Audiobook Review: Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney
Author: Marie Tierney
Edition: ALC, Audiobook
Publisher: Bonnier UK Audio, Zaffre (February 15, 2024)
Genre: Adult, Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis
Thirteen-year-old Ava Bonney possesses an unusual intellect far beyond her years. While her friends play, Ava’s fascination lies in the intricate process of animal decomposition, studying roadkill found in the streets around her home.
But, one night, Ava’s secret nocturnal routine takes a chilling turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of fellow schoolmate, Mickey Grant.
As Detective Seth Delahaye takes charge of the perplexing case, Ava refuses to sit idle. Determined and resourceful, she embarks on a daring quest to unveil the truth behind the string of chilling deaths plaguing her community.
Armed with her unique skills and unrivalled local knowledge, Ava becomes an unlikely force in the race to apprehend the elusive killer before more lives are claimed.
My Review of Deadly Animals
Deadly Animals is a riveting mystery that stands out with a unique main character, atmospheric storytelling, and a strong writing voice. The perfect book for lovers of morbid girls and teen detectives solving small-town mysteries.
I received a free digital eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
A Book for Morbid Girls
Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney truly feels like it was written for me. Isn’t that the best kind of book? I stumbled across this book by accident and subsequently cursed myself for not having known about it sooner because readers, it’s already a 2024 favourite. From its protagonist (a teen-detective after my own heart) to its atmospheric setting, Deadly Animals offers a fun and captivating reading experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Ava is a delightful main character, she’s smart and serious about her morbid interests but also aware that they are unique and tries to respect that others react to seeing dead animals (and in this case, humans) very differently! Ava’s unique perspective serves as the lens through which readers navigate the investigation, adding suspense and emotional beats along the way. If you like Temperance Brennan or Wednesday Addams, you will definitely find a new character to love in Ava.
The narrative structure, which alternates between Ava and an adult detective, provides a well-balanced portrayal of the investigation. While the adult perspective offers glimpses into the more grisly aspects of the case, Ava is our primary sleuth, using her sharp wit and keen observation skills to unravel the mystery unfolding in her small town.
Small Town Mystery
Speaking of a small town, Tierney excels in capturing the essence of a small rural community, immersing readers in its close-knit dynamics and idyllic yet foreboding atmosphere. The choice of setting the story in the 1980s was a great one not just for the vibes, as it limits the available investigative techniques, requiring some old-fashioned sleuthing that a teenage girl could believably do!
What sets Deadly Animals apart is its seamless blend of dry humour and darkness, creating a narrative that is equally entertaining and chilling. Even though I clocked the killer pretty early on, I found the ending to be a really satisfying resolution to the case!
One of my favourite aspects of the book is how skilfully Marie Tierney weaves complex family dynamics into the narrative, offering glimpses into Ava’s rather dysfunctional life with her mother and sisters. These complicated and honestly abusive dynamics added depth and richness to the story and Ava’s character and were handled with true care!
An Immersive Audiobook
Olivia Dowd’s narration was truly fantastic! Bringing characters to life with distinct voices (and accents!) and masterful control of emotion, her nuanced performance felt incredibly immersive and elevated Marie Tierney’s strong writing voice as Ava to a whole other level. Honestly, if you are at all a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend reading this book on audio because it truly adds so much to the experience!
Overall…
…Deadly Animals is a riveting mystery that stands out with a unique main character, atmospheric storytelling, and a strong writing voice.
This book is for you if…
…you like morbid teen girls with a mind for mysteries or enjoy reading about teen detectives
…you are looking for a book that is smart, funny, and just a little on the darker side.
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One Comment
Sam @ Spines in a Line
I’m very intrigued! I love the idea of using a younger perspective for an adult book