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The Calling Audiobook
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(3.03) - 791 listener ratings
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The first homicide that Canadian Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef, acting chief of the Port Dundas police, has had to investigate in almost three years is that of cancer patient Delia Chandler, a woman who once had an affair with Hazel's father. When a few days later, and three hundred kilometers away, the mutilated body of an multiple sclerosis sufferer is found, painted in Chandler's blood, Micallef realizes that someone is killing the terminally ill, and not for mercy's sake. Hobbled by a bad back and a skeptical police bureaucracy, Inspector Micallef takes it upon herself to coordinate a nationwide manhunt for the killer; a man, she soon learns, who can save a life as dramatically as he can end one—a man with God on his mind, grief in his heart, and a desperate need to kill.
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"I read "The Taken" before I read this one, so I read out of order. However, it did not take away from the story. The story follows D.I. Hazel Micallef, in a small town called Port Dundas in Canada. The body of an elderly lady Hazel knows all her life, is found in her home, drained of her blood and yet it would appear, humanely killed. The woman has a terminal illness and it would have seemed to have been an assisted suicide, had it not been for the strange post-death mutilation. When Hazel hears of another similar death a few hundred kilometers away a couple of days later, she goes to look into this death also and soon makes the link that there is a serial killer on the loose, covering his tracks quite well for some time. Hazel is not your typical lead character. She is 61 years old and has a chronic back problem, which she doses with painkillers and alcohol. She lives with her 87 year old mother and still has a good relationship with her ex-husband, who has now remarried. It is clear Hazel still has feelings for her ex, she has a good relationship with her co-workers also, but now one relationship with her second in command is coming apart, when Hazel refuses to call in the R.C.M.P. to assist with the current case. We know pretty much right off, the man responsible for the killings, but this does not take away from an ending full of high drama and a little suspense. I like this book, despite the fact that the killer is highly competent and yet two cans short of a six pack, there is just something about the style of writing and the authors story-telling ability to keep you on the edge of your seat and able to suspend your belief of the overall plot. There is a third book, which I look forward to tracking down in the New Year."
— Mary (4 out of 5 stars)
The Calling Listener Reviews
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" Not usually my kind of read with creepy, violent serial killings but I was pulled in by characters and setting and the plot kept my attention all the way to the dramatic ending. "
— Marsha, 2/1/2014 -
" Pretty good. I'm glad it's the start of a series. "
— Antoinette, 1/30/2014 -
" A fun and fast paced read. Apparently the author is writing under a psyeudonym and is in fact a "literary novelist"? That certainly seems to be the case given the fine sentences and use of language. Again while like many a story not all aspects follow what we define as a logical line, the character development is good, even for secondary characters....there are alot of characters to keep track of. I enjoyed Hazel, her mom and her OPP crew, along with reading a story set in an Ontario I recognize. "
— Rosanne, 1/19/2014 -
" Great serial killer book that takes place across Canada. "
— Tom, 1/16/2014 -
" Read #2 in this series first and was excited to find an excellent new (to me) author. The Calling was even better, a really outstanding page-turner: I read it for much of a day off, stayed up late to try to finish it, couldn't, and polished it off over tea the next morning. As with the second in the series, but more so, a compelling mystery accompanied by interesting characters and involving (and evolving) relationships. It felt fitting to finish the book on Mother's Day, which you'll understand if you read it. "
— Jane, 1/16/2014 -
" Love the characters, plot was interesting and well-written, I am looking forward to more! "
— Laurie, 1/12/2014 -
" ..just ok.. "
— Lester, 1/12/2014 -
" Better than average for a serial killer book, largely because Hazel's a compelling protagonist. I'm not in love with the plot but the characters make this more worthwhile. "
