Hard to finish

It’s ok written, a few too many “stomach lurches” for my liking. I enjoyed the bits about bats and ecology (why is this book titled about crows…? Colony of bats doesn’t make a good title I guess). But ended up skipping chunks when of main characters going on and on and repeating lines about feeling and angst. Really could have done with some heavier editing. The narrator is generally good, but I had to put her on speed x1.2 at bits as she was too slow and annoying bits.

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It grew on me.

Thought I had made a mistake when the subject of the case had crows as a surname. Felt a bit cheesy ! But it grew on me. I loved the clincher that made the case. Clever and educational !

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Hooked

I tried this on a whim, not sure what to listen to. I'm not usually into murder mysteries, but thought I'd chance this. I was hooked. I think as well that the way it was read was enhancing, the voice actor was so talented I almost thought she'd switched person. Hooked on the series now, about to start book 2.

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Wow unexpected!!

I was unsure about listening to this book but am so glad I did. The story and characters were so well written as was the story line!! I would highly recommend giving it a go as I’ve just bought the next one in the series.

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4 people found this helpful

Annoyance with a character shows they're well written.

I don't always like books where the main character is rich, it removes too many obstacles and can lead to ridiculous things happening. I also don't often carry on with the series when I think a continuing secondary character is an idiot. Exasperation is okay in small doses but when it's overused to extend interest, I lose interest. I don't need a romantic side thing either, not having or feeling in need of one myself, so a continuing "will they, won't they" is wasted on me, but I appreciate others enjoy that.
That saying, I really enjoyed the scientific stuff, that was fascinating. The writing was good and so was the narration.
I've bought the next one and we'll see if my intolerance of the rich and annoyance with Adam (I'm too far in to learn new names, he's Adam now) allow me to get though that. The lure of possible birds of prey is too much not to listen.

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Great first book from Sarah

The storyline was strong and coupled with the accurate natural history snippets this made rivetting listening. I'm looking forward to more encounters with Nell.

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2 people found this helpful

Longwinded

I started off really interested and invested in the story and the characters.
Sadly it then went on and on and on 🫤
I found some of the police procedures irritating and uncomfortable…….
Decided to skip to end …..wasn’t impressed then either .
Could have been such a great book if it hadn’t gone on so long .

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4 people found this helpful

A well rounded book with a little bit of everything

What a great book! The first thing I did, even before doing this review, was to go and buy his book 2 and make sure it was downloading! I’ve been lucky it’s been a lovely sunny weekend at the end of a weeks holiday and I have been able to sit and listen to this book over the last few days while I sunbathe or potter around the garden. TV has remains off so that I can listen to the book!

What I’ve liked in particular is that I’ve learnt quite a lot of new things about ecology that I really would not have learnt in any other way. I’ve enjoyed the murder mystery side of the book, but I’ve equally enjoyed the story around it. … Understanding what ecologist does and the depth of research that is involved without feeling that I’ve been taught lesson! I like the characters and the various locations - it helps that I live on the South Downs and that I enjoy walks in ancient woodlands!

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Not to everyone’s liking, possibly.

If you’re squeamish, sensitive or dislike graphic death descriptions (or bat feeding details), you may wish to skim through the first 2 chapters of this book.

However it’s not your usual crime solving novel. It has an unusual approach. Fortunately, it’s not a traditional cozy mystery approach where the civilian , untrained female lead stumbles on a rushes murder and then rushes around contaminating the scene, ignoring the police and then single handedly solves the case, through luck, happenstance and good looks! No. This has police procedure, solicitors, barristers, court cases and sensible police officers.

It’s not Grisham or Connelly, neither is it Christie or Osman. It’s slow, not necessarily character driven, and not necessarily engrossing. I didn’t find it pacy or driven. That may have been due to the very dry (& limited) way that it was narrated (at first I had to speed up the narration, then I had to revert to default, once she found her pace. Also she did not seamlessly switch characters voices), but although it didn’t help, I don’t think that the tale lent itself to excitement or intrigue, despite the red herrings.

The stage is set for the next tale, which I will listen to before making a decision on this series…

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15 people found this helpful

Thoroughly enjoyable read

I really enjoyed this story, cared quickly for the characters and the ecology side close to my heart without going overboard. The narrators voices were really excellent. Looking forward to more in the series.

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1 person found this helpful