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The Sound of Tuning Out
Seventeen-year-old Jake Bodkin dies while performing a stunt for his YouTube channel, leaving his family shattered. But as they begin to piece together the events leading up to his death, unsettling questions Was it really an accident?
In the same quiet suburb, Donna Howe suddenly disappears without a trace. As the search for her intensifies, the police uncover a connection between Jake’s death and Donna’s vanishing—a link that hints at something far more sinister.
As the cases intertwine, online sleuths, amateur detectives, and the relentless media turn the quiet community into a battleground of secrets and lies. But the truth, buried deep in the shadows of the past, is more twisted than anyone could have imagined.
As secrets unravel and tensions rise, a web of lies, obsession, and hidden truths threatens to rattle this quiet suburban community.
In the same quiet suburb, Donna Howe suddenly disappears without a trace. As the search for her intensifies, the police uncover a connection between Jake’s death and Donna’s vanishing—a link that hints at something far more sinister.
As the cases intertwine, online sleuths, amateur detectives, and the relentless media turn the quiet community into a battleground of secrets and lies. But the truth, buried deep in the shadows of the past, is more twisted than anyone could have imagined.
As secrets unravel and tensions rise, a web of lies, obsession, and hidden truths threatens to rattle this quiet suburban community.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2025
6 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Shane W. O'Haire
1 book9 followersShane W. O’Haire is a mystery/thriller author. The Sound of Tuning Out delves into secrets, justice, and the darker sides of human nature. This is their first novel, marking the beginning of an exciting literary journey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 17, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Intrigued by premise. Immediately pulled into the story. Captivated by its early events. Excited for what’s to come. Puzzled by the shifting perspectives and suddenly scattered authorial voice. Bored by unnecessarily drawn out meanderings. Jarred by the complete 180 in storytelling mode. Frustrated by an incongruent and confounding ending. Wish this book lived up to its early potential.
Intrigued by premise. Immediately pulled into the story. Captivated by its early events. Excited for what’s to come. Puzzled by the shifting perspectives and suddenly scattered authorial voice. Bored by unnecessarily drawn out meanderings. Jarred by the complete 180 in storytelling mode. Frustrated by an incongruent and confounding ending. Wish this book lived up to its early potential.
April 9, 2025
What seems like a straight forward tragic accident starts to evolve into a sinister mystery.
I did find that the plot meandered at times, and would’ve liked to see more detail from some of the main characters. The fluff could’ve been cut down in the narrative to make this read more smoothly.
What I really enjoyed was the mixed media used to convey the story as well: news reports, diary entries, letters, etc.
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for a copy!
I did find that the plot meandered at times, and would’ve liked to see more detail from some of the main characters. The fluff could’ve been cut down in the narrative to make this read more smoothly.
What I really enjoyed was the mixed media used to convey the story as well: news reports, diary entries, letters, etc.
Thank you to NetGalley & the author for a copy!
March 4, 2025
I enjoyed this! I was hooked from the beginning and fully invested throughout. I loved the use of various formats to tell the story. This was a really immersive read! I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Shane W. O'Haire and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2025
Following the death of a teen with a decent social media following and the subsequent videos that were posted after his death and the attention it brings. His family and their lives are turned upside down.
I'm kind of speechless. This was a wild ride.
Multi first person POV and use of social media formatting made it interesting.
I don't even know what to say that won't deliver a spoiler. I normally take notes while I read to help write a review, but I was so invested I forgot. The emotions ran the gamut. I would definitely say there should be a Trigger Warning, while it's obviously about the loss of a child/close loved one I was not expecting the raw emotion, especially when Caleb viewed his brother's body.
As a mother, but not one that has lost a child, a good part of the first bit of the book was pretty heart wrenching. Which speaks to the authors ability to convey emotion in writing.
I'm impressed and will be keeping an eye on this author.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this title!!
I'm kind of speechless. This was a wild ride.
Multi first person POV and use of social media formatting made it interesting.