— Jessica, 1/3/2014 -
" Well written, but a little too grisly for my taste. I don't usually read serial killer books but I liked the title character enough make an exception in this case. "
— Janet, 12/1/2013 -
" Wow. This mystery was a real page-turner. An unusual premise and an unusual heroine helped. However, the ending floundered. It seemed the author wrote herself into a corner, so she pulled a cheap trick out of her hat. Still, for a winter read, I'd say go for it "
— Kate, 11/26/2013 -
" Bob for XMas?? "
— Pamk, 11/8/2013 -
" Well, I didn't find it *that* creepy. It was better than some, but not as good as made out. I really like the protagonist, she was someone I could relate to. "
— Carlin, 10/21/2013 -
" 1st novel - enjoyed it enought to order the next one. "
— Sharon, 10/12/2013 -
" I'm really enjoying this Hazel Micallef series, set in a small town in Canada. This 60+ year old detective is funny and smart, and reminds me of Helen Mirren's character in the BBC series "Prime Suspect". "
— Jean, 7/14/2013 -
" Borrowed from the library...written under a pseudonym...it is about a diabolical mercy killer who haunts the entire country of Canada...but without any publicity. I read it on a camping trip on a remote island in N. Lake Huron in Canada. "
— Denisewiden, 7/6/2013 -
" A really good read - thoroughly enjoyed this book. "
— Sue, 5/18/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book. It is suspenseful, fast paced and attention grabbing. The characters are intriguing, especially Hazel, who is not the typical heroine in a mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. "
— Ann, 3/7/2013 -
" Hazel is compelling. A good read. "
— Shirley, 7/31/2012 -
" I read this book because a friend lent it to me. I was not prepared for the seemingly purposeless murders and the deranged murderer. This book kept me up at night. "
— Paula, 5/10/2012 -
" Recommended by a patron / friend, this is a chilling adult mystery suspense novel with lots of twists and turns. Better, I think, than Patricia Cornwell. Unfortunately, can't find much more that she's written. "
— Kathy, 11/14/2011 -
" I tried my hardest to get into this book. While I liked Hazel just fine I felt there were too many characters introduced and I had a heck of a time keeping people straight. I've put it aside for now (about 1/3 of the way in) and will update later if I pick it up again. "
— Jo, 9/27/2011 -
" Not the cozy mystery I thought it might be - which made it an excellent read. Quirky characters, strong women, unexpected plot twists. "
— Cindi, 9/11/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book and I thought the characterizations were excellent; the mystery itself is suspenceful and dark. I can't wait to read her next work! "
— Debra, 5/22/2011 -
" Pretty good. I'm glad it's the start of a series. "
— Antoinette, 5/3/2011 -
" Creepy story, but very well-written and I loved the main character. "
— Sarah, 4/25/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I found Hazel Micallef very entertaining "
— Nicole, 1/31/2011 -
" Well, I didn't find it *that* creepy. It was better than some, but not as good as made out. I really like the protagonist, she was someone I could relate to. "
— Carlin, 1/24/2011 -
" Chilling! Vivid characters with strong voices. "
— Christie, 1/10/2011 -
" Canadian murder noir! The theme gets a little overwrought (inventive killer visits terminally ill people and helps them die, but adds his own macabre twist), but it's refreshing to read about a middle-aged female divorcee detective for a change. "
— Vicky, 1/4/2011 -
" I'm really enjoying this Hazel Micallef series, set in a small town in Canada. This 60+ year old detective is funny and smart, and reminds me of Helen Mirren's character in the BBC series "Prime Suspect". "
— Jean, 12/29/2010 -
" This was a great read with great characters. I will be reading more of her books, whoever she is. I bet solidly against Margret Atwood, though. "
— Jane_doh, 12/20/2010 -
" I am not quite half way through this and it is amazing! If you like Cody McFadyen then this book is perfect for you!<br/>Finished it and loved it! "
— Wendy, 11/14/2010
About Inger Ash Wolfe
Inger Ash Wolfe is the pseudonym of well-known and well-regarded North American literary writer Michael Redhill. He is an American-born Canadian poet, playwright, and novelist. He completed his education at York University and the University of Toronto, and was the publisher of the Canadian magazine Brick from 2000 to 2009.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.