Does the world need another serial killer novel?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, cos it's now very good.

What three words best describe David Doersch’s performance?

Melodramatic
American
Earthy

Could you see Killing Hope being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Yes, like so many other books of this style it seems to h ave been written with an eye on the big screen. Maybe Jack Nicholson could even make it reasonable.

Any additional comments?

An ok book really . The usual serial killer stuff so popular at present but it has a touch of
Noir at times that I quite like . Sadly this is not sustained and it descends into pulp all too often If it lack originality it is easy light listening, good for gardening.

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Full of cliches with an unconvincing protagonist

Would you try another book written by Keith Houghton or narrated by David Doersch?

Probably not another Houghton book but Doersch was good.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I found the ending contrived and unconvincing

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

The narration was very well done with convincing American accents

Do you think Killing Hope needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It is left so a follow up us inevitable which seemed slightly false to me.

Any additional comments?

I took exception to the vast number of gumshoe cliches spouted by the lead character. Even "my mouth tasted like something had creapt in and died." It forced me to re-read a Raymond Chandler for wisecracks which still seem fresh.

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3 people found this helpful

Superb!

What did you like most about Killing Hope?

An absolute roller coaster journey of twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyable book, which keeps you guessing all the way!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Hope?

Now that is a hard question! There were so many great moments that I can't put it down to just one memorable moment... Read the book or list to the Audible version - you will NOT regret it.

Have you listened to any of David Doersch’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven't and I did find the read more enjoyable than the audible version. The overall story is so brilliant that I can't take away points, but unfortunately I did personally find David Doersch lacked emotion in his voice, everything seemed to be read on a 'level' and yes I know he was reading a script, but I think its best to try and add to the suspense with your performance in the reading?

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

It certainly made me gasp with a few Ewww's! too!

Any additional comments?

I love Keith Houghton's writing style and love the idea of the audible book, but think perhaps a different narrator would be better. It is certainly great to have the choice to listen / read. A great thing to have a book read to you when you're driving to while away your time.

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3 people found this helpful

Slow start but great ending.

This is a great listen and thoroughly recommended. There are lots of surprises, some deliberately held back, like when he finds something which has an emotional effect on him, but we're not told what it is until later and some are totally unexpected especially at the end.

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Killing hope - good book

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes definitely enjoyed, narration was excellent

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Wouldn't have changed a thing enjoyed book

What about David Doersch’s performance did you like?

Performance was excellent

Was Killing Hope worth the listening time?

Yes definitely

Any additional comments?

None

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4 people found this helpful

Nail biting, seat gripping great!!

What did you like most about Killing Hope?

This has to be the best audio book I have listened to by far. When we read a book for the first time, at some subconscious level we make assumptions about the characters we encounter, the type of people they are, their accents and even the way they look. If the author is as skilled, as Mr Houghton undoubtedly is, then it becomes much easier to envisage the faces and mannerism of the characters. With the help of Mr Doersch on the audio they paint a full 4D picture of the characters and their changing surroundings. Molding them into real people we can relate to, with quirky character traits and flaws. This all adds to the listening experience giving us "people" we can believe in and locations we can almost reach out and touch. Killing Hope is a wonderful journey we take with Gabe at a good pace, speeding up when necessary until at break neck speed it plunges down to the final conclusion leaving us gasping for more.

What did you like best about this story?

There are so many great characters in this book it is literally packed with original yet familiar types that keep our interest and deserve us rooting for them or not depending on which character we look at but I guess for me it would have to be the main character Gabe Quinn. He is pure gold for Mr Houghton. Every author's dream must surely be to create such a believable and charismatic character as him. He has the full package. A tough cop who's got that vulnerable side we all can relate to and secretly love. We know he's flawed by life and often playing catch up to the killer but we also know he'll get there in the end and most importantly, take us step by step with him. He's the guy we can trust and as this compelling story unfolds, we happily grab Gabe's hand and travel from state to state following the clues.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

There were several of course but I guess if I had to choose it would be the final scenes which I won't spoil. Having said that, Mr Houghton has such a powerful command of the descriptive that every scene is laid out before you with such conviction and detail that you feel you could almost close your eyes and in a leap of faith, step forward into the streets of Vegas or the suburbs of Los Angeles.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Again there were several. I don't want to say to much to spoil it for others but the book was so well written that anyone who is capable of empathy can feel the emotions coursing through the characters. From the killer as a child and his journey to Gabe and the profound loss that will never leave him. Every very human characteristic is laid bare and touches those of us that have empathy with the characters. This is a skill not all authors possess but Mr Houghton has in spades.

Any additional comments?

Mr Doersch was the perfect narrator. His accents enhanced the characters and kept them true to Mr Houghton's descriptions. Once I heard the audio and that wonderful Southern droll then the brilliant Matthew McConaughey popped into my mind and everything fell into place. When they do the movie he would be perfect! I would like to end my review by wishing Mr Houghton every success for the future. Having been lucky enough to find the Gabe Quinn family, I feel part of a very select club. To be in at the start of this brilliant authors career is like buying into Apple when most people thought, Granny Smith!

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5 people found this helpful

All rounder

Loved this book kept you guessing to the end it was quite a twist. I'll look forward to discovering more.

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1 person found this helpful

loved this book.

What made the experience of listening to Killing Hope the most enjoyable?

I genuinely didn't have a clue who the killer was.

What did you like best about this story?

The story flowed and moved at quite a good pace. No unnecessary padding to make the story longer. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be watching out for further stories from Keith Houghton.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The final scene where you find out who the killed is. Brilliant...I had absolutely no idea whatsoever.

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

I was shocked at the reveal.

Any additional comments?

I can definitely highly recommend this audio book it kept me gripped. I listened to it over a two day period. Wish he'd written more. I'll be watching out for any new novels. Thank you Keith for keeping me entertained.

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8 people found this helpful

Annoyingly predictable in parts.

I should have realised that the fact this was labelled part 1 would mean that even after so many Chapters there would be no satisfactory resolution and therefore a need to purchase the next part.
The author managed to create such a feeling of paranoia in the reader that everyone was a suspect!
The narrator had the right tone and speed of delivery much better than many of those I have listened to on Audible previously. I have difficulty with Lorelei King if that helps with my perspective.
Not sure about the numerous chapter divisions but as the story kept jumping about they were necessary.
Left annoyed by some very predictable & therefore avoidable incidents but I suppose that was the author's way of showing the fallibility of the characters. It was like when watching a movie the audience knows what the inevitable outcome of the chain of circumstances will be so they keep hoping that there will be someone with common sense who will save the day- almost to the point of shouting at the screen or in this case mentally shouting "idiot" at some of the characters!
Not sure whether I enjoyed it but certainly some interesting concepts as well as loose ends for the next part..
If you have nothing better to do on a wet Friday then lounge & listen.
Now I need to decide whether to use a credit on Part 2.

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Killing Me With Dullness!

As predictable as a night following day! You will find more depth in a puddle. This has been written with straight to DVD film in mind. Please don't pen book 2 Mr Houghton because I already know the story line................

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3 people found this helpful