The Bleeding

Warren/Bennett/Johnson, New England Book 2

By: Max E. Stone

Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

How does a maximum-security inmate commit a murder on the outside? The answer is more terrifying than you think.

Mark my words....

Derek Warren is smooth, charming, and a master manipulator.

But is he a killer?

I swear....

If so, how is the former businessman committing murder from a maximum-security prison cell?

And what, if anything, does he have planned next?

You'll never see it coming....

Detective Stephen Bennett is sure he has the answers to these questions.

But the path of dead bodies leads him to a truth far more disturbing than he suspected....

You will bleed....

©2013 Max E. Stone (P)2015 Max E. Stone

Who do you trust?

3.5 out of 5 stars

Noah Michael Levine provides the narration for this story and does a really great job with it. He voices the characters differently allowing the reader to follow along easily. The quality of the recording and production were nice too. Really well done.

I don't know if it's because I picked this story up after the first one or if it was something else, but I found this book to be missing something. I'm not even really sure what it was missing, but it just felt like I was definitely not there.

I think that part of it is the way that the author introduces and explains characters. I felt lost for a while until I was able to piece some things together.

Looking past these issues the book was an interesting mystery and thriller. Lots of drama and dramatic elements dragged the story out and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, this book wasn't a typical genre/series that I would like, but it had enough elements in it that it grabbed and kept my attention throughout.

I would have really liked it as one complete story

The Bleeding pulls you right into the terrific history of the Warren family with a prolog going back to 1978.

To stop any potential listeners from feeling totally confused, I would suggest reading August to Life, a 76-page story, prior to listening to the Bleeding. The Bleeding is the continuation of the family saga involving the Warrens, Johnsons, and Bennetts. The short prequel introduces the numerous family members and provides the details of what happened between these families.

The Bleeding then continues 10 years after the tragic events that left some family members in prison and most of them deeply scarred. It's a story about the vicious cycle of violence and abuse, about mental health and resilience. It's a gripping psychological thriller that is pretty intense, but also has some very uplifting moments.

I think this story had huge potential, but I would have really liked it as one complete story rather than the two separate and very short installments. It is difficult to get a real sense of any of the characters because you swiftly go through different points of views amid a plethora of fast-paced action. There is also no real conclusion and I was left with plenty of questions at the end of The Bleeding. There is another short installment, called One Minute There, which I guess would answer some of my queries, but only The Bleeding is available on audio (so far).

This was my third experience of listening to Noah Michael Levine. The other times he was narrating in tandem with a female narrator, this was the first time I heard him as a single narrator portraying females and children. I'm pleased to say he was outstanding with those voices as well. I knew he is a very convincing narrator in the romance genre, but he also had no problems bringing the suspense, danger and high emotions of this thriller to life either. I love his narration. The production quality was ok.

Recommended as a short but entertaining crime story full of family drama.

Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Characters Galore

Intriguing plot filled with a great cast. Reading excellent and adds life to the story.