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  • An Aura of Mystery

  • Ellie McEwan Mysteries, Book 1
  • Written by: Joy Ellis
  • Narrated by: Sophie Rundle
  • Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (37 ratings)

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An Aura of Mystery

Written by: Joy Ellis
Narrated by: Sophie Rundle
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Publisher's Summary

The newly-discovered novel from multi-million-selling author Joy Ellis. Never before published!

Flower shop owner Ellie McEwan is driving home late one frosty November night when a shadowy figure leaps into the road out of nowhere. Ellie swerves to avoid him — and slams head-on into the crash barrier.

Days later, Ellie wakes up in hospital — and notices there’s something different. Everyone she looks at — the doctor, the nurse, her friend Carole — is surrounded by a coloured aura. Her near-death experience seems to have given her a new ability.

And now Ellie must use her new-found gift to catch a killer.

The battered body of a young woman is found in the grounds of a local hotel. She’s the third woman to be murdered in this sleepy Surrey village, her hands crushed and mutilated. Just like the other two.

Each of the women was a skilled professional — a musician, a doctor and an artist. Apart from that, they appear to have nothing in common.

And now the police’s one lead — a key witness — is missing.

Although sceptical, a desperate DCI Bob Foreman calls on Ellie for help. But Ellie’s involvement in the investigation will throw her into the path of a brutal killer . . .

DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING MYSTERY.

This utterly gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, J.D. Kirk, Elly Griffiths, Susan Hill, Kate Ellis or Ann Cleeves.

©2024 Joy Ellis (P)2024 Audible Ltd.

What listeners say about An Aura of Mystery

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!

I throughly enjoyed this book! I love Joy’s books but this was a nice change. Can’t wait to listen to Book 2. Hoping there will be more to come.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as always!

The plot, delivery and the choice of an excellent narrator combined to provide a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Klunky Supernatural Mystery

Imagine being so prolific a writer that complete novels are sitting in the attic gathering dust (I can totally see lost Jimi Hendrix recordings stored somewhere - the guy was playing around in the studio 24-7, after all - but the existence of forgotten 60,000-word manuscripts is mindblowing). Joy Ellis asserts just that: a pre-debut tale stored on a hard drive somewhere, rediscovered, polished at the request of editors, and published. She must be writing every waking hour of every single day of the week.
To be certain, the book is fairly amateurish (Ellis's teenaged "I'm not sure if this is worthy of submission" instincts were accurate).. but it's not *bad*. There are glimpses of an emerging talent here.

Unfortunately, the mystery/investigation - once it gets going - is sketched out (lacking detail), the paranormal elements are implausible +/- silly (following a reclusive "Psychics Club" of sorts for protagonist 'Ellie McEwan' to join), the characterization is nonsensical (the author introduces - then ignores - an awkward lesbian attraction storyline), and the pacing is subpar (there are looooong stretches of nothing consequential happening). The book is a bit of a messy slog.

On the more positive side, Sophie Rundle does an impressive job reading the work. She occasionally reads with evident disinterest (sighing at times, for example) - but Audible Studios Inc. cast the project with a solidly above-average narrator.

Altogether, 'An Aura Of Mystery' was a reasonable investment of time as an included option.. but unless you're a diehard Ellis fan, this 5.5/10-star audiobook doesn't rate a Credit. If it leaves the 'Plus' catalog, keep browsing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Spooky stuff doesn't get in the way

I was worried about the supernatural aspects of this story, but there is enough in the characters and the writing strong enough that it all hangs together well enough. It didn't feel forced or over the top.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating!

I loved this story right from the beginning. It was interesting and captivating from the beginning all the way through to the end. I found it hard to believe that this was her first novel and I’m so glad that I listened to it. The narrator was perfect for the story also.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I fell in love with the main characters

Absolutely in love with the character development in this book and with the depths that Joy goes into in auric field studies. This book is a delight to read as well as cosy feels joined with mysticism. This book displays some beautiful friendships are developed throughout the entire book. A must read or listen too.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Long

Very long and it is the last couple of hours that really hold you. If you can hold out till then you will will be surprised as to the mystery.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ml
  • 2024-06-09

Good read that kept me guessing to the end

I liked the characters and how the story evolved. Good read that kept me guessing to the end

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Long-winded

A long-winded story of unnecessary details that made a two hour story into a 10 hour story not worth a listen

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Joy does it again

Amazing story! Narration was spot on and as usual, Joy Ellis’ characters come to life so vividly in your mind. It’s hard to believe this was her very first book! Cannot wait to read book 2. Starting it now!

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