"Twisty and totally unpredictable, Mad Love will have thriller fans raving. Brilliantly narrated by the incomparable Julia Whelan along with a full cast, Wendy Walker's dark and electrifying tale comes to life.” Mary Kubica, NYT best-selling author of Local Woman Missing
They were madly in love. The perfect couple.
That was the story everyone in South River believed...until Gin Talcott and Adam Archer are found shot in their bed.
Adam is dead at the scene. Gin is fighting for her life.
Detectives Greta Jessup and Finn Pate are assigned to the case. Greta has a long history with Gin’s first husband, Eddie, and is determined to protect his 18-year-old twins. Piper discovered the bodies. Daniel is missing—and so is Adam’s gun.
Shocking discoveries about Gin and Adam’s marriage quickly shine a bright light on the children—and their aunt Ruth Talcott, who has her own secrets.
The one person who might know the truth is local estate attorney Sarah Branford. Gin left a letter for her two days before the shooting which Sarah now opens:
Dear Sarah, If you’re reading this, there’s a story I need to tell you. It begins and ends with Adam. I will never forgive myself for what I’ve done....
The evidence twists and turns until the shocking truth about the Talcott family—and the killer—is finally revealed.
Wendy Walker is the author of psychological suspense. Her novels have been translated into 23 foreign languages, have topped bestseller lists both nationally and abroad, and have been optioned for television and film.
Audiobook productions have come such a long way from when I first listened to one YEARS AGO on a long car drive, and the lone narrator was voicing the women and the men (the latter-not very well)!
This one has a FULL CAST of narrators, and sound effects such as the ping of a text message coming in, phones ringing, guns shooting, and footsteps fleeing…to name just a few….
It opens with a 911 CALL and is told through various forms of dialogue: conversations, phone calls, interviews, letters etc
MAD LOVE is the story of a wealthy, grieving widow named Gin Talcott, whose husband Eddie had recently committed Suicide.
The small, seaside town of South River was SURPRISED when she quickly remarried a much younger sailing instructor named Adam Archer, but they were SHOCKED when they heard that Gin and Adam were found shot in their bed.
Gin’s twins, Piper and Daniel, fall under suspicion when they are the ones who find their mother fighting for her life-with Adam dead beside her.
The only one who MIGHT know the truth is the local estate attorney, Sarah Branford, who had received a letter from Gin just two days before the shooting..
“Dear Sarah, If you are reading this….”
Detectives Greta Jessup and Finn Pate are on the case.
Your star studded cast of narrators include: Julia Whelan as Sarah Branford Alexis Bledel as Gin Talcott Renee Elise Goldsberry as Detective Greta Jessup Finn Wittrock as Adam Archer Damon Daunno as Detective Finn Pate Elizabeth Evans as Tallie Manfred (Adam’s former lover) Therese Plummer as Tara Everleigh (a neighbor) Author Wendy Walker as…?! (She has a cameo but I don’t know as WHO-could she be Aunt Ruth?) If you know-be sure to let me know in the comments!
4⭐️ for the story 5⭐️for the Audible production 4.5 rounded up!
A NOT TO BE MISSED AUDIBLE ORIGINAL-available NOW!
Adam Archer was Gin Talcott’s second husband, whom she married not too long after she lost her first husband Eddie. Piper, Gin’s eighteen-year-old daughter from her first marriage, discovers the gruesome crime scene after a shooter left Adam dead and Gin fighting for her life in their own bed. Piper’s twin brother Daniel, who also might have been present at the time, is believed to have left the scene with the murder weapon, indicating that the twins may have been involved.
Detectives Greta Jessup, who was a friend of Eddie’s, and Finn Pate leave no stone unturned as they do a deep dive into Adam and Gin’s lives. Not only theirs might not have been the happy marriage that everyone assumed, but complicating matters further is the fact that Piper , Daniel and Ruth, Eddie’s sister, know more than they are letting on.
Parallel to the police investigation, we are given insight into the events that led up to that fateful through a letter Gun left for estate attorney Sarah Branford two days before the shooting. As Sarah reads Gin's letter, she is compelled to do some digging of her own.
What follows is a complex web of secrets, lies, deception and much more.
