Five Bloody Hearts

By: Joy Ellis

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Grace Repton, a beautiful older woman, walks into the police station to tell Detective Matt Ballard she has information that could stop a murder. Her fiance, the infamous serial killer Jeremy Reader, has told her that he has a disciple who is going to kill using Reader's horrific methods.

Reader murdered five women and was finally brought to justice by Detective Ballard. Reader is safely imprisoned in a high security prison, and claiming to be a reformed man who wants to help the police.

But can Matt believe the serial killer or his peculiar wife to be? Can the love of a good woman really change a serial killer?

And the Fenland police also have another investigation on their hands. A Lithuanian migrant worker is found dead on the fens. There is no ID on him, but he has a Tree of Life tattoo. This is the third body to be found with this distinctive tattoo. Is this gang war or something even more sinister?

The police are stretched to the breaking point with multiple copycat murders. And Matt and his girlfriend Liz will fight for everything they care about in a heart-stopping conclusion that will have you on the edge of your seat.

©2019 Joy Ellis (P)2019 Tantor

worth it, even with the overdramatic reading

cool story, like the characters, not a fan of the narration (at all) ; but worth it if you need to listen instead of read (like myself) - this is definitely one book i wish i could've read myself

Too contrived

Not one of her best books. Started well, but just not believable at the end.

Least favorite of all the JE books so far but..

it’s still worth a credit, I don’t regret the hours invested, and wouldn’t discourage anyone from listening.

That said, if you’re just starting with JE then don’t choose this book/series. Jackman and Galena are both better options. Some characters from those series make an appearance in this book which helped bump up the rating a bit.

The narrator was skilled. Can’t deny that. The problem is he made every single character sound like they were in their 60s. Made it tough to discern ages of some of the characters. For example, Brynn is a *young* up-and-coming detective, but he has the voice of a posh elderly aristocrat. Ruined the vibe on a great character.

The story was predictable and drug out. And it felt like a shortcut to make the various storylines all work together.

Only other issue was the seemingly rookie mistakes or oversights by so many senior characters. Doesn’t seem plausible if we’re supposed to take this team seriously.

But to be completely honest, I enjoyed enough of the characters in the first two of this series to move on to the next. Only because I’ve already finished the other two book series. Again would start with either of those first if you’re new to JE.

Read Don’t Listen on This One

This was the worst narration I have ever heard. Cartoonish possibly? Very low level skill and extremely over-acted. I did listen to the whole book, as I am trying to get through the Ballard series, but even the plot was iffy for me. This narrator is top of my list on who to avoid on Audible.

Best one yet

I knew the real killer in the middle but couldn’t figure out why. That was a surprise

Not my favourite

I am a fan of Joy Ellis and have read/listened to all the Nikki Galena books, a stand alone book and all the Jackman and Evan’s book, this wasn’t as good as they normally are, in my opinion. I really did not enjoy the narration, it brought memories of 1970’s British sitcoms to mind, which wasn’t really appropriate for a murder story. The accents were often way off, and it’s a real no for me when male readers try to do a female voice. I wish they’d just read it and know we can tell when it’s the female character without doing high pitched campiness, which women don’t sound like anyway. I guessed who the murderer was early on in the book, which I found quite frustrating as I found myself saying out loud, c’mon, you must know who it is, to the fictional cops. I love Joy Ellis books, but this one wasn’t for me I’m afraid.

Five Bloody Hearts

Excellent book. Kept my interest all the way through. Would recommend to anyone. It’s hard to put down.

buyer beware

The narration was painful, at times produced as though reading a bedtime book to a child. The story doesn't come close to the Nikki Galena books that hold your attention.
listen to the sample. Better yet, pass this one by.

Not as good as other series

I really did NOT like this narrator! I had to check if I had any other books read by him, but I am good!
Story is ok, not as good as the other series by the same author. Also really hate knowing who the
killer is before the detectives.

Great

Enjoyed this one too. Joy Ellis is a talent! I would recommend for those who don’t mind swearing