The purgatory of group therapy

I've loved every other Greg Hurwitz book I've read or listened to, so I actually 'saved' this one for a time when I really needed distraction. That was not a wise decision.

If you like lurking and prowling along the edges of endless group therapy sessions with a bunch of really low-life people, then this is for you. However interesting the first hour or two of it might be, as you see the techniques the protagonist-therapist uses to make headway with some of them, it gets supremely boring going into hours six, seven and eight. I started to think I should get paid to listen to all this. (Okay, there's SOME other plot points in between, but not much. Clearly Hurwitz has chosen this vehicle to tell the story.)

That's one thing you can say about Steve White's Dr. Alan Gregory -- also a psychologist: he knows when to stop with the coverage of therapy sessions. There's a limit as to how much the non-psychologists among us are willing to listen to.

Yes, it picked up toward the end, but if you're considering this book, think about how many hours of group therapy -- much of it rendered in Ebonics by narrator Scott Brick, who does a fine job of staying awake through it all. Unless you're a psychologist who can get continuing education points for this, I'd suggest moving on to some other Greg Hurwitz book.

100 people found this helpful

Painful!

Normally Gregg Hurwitz and Scott Brick would be a winning combination but this book just does not work. When I get a book by this author I expect a hang-on-to-your-seat thrill ride. The first 8 hours of this book are about as exciting as watching paint dry. Even when the pace picks up it is just very anticlimactic. I liked the main character but just never really connected with him or any of the others. And I knew who the bad guy was way before I should have. There were some thought-provoking moments and spurts of excellent writing but it was just not up to the normal standards of this writer.

49 people found this helpful

Don't let your FOSB dissuade you

I almost didn't buy this because of FOSB (Fear of Scott Brick) but was pleasantly surprised that he seems to have toned down his inherent Scott Brickiness. Ha! I'm halfway through, think I've figured out the connection among the murder victims, and am particularly enjoying the stories and dialog of the counseling sessions led by the main character. Lots of implausibilities here but what the heck, it's not a textbook.

39 people found this helpful

Gregg Hurwitz just gets better and better!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have read most of the Greg Hurwitz books and this one was not only nail biting and intense but also moving. The characters in the story are lovable, well most of them anyhow. Redemption being a common theme, I just loved the characters and the relationships. How about a sequel? The main character could easily have a series where he continues to help the police detective. And narrator, Scott Brick never disappoints. He has narrated many of Greg's books and I have listened to all of them. More Scott Brick please, he could read the phone book and make it sound interesting.

What other book might you compare Tell No Lies to and why?

Any Scott Brick narrated book but especially ones written by Greg Hurwitz, Harlan Coben and John Lutz.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is the best! I actually look for Scott Brick narrated books when deciding what to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry in multiple areas as well as laugh. I went through the full gamete of emotions.

Any additional comments?

More!

38 people found this helpful

Not one of his best

I've listened to several other Hurwitz' books and was very happy, so I was excited to get started on this one. Unfortunately, it was a let down. The story line was interesting and original, but I kept figuring things out before it should have been apparent, leading me to be frustrated with the main character and lead detective. I like a challenge and this book was not one.

20 people found this helpful

Gregg Hurwitz does it again.

Where does Tell No Lies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

There is a similarity to all of Hurwitz's books. I don't mind. I'll keep reading.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Certainly kept you wondering.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

He did Evelyn very well. Although I think he does a great job with all of characters.

19 people found this helpful

Head the other direction and run!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Zombies ...

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something European or Nordic noir ...

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Scott Brick?

Not applicable - the material he had to work with was so bad, ... but he has this way of narrating where his voice starts to rise and becomes more uber-dramatic - I don't like it at all.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Tell No Lies?

Ha! The only scene worth keeping is the part where our hero finds the mis-delivered threatening letter.

Any additional comments?

You've been warned!

13 people found this helpful

Spectacular! Loved this book. I'd give it 2 fives

What made the experience of listening to Tell No Lies the most enjoyable?

What to say...a unique story line (at least it's not like anything I've ever read) that's fast paced, exciting and attention grabbing to the very end. Characters are great and well developed. But inside this excellent story is a second excellent book. Main character is a therapist and there are several therapy sessions with his prison group that are really excellent, by that I mean he's an effective therapist. No idea how Hurwitz learned this, but he's dead on. I definitely recommend this book. I look forward to his next book.

13 people found this helpful

Great Entertainment Makes This Worth Your Time

When it comes to rating books I like I am fairly liberal with the stars. There were some flaws in this mystery, but what makes this such great entertainment for me is the group therapy sessions with felons and the depth of character unravelled in key players.

Daniel Brasher is the only heir to one San Francisco's wealthiest fortunes. Much to the chagrin of his mother, he shunned managing the family fortune to become a counselor. As if that wasn't enough, he married a divorced Hispanic community organizer with heart cancer. But this is all background.

Much of the book involves intricate, revealing and realistic group therapy scenes with hard core felons. Here is where Daniel's true genius is revealed. He is masterful as a therapist, leading his patients to heal themselves. The relationships here are complex and mysterious, because one of them just may be an active serial killer.

The contrast of his mother's snobbery and his wife's work is constant source of humor and quite a bit more.

There's great detective work involved and a great deal of suspense.

Scott Brick can come off heavy handed at times, but not with this performance. He is great.

Im giving this 5 stars because it truly is great entertainment.

12 people found this helpful

Painfully boring; a test of my patience!

I am a Gregg Hurwitz fan, but I could not get into this novel. I gave up with 5:39 left. This is the first book I have been unable to complete recently. Scott Brick's narration could no save this novel.

10 people found this helpful