Fantastic suspense story set in Napa Valley!

Any additional comments?

With the Broken Brooch, author Katherine Lowry Logan throws the fans addicted to her time-travel novels a curveball. Even though it is not a time travel romance, it has the same heart-racing action adventure we've come to expect with the Celtic Brooch books. As an added bonus we get the entire MacKlenna Family in this book (all the heroes and heroines from the entire series), including their children and pets.

This story centers around newcomer NYPD detective Jenny Lynn "JL" O'Grady and her soulmate Kevin Allen, who we've met on several occasions in previous books. He's Elliot Frasier's right hand man, personal paramedic, and the Chief Financial Officer of the MacKlenna Corporation. JL's brother works at Montgomery Winery and he invites her to a posh gala that is being thrown to celebrate the end of the growing season. Instead of relaxing and enjoying a mini-Napa Valley vacation, JL gets involved with a murder investigation that occurs at the winery because it is eerily similar to a drug trafficking case that she closed a few years before in New York. Then her brother is kidnapped and soon the lives of all of the MacKlennas are in danger. It's up to JL and Kevin to save the day, which they do quickly and effectively with the help of Elliot's teenaged son James Cullen (who just happens to have a sixth sense but no filter on what comes out of his mouth).

As with the previous books in the Celtic Brooch series, Teri Schnaubelt narrated this audiobook. Simply said, Teri's narration is outstanding. Her smooth overtones and subtle character nuances are very natural making it easy to become totally immersed listening to the book. Although these books are long (this one is nearly 12 hours on audio), they don't feel like it. I find myself listening in my garage after my commute home from work because I need to listen to "just one more chapter." And sometimes I chose to continue listening rather than watch television in the evening. Brava!

10 people found this helpful

Good narrator, disappointing story

Well, another book I bought on sale at Audible, in the hopes of finding a new author to love.
This book had a few things I really dislike, mostly a main character who created a lot of angst and difficulty by lying or rather, not being honest, in the hopes of 'saving someone pain'. Ugh. It just went on and on.

Obviously, starting on book 5 of a series comes with some difficulties but I didn't have any trouble getting the gist of the magic of the brooches or the time travel. The characters bothered me and the formulaic approach to plotting. There are a lot of really high ratings for this book. I'm not sure why.

6 people found this helpful

When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It

The Broken Brooch is another wonderful installment to the Celtic Brooch series by Katherine Lowry Logan with narration by Teri Schnaubelt. This series is beautifully written with entertaining and endearing characters and always an intriguing story line. Schnaubelt’s narration as always is outstanding. She gives each character a unique sound and personality and her male character voices are ‘yummy’. Between the prose and the narration the listener is drawn in completely. I always feel like I have been dropped into the story as one of the circle.

This book contains lots of action and intrigue that again draws the MacKlenna clan circle together along with a few new characters, including Austin and his sister NYPD detective JL O’Grady. Even with all the excitement the heart of this story, like the others, is a lovely romance, humor, a wonderfully close knit family, and the Celtic Brooches.

We get the pleasure of learning more about the mysterious Kevin Allen, MacKlenna CFO, and lead wrangler of Elliott Fraser. Luckily since Elliott’s marriage to vintner Meredith Montgomery, Kevin does have a wee bit more time to himself. Elliott’s and Meredith’s thirteen year old son James Cullen also finds his way into the spotlight. I also enjoyed getting an update on the pets Tabor and Tate who made the journey to the Oregon Trail fourteen years prior in the Ruby Brooch.

AND because we are not hooked enough we get a sneak peek into the next great adventure and which of the MacKlenna Clan circle is next to find their true love in The Diamond Brooch.

6 people found this helpful

Disappointing

Warning: This is not a Mystery/Thriller with a little romance. It is more a "Romance"/Erotica with a murder mystery throwed in on the side. And in fact, I would have probably been somewhat OK with that, except that it seemed to be written for horny teenagers (or adults who still want to be :-). If I want romance, I'll stick with Nora Roberts, who can do it sensibly and tastefully.
I found myself rolling my eyes a LOT through the storyline, for example: "With time running out and danger closing in", all these two can think of is sex, really. I will not be buying any more from this series, nor probably from this author.
Also, I will suggest that Audible move this series from "Mysteries & Thrillers/ Modern Detective" to "Romance" and change the "Steamy" meter to a much higher rating.

3 people found this helpful

Great series!

I have read many series, usually trilogies, but the Brooch series is the best one yet. It appears that there are many more brooches to be discovered, and the family will continue to grow. I look forward to traveling back to the early 1900s in NYC in the next book. Bruce my it on!

3 people found this helpful

LOVED IT!

Great addition to the series while offering the opportunity to reconnect with old favorite characters!

3 people found this helpful

Disappointed in this book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

All the other books were based on on a trip back in time this one was not. I would continue the same.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was the ending i was expecting. This book held no surprises.

What does Teri Schnaubelt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Teri Schnaubelt makes this book. If you get any good reviews it is because of her.Her voice is greaat. Especially on the mens voices, you can not even tell it is a woman speaking!

Do you think The Broken Brooch needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Only if it is going to have time travel. Time travel is the reason we love these books. And only if Teri Schnaubelt narrates this book.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

3 people found this helpful

The Broken Brooch

This is the 5th book in the series and I really liked it! J.L. goes to visit her brother,who is away for basketball advantages.She has no idea that it will change her whole families lives forever.Teri Schnaubelt was a terrific narrator.
I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

2 people found this helpful

Great Narration and amazing story

I've read the Celtic Brooch series before and LOVE them. during a cross country trip decided to try my hand at audible books. Teri Schnaubelt is an amazing narrator and truly makes you want to listen over and over again.

2 people found this helpful

Why is there sooo much sex in a murder mystery?

If I wanted to listen to a romance novel I would have purchased that. I don't mind a bit of romance in my books but I'm not looking for 50 shades of grey either. I enjoyed the story line but was irritated by the unnecessary descriptions of the love scenes.

2 people found this helpful