Buddy Read - Visions In Death (Oct. 2014) Spoiler Zone

[Sandra]

Susan Erickson gets it right every single time. I just LOL when she does Peabody being snarky...hilarious. And Roarke *sigh* - never thought a woman's voice could do this man justice but Susan nails it. And so agree with you Susan, it's those different levels of intensity she does with her voice that just brings it to another level. I'll finish my listen of this one today.

[Jonetta]

I found an interview she did with Audiobook Month in June 2013. Here are two responses that shed some light:

What is your relationship with the book author in the process? Do you talk to them about the book, characters, or pronunciations in advance?

I have had very little contact with any author I’ve recorded. The usual way they might be involved is that they might have voice approval rights for the narrator. So the audio book company will submit a couple of voice samples and then they can choose. I think the authors don’t have much time to get involved and also, they trust the publishers and audio book companies to do a good rendering of the book.

It’s the actor’s responsibility to get the pronunciations, etc. and one should never assume you know how to pronounce an odd word or name. Nothing is worse than getting a note back from the editors that the character was supposed to be pronounced “Lee-uh” not “Lay-uh”! And then you have to go back and fix all your stupid unnecessary mistakes – ARG!!!

I can imagine! One of the benefits for me as an audiobook listener is that the narrator has done the homework on the pronunciations :)

You’ve read a great variety of books from series like J.D. Robb’s In Death to Kristin Hannah’s books to the classic Jane Eyre. What is it like narrating a long-running series? Do you feel protective of the characters and more invested in the story since you’ve stuck with it from the beginning?

It’s WONDERFUL to do a series. In the In Death books, I know that world and those characters like the back of my hand. And I have a strong sense of ownership about them after 40 or so books. I often feel like J.D. Robb may be the biological mother of these books, but I am the adoptive mother. I think that deep sense of knowledge about the books really adds a depth to the recordings, because there’s so much background and tone and history that I bring to the character’s interactions. Also, I think I really understand the style of the books, and the world wherein the stories all take place. The slightly futuristic world- it’s not abstract for me, I’ve “lived” in it for years now. Very cool

[Kirsten]

I found a 2013 interview with Ms Ericksen about the process. It answers a few of our questions: http://thereadingdate.com/2013/06/04/...

"It’s WONDERFUL to do a series. In the In Death books, I know that world and those characters like the back of my hand. And I have a strong sense of ownership about them after 40 or so books. I often feel like J.D. Robb may be the biological mother of these books, but I am the adoptive mother. I think that deep sense of knowledge about the books really adds a depth to the recordings, because there’s so much background and tone and history that I bring to the character’s interactions. Also, I think I really understand the style of the books, and the world wherein the stories all take place. The slightly futuristic world- it’s not abstract for me, I’ve “lived” in it for years now. Very cool. I have a similar feeling about the Sara Paretsky novels (V.I. Warshawsky) and the Meg Gardiner books."

[Sandra]

I love that she says "adoptive mother"...that's it! You can tell it when she reads one of the books. She owns it & brings it to life.

[Sharon]

Thanks Jonetta.

I talked to Sylvia Day (author) about her books at a book signing awhile back. I know she talks to her narrator now but I never thought to ask if SD talks about the book before it is read by the narrator.

[Sheri]

I haven't listening to many books, i always love the feel of a in my hands but since I have read all the in death books i find myself listening to them more and am starting to enjoy audiobooks. I still have to have books to read but I see myself listening more often. I find myself able to do more when listening. Just finished listening to Visions today.

[Kirsten]

I love these buddy reads they remind me of books I haven't read in YEARS! Just finished last night and I'd quite forgotten the twist at the end (or that Peabody was attacked). Lots of fun!

[Sandra]

Is everyone finished with Visions? Need more time? Any more discussion? Or ready to move on to Survivor?

[Sharon]

I'm ready to move on whenever everyone else is.

[Amy]

I'm finished.

Am I the only one that didn't see that last twist coming the first time reading? I was completely shocked.

[Jonetta]

I started becoming suspicious at some point but couldn't say exactly when.

[Sandra]

Eve seems to be a little quicker asking Roarke to commit the crime of breaking & entering. I know her reasons but she doesn't seem to struggle with asking him as much...just kind of a token thought that she shouldn't ask him but she needs/wants the info & he's the best bet. And this is her idea first, not Roarke's.

[Sharon]

Amy wrote: "I'm finished.

Am I the only one that didn't see that last twist coming the first time reading? I was completely shocked."

The first time I read it I didn't see the twist at the end at all. I remember thinking OMG Eve must have been suspicious from the beginning. She know to protect her thoughts thanks to Peabody's dad.

[Sharon]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Eve seems to be a little quicker asking Roarke to commit the crime of breaking & entering. I know her reasons but she doesn't seem to struggle with asking him as much...just kind of a token though..."

Eve totally trusts and depends on Roarke for all his skills both legal and those a little shady.

[Kirsten]

I always love how he gets insulted when she doubts his skill.

I'm done by the way. What's next & when?

[Sandra]

Survivor in Death is next. I'll put our thread up.

[Sandra]

Have to say I (like Eve) nearly choked when I heard Peabody telling Eve that she & McNab had decided that if Eve ever leaves Roarke, Peabody gets him & McNab gets Eve!!! LOL And, again, Susan Erickson just nails Peabody! I was grocery shopping while listening when this exchange came on & I walked down the aisle laughing out loud - strange looks I got went unheeded! :)

[Jonetta]

That was funny:)

[Michelle]

I'd forgotten about that bit. Can you imagine Eve and McNab?! The mind boggles

[Dawn]

It is funny when I am listening in public and snort or something. My niece has an agreement with her husband that if Johnny Depp shows up and wants to have a wild affair with her, there will be no marital issues. Not sure who his side of the agreement is, but it reminds me of that scene with Peabody and Eve lol