On one level this story might sound like every other crime thriller with a murder mystery and clues leading to the killer… but then you add in the twist that the sole witness has short term memory loss due to a traumatic event and can’t retain any new memories. It really set this one apart from other crime thrillers!

One of my favorite movies growing up was Fifty First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, so when I “met” Quinn in Echoes of Memory and learned that she suffered a similar problem I couldn’t wait to see how she’d handle everything. It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to read about the things she had to do to live a normal life and added a lot of depth to the story. It also made it easy for me to love Quinn, giving me an attachment to the main character that most thrillers lack.

The story did lull in places and I had to set it down for a while before I could pick it back up to finish, but I loved how all the pieces came together in the end. If you’re looking for a crime thriller with an interesting memory loss subplot I definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to RBMedia for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was an average thriller. I felt it had an opportunity to really set itself apart that unfortunately fell flat. Quinn has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from being assaulted outside of a nightclub. She still struggles with her short-term memory when she witnesses a murder... but who would believe an unreliable witness? What unravels next is fairly predictable and not exactly page-turning. I did appreciate the TBI awareness and the fact that Quinn's TBI wasn't harmfully exploited just for the sake of a good story. However, I do wish the story were more exciting.

I find thrillers involving amnesia especially suspenseful and tension-filled and Echoes of Memory was that. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic, The story was fast-paced and fun. I had never read a novel by Sara Driscoll before, but Echoes of Memory was a great one to start with. I hope this book takes off for the author as it is as good as most mass-marketed thrillers are. I love supporting lesser known talent!

Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll and narrated by Cynthia Farrell wasn't quite for me but that is not to say it is not extremely well written and read. I just didn't quite gel with it as I hoped I would and I think this is more down to my idiosyncracies and taste than anything below par. I would still recommend to at least give this a listen

Thank you to NetGalley, RBmedia | Recorded Books, Sara Driscoll and narrator Cynthia Farrell for this ALC . My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Quinn Fleming was randomly attacked and forever changed by her experience. Without an ability to retain and form new memories, Quinn has to rely on her notebook to be her record keeper. One evening, just steps from the flower shop in which she works, Quinn witnesses a murder. When the police arrive, the body has disappeared and the law enforcement professionals are dubious about Quinn's claims. When the flashbacks of that night convince Quinn that the truth is hidden in her subconscious, will an unexpected ally in the police department help her to find out the truth before it is too late?

I had requested an audio version of this novel through NetGalley, as I am a fan of mystery thrillers. Narrated by Cynthia Farrell, Echoes of Memory is engaging and well paced. Cynthia's voice helps Quinn to come alive and her story a reality. I would definitely request other novels with this narrator, just by the strength of her performance.

That being said, I had some issues with this novel. Though it is a standalone, the beginning made me feel like I was missing a big piece of the puzzle. I did not necessarily like Quinn and I did not feel sympathy for her though I should have considering the circumstances. The story felt more like an outline, plotted from point to point, instead of flowing naturally. I have read other books by this author, but felt that Echoes of Memory was not as successful.

My review is my own and I was not paid to write these words.

After surviving a terrible attack, Quinn Fleming has lost her ability to retain new memories. She has to rely on a notebook she carries with her at all times. So when she witnesses a murder in the shadowy alley behind the florist shop, Quinn immediately writes down every terrifying detail of the incident before her amnesia wipes it away. By the time the police arrive, there’s no body, no crime scene, and no clues. But somebody else has realized Quinn is a threat that needs to be eliminated. Now, with her life on the line and only her notes to guide her, Quinn sets out to find a killer she doesn’t remember, but can’t forget . . .

I was expecting this to be a popcorn thriller, but it turned out to be more of a crime fiction. I wasn’t disappointed, though. In fact, I found this to be truly riveting. I loved seeing the various tricks Quinn employed to remind herself of important details that she knew she wouldn’t remember the next day.

The plot was gripping, and I didn’t guess the whoddunit right till the reveal. Quinn’s self explorations, including the way she had to discover herself again every day was so interesting to follow. This book would make a great movie, if adapted well. The audiobook narration was great, with on-point pacing and tone. I’d recommend this to all crime fiction fans!

The audiobook offers a thrilling, fast-paced listen with engaging narration that brings the suspense to life. The plot is well-crafted with plenty of twists, keeping listeners hooked as the mystery unfolds. While some elements feel a bit familiar, the strong pacing and compelling characters make it an enjoyable experience.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Hera is an exhilarating dive into mythology, intrigue, and power dynamics. From the very first page, I was hooked by the complexity of Hera, a character often relegated to the sidelines in other retellings. This book offers her a much-deserved spotlight, revealing the layers of her personality—her strength, vulnerabilities, and deeply-rooted sense of justice.

The world-building is lush, with vivid descriptions that pull you into the grandeur of Olympus and its tumultuous politics. The pacing is tight, and the stakes are ever-present, which kept me turning the pages late into the night. The relationships between characters are fraught with tension, manipulation, and passion, making for compelling interactions throughout.