I don't even know what to say that won't deliver a spoiler. I normally take notes while I read to help write a review, but I was so invested I forgot. The emotions ran the gamut. I would definitely say there should be a Trigger Warning, while it's obviously about the loss of a child/close loved one I was not expecting the raw emotion, especially when Caleb viewed his brother's body.
As a mother, but not one that has lost a child, a good part of the first bit of the book was pretty heart wrenching. Which speaks to the authors ability to convey emotion in writing.
I'm impressed and will be keeping an eye on this author.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this title!!
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this! The references to Pantera, iron maiden & Eddie van halen took me in straight away, the short chapters and the mystery surrounding the whole story kept me hooked!
There was some moments where I wasn’t following completely & was a bit confused but overall the storyline was great 🖤
There was some moments where I wasn’t following completely & was a bit confused but overall the storyline was great 🖤
March 31, 2025
The Sound of Tuning Out by Shane W. O'Haire is a psychological murder mystery with multiple timelines. And I’m leaving this review after reading a review copy.
The book starts with the death of Jake Bodkin, a guitarist and a YouTube creator. And then, it gets into the disappearance of Donna Howe, a troubled girl from the same neighbourhood. Investigation of both cases runs in parallel for most part of the book.
It has quite an unorthodox storytelling style, using different first-person POVs, alongside social media posts, online forums, and diary entries. Even though it was puzzling, I kind of liked it.
The plot was interesting, but I didn’t love the book overall.
Due to mixed story formats, plenty of the story felt like going off a tangent. Random ramblings without much in relation to the story. It slowed the pace.
I think, after about 20%, I didn’t “read” it. Skipped most pages, glancing at a sentence here and two there. Couldn’t give up, though. Something intriguing kept popping up now and then.
The book starts with the death of Jake Bodkin, a guitarist and a YouTube creator. And then, it gets into the disappearance of Donna Howe, a troubled girl from the same neighbourhood. Investigation of both cases runs in parallel for most part of the book.
It has quite an unorthodox storytelling style, using different first-person POVs, alongside social media posts, online forums, and diary entries. Even though it was puzzling, I kind of liked it.
The plot was interesting, but I didn’t love the book overall.
Due to mixed story formats, plenty of the story felt like going off a tangent. Random ramblings without much in relation to the story. It slowed the pace.
I think, after about 20%, I didn’t “read” it. Skipped most pages, glancing at a sentence here and two there. Couldn’t give up, though. Something intriguing kept popping up now and then.
January 28, 2025
This book was an incredible journey. It felt like I was watching a true crime documentary, which are my favorite. At first I was a little intimidated by how long it was and how it jumped between multiple peoples perspectives but it all came together and made sense. The story was fairly easy to follow and each perspective fed the others. The writing style definitely fits in with today’s society, using social media platforms and podcasts. The ending was by far my favorite part. The excerpt from Molly’s book as a way to tie everything together and reveal the true killer was a huge success for me, along with Caleb’s last letter to his brother….wow the emotions that brought out were intense and I loved it. And then we have the last chapter. What an eerie and scary way to end this story! I would definitely recommend this book, once you get to the end you won’t be disappointed.
April 6, 2025
You know when you get hooked by the first episode of some new show and even though you've got other things to do, you NEED to binge it.
That was this book, for me.
Great pacing, great premise.
I was really happy with this one. The mystery of it immediately sucks you in.
4.25 / 5
That was this book, for me.
Great pacing, great premise.
I was really happy with this one. The mystery of it immediately sucks you in.
4.25 / 5
February 21, 2025
The Sound of Tuning Out by Shane W O'Haire is a debut novel that is an engaging and twisty mystery / thriller.
When seventeen year old musician Jake Bodkin tragically dies in what police call a social media stunt gone wrong, his loved ones are left behind to pick up the pieces and grieve. When a new post on Jake's page is posted, his brother Caleb is shocked. It seems Jake had signed up for a service through the social media platform LIV that will post pre-arranged videos and posts even after the user has died. This service called Epilogue gives the families of the deceased the opportunity to still see their loved ones posts and memories, all activated by certain trigger words. Elsewhere in the neighborhood, a troubled girl goes missing. She has been battling addiction and mental health issues and has run away before. But when the police find a connection between her and Jake, new theories and secrets come to light, pointing the whole investigation in another direction.
