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Hell or High Water Audiobook
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(3.07) - 274 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Nola Cespedes, an ambitious young reporter at the Times-Picayune, finally catches a break: an assignment to write her first full-length feature. While investigating her story, she also becomes fixated on the search for a missing tourist in the French Quarter. As Nola's work leads her into a violent criminal underworld, she's forced to face disturbing truths from her own past. Vividly rendered in razor-sharp prose, this haunting thriller is a riveting journey of trust betrayed - and the courageous struggle to rebuild. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and with a knockout twist, Joy Castro's Hell or High Water features an unforgettable heroine as fascinating and multi-layered as New Orleans itself.
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"Some scars never heal, but not all. Some will start to heal when forced. That's the theme of author Joy Castro's well-written and provocative new thriller, "Hell or High Water." This dark novel is set in New Orleans in 2008, three years after Katrina savaged the city and everyone in it. It's a tale of self-discovery and redemption centering on New Orleans Times-Picayune style section reporter Nola Cespedes. Nola is a fiercely independent young woman, armed to the teeth with a Tulane journalism degree but not quite sure how to use it. She has a deep understanding of her hometown wrought from being raised nights in its dangerous Desire Projects by her single mother (a refugee from Fidel Castro's Cuba), while spending her childhood days in an expensive private Catholic school in the French Quarter courtesy of an educational grant. Grown up and longing to leave New Orleans for the seemingly brighter pastures of Manhattan and The New York Times, Nola is ecstatic when she lands an important assignment to write her first full-length feature --- a piece on what happened to New Orleans's sexual predators and their victims in Katrina's disastrous aftermath. Done well, the story could be her golden ticket out of New Orleans. But first she must complete her research and writing about rapacious monsters haunting the wounded city while a female tourist ominously disappears from the French Quarter in broadest daylight. In an increasingly desperate struggle against New Orleans' devils, and her own, Nola battles to unearth stories that have no desire to be pried from their grim hideaways."
— Richard (4 out of 5 stars)
Hell or High Water Listener Reviews
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" I was drawn in by the narrator's storytelling and her exquisite descriptions of New Orleans. For a visitor, it gives an interesting glimpse into life before and after Katrina from someone not flooded out but still greatly affected by the storm and it's aftermath. I found Nola believable and someone I would like to read more about her life and what happens after the end of the book. "
— Jodie, 2/9/2014 -
" Although I found the book readable and enjoyed it, I have a bit of a quibble about it being promoted as a crime thriller. It really isn't. There's a crime at the heart of the story, but the main story doesn't really function as a crime novel. It's much more a personal growth sort of story with a crime involved. "
— Bryn, 2/2/2014 -
" The descriptions of tourist New Orleans made my mouth water for beignets, po-boys and etouffee. The descriptions of the dark underside of New Orleans made me want to hide my kids and hide my wife. "
— Kevin, 1/23/2014 -
" Interesting story set in post-K NOLA...the main character, annoyingly named NOLA really irritated me throughout most of the book, until I figured out what the hell was going on with her, then it became less annoying. The author makes fun references to many well know NOLA landmarks and I can picture it all so easily... "
— Lisa, 1/8/2014 -
" Excellent read. Complex story, well written, good feel of New Orleans. The heroine is sometimes difficult to like but very realistic and interesting. I listened to the audible version and didn't care for the narrator's voice. "
— Andrea, 12/25/2013 -
" Looking foward to Nola's future investigations and character development. Loving this new strong, smart, and witty Latina who is not afraid to dive into the gritty under belly of her investigative journalism in the rich and flavorful setting that is New Orleans. "
— Martha, 12/18/2013 -
" engaging, with a wonderful depth of character for both the heroine and the city of New Orleans. an impulse buy I do not regret. "
— Noel, 12/10/2013 -
" Utterly compelling and difficult to put down. And my lord, did it make me hungry -- all those descriptions of New Orleans food. Beautifully written. "
— Betsy, 11/19/2013 -
" I could get behind a series of Nola mysteries--and I am not a fan of series characters in general. Especially mystery series featuring the same character. Nola has the depth of character to keep things interesting in a continuing series. "
— Julie, 11/19/2013 -
" Castro provided incredible description of New Orleans and created a really interesting and dark main character in Nola. This had more grit than I had expected, but I found it really enthralling and hard to put down. I'm glad to hear there's a sequel in the works! "
— Melanie, 8/23/2013 -
" Takes the reader to very dark places, but gives you real facts about the nature and world of sexual offenders. The heroine, Nola, is one of the most interesting and well-drawn I've read in a while. Plus the city of post-Katrina New Orleans is a character . "
— Sue, 6/11/2013 -
" My mother LOVED this book, one of the best she's read. I won't have time for it for awhile, but look forward to it as a treat. I've just started. Joy Castro writes great dialogue in this book. And of course her sentence-craft is exquisite. "
— Cindy, 5/14/2013 -
" Excellent. This author knows and loves New Orleans and has written an intriguing and exciting book. "
— Martha, 5/7/2013 -
" Interesting book...too many New Orleans story digressions though. I didn't really like the main character at all...whiny, lazy, no control. "
— Monique, 4/14/2013 -
" I would say a 3.5. I just loved Nola-- abrasive and imperfect as she was! "
— Jack7609, 4/11/2013 -
" There is some unexpected behavior for a murder mystery character which is not particularly well dealt with on a moral and ethical level--the story is written competently, but I am unsure if I would read another book by this author because of this. "
— Catherine, 4/6/2013 -
" I simply loved this book. Now THIS is what you can call "literary fiction"! Full review to follow... "
— Holly, 1/28/2013 -
" Love the idea of this story. It should have been more suspenseful given that the main character goes around interviewing sex offenders. "
— Africa, 10/23/2012 -
" September selection for book club. Story was well written and captivating. Literally could not put the book down once I started. Looking forward to discussion next month (will update review !). "
— Nicole, 10/23/2012 -
" This is a good novel. I wouldn't call it a mystery, but a powerful story with a surprise ending. I like Castro's strong voice and lucidity on matters of race, sex, and social justice. "
— Peg, 10/16/2012
About Joy Castro
Joy Castro is the award-winning author of Flight Risk, a finalist for a 2022 International Thriller Award; the post-Katrina New Orleans literary thriller Hell or High Water, which received the Nebraska Book Award, and the essay collection Island of Bones, which received the International Latino Book Award, among other books. Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, on Salon, and elsewhere. For more information, visit www.joycastro.com.
About Roxanne Hernandez
Roxanne Hernandez is an audio narrator and a top narrator choice for young adult, adult drama, and Latin American/Chicano literature. She was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2011.