Guilty Knowledge

By: Linda Griffin

Narrated by: Scott LeCote

Detective Jesse Aaron has no leads in the murder of Rosa Logan when pretty blonde Sariah Brennan claims to have seen the killer—in a vision. Unfortunately, the man she identifies is dead—or is he?

Sariah is an unsophisticated small town girl, but her background and her motives are mysterious, and she seems to be hiding something. Jesse is increasingly convinced she has guilty knowledge of the crime, even as he finds himself more and more attracted to her. How can he unravel the web of secrets, without putting Sariah at risk, before the killer strikes again?

©2020 The Wild Rose Press (P)2024 Linda Griffin

5+ stars

Story Impressions – Can Detective Jesse Aaron uncover the secrets of beautiful Sariah and her guilty knowledge of a murder before the killer strikes again? Guilty Knowledge is an intoxicating romantic suspense worth listening to. While the author weaves a complex story of murder, romance and secrets, the narrator brings it to life. It’s flawlessly acted with subtlety and just the right amount of romantic tension. If you love romantic suspense, you need to download this audiobook right now.

Narrator’s overall voice – Scott LeCote is a wonderful narrator, one of the finest I’ve heard.

Does the narrator fit the characters? There were many times I would close my eyes and could picture what was going on. Scott invokes emotion and suspense while narrating.

Narrator’s reading style – Scott’s reading style has the perfect pacing, allowing the listener to be fully invested in the story.

Narrator’s impact on reading experience – Everything from his pacing to the inflection in his voice to the recreation of the characters to the emotional impact on the listener all combine to create an excellent reading experience.

Narrator’s pacing – The narrator’s pacing is unhurried in parts, fast in others, which comes across as natural ebbs and flows of the story. It’s a superb performance.

Audiobook flow – The flow of the audiobook is in harmony with the flow of the story. I immersed myself in the story and thoroughly enjoyed it.

What makes this audiobook unique – What makes this unique is the storyline and the way Scott brought it to life. The suspense and romance work together to make this audiobook unforgettable.

Would I recommend this audiobook – YES! I would recommend this to any reader looking for a romantic suspense to read. There is a full cast of characters and Scott brings each one to life. Highly recommend!

Unexpected Truths

‘Guilty Knowledge’ by Linda Griffin delivers an intriguing blend of romance and suspense. The story revolves around Sariah Brennan, who approaches Detectives Jesse Aaron and Camille Farris at the police department, claiming detailed information on a high-profile murder investigation. Jesse finds Sariah's claim of seeing the murder like a psychic hard to believe—wondering if she is avoiding admitting she saw the crime. He also feels an unexpected and undeniable attraction to her. Jesse's partner, Camille, is extremely skeptical of Sariah’s story and warns Jesse against getting emotionally involved with the witness.

Ms. Griffin’s character development is an interesting aspect of the story, with each having buried secrets shaping their interactions. As the story unfolds, Sariah is depicted as both sweet and innocent on the surface, but her deeper secrets complicate her character. Vulnerabilities and hidden truths shape Jesse and Sariah's relationship. Jesse’s character contains admirable elements, making him likable, yet some of his actions seem forced. The tense dialogue between Camille and Jesse seems contrived at various points, while the flirtatious conversations between Jessie and Sariah feel forced.

The mystery and suspense elements of the story bring listeners on a complex journey with multiple twists and turns. Elements of alternative religious practices bring surprises and interesting secondary characters, including the landlord. The multiple threads of the story feel pulled rather than teased in places. Scott LeCote's narration is superb. The distinctive and flawless voices surround a perfectly paced narrative with well-timed pauses and intonations. The quality of this audiobook is excellent.

Overall, ‘Guilty Knowledge’ offers a good, steady-paced mystery focused on themes of hidden identities and moral dilemmas. It highlights the tension between personal desires and professional duties. Although it has good character development and an engaging storyline, the romance aspect fell short with the unexpected yet satisfying ending.