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Member Reviews
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Thank you NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review
I enjoyed this. A book filled with crimes , to ask what you may think of some of them. Did some of them do what they were accused of? However because there’s so many crimes in here I feel like not enough time is put into each crime. I watch a few YouTubers who do true crime and they can really make me so emotional with what happened in the case. Absolutely heartbroken as if they were related to me or a friend. And I feel like it felt just a bit wrong listening to this and only thinking about the crime. Not the victim and the people who knew the victim and the pain it created from them. So I do prefer those videos than this book. However for what it is and how many crimes it’s going through it’s good.
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3.5 stars. I really like true crime books and this one had short vignettes about familicide. Some stories were really interesting while others were more disturbing. Definitely not a read for the faint of heart. The one thing I really wish this book did differently: sort the crimes, either chronologically or by type of familicide (who's doing the killing).
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This was a very informative and interesting audiobook, but also pretty gruesome in the details of the crimes. Some of the cases I’d already had some knowledge about, but there were many of them that I had never heard of before. It’s hard to believe someone could be so callous and evil, especially in situations where the victims were their own family members! The fact that some of these mass murderers have never been caught, shows just how devious and diabolical they were in planning and carrying out their violent crimes. I thought the narrator, Perry Daniels, did an excellent job and he was the perfect choice for this audiobook. Thank you to #HighBridgeAudio and #Netgalley for allowing me to preview this very entertaining book by #RichardEstep.
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I love a good true crime story in this audiobook by Richard Estep and narrated by Perry Daniels delivers 34 violent criminal acts, focussed around families, friends, and neighbors. Each story is fully investigated and delivered in a nice compact way.
The audiobook was incredibly easy to listen to and The narrator was a good fit for this book.
I personally enjoyed listening to this, even though some of the stories I wish there was more information where dug deeper, but in general, this was a good one you could easily pick up listen to a case or two and put down.
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This was a really interesting collection of true crime stories ranging from the very famous to the very obscure. I really enjoyed all of the information on the different cases. I'd definitely recommend it for those who are interested in true crime. It'll definitely make you want to take a deeper look at some of the cases.
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A fairly standard true crime audiobook. Goes over the basics of quite a few cases, many well known and some I had never heard of. The author makes sure to just share the facts, not give his own opinions.
The narrator was fine, but seemed bored with the material, maybe they didn't connect with it well?
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Richard Estep, and Highbridge audio for my copy of this audiobook.
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This was a quick read (or listen!) that talked about many cases and gave a good overview. It was interesting and enjoyable.
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I have always loved true crime stories, and this one hit the nail on what I like listening to. I didn't realize after listening to the one about Lizzie Borden that there are some significant discrepancies between what is accurate and not actual. But I loved it. Many of the stories made me want to listen more, and I'm glad I could listen to them while working. I highly recommend this audiobook as it was a good thing to listen to and hear some true crime stories that I already knew about and some that I didn't know about.
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If you are a true crime buff, this audiobook is for you. The narrator, Perry Daniels shares horrific crimes both past and present. I was familiar with many of the stories and the narration added a chilling element. It was disturbing and intriguing getting a glimpse into the lives and motivations of these horrendous murderous individuals. Thank you, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this unsettling, and compelling audiobook.
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This was a quick and fun read for any true crime fan, though it does tread on pretty familiar territory. A lot of the cases are well-known, though it does touch on some lesser-known ones. I found it to be well written and researched, and the audiobook was well-narrated and easy to listen to.
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True crime that proves we are more likely to be killed by loved ones than strangers. A very long list of family annillaters, mothers who kill their children, and betrayal by lovers and friends. Such cheery stories.
All were interesting, though none I hadn't heard about before from John List to the Menendez brothers.
I listened to the audio book for this, and I found the narrator to be a little on the dull side. With such disturbing content as this, I was surprised by the monotone of his delivery.
Thanks to @netgalley and High Bridge Audio for the opportunity to listen to this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
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This was interesting, and the narrator was great, however I didn’t realize a lot of the stories would be very dated. I still did enjoy this book and I’d love to read another by the author (and narrator!) with more updates, recent cases.
