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Darling Jim: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,309 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When two sisters and their aunt are found dead in their suburban Dublin home, it seems that the secret behind their untimely demise will never be known. But then Niall, a young mailman, finds a mysterious diary in the post office's dead-letter bin. From beyond the grave, Fiona Walsh shares the most tragic love story he's ever heard—and her tale has only just begun.
Niall soon becomes enveloped by the mystery surrounding itinerant storyteller Jim, who traveled through Ireland enrapturing audiences and wooing women with his macabre mythic narratives. Captivated by Jim, townspeople across Ireland thought it must be a sad coincidence that horrific murders trailed him wherever he went—and they failed to connect that the young female victims, who were smitten by the newest bad boy in town, bore an all too frightening similarity to the victims in Jim's own fictional plots.
The Walsh sisters, fiercely loyal to one another, were not immune to "darling" Jim's powers of seduction, but found themselves in harm's way when they began to uncover his treacherous past. Niall must now continue his dangerous hunt for the truth—and for the vanished third sister—while there's still time. And in the woods, the wolves from Jim's stories begin to gather.
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"Although I found this book highly entertaining and enjoyable, it did require major suspension of belief to absorb the plot. I wouldn't categorize it as a mystery, but more of a thriller/suspense novel. I feel like the end kind of fell apart, but it was suspenseful up until then. The writer needed to better explain the final fate of these three women."
— Kari (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Darling Jim is a delicious, dangerous and very original story within a story.
— Pam Lewis, author of Speak Softly, She Can Hear -
“Spellbinding…Aglow with fairy-tale inflections, this hypnotic, neogothic suspense story unfolds like a hothouse bloom, lush and pungent; it’s a sprig of nightshade, all petals and poison. And it heralds the arrival of an astonishingly gifted storyteller…Sly, wry and utterly original.”
— Washington Post -
“Christian Moerk…writes the best novel I’ve read in more than a year…I recommend this exotic book to all readers—not as ‘just a mystery’ but as a superb and inventive literary tour-de-force.”
— Cleveland Plain Dealer -
“Moerk tightly meshes each separate plot strand—the murders, the diaries and Quick’s tales—into an enthralling story that never falters.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
"Darling Jim is wickedly good. From its shocking beginning to the unwinding stories of three sisters, the tale spirals like a Celtic knot, wending back into authentic Irish folklore and forward into the modern world where storytellers have a dangerous charm. A page-turner of the highest sort.”
— Keith Donohue, author of The Stolen Child -
“A dark, seductive fairy tale of a book. Christian Moerk is a thrilling storyteller.”
— Gillian Flynn, author of Sharp Objects
Darling Jim Listener Reviews
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" This was ok. The story was intriguing so much so that I was rather nonplussed by the ending. "
— Amy, 2/18/2014 -
" This Celtic knot of twisted stories, diaries, vision quest, murder and revenge is best "read" by audiobook on a long car-trip. The lilting male and female voices (Stephen Hoye and Justine Eyre) conjure an enchantment that glosses over improbable coincidences and lapses in logic-- celebrating the sheer magic of storytelling. "
— Carolyn, 2/15/2014 -
" Very unique book about an Irish storyteller who brings mayhem to the towns he visits. A fairytale within a fairy tale "
— Marci, 1/21/2014 -
" This was an exceptional, original story written about an Irish family by a Danish author. I read it in 2 book groups and everyone thought it was great. It is a story within a story within a story. Give it a try. "
— Chris, 1/7/2014 -
" Chilling. Different voices woven together to create a haunting story that lingers after the last page "
— Diahann, 12/27/2013 -
" Darling Jim is a masterpiece. There's no other way for me to describe it. It's witty, thrilling and keeps you hooked from cover to cover. Christian's writing style is addicting and can't wait to read what he comes up with next. Five stars! "
— Bridget, 12/24/2013 -
" Very good book...a definite page turner. "
— Mark, 12/24/2013 -
" Hmmmmm, I am trying to remember to remember why I gave this book 3 stars..it should be more like 2.5 stars. Very dry and slow in its' presentation. I wasn't that impressed with the characters either. "
— Naomi, 12/11/2013 -
" Very suspenseful and never dull. Surprised this wasn't a bigger success. Would make a good movie. "
— Astrid, 11/12/2013 -
" Starts off beautifully and then does't deliver. Pity. "
— Sara.jensen, 11/2/2013 -
" I loved this book - suspensful, well written, good character development . . . "
— Margaret, 10/23/2013 -
" Re-read in August,'11. Still love this book. "
— Rachelle, 10/16/2013 -
" A story within a story. Intriguing, kept my full attention. "
— Susan, 10/13/2013 -
" Loved the Celtic fairytale and the modern-day story. Christian Moerk's take on what a woman would do for love is surprising, creepy, but, ultimately, believable. "
— Merm532, 7/29/2013 -
" A real page-turner. Lovely writing, good pacing, intriguing characters, story-in-story. "
— Red, 7/16/2013 -
" This book had a fairy tale, sinister folklore quality to it which is very appropriate for its Irish setting. Not totally my taste, but I'd like to give this author another try. "
— Carol, 7/7/2013 -
" I liked the narrative style, but I didn't like the folklore aspect. Overall, I didn't really like the book, but I did like the characters. "
— Shemsi, 4/30/2013 -
" Could not book this book down. A really great story. "
— Marykris, 4/5/2012 -
" This murder mystery is set outside Dublin, Ireland and revolves around a seanchai, a traveling Irish storyteller. Starts with the deaths of 2 sisters and their aunt and then the story is told through their diaries. Some typical Irish folklore and magic-but a really good read. "
— Pmcdnld2, 2/14/2012 -
" creepy but not in a good way.... "
— Psalm, 11/9/2011 -
" Captivating.....loved the setting, the main characters, the story. It was a very good read. "
— Molly, 9/20/2011 -
" I finished this Trenton's Book Club book, but it was weird and ended up having a twisted 'werewolf' ending about sisters who fell in love with the same guy who told stories about himself. Strange. "
— Betty, 4/25/2011 -
" I would caution that there is some language in this that might not be suitable for everyone. That said, this is the best book I have read in a very long time. Fantastic. "
— Jenny, 1/24/2011 -
" This was an exceptional, original story written about an Irish family by a Danish author. I read it in 2 book groups and everyone thought it was great. It is a story within a story within a story. Give it a try. "
— Chris, 1/22/2011 -
" This book has the wrong cover. It should be packaged much younger and edgier - not so cozy and ghostly. "
— Alisa, 12/14/2010 -
" I REALLY liked this book! A good murder mystery that follows through two dairies and a road trip. Very well done. "
— Dyanna, 10/29/2010 -
" A story within a story. Intriguing, kept my full attention. "
— Susan, 10/25/2010 -
" <br/>Darling Jim is a masterpiece. There's no other way for me to describe it. It's witty, thrilling and keeps you hooked from cover to cover. Christian's writing style is addicting and can't wait to read what he comes up with next. Five stars! <br/> "
— Bridget, 10/18/2010
About Christian Moerk
Christian Moerk was and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark and moved to Vermont in his early twenties. After getting his MS in journalism at Columbia University, he was a movie executive for Warner Bros. Pictures and later wrote about film for the New York Times. Darling Jim is his first novel published in America. He lives in Brooklyn.
About Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.