• A View to Die For

  • To Die for Series, Book 1
  • By: Richard Houston
  • Narrated by: Todd McLaren
  • Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (252 ratings)

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A View to Die For  By  cover art

A View to Die For

By: Richard Houston
Narrated by: Todd McLaren
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Publisher's summary

The story is not your typical murder mystery. The sleuth is not a detective, private eye, or lawyer. He's an ordinary guy with an extraordinary dog.

Jacob Martin is trying to make the best of a divorce and mid-life crisis when he gets a call at two o'clock Sunday morning from his mother. His sister has been arrested for the murder of her fourth husband, and his father is near death. Thus begins an adventure that takes Jake and his golden retriever from their Colorado retreat to a backwater town in the Missouri Ozarks, where they search for cold-blooded killers, a cache of gold coins buried by Jesse James, and the love of a beautiful nurse.

©2012 Richard Houston (P)2017 Tantor

What listeners say about A View to Die For

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not really a dog story

If you're thinking of reading this because you like dog stories, you might want to pass on this one. It's an acceptable murder mystery, with some interesting twists, but the dog is just another character.

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12 people found this helpful

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

Good story

The writing was hindered for me by the amount of cursing throughout and the performance. Was written in first person, but listening on audible, the narrator was a cruises between Joe Friday and Tom Hanks.

Not a story about am amazing dog, rather the dog is there with him... usually eating Mc Donald 's burgers. Mc Donald was mentioned so much that I wondered if he was sponsored our otherwise paid by then to bee included.

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9 people found this helpful

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

Wanted to love it. Couldn't stay with it.

Honestly, I couldn't make myself read more than the first chapter or two. The story didn't grab my interest. I was not charmed, intrigued or even liking the characters enough to want to go along for the ride, just to see where the story went. And I love dog characters. When a great dog doesn't engage my attention and affection.....well, it's not promising, is it?

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6 people found this helpful

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

Too much idiot plot

In the hands of a more talented writer the plot might have reached its potential, and in the hands of a better reader the story might have been more entertaining. Too bad this book had the benefit of neither. The only reason I finished the book was the dog.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Not what I had hoped for.

Would you try another book from Richard Houston and/or Todd McLaren?

No. I found the continual references to drinking distracting and began wondering is that all these people. The dog even drinks beer in the story.

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

I was glad it was over and have no interest in following this story further.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Todd McLaren?

Maybe

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Enjoyable

This is an enjoyable and entertaining book. The characters are well developed and the dialogue is humorous and witty. I look forward to the next book.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Clever story

This was a different type of read with a very unique story expertly narrated with some nice twists and turns. overall a very pleasant and enjoyable experience thank you.

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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

A true mystery.

This is a fresh new murder mystery that does not reveal itself until the very end.
It is presented in a unique way that is entertaining without any areas that drag. Very enjoyable!

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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

Entertaining

Entertaining and after a slow start ended up being more than expected at the beginning.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Free mystery listen

Very slow moving story, but the characters were entertaining & the main characters sarcastic wit was good. Fred the dog was loyal & true as to be expected. Silly, but my big gripe is why the family kept giving spend thrift Meg money to get out of debt when every time she just blew it on wine etc???? Just annoying. No great edge of your seat mystery.

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