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Tips for avoiding being the victim of familicide, as learned from Family, Friends and Neighbors: Stories of Murder and Betrayal:
(1) use birth control;
(2) be financially independent;
(3) avoid people with strong religious beliefs; and
(4) avoid people who have been bullied or otherwise experienced traumatizing treatment.
This list could also serve as a broad summary of the kinds of families you'll meet in Family, Friends and Neighbors: Stories of Murder and Betrayal. You will meet many, by the way. For a relatively short book there is a lot of tragedy packed in. I listened to the audiobook, and Perry Daniels's voice suited the subject matter perfectly. Family, Friends and Neighbors: Stories of Murder and Betrayal is more of an encyclopedia. Anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into any of these stories should do so, as several are still ongoing. Richard Estep is careful to point out the status of these cases as of the time of writing. Speaking of, the only case that I found to be a bit outdated was that of Gypsy Rose Blanchard (I emphasize the "I" because I kind of live under a rock, spend too much time listening to audiobooks, LOL).
In sum, Family, Friends and Neighbors: Stories of Murder and Betrayal is a concise introduction to a number of cases. Perry Daniels is a fine narrator, and well-cast for this project. I would like to thank HighBridge Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.
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Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the Audio ARC!
The premise of this book is unfortunately far too simple, common, and believable: we often hurt those we love. And when it comes to cases of murder and other violent crimes, this is all too true. The author explores many well-known and some not-so-known cases where the perpetrators and victims of crimes are connected by blood or other close relationships. A very interesting read.
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As the first story started I thought, oh yeah, I don't really like short stories because I'm definitely a detail-oriented person. I didn't realize initially that this was going to be a book of multiple accounts of true crimes with "just the facts, ma'am." However, as the skilled narrator kept going, I was actually getting into it and realized that the short snippets were thorough enough that I felt as if I really did get all the pertinent information. There were a few I was unfamiliar with that I've already googled and watched some news specials about to further satiate my curiosity.
Overall I think this is a well-researched and satisfying collection of cases told succinctly and narrated well. I definitely recommend it for all true crime fans or even those just wanting to learn more about some infamous and some not as well-known sensational murders.
Thanks to NetGalley and Visible Ink Press for this ARL. All opinions are mine.
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Think you can trust those around you? You might want to reconsider your answer. In this book, Richard Estep takes us on a journey into murder, disappearances, and intrigue.
There were some cases that I was familiar with here, as we have heard about them through books, movies, and more. However, there were many that I had not heard of before, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Get ready for some gasps, chills, and downright horror at what those around you are capable of. You might be sleeping with one eye opened after this!
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I really did enjoy this audiobook and I followed along with the ebook. That really made my enjoyment a lot better.
Thank you Netgalley
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This definitely unlocked a new fear. I Def got goosebumps and I can't for the life of me imagine what it would be like to be in those situations. Shudder much!!!! The Audio narration is fantastic and set the right tone and vibe. Highly recommend for fans of true crime.
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This was a great collection of True Crime stories, surrounding crimes that have been committed by a family member, friend or neighbour.
There were a fair few stories in this that I had heard of, via documentaries I’ve watched in streaming services - like that of the Gypsy Rose and the Murdaugh Murders, but this book is packed full and there were still many I had never heard of, like the women who killed her baby and husband via poisoning for monetary gain and the axe mother murderer.
Each story was bite size and easy to digest, with enough description to leaving you in shock or feeling uneasy and if there was one that piques your interest, well you can definitely go and do more a deep dive into the story.
If you’re a lover of true crime - then you don’t want to miss picking this up and it was really great in Audio too.
Thanks @highbridgeaudio @netgalley and Richard Estep for this Audio Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.
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For any true crime fan, this is a must read! There are many cases named from decades ago to current time. Some of them I had never heard of. Familicide is a fascinating concept and one that will never truly be understood. It's heartbreaking that someone could cold-bloodedly murder their own flesh and blood or spouse.