High and Dry by Maia Ross – That’s What I’m Talking About…

Audiobook review: High and Dry by Maia Ross

It’s nearing the end of the summer, and Violet will be heading back to Toronto soon. Irma is determined to make the most of Violet’s remaining days, with lots of time outside. All is going splendidly until Stu, Violet, and Irma discover a body floating in the water.

High and Dry is the third tale in the Beaver Island Mysteries. Someone is trying to sabotage the wedding of local socialites, so they bring in Irma and Violet to put an end to the shenanigans. The mystery was well-written and planned out. I was constantly shifting my guess as to what was happening and whodunit. I absolutely loved this one. In addition to the wedding mystery, Irma pursues justice for Violet and Max by tracking down their former business partner, Shane. It played out well, and it is very satisfying to have that three-book arc close. 

Mostly, I love how Irma and Violet have grown close. I love how each is changing slightly, picking up outlooks and habits from one another. Irma is a wonderful surrogate mother/aunt while Violet is like the child Irma never had. They genuinely care about one another and have gone from acquaintances to family over the course of the month since Violet arrived. Since it was supposed to be the end of Violet’s vacation, things started to wrap up, but lucky for listeners, the series will continue as Violet plans to stay on Beaver Island.

Narration: 

Balm: Using a slight British accent, Balm narrates Irma’s first person POV with a deepish and slightly raspy voice fitting for the ex-spy. Balm adjusts the dialogue for most characters, albeit just enough to know different characters are speaking. She tends to be a little higher pitched for females, and softer and lower for males. She adjusts appropriately for mood and emotion. As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, I really enjoy her voice for Irma, but I do not like her voice for Violet. While it can come off young and whiny, it’s starting to grow on me. I think because I was more engaged in the story so I could overlook the familiar annoyance. Balm also seems to struggle with the other younger characters and those with straight Canadian/American accents. 

Burchard: Burchard uses an upbeat, energetic voice for the first person POV of Violet. The “non-accented” voice is fitting for 40-something, workaholic Violet. Burchard also does a lovely British accent for Irma. Burchard successfully alters dialogue for gender, age, and ethnicity, making each character unique enough to distinguish from one another.

In the end, I am enjoying the deepening friendship between retired spy Irma and techno-nerd Violet. I like how they balance one another as they solve mysteries. 

My Ratings
Story: A
Narration:
Balm: B-
Burchard: B+

Jen

About the Book:

A Gothic country manor, a doomed wedding, and a cowlicked criminal…