Mad Love by Wendy Walker is a cleverly crafted thriller. Twisty and suspenseful (though a tad convoluted toward the end), this was an engrossing story made even more enjoyable by the brilliant full-cast narration by Julia Whelan, Alexis Bledel, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Finn Wittrock, Damon Daunno and Elizabeth Evans. Easily finished in one sitting, this is perfect if you are looking for a fast-paced quick listen (a little over 4 hours at 1X speed).
This was an audible freebee, and first of all, the narration and production was well done. Also, I could absolutely relate to that toxic, mad kind of love that makes you unreasonable and a bad version of yourself. Also, the mystery part was complex and interesting.
Not having experience with listening to books, I can't say whether I would have felt the same had I read it in written form, but the audio format was smooth and well paced. The plot itself had several intriguing twists combined with mostly likable characters keeping me one hundred percent engaged.
I really liked the one other book I read by Wendy Walker so I’d wanted to read this either way, but when presented with the audiobook opportunity I took a leap of faith. At the encouragement of a friend, I gave Audible books another try.
The production was amazing. The days of a single narrator voicing all the characters have gone by the wayside in lieu of professional actors and sound effects which really enhanced this story.
Thank you to a wonderful friend for her gift certificate nudging me to try this.
5/19/2024 Edit: I didn't realize that this was a special production and that it wasn't available in any other format. Thus my comments about reading it as a printed book.
Virginia (Gin) and Adam Archer are the perfect couple. Gin's first husband died by suicide two years earlier and everyone is happy that Gin found love again with Adam. Together they are living a wealthy life raising Gin's twin children (Piper and Daniel) from her previous marriage. Not until Gin and Adam are found shot in their bed does the truth of their relationship start to reveal itself.
An attorney friend of Gin's (Sarah Brandford) was sent a letter two days before the shooting detailing secrets that Gin hid from everyone. As Sarah as well as the police try to unravel this mystery what they discover is shocking.
*This Audible Original is wonderful! Great narration and story plot!*
4✚ 🎭 🎭 🎭 🎭 Free with Audible membership, this immersive 4 hour audio book immediately caught my eye with Narrated by: Julia Whelan. She's just one of many in the cast of 5 star narrators enacting the story of why Gin Talcott and Adam Archer were found shot in their bed. The cast of suspects includes Gin's teenage twins. Sometimes background sound effects can be a bit distracting in these offerings but not here, it was so well done and kept me completely engaged.
Started out so strong - really cool production as an audible original (and free Wooo).
But my god I got so lost 🤣😭 this definitely isn’t a “listen while doing other things” book.
I got so so so confused by the end - the plot was so complicated and the reveals didn’t land because I was still trying to work out who anybody was, and how they were all connected.
Would recommend tbf - but idk concentrate more than I did?
An audible original with a full cast. I felt transported back to radio days and searched out each narrator because I kept recognizing voices. Well done. Listened without stopping.
What do you call an audiobook that's a page-turner? Whatever it is, Wendy Walker's MAD LOVE qualifies. I was hooked from the first line to the last (which, by the way, may be one of the creepiest and most memorable final lines in fiction). Walker is the queen of blending psychological and crime fiction to keep us invested and addicted. I couldn't love MAD LOVE more.
Mad Love was released in May last year as an Audible original production. Wendy Walker’s audio release was an immersive, twisty, volatile and lightning bolt style tale that features a full cast experience. If you consider yourself to be a thriller fan, this one will get your heart pumping wildly!
Adam and Gin were South River’s most picture-perfect couple, until they were found shot in their bed. This shocking crime leaves Adam dead and Gin clinging to life. As Detectives assigned to the case investigate, they discover some disturbing facts about Gin and Adam’s marriage, leading them to cast suspicion on everyone close to the couple.
Mad Love is the second story that I have indulged in from psychological suspense author Wendy Walker. Mad Love is a tale that comes with a full ensemble cast rather than one set narrator. I found this 2024 title to be incredibly gripping, especially in regards to the murder investigation and mystery content. The audiobook features performances by Julia Whelan, Alexis Bledel, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Damon Duanno, Elizabeth Evans and Finn Wittrock. A couple of these narrators are actors from television shows I’ve enjoyed, so Mad Love truly felt like listening to a movie or TV series rather than an audio based story. The varied voices and character-driven narration added a high degree of depth to the story, making it all the more consuming.
