Pronunciation by the Narrator

I am born, raised and still live in Central and Southern Ontario, Canada. I have to say the “abooot” and “hooooouse” pronunciation made me so irritated, I almost could t finish the book. It was so extreme, it seems like it has to be purposeful? I don’t know anyone that actually speaks like that.

Also, as there is a copy and fact checking process for the written book, there should be one again for the pronunciations of geographical names. Huron and Penetanguishene in particular were so butchered, I didn’t even recognize them until context clues. If I recognized those, than I’m sure locals familiar with London, Ontario and the surrounding areas mentioned in the cars heard even more.

Internet sleuths from another country can get away from this as civilians - a la "etta-bih-coke," in a recent Netflix series. But these are glaring mispronunciations in a professional work and it makes it all seem very sloppy. It seems like it should be basic due diligence.

All to say, this really took away from the compelling, and heartbreaking subject matter and that is really the worst part.

8 people found this helpful

Amazing book about my hometowns murders.

Vanessa Brown poured herself into this book. I could imagine all of the locations and felt how much she cares to find a solution. Although I knew most of the cases, some details and opinions were new, and the story was intriguing. Jumping from case/date/location felt awkward at first, but it all wrapped up as best as cold unsolved cases can. I did not appreciate the performance. It felt fake and her accent and place names were not local/colloquial or correct. I wish the author had read it herself.

5 people found this helpful

Riveting and disturbing

It is strange to hear an author describing detail areas to which you grew up, not having any clue that gruesome murders and deviant predators walked the same streets just a few years before.
The descriptions of London Ontario small town attitude, stuck in a bubble and just shy of willful ignorance to the goings on in their town are frighteningly accurate. So too are the bumblings of the London (and area) Police department. On more than one occasion I thought to myself while listening, "oh yeah that sounds like London police."
The only drawback to the performance was the fact that Vivianne Leheny is clearly not from the area, with mispronunciations of streets, regions and locations. Similar to that if they had somebody from Texas describing a Boston area. It didn't hold back the story, but I did find myself having to skip back a few seconds as my mind was preoccupied why she was saying the wrong place, before realizing she pronounced it the way a Londoner would not. It's a shame that producer didn't get some voice actor from the area, or do a bit of research for city streets and locations.
I had a friend recommend this book, and I have already recommended it to others.

2 people found this helpful

so many mispronouciations

I am so interested in the content of this book. It is well written. Sadly, the narrator can't be from anywhere near here because the way many words are pronounced is troubling. The worst part is I believe that one of the victim's names has been mispronounced! What a disrespect to the family!

1 person found this helpful

Pronunciation drove me nuts

Loved the books but the narrator's pronunciation drove me nuts. The narrator is obviously not from SW Ontario. I have never heard anyone call a house a "whoooose". My daughter and I had no idea what she was talking about at first. Penetanguishene, Huron, Dundas and other local names were also equally butchered. No one in the London area says "abooot". It would have been nice to have a local narrator read this.

really good

loved the writer , and the reader. lots of information , very well done and organized. highly recommend

So interesting, couldn’t stop listening.

Growing up in London I never was aware of any of these crimes. It was very interesting to learn. I hope this book can help bring some new info to the cases.

Amazing is all I can say

This book if fantastic! It tells all about the hidden secrets of London! My mind was blown away but all the tragedy that took place in such a short amount of time! Amazing!

Fascinating and Moving.

This book truly had me in tears. My heart broke for all the families affected by these tragic events.

The narrator did not do this book justice. She often sounded robotic.

AMAZING Story!

For those who live in this area and may be familiar- this is the book you need to own! Wonderfully written. At times the narrator sounds robotic but that does not diminish or take away from the actual story being told.