Where this book truly shines is in its portrayal of Hera’s growth. Watching her navigate her complicated marriage, her sense of duty, and her desire for autonomy is both heart-wrenching and empowering. The feminist undertones add a modern twist to the story, giving depth to Hera's struggle for respect in a male-dominated pantheon.

While I adored most of the book, I felt that a few side characters could have been explored more deeply. Their motivations sometimes felt surface-level, especially when contrasted with the intricacies of Hera herself. Nonetheless, these are minor criticisms in an otherwise superb tale.

Overall, Hera is a must-read for fans of mythological retellings, offering a fresh perspective on one of history’s most misunderstood goddesses. It’s a story of power, love, and the cost of ambition, and it will stay with you long after the final page.

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yes perfect
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and this book : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200488144-echoes-of-memory - completely original review please
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Here’s an original review for Echoes of Memory:

Rating: 4/5 stars

Echoes of Memory is a captivating exploration of time, loss, and the power of remembrance. From the moment I began reading, the lyrical prose transported me into a world where past and present blur, creating a hauntingly beautiful narrative that lingers long after the final page.

What truly stood out to me was the atmosphere the author created—rich, almost dreamlike, with an undercurrent of melancholy that pulses through every chapter. The main character's journey through memories, both their own and others', felt deeply personal yet universal, a reflection on how we carry our histories with us.

The plot unfolds with a slow, deliberate pace, allowing readers to sink into the emotional weight of each moment. While this worked wonderfully in building tension and depth, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit too languid, and I found myself wishing for a stronger drive forward in the story. However, the emotional payoff in the later chapters made the slower moments worthwhile.

The author’s ability to weave together the themes of memory and identity was particularly striking. The characters are shaped by their pasts, yet the book also explores how memories can distort, fade, or even imprison us. This balance between nostalgia and the pain of remembering gave the book a poignant, almost bittersweet tone.

While Echoes of Memory might not be for those seeking a fast-paced read, it’s perfect for anyone looking to reflect on the fragility of time and how memories define who we are. It’s a poetic, contemplative story that resonates deeply and leaves you thinking long after the last page is turned.

Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll – 4 stars

Echoes of Memory delivers a captivating mystery centered around Quinn Fleming, a San Diego florist with post-traumatic amnesia. After surviving a brutal attack, Quinn relies on her notebook to capture fleeting memories before they fade. When she witnesses a murder and records the details, she’s thrown into a tense investigation—despite no one believing her due to the lack of evidence and her memory loss.

Quinn’s struggle with amnesia adds an intense layer to the mystery. The concept of her forgetting everything within hours creates a constant urgency, and her resourcefulness makes her a strong protagonist. While the medical explanations sometimes slowed the pace, they added depth to her character. The partnership with Detective Reyes and the vivid San Diego setting added to the intrigue.

Overall, a gripping and emotional read that kept me engaged, despite a few slower moments. Driscoll’s unique premise and well-developed mystery make this a standout thriller.

Quinn Fleming has survived a horrific attack that almost left her dead. She is unable to retain new memories because of her head injury. While at work one evening, she witnesses as possible murder. Quinn has adjusted to her new lot in life by using Post-Its and notebooks for anything short-term memory so she doesn't forget. She typically doesn't remember faces either. This really made me remember a great movie called Memento in the 90s. The book is a fun ride and you can't stop listening in order to find out if they will finally solve the crime. What the truth is will shock you.

The memory loss after a trauma is a common trope in mystery and thriller books, but this gave it enough of a twist to keep it interesting. Having the main character dealing with two very different traumatic events while struggling with her memories made the story more compelling.

Sometimes the dialogue moved along fairly slowly, but it still kept my interest throughout. I'd be very interested in reading more books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of the audiobook.

Imagine not being able to remember anything after witnessing a traumatic experience. Some say that would be good, but when bits and pieces keep replaying in your head, you just want to know. Well put together, keep me engaged, and I would recommend.

This is a gripping tale of suspense that pairs an intricate, intense plot with compelling insights into the psychology of memory. The story revolves around Quinn Fleming, the sole witness to a San Diego murder, who grapples with short-term memory loss due to a brain injury. Driscoll deftly weaves in the complexities of traumatic brain injury (TBI) throughout the narrative, providing readers with a thought-provoking exploration of memory challenges. While the book excels in its portrayal of memory loss, some readers may find the dialogue between characters unbelievable.

Audiobook review - the story was well narrated and offered enough variation in tone to create an atmosphere. The narrator gave a thorough and absorbing read, and made me feel involved. A difficult topic that was carefully handled and read by Cynthia Farrell - thank you
The tale is an intriguing and complex story demonstrating the fear and horror of lost memories. The scary depiction of lost reflections and then mechanisms that can be used to offer a bright light to a dark tunnel. Absorbing, Entertaining, Chilling, Disturbing

2.5 stars. The premise of this intrigued me and I was interested to see how the storyline was executed. Unfortunately, I am an outlier here, but I felt like the way the story was told, it was drawn out and quite repetitive. This wasn't a bad read, just slow and boring at times. The mystery was interesting. The narrator did well with telling the story.

