you need to listen to this

I'm not a horror genre person and i nearly stopped after the first couple of chapters BUT the story develops into a twisty turny rollercoaster of a sci-fi love plot thriller i couldn't stop listening the only downside was the narrator was two evenly paced

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3 people found this helpful

Troubles Keeper

I totally enjoyed this book.Rory Fine is a busdriver with a gift.He can pull troubles from people,if they let him.When he meets a similar soul,he may be the only one that can save her. Steve Marvel was a fine narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

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3 people found this helpful

gripping page turner

powerful story writing ,
anticipation for Rory's next adventure
truly gifted author
page turning narrative

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1 person found this helpful

Loved it (Audiobook)

This is the second book I’ve listened to by this author, and it’s wonderful. The touch of supernatural adds another level to the story, yet keeps it within the realms of believability. As hinted at, I think these characters have a few more adventures to come, and I look forward to them unfolding, hopefully soon.

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3 people found this helpful

You have to read /listen to this book!!

I really enjoyed this book! Rory Fine the bus driver has an amazing gift which he uses often to cheer people up with but he gets darkness from a lady he's in love with and then it all starts to get exciting 😁. It's good versus evil...... Loved it!!

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An original idea for a story, well executed

I have read one of Susan Mays other books and really enjoyed it, so gave this one a try. I'm glad I did. I'm not sure the science bits would hold up to really close examination, but they were put across in such a convincing way it didn't matter. I enjoyed the journey of the main character and couldn't have predicted where he would end up at the start.

Its well performed. I can be very fussy about narrators but I love this ones voice and execution.

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Loved this book!

This was a very intriguing story, with a bit of everything, love story, thriller, horror. Keeps you gripped to the end!

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". tiny dark fish caught in a net."

Any additional comments?

Rory Fine is a bus driver. A simple job, perhaps, but he enjoys seeing his regular passengers but not to see them unhappy. And there is one special regular, a woman named Marianna... .For Rory has two secrets: he is falling in love with that one special lady and he has the power to take away people's troubles with a simple touch.
Meanwhile, in the city, there is a serial killer who leaves his victims dead in an unconventional way, by trepanning. And he is getting too close for comfort when one of Rory's regulars falls prey to the unusual murderer. Something dark has entered his bus.

Once again, with beautiful word building and skillful characterisations, author Susan May has given the reader an intriguing and thought provoking story of gentle kindness and powerful determination to root out the hurt and evil that seeks to destroy the world of those for whom the quiet, gentle man feels fondness and love. In this she is ably assisted by the narrator, Steven Marvel, who takes on the complete personality of Rory, with his hesitant unspoken love for Marianna, his delight at relieving others, at least temporarily, of their cares and his unwavering persistence that the killer be found and stopped from doing more harm. His reading of the text is impeccable, Ms.May's delightfully crafted sentences sliding past, so easy on the ear. Never overdramatizing, Mr.Marvel paces his performance precisely, the impact of this gentle reading bringing the story itself into perfect focus.

This is a delightful book. Despite having some unsavoury parts - what story of multiple murders would not? - in so many ways it is one of hope and joy. Definitely recommended to all who enjoy thrillers with a difference, served up with style. In the final chapters, after the story's conclusion, Ms.May personally gives a brief outline about how The Troubles Keeper came into being as well as noting some of the factual information included. She also asks readers if they would like a continuation of Rory's story. Well, this reader most definitely would. My thanks to the author for the gift of this book

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Exciting Book

There are some lovely characters if this story particularly Rory Fine ,
fine by name and fine by nature so he says
fabulous story an enjoyable story to listen to

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3 people found this helpful

Wonderfully read, gripping, scary, but ultimately

Would you listen to The Troubles Keeper again? Why?

Probably. I've only just finished it, so it's hard to say. It is certainly good enough to read again.

What does Steve Marvel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Steve can do different voices and bring a range of emotions to each. This really helps convey the story.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me happy, sad, scared and frustrated at different times.

Any additional comments?

I was gifted this book in return for an honest review. I read a lot of audio books and feel well placed to review from that point of view, as well as being a big SF, Crime, Fantasy fan.

I'll start at the beginning (good place huh?).

I had a few problems in the opening few chapters and you might too, so I want to tell you about them in the hope that I can convince you to keep going. You won't regret it.

The narration is excellent! However, this wasn't immediately apparent to me. Frequent audio readers will know that, in addition to getting used to the writing, as with any book, you also have to get used to the reader. I was honestly confused to begin with, was there two or more resides here? Whose voice belonged to which character? Possibly it was just because I read while driving and often have to pay more attention to the road. Anyway, there is one reader and he gets the voices, in my opinion, spot on.

There are several characters that have big speaking parts. The main one, Rory, is read in a completely befitting laid back style, but you get exactly how Rory is feeling from the inflection and intonation and this is crucial. Rory is a thoughtful, introspective person who takes the weight of the world on himself. Inevitably this pulls him in many directions. The pain and difficulty is apparent.

A big one for me is the bad guys voice. It's creepy, but not in a pretend, put on way, it sounds like a real person who really is evil.

A warning is appropriate at this point, the evil character really is evil and some events are not for the squeamish. I hear Susan May had to tone it down even! It borders on Lovecraftian sometimes.

All of these things the reader is aware of in the opening chapters. It can be confusing, dark and even feel slow because of it. You might find yourself saying - oh get to the point Susan! Believe me, she will.

When an event, around chapter 5/6, brings the story to life, there is no turning back. Apart from a mid book slow down, the pace lifts and you will be hooked til the end.

I found it easy to suspend my disbelief because Rory is a wonderful character and I hope we hear more from him and his abilities. Even so, I found I was even more enthralled in the second half of the book, once a lot of things are more out in the open. You really care for Rory and Susan keeps us guessing right to the end. There are many truths spoken about the universe and the evil person perpetrates his evil by doing a real, horrible thing that I hadn't heard of before. Creepy! Brilliant!

I have a couple of things that, I pondered as I read, and I hesitate to include them, both because, having thought more about them, I understand now, though it wasn't stated in the book. Also, this section might include spoilers.

I don't like it when something is introduced in the latter half or worse, near the end of a book, that helps solve the problem. Especially if it's a gadget. It is arguable as to whether this is the case here, but there is a Character who could be a great one, if there are further books in the series, who has solutions in his box of tricks. He could easily have been introduced earlier, even right at the start. However, because the start already has so much going on, I think this would have been a mistake. As it is, he appears in the mid book lull, and explains himself fully - so I'm ok with this now.

Also, I kindof wish there was more to Marianna. I won't expand on what I mean, that would be a big spoiler. It doesn't affect this book though.

Overall, I tend to rate a book based on how it made me feel, how good it was to read, how difficult it was to put down and if there were any major gaffs. Add to this book the excellent narration and there is no contest. It's a straight 5.

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