I am unsure about saying more about the synopsis because I truly want everyone to read this and I don't want to spoil it! This was a great debut that had an engaging plot with intriguing characters that were well written. The way that O'Haire has written this novel is unique with multiple first person POVs and the use of online forums and chats. One thing that I will say is that while this is billed as a horror it definitely is more of a mystery novel. The pacing of this novel was great, alternating viewpoints but tying everything up together at the end. Definitely going to look for more from Shane O'Haire!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shane O'Haire for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 21st 2025.
When seventeen year old musician Jake Bodkin tragically dies in what police call a social media stunt gone wrong, his loved ones are left behind to pick up the pieces and grieve. When a new post on Jake's page is posted, his brother Caleb is shocked. It seems Jake had signed up for a service through the social media platform LIV that will post pre-arranged videos and posts even after the user has died. This service called Epilogue gives the families of the deceased the opportunity to still see their loved ones posts and memories, all activated by certain trigger words. Elsewhere in the neighborhood, a troubled girl goes missing. She has been battling addiction and mental health issues and has run away before. But when the police find a connection between her and Jake, new theories and secrets come to light, pointing the whole investigation in another direction.
I am unsure about saying more about the synopsis because I truly want everyone to read this and I don't want to spoil it! This was a great debut that had an engaging plot with intriguing characters that were well written. The way that O'Haire has written this novel is unique with multiple first person POVs and the use of online forums and chats. One thing that I will say is that while this is billed as a horror it definitely is more of a mystery novel. The pacing of this novel was great, alternating viewpoints but tying everything up together at the end. Definitely going to look for more from Shane O'Haire!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shane O'Haire for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 21st 2025.
August 3, 2025
17 year old Jake is found dead in his garage after a stunt gone wrong. At the same time, his 18 year old next door neighbour Donna, a troubled young girl, goes missing. As far as everyone can tell, the cases are not linked. But new uploads on Jakes social media shows that Jake’s death may not have been an accident. And when Donna’s body is found, police start realising that the two are linked.
A steady paced thriller, filled with multiple POVs, two seemingly unrelated tragic stories and told using mixed media.
I loved the whole mixed media vibe. We had facebook posts, podcasts, news articles, transcripts from police interviews most of the end of the book was a book within the book, as it was a book written by a jury member. Alongside that, we had Jake’s brother Caleb telling his story from finding out his brother had died onwards, and an unknown person telling their life story. It may sound a little confusing, but it was easy enough to keep track of everything, and it all came together at the end, so bonus point for that.
I felt like at times, the plot meandered a little, some parts felt a little repetitive and while I enjoy the whole book within a book thing, some of the jury members book could have been left out.
However, overall, a solid debut and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
A steady paced thriller, filled with multiple POVs, two seemingly unrelated tragic stories and told using mixed media.
I loved the whole mixed media vibe. We had facebook posts, podcasts, news articles, transcripts from police interviews most of the end of the book was a book within the book, as it was a book written by a jury member. Alongside that, we had Jake’s brother Caleb telling his story from finding out his brother had died onwards, and an unknown person telling their life story. It may sound a little confusing, but it was easy enough to keep track of everything, and it all came together at the end, so bonus point for that.
I felt like at times, the plot meandered a little, some parts felt a little repetitive and while I enjoy the whole book within a book thing, some of the jury members book could have been left out.
However, overall, a solid debut and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
February 22, 2025
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review.
I LOVE found media/ergodic literature. Each chapter being a different kind of storytelling really kept me enthralled and entertained. Whether it be Donna’s father’s online posting, Caleb’s journal-type POV, or something new and different than usual, the change-ups really kept me engaged. I particularly liked the diary-like entries by an unknown author, and how it kept us guessing who was writing it throughout the story. Not only who by name, but even if the killer was the one writing it at all or a new connection yet to meet.
One thing this novel did really well was the differentiation between the POVs, specifically Caleb vs. how everyone else viewed him. Especially reading the last chunk, it completely changed how I viewed him. Of course his POV was emotional and filled with his true feelings, but outwardly no one would get any of that. This was one of the best examples of this multi-narrative I’ve seen done.
