The Laughing Listener
March 2020
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Nicola Barber
Length: 11 hours & 58 minutes

Story Rating: 2 Stars
Performance Rating: 4 Stars
Overall Rating: 2 Stars

Buckle in kids, it’s time for unpopular opinion rant review.



I don’t know why I keep trying with this series, obviously it’s just not for me. During the first book I wanted to club Audrey with a baseball bat she annoyed me so much. Plus, I solved the “mystery” within the first couple of chapters. But I really loved Thomas and the world, so I wanted to try and give this sequel a chance. I was hoping there would be an Audrey character arc or something--that she would get a little less nerve-grating, but nope.

The mystery of this book was actually really great! I had no idea what was going on or who the killer was the entire time. And the twist at the end during the big reveal was pretty awesome, I was impressed. Unfortunately it was completely overshadowed by all of the tedious drama between Thomas and Audrey. During the last book Thomas was the only sane character who got me through it, but this time he was in here actin a fool. When Audrey wasn’t overreacting or agonizing about her feelings (which were SO OBVIOUS THE ENTIRE TIME) Thomas was being an idiot and

FAKING HIS OWN DEATH.

Gah! I’m still pissed off about that. Who thinks that’s okay? Who thinks that’s a good idea?!? The back and forth between Audrey and Thomas lasts THE ENTIRE BOOK with practically no progress in their relationship until the last few pages. It felt like the longest book in the world and I was counting down the seconds for it to end. Take out all the unnecessary drama and it would have been half the length and more enjoyable.

This installment brings Thomas’ sister and a few other background characters who I really loved and I couldn’t help but wish the book were about them instead. Like, a book about a Thomas and Daciana sibling mystery-solving duo??? I WOULD READ THAT SHIT. Instead we get 300 pages of Audrey wondering if she really loves Thomas or not when it’s obvious she F*CKING DOES and should probably focus on SOLVING A MURDER CASE.

*Sighs aggressively*

FINAL WORD

I’m going to end this here, I think you get the idea. The story would have been great if it had been about 200 pages shorter with a little less drama for no reason. I officially give up.

#1 ↦ [b:Stalking Jack the Ripper|40727470|Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530823449l/40727470._SY75_.jpg|47434536] ↦ ✦✦✧✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Hunting Prince Dracula|33784373|Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #2)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489420853l/33784373._SX50_.jpg|50890346] ↦ ✦✦✧✧✧
#3 ↦ [b:Escaping from Houdini|30375937|Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #3)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516896737l/30375937._SX50_.jpg|50890360] ↦ Not gonna try
#4 ↦ [b:Capturing the Devil|37539001|Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #4)|Kerri Maniscalco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556550359l/37539001._SX50_.jpg|59140681] ↦ Nope