The plot offers readers a tangled web of love, lust, obsession, adultery, manipulation, reputation, extortion, jealousy, strained family relations, exploitation, relationships and wealth. The combination of investigative efforts, lies, twists, revelations, action and suspense was perfect.
Mad Love is a fantastic interactive based audiobook and the carefully selected ensemble cast elevates it to another level. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that come with a cinema-like experience, this one is highly recommended.
This was a good, short, free audiobook with a full cast and all the sound effects. Like an old timey radio play. I liked the story and didn't guess the ending. Helped me get through a few chores.
Fast audio book with great production. I enjoy an audiobook that’s full of a lot of action so it keeps my attention. My only complaint was that there was so many characters in this that I was finding it difficult to keep everyone straight. If this was a physical or kindle book I would be able to reference back but I did replay some parts just to be sure I knew what was going on.
This is a domestic thriller that if you are paying attention you will enjoy. Twists and turns until the very end which is all I ever ask in a thriller! Audible original has a lot of gems I always like to check out what they have and this didn’t disappoint.
A huge all-star cast of narrators (I think I counted 30ish different narrators). Many of the best in the bizz. An intelligent, twisty, engaging whodunnit mystery, with intricate layers and seamless construction. Brava Wendy Walker! More like this please!
A very different type of audiobook. It's graphic audio, so it sounds like a soap opera or play. Gin and Adam were found in their bed one night. Adam was dead. Gin was critical. Both shot. The story went to past leading up to the shooting. Two detectives interview all potential suspects. Great story, but the ending was anti climactic for me. There was no real twist at the end. Was still an entertaining read
3.5 ⭐️ kept me engaged the whole time and it was cool how each character was narrated by a different person in a theatrical way but i didnt love the end
Wendy Walker’s Mad Love hooks readers immediately with a gripping 911 call that sets the stage for a suspenseful narrative. Adam Archer and Gin Talcott, once the epitome of the town’s perfect couple, are now at the center of a shocking crisis after being shot. As Detective Greta delves into the tangled web of Adam’s tumultuous love life, the story unfolds into a thrilling rollercoaster of secrets and revelations, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as every hidden truth comes to light.
The narrators delivered an outstanding performance, skillfully using sound effects and emotional inflections to bring the characters to life. Their talent truly deserves a round of applause. Surprisingly, Adam Archer emerged as my favorite character; he exceeded my expectations in ways I hadn’t anticipated and that is not necessarily a good thing as I would not say I approved of his lifestyle choices. In contrast, I struggled to connect with Gin, and Detective Greta seemed more like a conduit for revelations rather than an active discoverer of them. Wendy Walker masterfully led us into twists with a sense of blind excitement. However, I must admit that not every twist was a revelation—some moments veered into predictability, which slightly tempered my overall enjoyment. Overall a quick and fun audiobook, perfect for a four hour road trip. :)
This was a full cast audiobook. It was like listening to a play with the background sounds. I really enjoyed it, the story had twists and left you wondering whodunnit throughout. Really fun audio, highly recommend. If only all audiobooks could be this immersive.
A fun whodunnit featuring a full cast with a framing narrative. Who is Adam Archer? And Who killed him? Lots of "ifs", "buts", "What the...?" and "Oh"s!
Wow, this is an exciting, thrilling story to listen to, we hear sound effects; doors slamming, sirens blaring, and so on. It’s actually like listening to a true crime TV show, and this brought the excitement to another level! Those small towns sure do know how to pack a punch, when it comes to secrets! Evil is always lurking.
The audible was about four hours, and very fast paced with exciting twists and turns! Edge of the seat stuff!
In a really quick read you can't always develop characters fully, but the gigantic turn off for me about this book is it makes all women look like love-sick puppies who follow the sociopathic schemer and can't see overwhelming evidence shoved into their faces. I'm not saying it can't happen to maybe one or two women, but like 95% of the women in this book are sucked into his false love. The twist at the end is worth a star but there are so many people thrown out as possible subjects it became a little much.
I think this is my favorite Audible Original yet! Although if I’m being honest I haven’t given them too much attention. But I love Wendy Walker though & this was really good!