This book did a lot of things well, and I was incredibly impressed with how well thought out the intricacies of the plot were.
I LOVE found media/ergodic literature. Each chapter being a different kind of storytelling really kept me enthralled and entertained. Whether it be Donna’s father’s online posting, Caleb’s journal-type POV, or something new and different than usual, the change-ups really kept me engaged. I particularly liked the diary-like entries by an unknown author, and how it kept us guessing who was writing it throughout the story. Not only who by name, but even if the killer was the one writing it at all or a new connection yet to meet.
One thing this novel did really well was the differentiation between the POVs, specifically Caleb vs. how everyone else viewed him. Especially reading the last chunk, it completely changed how I viewed him. Of course his POV was emotional and filled with his true feelings, but outwardly no one would get any of that. This was one of the best examples of this multi-narrative I’ve seen done.
This book did a lot of things well, and I was incredibly impressed with how well thought out the intricacies of the plot were.
May 24, 2025
I thought overall, this was a good, quite different, thriller read! The way the book was written was in a way that I've never seen, through the perspective of Caleb, Jake's brother, blog posts from Donna's father, and then a mysterious anonymous person writing excerpts that read like a diary.
Though definitely original, I did find it a little confusing, but I can appreciate the originality here and give the author credit for trying something new! The way in which we, the reader, find out about the big reveal through the book excerpts from one of the jurors on the accused trial was, again, a bit confusing, but incredibly different, and quite enjoyable to read from an outsiders point of view of events!
This thriller had all the classic elements of deception, twists, and tension, so it was great in that regard, but the big reveal wasn't the most shocking in my opinion, as in my head, things only pointed one way.
For a debut novel, this was good, and I would still urge people to give this a go, even if it's for its originality in writing structure!
Rating: 5.5/10 (rounded up!)
Though definitely original, I did find it a little confusing, but I can appreciate the originality here and give the author credit for trying something new! The way in which we, the reader, find out about the big reveal through the book excerpts from one of the jurors on the accused trial was, again, a bit confusing, but incredibly different, and quite enjoyable to read from an outsiders point of view of events!
This thriller had all the classic elements of deception, twists, and tension, so it was great in that regard, but the big reveal wasn't the most shocking in my opinion, as in my head, things only pointed one way.
For a debut novel, this was good, and I would still urge people to give this a go, even if it's for its originality in writing structure!
Rating: 5.5/10 (rounded up!)
July 1, 2025
The description of this debut novel was enticing. Musician Jake Bodkin dies in his garage as he was filming a stunt. Around the same time, his neighbour Donna Howe goes missing. Are the two incidences related? Can the deceased help the investigation from the grave?
Brother of Jake is one perspective. Father of Donna as told on an online forum is another. This was manageable. I didn’t even mind when we see the transcript of Trish’s podcast trying to shed light on the investigation. However, the diary of a “ghost” and their upbringing should have added to the intrigue but I found it frustrating, especially the ending chapter (I understand what it represented but unnecessary). Then, we are treated to a perspective of a juror where we finally learn who was charged with the deaths of the 2 teenagers. As the story progressed, it seemed to lose focus. I think too many cool ideas were unnecessarily layered on making it difficult for the reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Brother of Jake is one perspective. Father of Donna as told on an online forum is another. This was manageable. I didn’t even mind when we see the transcript of Trish’s podcast trying to shed light on the investigation. However, the diary of a “ghost” and their upbringing should have added to the intrigue but I found it frustrating, especially the ending chapter (I understand what it represented but unnecessary). Then, we are treated to a perspective of a juror where we finally learn who was charged with the deaths of the 2 teenagers. As the story progressed, it seemed to lose focus. I think too many cool ideas were unnecessarily layered on making it difficult for the reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2025
Get ready for a totally unique experience. I was totally absorbed in this story within minutes. The narrative is unconventional and we have many different perspectives, but it's not confusing at all. What happened to Jake? As the mystery unravels, the tragedy tears a family apart. Caleb, Jake's brother is determined to get to the truth.
