Bits & Pieces

by Dawn Hosmer

[kimbacaffeinate]

So Let’s Tackle The Narration First..
Diane Box-Worman captured Tessa’s emotions from manic moments, new experiences, to her cold-blooded fear. I appreciated that her voice was that of an adult female, and not someone trying to sound like an adult female. All of her female voices were unique. Sometimes Tessa’s voice became shrill and almost sounded like her brother, who so help me sounded like Gilbert Gottfried. It was awful. Thankfully, most of the POV is that of Tessa.

However, there were sound or quality issues. It could have been a production or narration issue. Words would be softer or louder, fade in and fade out. At first I thought it was me. After playing the audio on three different devices, I confirmed it was the audiobook recording.

I ending up having to slow down or speed up the audio as the narrator herself slowed down or sped up. It may have been because the character herself was becoming more manic but it didn’t follow a pattern.

Ok, Are You Still With Me?
Having said all that about the audiobook, I still gave Bits & Pieces four and half cups of coffee. Even if the audio drove me insane, the story kept me listening. I lost a night’s sleep. Yep, the story was that good. The story itself kept me on edge and I would try this author again.

Tessa has a gift or a curse. When she touches someone, not always, but sometimes she gains something from them. Sometimes it’s a memory, other times it’s pain or an addiction. Slowly, as she amasses these bits and pieces, she loses more and more of herself. Does she like Chinese food, or did she pick that up? She can speak fluent French, and can describe in intimate detail people and places she has never been. Lives she has never lived.

Only this time the blinding light overwhelms her and the memories and thoughts show her victims’ memories and the thoughts of a killer that might just consume her.

The twists, unexpected turns, and the hunt to save Tessa and find the killer were absolutely addictive. The suspect list had me biting my nails, and those who aided her only enhanced the tale, and ultimately blew my mind.

If you like psychological suspense with supernatural elements, then you need to read this or listen to it. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer