Silent Night: A Raine Stockton Dog Mystery
Silent Night: A Raine Stockton Dog Mystery
Written by: Donna Ball
Narrated by: Donna Postel
Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
Series: Raine Stockton, Book 5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-02-14
Publisher: Blue Merle Publishing
Publishers' Summary
It's Christmas time, and for Raine Stockton and her Search and Rescue dog, Cisco, Hansonville, North Carolina is just like a Norman Rockwell painting - except for the rash of thefts of baby Jesus figurines from nativity scenes, an abandoned box of golden retriever puppies that someone leaves beside her mailbox, and a mysterious gift from one of Cisco's a grateful admirers. Raine already has her hands full with her own misbehaving pooches, unexpected house guests, and a complicated new relationship. But when a newborn is abandoned in the manger of the town's living nativity and Raine walks in on what appears to be the scene of a murder, she has more to worry about than keeping the Christmas spirit alive.
©2011 Donna Ball (P)2014 Donna Ball
My Review
Prior to "Silent Night" I hadn't read any in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series, I was assured however, that this Christmas story can be read as a stand alone. This is true, but I enjoyed it so much I wish I had started from Book One!
This is a story that hooks you in from the very beginning, I found the first chapter engrossing, chilling and full of the anticipation of something about to happen! Well, it certainly did, but not quite as I expected, which only added to my enjoyment.
Raine, our heroine is quite a woman, she is doing it really tough at the moment, suffering financial hardships and a degree of emotional turmoil. Her old love has a new love and this takes some getting used to, a bit more difficult perhaps than Raine had expected. I thought the author added a clever little touch when she mentions the way way in which the male colleagues of Raines ex now felt entitled to treat her with disrespect. Now, they somehow feel no compunction in being rude and snubbing her whenever they get the chance, this, despite the fact that Buck, her ex, treats her respectfully.
I loved how Raine, more used to dogs than children, adapted her dog training methods to modify the behaviour of a very unhappy little girl - the 10 year old child of her very new love interest. These methods worked too, (along with lots of human and puppy love thrown in).
This story moves along well, plenty of action to keep the listener interested, it's a Christmas feel good story, and also a darned good mystery.
Narrator
It never takes too long for the listener to know when they have found a new gem! Donna Postel is my new gem, I am a fussy listener, for me, the narrator is the most important element of an audiobook. Donna is master of narrative and of characterisation, no overacting here, a class act all the way. Talent and experience are the magic combination and Donna is now in my top three favourite narrators.
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