Just as good as the first, if not better

I took a punt on the first in the series, and bought Hydra when I was halfway through 'Six Stories' (the first in the series) as I enjoyed it that much. Pls see my other review for more about the style, however, to surmise: the multiple narrators and podcast-interview format works very well.

I liked this story more than the first but still some characters grate, some are likeable and others loathsome... and that's life.

I would just say that as it has the same actors I *wouldn't* listen to one after the other as their voices reminded me of the characters from the first, having made such an impression. Having another audiobook in between would've been wise but I was eager to hear this instalment.

I hope there are more in the pipeline from Matt Wesolowski & audible.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

totally chilling and creepy story

So, after listening to Six Stories whilst walking round my local woods, its perfectly normal to listen to Hydra in the dark right? Well considering the story it certainly added to the atmosphere of it for me anyway. I absolutely loved the first instalment to this series, so I had been looking forward to reading Hydra, especially after several people telling me that it was brilliant. I can honestly say that I have to agree with them. I am loving the podcast format of these books even though they were partly responsible for me reading late into the night as I kept telling myself that I just needed to get to the end of the podcast I was reading before I would call it a night just in case I missed anything.
This story is a little bit different…. We know the who and the why, what the reader is left to try to uncover is they why. Arla MacLeod doesn’t deny that she killed her whole family, but she has never really been able to explain why. By talking to Arla herself and five other people who had been involved in her life Scott King hoped to give his listeners the opportunity to decide for themselves why she committed such a horrible crime.
Everyone seems to have something to hide and you get the distinct feeling that there is more to events in the past than they are saying, and someone clearly doesn’t want the case brought back into the spotlight… the question is why?
Hydra is creepy… there is no other way to describe it. Arla clearly has some issues that had previously gone undiagnosed as it was easier to just put her down as being difficult than try to help her, but this is only half the story. There is definitely something more sinister going on as well, but you will have to read to the end of the book to find out just what that is….and boy that ending was definitely not what I expected but I really loved that it was not in any way predictable.
Matt Wesolowski has certainly produced an amazing book and the format of his books are pure genius. Once again you have myths and urban legends weaving their way into the story and I have to say I am more that a little bit creeped out by the “black eyed kids”. Although this is the follow up to Six Stories it can easily be read as a stand-alone but if you ask me you would be mad not to read them both. I am really looking forward to the next instalment Changeling, which as I am so far behind is already out and next on my reading list.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An excellent story, had me gripped

I couldn't stop listening to it until I got to the end, looking forward to the next book

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Repetitive interruptions

Good story, scared me at times as I listen at bedtime 😱 but a shame about the podcast interruptions. Spoiled the listening as really annoying and unnecessary. Shame as a good story

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

22 people found this helpful

Truly Brilliant - This was Stand Out Excellent

I have to say I was so impressed by the performance of the actor playing Arla. You're very, very natural and believable. This was stand out.

As a huge podcast fan anyway, I was delighted when I found this author had taken on the genre in a book. So well done. I understand you might find this grating if you aren't used to the format but it is a documentary that's all.

Scott King was likeable enough. He has to be a presenter of a show. The other characters were fun. Anthony was wonderful. Written so well.

I'm straight onto the first 'Six Stories' now. Give this a try. What have you got to lose? I've found my new favourite author! Yey.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Even Better

Hydra does that rare thing where it follows a successful book and manages to be even better. Audio is the best way to experience Six Stories, and the great cast give voice to the author's fine prose.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant!

I loved this! Couldn't stop listening. It's a great story, really well performed (especially 'Arla') and I will definitely listen to another of this writer's books.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Unexpectedly satisfying

Great voice acting, and with a few twists thrown in, this book is well worth a listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Concept better than result

Neat idea but I found it annoying on so many levels. Did I care ? Nope. Was it a page turner? Nope, lacking pace and tension. And that patronizing presenter, hated him and his superior manner. Scripted north of England voices, not an ear of a Scottish voice. I could go on.
Wasted opportunity.
I did at least manage to struggle to the end albeit with some impatience for it to come to a conclusion.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great format for an audiobook.

This series of books are, I guess, epistolary in format. They take the form of a transcribe podcast which is why it translates particularly well to audio, especially with the full cast.

Six Stories is a podcast that looks a "weird" crimes - in this instance the murder of a family by a daughter. They take the form of 6 interviews by the presenter along with auxiliary details/recordings. The 6 interviews take different looks at the crime or those involved in the crime.

I read the original Six Stories as a book, but then re-listened to it as an audiobook and will likely read the rest of the series via audio. I'm not sure who played Arla, but they did a fantastic job, especially in the last chapter which is heartbreaking.

Anyway, I really enjoyed how the plot unfolds via each interview adding different details or points of view. Moving onto the next book straightaway.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!