Grave Shift

Darcy & Flora Cozy Mystery, Book 2

By: Blanche Day Manos, Barbara Burgess

Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Before the long nightmare ended, Darcy would often wish her mother had not opened that letter from an unknown woman. But, she did open it and shared it with her daughter, plunging both Darcy Campbell and Flora Tucker into a tale of an unsolved mystery, a web of secrets, and the discovery of an unsuspected traitor.

In tracking down clues about the disappearance of a young woman, Darcy and Flora leave their hometown of Levi, Oklahoma, and drive to Amarillo, Texas, then back again. Following leads that have long been covered, both women find more than one surprise including some discoveries about themselves.

©2014 Blanche Day Manos and Barbara Burgess (P)2016 Blanche Day Manos and Barbara Burgess

Great Story & Wonderful Narration.

This was my first time reading this author and Listening to this narrator. Gold stars for both. I enjoy many genres and have to say this cozy mystery genre is just good clean fun! Things I really liked - Manos did a masterful job of creating storytelling that had me hooked trying to figure out who committed the crime and to see how things would work out for our heros. The narrator also gave a wonderful performance and he’s skill added so much to the story. I really enjoyed her reading pace and voice inflections. For any reader of this genre, you won’t be disappointed giving this series and narrator a try!

Great audiobook for an evening listen

I really enjoyed Grave Shift, written by Blanche Day Manos & Barbara Burgess and narrated by Michelle Babb. It's the story of a mother & daughter sleuthing team who are asked to find out what happened to a local woman who disappeared 2 years prior.
There were several likely suspects, so my opinion on what could have happened changed throughout the story. No spoilers here though.
I liked the small town setting and the relationship between Darcy and Flora. They seemed like ladies I would like chatting with over a cup of coffee.
It's a clean cozy mystery with no swearing. Some of the characters are Christians and this is used in a very natural way in the story. Although this is Book 2 of the series it can be listened to as a standalone.
Michelle Babb did a wonderful job voicing the characters. I especially liked Sophie, mother of the missing woman. I could just picture the sort of strong, no-nonsense woman she was. Overall the narration pulled me into the story and made it easy to listen to, perfect for an evening listen with a cup of hot tea.
If I have any criticism of this audiobook it would be that I heard 'Ford Escape' enough times that I started to wonder if it was product placement.
I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. That being said, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes clean, cozy mysteries. I'm looking forward to listening to more books in this series.

Very good.

Any additional comments?

This was a very good story. Will definitely have to get some more in the series. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Not a stand out.

What did you like best about Grave Shift? What did you like least?

I received this book as a gift from the author through Audiobook Boom

The story was OK but it didn't get me excited

Would you listen to another book narrated by Michelle Babb?

Yes. The narrator was fine. The story was not one of my favorites

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Book 2

What did you like best about this story?

Grave Shift by Barbara Burgess and Blanche Day Manos is an average mystery. The two main characters, mother Flora and daughter Darcy, are both widows. The daughter, a reporter, has come home to heal and regroup after the death of her husband. This is the second book in a series but there are no spoilers and this book stands alone.

A fun mystery!

I was given this audio book free in exchange for an honest review. This book isn't going to win any awards, but it is entertaining and fun to listen to. It's the story of a daughter and mother, Darcy and Flora, who are asked to look into the disappearance of a woman from their town by the woman's mother. It seems Darcy is warned off by just about everybody in town and told to mind her own business.Needless to say, they continue to pursue the case. Darcy finds her own trouble along the way. Lots of it!
The story has twists and surprises along the way that keep the story moving at a good clip.The story includes large wild animals, knives, guns, falling chimneys and dangerous criminals.It also includes the sweet relationship between Darcy and Flora. The narration by Michelle Babb is good and easy to listen to. An enjoyable little mystery!

Enjoyable But Not Memorable

Any additional comments?

I found Grave Shift by Barbara Burgess and Blanche Day Manos to be an average mystery. It certainly isn't bad; it just isn't particularly memorable. The two main characters, mother Flora and daughter Darcy, are both widows. The daughter, a reporter, has come home to heal and regroup after the death of her husband. This is the second book in a series but there are no spoilers and this book stands alone. Being a reporter explains the daughter's curiosity and drive for answers, but I did find the set-up to be a bit contrived. A bereft mother of a daughter who vanished without a trace two years earlier, contacts them and asks them to find her; this is after law enforcement has completely struck out. They agree to look into her disappearance and make no secret about it with either the locals in their hometown where the daughter lived before her disappearance, nor in Amarillo, her hometown, which clearly alerts any suspicious parties of their intent. There was also the use of earthquakes to advance the action. There was a secondary subplot as well as a nice twist along the way which gave the book a few more layers. 

The narration a by Michelle Babb was well done. The characters each had a unique voice and were instantly recognizable.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy a lightweight cozy mystery.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

A very good series

I love this narrators work. Always good clean fun to listen to her bring books alive and this story did not disappoint. I'm a fellow Oklahoman I love stories that take place here. The story really resonates with my childhood growing up in wide open pastures and "the woods". It makes the story more real in my eyes. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Totally bingeworthy!

Another great listen from one of my favorite narrators. The story was a lot of fun to listen to but it also reminded never trust the public image of a person. I can’t wait to listen to more from this series. On to the next one!

Fun Adventure with Mother/Daughter Investigators

Any additional comments?

After receiving a letter from a mother desperate to find her missing daughter, the mother/daughter duo of Darcy and Flora set out to investigate the daughter's disappearance. During their investigation, their hometown in Oklahoma suffers not one but two earthquakes. Between interviewing the suspects and the earthquakes Darcy and Flora’s adventures become dangerous. Is this a case of foul play or a voluntary disappearance? Can Darcy and Flora solve this mystery without coming to harm?

This is the 2nd book in the series but my 1st book. Grave Shift is a very entertaining story. I really enjoyed meeting the mother and daughter team. Being a daughter and a mother of a daughter, I really relate to the mother and daughter's personalities. It is a well-written story with a great mystery. The author supplied several red herrings throughout the storyline to keep the suspense going until the end of the story.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Narrator Michelle Babb is a fabulous storyteller. She has wonderful comedic time, accents, and diction. Being able to listen to Michelle’s version of this book really adds your experience of reading this story.

I was given an ARC of this book in hopes I would submit a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.