Shane masterfully depicts a never seen before influence of social media and the rippling after effects of the choices we make in the online world.
The involvement of amateur sleuths, reporting on the developments of the case adds another dynamic to the plot and highlights how mysteries can become an obsession in the online world and can both divide and unite communities.
This book provides a powerful insight into love, loss and family and I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to read it as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
It's a thought provoking novel that will remain with you long after you've finished it.
I'd give it ten stars if I could.
Shane masterfully depicts a never seen before influence of social media and the rippling after effects of the choices we make in the online world.
The involvement of amateur sleuths, reporting on the developments of the case adds another dynamic to the plot and highlights how mysteries can become an obsession in the online world and can both divide and unite communities.
This book provides a powerful insight into love, loss and family and I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to read it as an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
It's a thought provoking novel that will remain with you long after you've finished it.
I'd give it ten stars if I could.
March 13, 2025
The Sound of Tuning Out
by Shane W. O'Haire
Pub Date Feb 21 2025 | Archive Date Jul 31 2025
Shane O'Haire
General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
2 Stars
Personally this is a genre and story that I love and enjoy reading but unfortunately I was unable to capture the essence of the story. I understood the concept of the story yet found it difficult to grasp and failed to hold onto my attention. Even though I wasn’t able to fully understand or comprehend the story I still wrote this review to inform the author and publisher that it maybe a great story but not all readers might not be able to have a grasp of the story or being able to their attention held to finish reading the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
by Shane W. O'Haire
Pub Date Feb 21 2025 | Archive Date Jul 31 2025
Shane O'Haire
General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
2 Stars
Personally this is a genre and story that I love and enjoy reading but unfortunately I was unable to capture the essence of the story. I understood the concept of the story yet found it difficult to grasp and failed to hold onto my attention. Even though I wasn’t able to fully understand or comprehend the story I still wrote this review to inform the author and publisher that it maybe a great story but not all readers might not be able to have a grasp of the story or being able to their attention held to finish reading the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.
February 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
For a debut novel, this was strong. It’s more of a meditation on grief and dysfunctional dynamics, but with a core mystery to be solved that keeps the pages turning.
I admit, I saw the killer coming a mile away and kept hoping I would be mistaken, but….i was not, which was disappointing. However, there are several different POVs and a few different story threads woven throughout, so there was more to the overall plot than just the whodunit, which held my interest enough to finish the novel.
All in all, a strong first effort and I would recommend it to readers who like a more literary take on their mystery/suspense stories. I would read more by this author, because I feel like he has some great ideas!
For a debut novel, this was strong. It’s more of a meditation on grief and dysfunctional dynamics, but with a core mystery to be solved that keeps the pages turning.
I admit, I saw the killer coming a mile away and kept hoping I would be mistaken, but….i was not, which was disappointing. However, there are several different POVs and a few different story threads woven throughout, so there was more to the overall plot than just the whodunit, which held my interest enough to finish the novel.
All in all, a strong first effort and I would recommend it to readers who like a more literary take on their mystery/suspense stories. I would read more by this author, because I feel like he has some great ideas!
February 18, 2025
At times, the story feels like it's spiraling into madness, only to then pivot and offer moments of clarity that are beautifully poignant.
What makes this book stand out is the emotional rollercoaster it forces the reader to experience. There are moments that are filled with frustration, confusion, and heartache, but these are balanced by instances of hope and self-discovery. The protagonist's inner battle with self-identity and external expectations creates a fascinating tension that keeps you hooked, even as the plot seems to be all over the place.
However, this unpredictability can also be a double-edged sword. For some, the mixed emotions might feel a bit overwhelming, and the constant shifts in tone might leave you feeling unsure of what to make of the whole experience. Overall, The Sound of Tuning Out is a bold and unconventional read that will leave you feeling both drained and enlightened
What makes this book stand out is the emotional rollercoaster it forces the reader to experience. There are moments that are filled with frustration, confusion, and heartache, but these are balanced by instances of hope and self-discovery. The protagonist's inner battle with self-identity and external expectations creates a fascinating tension that keeps you hooked, even as the plot seems to be all over the place.
