Bearer of Bad News

By: Elisabeth Dini

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan

A sharply funny and moving debut in which a young woman accepts a job that takes her though the Italian Dolomites and into an international mystery far greater—and more personal—than she could have ever expected.

For someone who hates secrets, Las Vegas hairdresser Lucy Rey is about to be faced with a whole bunch of them. After discovering that her fiancé has left her without so much as a goodbye, Lucy finds herself short on funds and desperate for a change of scenery. Enter a most unusual job opportunity: a Bearer of Bad News.

Sure, it’s a little strange—the job description has few details, and the bad news is more like a vaguely worded threat—but Lucy can’t say no to the perks: an all-expenses-paid trip to the Italian Dolomites, plus a generous bonus if she proves she’s delivered the message. Then she learns that her task is just the tip of the iceberg.

Launched into a world of betrayal and greed involving eighty-year-old secrets, stolen jewels, and a World War II-era mystery, Lucy is in way over her head—and she’s connected to this story in ways she never could have imagined.

For fans of Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Nita Prose’s The Maid, Elisabeth Dini’s Bearer of Bad News is an exhilarating romp that deftly explores the weight of secrets, the power of friendship, and how, by healing the wounds of the past, we can build a brighter tomorrow.

A great heartfelt mystery

A truly wonderful book by this freshman author full of mystery and wit. It was clever, fun, and.....heart wrenching. A really great listen

Unlike any Mystery I’ve read before!! I LOVED IT

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! The story was amazing. The one problem I had was that in the audio it wasn’t always clear when it was a document from the department of lost things or the rest of the story. Maybe another voice reading those parts would have been good?

Unique debut

The Audible version of this book, both fun and complex, is very well done. Because of the complex plot and puzzling intergenerational mysteries, I found it was easier to listen than read. Dini's debut novel braids modern Millennial times with the tragedies of WWII in an unusual way that left this reader wanting more.

Great listening adventure

Fun story, taking Lucy on an adventure full of twists and turns. The main character is a bit hapless, but that makes for even more amusing absurdity, whilst a much more serious historical tone is interwoven. Well written, well read, very enjoyable listen.

Sending Three (I love You)

What an amazing book. Truly astonishing storytelling. So many layers! Such a riveting journey with these characters. Absolutely incredible.