Entertaining. Read 'Dying Breath' First.

The more I read Wendy Corsi Staub, the more I am reminded of Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb. This book is a 'decent' Suspense-Thriller with a ton of relationship exposition, personal anxieties, and tragic life events that turn out to be not what we thought. There isn't as much sex, but her work has the same feel. The Prose/Vocabulary is creditable, the characters are flawed & relatable, the dialogue is realistic, and the plot is admittedly awkwardly-paced but satisfyingly twisty.
Unfortunately, the story in 'Dead Before Dark' is so complex that events & background from the first novel in the series are almost indispensable to truly understand what's going on here.
Bottom Line: Corsi Staub delivers a fairly typical example of the genre but is simultaneously just a bit too ambitious (she should have exercised some restraint).

On the good side, however, the narration is solidly above-average. Emily Sutton-Smith reads with commendable diction, timbre, cadence, and voice-acting. She reads a little too slowly (setting playback speed at 1.10X yields the optimal experience), but her emotive tone fits the text perfectly. Bravo on the casting & support, Blackstone Audio.

Taken altogether, I rate this audiobook 8 stars out of 10. It's best enjoyed if you've read the first book of the 'Psychic Killer' series (this book lacks in standalone merit).. but, regardless, it's definitely a distracting option for a couple of quiet afternoons (especially if - as I did - you can get it as a 'Plus' option).

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I loved it

This story was great, keeps you want to know more every chapter, It was long which was amazing!!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved it!

Wendy Corsi Staub’s writing leaves you wanting more and the Narrator is excellent! Finding the right narrator makes such a difference!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Book 1, Dying Breath, is required reading first

I was pleased that this was a continuation of Book 1 in The Psychic Killer series; that it was Book 2 in The Psychic Killer series. In fact, Book 1, Dying Breath, is required reading prior to Book 2, Dead Before Dark. This novel, Dead Before Dark by Wendy Corsi Staub, was long with many characters, but I still don't think any of them were the killer of Ava Neery in Book 1! We're still left in the dark about the serial killer. Does this mean there will be a Book 3 we'll have to read to get the answers to the questions raised in Books 1 and 2? There were so many questions left unanswered for me again that I'm frustrated. What became of the scrapbook of supposedly suicidal women that disappeared at the beginning of Book 2? Is the new neighbour suspicious as we're led to believe he may be? On the positive side, I enjoyed the relationship building. Emily Sutton-Smith was rather slow and plodding in her narration this time, and for the first time I had to increase the speed of the playback for my better enjoyment.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Too Long

Way too long and not the best story. I wouldn’t recommend at all as there are better even by same author

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Urgh. Super annoying.

There’s not enough excitement and back story is this « series » for it to end like this. The whole thing is kinda blah. After listening to two books with really boring narration, I don’t even care that it’s unfinished and no one has come to a conclusion. I won’t search out the answers, because it’s boring.
The serial killer isn’t dead. The dead sister isn’t finished, the main characters are psychics. Blah blah blah. Go find a book that isn’t a chore to listen too.
I hate that I spent 20 something hours listening to dribble.
If you’re going to have two psychics and a couple serial killers on the loose, I shouldn’t be bored as hell. Mundane and uninspired. Find an author and narrator who can make a might be good story compelling.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!