Interesting but depressing

I bought this book because it was on offer and I enjoy thrillers. It started well, but I should have read the first 2 books in the series before beginning this one as the author kept referring to things that happened in the previous books, which was confusing.
This story did not sweep me along. I actually got bored with the plot and I was relieved when it was over. I also found the voice of the reader very depressing after a while.

6 people found this helpful

Fab 3rd Novel starring the atypical Frieda Klein

This book is complex, tangled and subtly enthralling

(Note: I recommend reading/listening to books 1 & 2 in the series to gain the full impact of Waiting for Wednesday - it really is a series that needs to be followed from book 1 -Blue Monday.)

Having read the first two novels in the Frieda Klein series I was really looking forward to Waiting for Wednesday and I must say I was not disappointed.

As a reader the most interesting element of the book was change in Frieda's character from the first novel. As always she is really well written and I enjoyed the subtle but constant changes of her emotions and the gradual slipping of her grip on her own mind and the world around her. Frieda is now a much more vulnerable character, emotionally at least, and she is definitely much less self assured in this novel.

I have read quite a few reviews that say Frieda isn't very likeable - I have to disagree I think she is interesting and intriguing and I find her character to be refreshing and unique.

As always it was also good to catch up with the other characters from the previous books - Ruben, Karlsson, Chloe, Evette and my personal favourite Joseph!

The crime cases in this book are good - both the main murder of Ruth Lennox and the other case pursued by journalist Jim Fearby. The description of murder victim, at the beginning is detailed and quite gruesome, but not so bad that it made me turn off so don't let that put you off.
For me, it was the "B-story" case followed by Jim Fearby that I found most intriguing and the conclusion was more surprising. But, both cases are well written, interesting and satisfying concluded.

Above all I think this book is a mixture of character study and crime.

No doubt it is good enough to read as a stand alone but I do feel that to get the most from the book you need to read it as part of the series - for it is the characters, their journeys and their evolution that make this series great.

6 people found this helpful

Entertaining

Would you listen to Waiting for Wednesday again? Why?

No. I rarely read / listen to a book twice. There is not enough depth to this one for a second visit, good first time though.

Any additional comments?

The characters are not quite believable. Stereotype 'dumb' policeman who doesn't believe the amateur, angelic lead who constantly wants her flat, a bath, to be left alone but always denies herself these things for others, she could have done with some bad traits/ moments to make her more realistic.

If you can overlook these weaknesses it is a fun read to pass the time. The narration is excellent.

3 people found this helpful

Best so far

If you could sum up Waiting for Wednesday in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, well-written, exciting

What was one of the most memorable moments of Waiting for Wednesday?

Towards the end - discovering who was guilty!

What aspect of Beth Chalmers’s performance might you have changed?

She is not very good with men's voices - in particular her portrayal of Karlsson I found grated a bit. Very good with women, and Frieda in particular.

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

Sad, more than anything - particularly with the family being torn apart.

Any additional comments?

To my mind, the best of the Frieda novels to date.

3 people found this helpful

Beth Chalmers is a terrible narrator

I was so distracted by the narration that I found it very hard to get into the book (I have to say this has never happened to me before in 5 years of monthly Audible books: I'm not picky!). She has a very nasal tone which makes all the characters sound sarcastic.

5 people found this helpful

Gripping and satisfactorily complex

If you are new to this series I recommend you first read the preceding 2 books in the series. Most of the book is a stand-alone story, well-plotted and enjoyable, but there is the continuing background thread of Frieda's past coming back to haunt her in the nebulous form of Dean, so two stories really, developing at different paces.

Frieda is also developing nicely as a character too, and remains interesting - in this book we see a far more vulnerable person and sides of her character we haven't seen before. I found her more likeable as I began to understand some of her background and what drives her. Sandy is still a bit of a cardboard cut-out, but we get a bit more under the skin of Carlsson the detective - we learn more about the pressures of his working/private life and the relationship between him and Frieda deepens nicely.

Beth Chalmers narrates very crisply and cleanly and is a pleasure to listen to!

All in all, the satisfyingly complex plot that you would expect from a Nicci French novel, but with the added dimensions of longer term plot and character development that a series allows. If you are a fan then this will not disappoint!

4 people found this helpful

Great story

loved it from start to finish, great twists and turns. This is the third book in the series and they have all been great.

1 person found this helpful

Consistently good

I liked this book as Frida was recovering from her previous horrific experience from Tuesday's book. Her family and friends are still chaotic and Frida is constantly looking for peace. Looking forward to the next one and waiting for Dean......

1 person found this helpful

14 hours 6 minutes of my life wasted

I really was so amazed by the banality of this book - I kept listening just to see if it got any better - it didn't!!!

The tale could have been told in about 3 hours, but no, we had a major incident made from the fact that a 'friend' dismantled and replaced the bathroom in Freida's house - there was absolutely no purpose at all to this incident - which went on for several chapters - I was left totally confused and expected there to be a reason for the sidebar - but no!!! This wasn't the only padding that was pointless, instead of saying - 'it was in the cupboard by the sink' we were treated to the list of 'other stuff' that was also in the cupboard ... God only knows why, it was totally irrelevant!

The characters were absolutely objectionable - treating figures of authority in a totally disrespectful and disgraceful way, for no apparent reason they were rude and obnoxious. The Police chief (cannot remember his title) also behaved in a really rude and unprofessional manner.

The narration is almost beyond description, the voices and the inflections were so irritating and very poor.

This is probably the first time that I have ever shouted at an audio book to relieve my irritation.

I can only be astonished that some perverse lack of self preservation made me listen to the end, maybe I couldn't believe my ears!!!

3 people found this helpful

Makes you think of those murder leaves behind.

If you could sum up Waiting for Wednesday in three words, what would they be?

interesting, attention held.

Would you be willing to try another book from Nicci French? Why or why not?

yes I have quite a few

What three words best describe Beth Chalmers’s performance?

Generally very good. Nice voice to listen to with the exception of a few characters with very plummy voices that grate on the nerves. Harsh and irritating, but there are people who speak like that I suppose.

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

No but It made me think about the family of murder victims and how on earth they learn to,cope.

Any additional comments?

I have the other books in the Freida Klein series, however, I do not like her. There is clearly some sort of back story but she comes across as extremely cold, unfeeling and emotionless. This is despite having close friends. So it may just be my interpretation of her.

2 people found this helpful