Quinn Fleming is an unusual protagonist, because her short-term memory has been severely damaged after an assault. When she witnesses a murder in the dark alley behind the flower shop where she works, she does what she has become accustomed to doing: writing down everything that happened immediately after, and then forgetting it by the next day. The police who come to investigate are quite unsatisfied by her story, the way that she has to tell them what happened by reading her notes, and the fact that there is no body and little evidence of the crime. I really loved the fragile character of Quinn, learning about her amnesia and how she functions, and how the story moves forward after she connects with Detective Reyes. How the murder is solved is a complex and twisty tale. The narrator, Cynthia Farrell, beautifully voices the audiobook. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review of this fantastic book.

This was such an interesting premise and such a unique read. This was a very original read and I really enjoyed the fast paced ride this took me on. I'm so glad that Quinn was able to help solve a case and gain some closure. I am heartbroken for the friend she lost since Driscoll made her feel so isolated and alone. And that level of foreboding was present throughout the book- so much so, that I didn't even trust Quinn's therapist. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator as well!

It is a compelling and well-crafted novel that captivates with its rich narrative and engaging characters. Driscoll’s skillful storytelling and intricate plotting keep the reader invested throughout. However, the story's predictability in certain aspects slightly diminishes its impact. Despite this, the novel's emotional depth and strong character development make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Overall, it's a solid 4/5 stars for its well-executed premise and engaging delivery.

Thank you RBmedia for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll released on July 23rd, 2024.

Echoes of Memory had a VERY interesting premise. I'm always a sucker for memory issues, especially in mystery/thriller books but it just didn't stand out. The audiobook was great, the story was great, but it was all...very forgettable, no pun intended. It was a good book to have on in the background.

Echoes of Memory was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading by author, Sara Driscoll. It can best be described as a stand-alone gripping mystery thriller. I listened to the audiobook that was very well narrated by Cynthia Farrell. She really brought this well plotted, fast paced book alive. It was so easy to visual the scenes and the characters as she expertly narrated Echoes of Memory. It took place in San Diego, California in the Gaslamp District.

Quinn Fleming had been a victim of a vicious attack that had left her with a post-traumatic brain injury. The brain injury interfered with Quinn’s ability to remember details and pertinent information. To compensate for this loss, Quinn had started using a journal to record anything that had occurred during the course of her day and simple directions, routines, appointments and placement of things she needed on daily basis. Since Quinn relied heavily on her journal, she always kept it close by to her.

After Quinn recovered enough physically and emotionally, she returned to her job as an assistant in a flower shop. Since her injury, it took Quinn a little longer to complete the tasks that she was expected to complete. There were some nights that she stayed a little later to finish her tasks. On one of those evenings, Quinn had just finished everything she had to complete for the following day, when she decided to take the trash out rather than leave it for boss. The container for the trash was located in the alley behind the flower shop. As Quinn tossed the trash in the receptacle she sensed that she was not alone. She saw a shadow of a man hovering on the opposite side of the ally. He appeared to be hiding. Suddenly, more shadows appeared and the man disappeared. What had she witnessed? Had the man who had been hiding in the alley been the victim of foul play? Quinn knew that she had to write down everything that she had witnessed before those memories were gone forever. After Quinn recorded everything that she witnessed, she called the police. To Quinn’s frustration, the police officers didn’t believe Quinn’s account of what she had witnessed. There was no body, no trace of a fight and Quinn could not recount the events that just occurred without reading it from her journal. When the report passed Detective Nura Reyes desk, though, the detective remembered Quinn’s harrowing attack and the post- traumatic brain injury she suffered as a result. To Quinn’s frustration, she was unable to convince the police officers to what she had witnessed but was rewarded with Detective Reyes’s complete belief in the things Quinn had seen. Memories of that night started to come back to Quinn through dreams she had. Quinn was a gifted artist. She was able to sketch what she remembered from her dreams. Would Detective Reyes and Quinn be able to piece together the fragments of Quinn’s memories to solve the murder mystery? Would Quinn’s involvement put her in danger? Will Detective Reyes be able to keep her safe?

Sara Driscoll created believable characters who were interesting, flawed and quite compelling. There were lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The ending was very satisfying and tied up all the loose ends. Quinn’s challenges were many but she almost never felt sorry for herself for long. She accepted what had happened to her and was making baby steps in her recovery. Mental illness played a major role in this riveting book. I really admired Quinn’s character and how she handled her recovery, made the connections and friendships she did and used her talents to help solve the mystery. Echoes of Memory was well written and very much worth reading. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Echoes of Memory by Sara Driscoll through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.