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Playing Nice
- Narrated by: Ben Elliot, Amelia Cormack, Peter Forbes
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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What listeners say about Playing Nice
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Podenco Fan
- 02-08-20
Perhaps more riveting if you are a parent
I am a 50% JP Delaney Fan ... LOVED "The Girl Before" could not get into "Believe me" ADORED "The Perfect Wife" and it is still sharp in my mind like I read it yesterday but I could not get into "Playing Nice". I am so hoping this hit and miss format is continuing for me and I will go wild about the next JP Delaney as it is almost like there are two authors at work here taking it in turns to right the books! "The Girl Before" was fabulous ... and "The Perfect Wife" was even better ... and now this.
Don't get me wrong, the switched baby scenario is huge food for thought for anyone - but not being a parent I think it just did not resonate as much with me and although I did get the many complex emotions this would create, it did not hold my attention, so I gave up and just skipped ahead and yes as usual JP Delaney served up twist after stunning twist.
Perhaps because I basically got bored and gave up and skipped ahead, I missed out nuances but to me it seemed a little broadly painted - a pantomime baddy - a saintly goody - a terrible situation to be resolved and then it all escalated.
From another author this would be a brilliant book and for those who enjoy kitchen sink dramas, emotions being tugged by toddlers and kind of soap series melodrama it would be a treat. But I just expected far more from JP Delaney and had hoped this would be another "Girl Before/Perfect Wife" though it was less far fetched than "Believe Me".
Also I find reading about mental health issues unsavoury as I am just looking for a thriller to capture my imagination and take me on a thrilling ride of suspense and mystery and bringing in the potential red herring of are they/aren't they insane just muddies the waters for me.
So to sum up, very well written book, good narration but just themes not really up my street and not the smash hit follow up to "The Girl Before/The Perfect Wife" I had so joyfully anticipated. Maybe the next book will blow my socks off - I hope so!
38 people found this helpful
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- Fee
- 24-12-20
Oh dear!
Such hard work, I did persevere but I really wish I would stop completing books just because I’ve started. This is a recurring refrain from me and my 2021 resolution is based on the fact we all have different views, different opinions (and that’s wonderful and interesting) I’m not a rude person if I dislike a book someone else loves, so don’t finish it! We’ll see. Anyway, unlikeable characters, even the child! And I need someone I can feel empathy for ( here, only David), I just didn’t enjoy it.
20 people found this helpful
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- Natasha
- 14-02-21
Disappointed
I felt uncomfortable at how the character of the disabled child was treated in the book, very much subordinate to the other child. It was clear the author didn’t feel he had the same worth to either set of parents. Shocked at the use of the word “retarded”.
15 people found this helpful
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- christine
- 07-09-20
At times quite Frustrating
Some aspects of this story were frustrating. Theo was meant to be 2 and a half and yet his language was so much more advanced. I found that unbelievable. I didn’t think it was necessary for The Australian lady who narrated Maddie’s part to try and use an English accent when referencing the british characters. That grated on me a bit.
Overall the idea was good and the story had a satisfactory conclusion.
15 people found this helpful
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- minniepow
- 17-10-20
First class story telling.
I absolutely loved this. A psychological thriller with a very satisfactory ending..I listened on audible and couldn't wait for the next dog walk.
9 people found this helpful
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- Marion G.
- 09-10-20
Hooks you in
Finished this in no time at all and not disappointed at the end either. A story that is plausible in our overstretched NHS and a sobering dilemma. How would you react if suddenly confronted by a couple who have the evidence that will take away your child. The villain of the piece is outwardly concerned and reasonable but beware …. and that is all I can reveal without spoiling your enjoyment. ~~~~Enjoy
7 people found this helpful
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- cflash
- 30-09-20
In one word - tedious
I loved JP Delaney’s ‘the girl before’ but this was although full of promise and a great idea was boring.
I found myself jumping to the last 5 chapters having listened to half just to find out the end.
Wouldn’t recommend this one - very disappointing from a great author.
7 people found this helpful
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- Graeme Robison
- 27-02-21
Just go to the police!!!
A quite good start but so many reasons to call police and nkne were taken? Silly story
5 people found this helpful
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- Ann D
- 29-08-20
Compelling!
This is a really good listen/read. It’s very well written and the narration is excellent. There are a couple of minor procedural inaccuracies, but they are not of any great consequence. Recommend!
5 people found this helpful
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- Dawn evans
- 02-08-20
Fantastic
So current and accurate read in two days good realistic research I really enjoyed this book and would welcome more from the author
Excellent
3 people found this helpful