Between The Lines

 Author: Andrew E Kaufman

 Performed by Luke Daniels

 Released: April 2013 by Brilliance Audio

 Category: Mystery/Thriller

I’ve listened to this twice (second time as a prelude to the follow up) and it lost none of the initial emotion. The total compassion for, and horror at, Patrick’s disturbingly troubled childhood and upbringing by his unimaginably cruel mother or the tension and suspense as the story unfolds.

I like the way the story starts in the present and Patrick’s flashbacks of memory are integrated throughout. I was pulled right back into the drama and couldn’t help but be drawn again to Patrick because of the nightmare he lived through, his emotional wounds and the way he eventually learns to survive, and live with, the hurt. 

After Patrick’s mother’s death he finds clues in her belongings relating to a decades old crime. As he researches and learns more he’s determined to find out the truth of what happened all those years ago which leads him and his friend CJ into acute danger and the hunter becomes the hunted. 

The last chapter brings a lump to the throat as Patrick reads a letter from his real mother and realises he was loved all along but didn’t know it. The excellent writing plus the narration bring out the highly charged emotional content of the story.

Performance

Luke Daniels is one of the best narrators around in my book, no pun intended ;).  His characterisations are excellent and his narrative style just flows so seemingly effortlessly.

Thoughts

My heart broke for the young Patrick and the scary, awful thing is that treatment or similar could and does happen. It’s a really gripping psychological and emotional roller coaster. Amazing writing.