Chopping Spree: 07/26/17

In 2013 I read and reviewed Chopping Spree noting that it was the only volume not narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. I was reading the series as audios. As I wasn't able to find any evidence that it would ever be redone by Rosenblat, I opted for a print version, and found it disappointing.

Recently I rediscovered my review as I was working on creating larger feature images for the blog redesign. Curious, I decided to see if there was a Rosenblat version now. The answer is yes. In fact, if I had waited until 2014, I could have experienced the audio then.

So while I don't typically re-review books when I re-read them, I feel this one is warranted to compare apples and apples.

My complaints about the book involved how many times Goldy is knocked unconscious, how much espresso she drinks, the plausibility of a giant mall being built in rural mountain town, and Arch's ruder than usual behavior. Those problems are still in the audiobook — it's unabridged. But Rosenblat so thoroughly embodies Davidson's characters, especially Goldy whose first person narration drives the plot, that these problems fade into the background through sheer force of character.

Listening to Rosenblat's performance was so pleasurable that it rekindled my love of the audiobook. Since listening to Chopping Spree I've been pounding through the Book Town Mystery series by Lorna Barrett. These books are performed by Cassandra Campbell but they share the same features of the Goldy Bear series: a cozy hook (here it's a mystery book seller in a small Maine town), a small cast of regular characters, and a narrator who can bring all the characters to life.

Four stars

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Wednesday, August 02, 2017 at 11:50:28

herding cats

It's interesting to see how an audio and print can compare. I've wondered on some I've listened to if I'd like them in print or not. And had one where I really had fun with the print then listened to it a couple years later on audio and HATED it. It's crazy how that can happen. Glad to see this one was for the better.

Comment #2: Wednesday, August 02, 2017 at 16:44:00

Pussreboots

I expected to like the audio version more because Barbara Rosenblat is one of my all time favorite narrators.