed this book. I will be getting the next one in the series.
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Felicia S
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Ah, the power of a great narrator to get us through a not so great book! I really love a good thriller- they’re my go to read when I’m feeling blah or just need something to perk my reading up, but I think I can skip this one. I tend to stick with Gerritsen and Gardner, although I’m thinking of reading more Karin Slaughter books.
It’s sad when even a great narrator can’t rescue the story. It’s a shame because the blurb on this book sounds very interesting.
Thanks Felicia 🙂
I was just so disappointed that there was so much emphasis on the drama. It did sort of weave into the story but it just wasn’t needed.
That is why I don’t complain of a lack of romance in the thriller type books. It often does get in the way. :p Not sure if this one is for me, but I know you have given me enough thriller recs to get through first anyway. 😀
Right? Though it is now becoming the standard and one I don’t really approve of LOL
I have been running into this a lot lately where the case/mystery is strong and the characters make me cray-cray..LOL
It is driving me insane. I get that there are a lot of cross over readers but come on, we pick up a thriller/mystery for the stabby! I would prefer there to be little to no relationship drama in them 🙂
I do not think this one is for me :/
No this one would not work for you.
I hear ya! I am not fan of relationships that are overly dramatic and full of angst as a whole. Who needs extra drama in their life, right?
Not me! Plus in a legal thriller I prefer it to be mostly about the case. *sigh*
Nope, not for me. Thanks for the review.
This most definitely would not be for you.
I don’t think this one is for me. Great review.
There are better legal thrillers out there though I did like the author’s voice 🙂
I feel like I could probably due without that extra layer of angst in this one as well Felicia. I have little patience for angst lately. Emotion yes, unnecessary drama, no. The mystery/thriller element sounds like it was well executed though, so that’s at least a good thing!
I have had zero patience for it which might have worked against this book. I read another one too that I was like “NO MORE ANGST”. I used to could avoid it by picking up thrillers but now they seem to be a bit too cross overish.
No! Down with too much relationship drama in thriller/mystery/suspense novels. There can be romance but it should support the main story versus overwhelming it.
THIS! In fact, in doubt leave the romance out all together. I get it, the characters have a private life that might interfere with the case but I would prefer it to be 80% about the case.
I love Tavia (Tee hee it – feels good to recognise a narrator or tow)! This book sounds like it has great potential , but I am also not a fan of complicated relationship drama. I might check it out 🙂 Thank you for a great review Felicia 🙂
WOOT! Did you recognize Tavia from Jeanine Frost’s series? She is rather excellent all around 🙂
Yes I Did! I just got the second audio book and am super excited. Out of the 3 narrators I have listened to she is the best 🙂