However, this unpredictability can also be a double-edged sword. For some, the mixed emotions might feel a bit overwhelming, and the constant shifts in tone might leave you feeling unsure of what to make of the whole experience. Overall, The Sound of Tuning Out is a bold and unconventional read that will leave you feeling both drained and enlightened
February 19, 2025
Overall this book was good. It was very well written, had a twist, but I felt it was a bit long winded. I felt I figured it out early on but still second guessed myself. I would definitely reccomend giving this book a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 10, 2025
This was a great read!! I thoughtfully enjoyed the story and the unique story telling. The forum posts and podcast transcripts were such a fun addition and played well into this crime in the age of technology story. I had my own theories throughout (that changed often lol) and did not want to put this read down, I stayed up way past my bedtime reading once I got to the second half of the story.
May 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Shane W O’Haire for the arc copy of The Sound of Tuning Out for an honest review.
The Sound of Tuning Out is about Caleb following his brother’s death that was initially ruled an accident but then information comes out that rules it a murder.
This book sounded interesting and I really wanted to love this book but some parts were hard to follow. I understood the chapters and could follow those but then the extra mini chapters that start with #1 at the end of one of the chapters and then continue on where hard to follow and were sometimes confusing to me. I could have done without them and I think the rating would have been higher for me if those were not in the book.
The very last number chapter I still have no idea what it meant, so if someone has some incite I wouldn’t mind if you shared it. I think I missed something along the way. I felt they could have ended it with the chapter on Caleb.
Over all though I thought the story was interesting and look forward to more work from Shane.
The Sound of Tuning Out is about Caleb following his brother’s death that was initially ruled an accident but then information comes out that rules it a murder.
This book sounded interesting and I really wanted to love this book but some parts were hard to follow. I understood the chapters and could follow those but then the extra mini chapters that start with #1 at the end of one of the chapters and then continue on where hard to follow and were sometimes confusing to me. I could have done without them and I think the rating would have been higher for me if those were not in the book.
The very last number chapter I still have no idea what it meant, so if someone has some incite I wouldn’t mind if you shared it. I think I missed something along the way. I felt they could have ended it with the chapter on Caleb.
Over all though I thought the story was interesting and look forward to more work from Shane.
April 27, 2025
Tragic stories
Multiple pov
TWs
Mixed media
Short chapters
Very dark
Steady paced thriller that begs the question of if these 2 bizarre events are some how connected or just weird coincidences?
This one starts to drop off with suspense around the middle of the book. There's still and underlying mystery that Caleb is bound to find out how his brother dies and Donna is connected.
Once the multiple povs is done it switched to a viewpoint from the book of a jury member. Which is odd but interesting.
The ending didn't surprise me like I hoped it would. But this is a solid read.
Multiple pov
TWs
Mixed media
Short chapters
Very dark
Steady paced thriller that begs the question of if these 2 bizarre events are some how connected or just weird coincidences?
This one starts to drop off with suspense around the middle of the book. There's still and underlying mystery that Caleb is bound to find out how his brother dies and Donna is connected.
Once the multiple povs is done it switched to a viewpoint from the book of a jury member. Which is odd but interesting.
The ending didn't surprise me like I hoped it would. But this is a solid read.
March 25, 2025
I received this book as an ARC after receiving a message from the author with the synopsis. It sounded very interesting. A little rock (Pantera), mixed with a couple of mysteries? Count me in!
This was the author’s first book – and let me scream this for the people in the back, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SHANE W. O’HAIRE!
Thank you SO much for giving me this opportunity!
This was a really impressive story. Presented in mixed media style, you get POVs from many different people. I felt deeply connected with quite a few characters, wow! Shane was able to create a twisty tale that tugged on your heart strings, got you angry, and kept you guessing and raising your eyebrows at everyone in town… even out of town.
I want to say so much about this, so so much more, but I don’t want to spoil anything. But probably one of the best, most satisfying endings I've read in a BIT!
TW:
Child abuse, drug use, suicidal thoughts, m*rder, child loss
Non-Trigger Warnings:
A cool ass dog named Fenrir 😍
This was the author’s first book – and let me scream this for the people in the back, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SHANE W. O’HAIRE!
Thank you SO much for giving me this opportunity!
This was a really impressive story. Presented in mixed media style, you get POVs from many different people. I felt deeply connected with quite a few characters, wow! Shane was able to create a twisty tale that tugged on your heart strings, got you angry, and kept you guessing and raising your eyebrows at everyone in town… even out of town.
I want to say so much about this, so so much more, but I don’t want to spoil anything. But probably one of the best, most satisfying endings I've read in a BIT!
TW:
Child abuse, drug use, suicidal thoughts, m*rder, child loss
Non-Trigger Warnings:
A cool ass dog named Fenrir 😍
April 24, 2025
Wow, I really enjoyed this!
I was hooked right from the beginning and it was really hard to put my kindle down!
The mixed media/text messages/forum posts/different viewpoints etc really helped to tell the story (even if I was a little confused as to who the narrator was at times!)
Thank you Shane for sending this to me, I thoroughly enjoyed it ☺️
I was hooked right from the beginning and it was really hard to put my kindle down!
The mixed media/text messages/forum posts/different viewpoints etc really helped to tell the story (even if I was a little confused as to who the narrator was at times!)
Thank you Shane for sending this to me, I thoroughly enjoyed it ☺️
March 17, 2025
"I continue to breathe, but I am dead."
The Sound of Tuning Out mainly follows two people, Caleb Bodkin and Brett Howe. Caleb's brother, Jake has just died a horrific death that leaves more questions than answers and Brett's daughter, Donna has vanished, leaving behind vague clues. As the story progresses, we see how their lives are affected, how relationships change and how secrets slowly reveal themselves.
Trigger warnings: Addiction, Death, Suicide, Murder, Abuse, Violence, mental health.
I did enjoy elements of this book. The plot was very interesting and pulled me in from the start. I really liked the characters, they felt realistic and well-established from the beginning. I really enjoyed the concept of 'LIV' the social media app talked about through and its role in the whole plot. That felt fresh and original.
I did find the pacing to be a bit weird, which threw me off at times. Sometimes I was flying through the chapters and super engaged. Other parts felt long and drawn-out when it didn't have to be, which made me lose engagement. I did pick the book back up every night, it just wasn't completed as fast as my previous reads this year.
The ending just missed for me. I liked the final section with Caleb, as all the pieces are put together very simply and transparently. This helped as the section before, told from a totally new POV was interesting but again, threw me off and lost the pacing/impact it could have had. I didn't enjoy the unnamed POV sections throughout the book and found myself having to re-read to try and absorb the information it was telling me - so having this POV for the last line of the book felt disappointing.
Overall, I am giving the book 3/5 stars and would recommend this book to others who are interested in very modern thrillers. I am excited to see what is next for Shane W. O'Haire and would definitely pick up his next novel, I'm interested to study his writing style further.
Thank you Shane W O'Haire, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
The Sound of Tuning Out mainly follows two people, Caleb Bodkin and Brett Howe. Caleb's brother, Jake has just died a horrific death that leaves more questions than answers and Brett's daughter, Donna has vanished, leaving behind vague clues. As the story progresses, we see how their lives are affected, how relationships change and how secrets slowly reveal themselves.
Trigger warnings: Addiction, Death, Suicide, Murder, Abuse, Violence, mental health.
I did enjoy elements of this book. The plot was very interesting and pulled me in from the start. I really liked the characters, they felt realistic and well-established from the beginning. I really enjoyed the concept of 'LIV' the social media app talked about through and its role in the whole plot. That felt fresh and original.
I did find the pacing to be a bit weird, which threw me off at times. Sometimes I was flying through the chapters and super engaged. Other parts felt long and drawn-out when it didn't have to be, which made me lose engagement. I did pick the book back up every night, it just wasn't completed as fast as my previous reads this year.
The ending just missed for me. I liked the final section with Caleb, as all the pieces are put together very simply and transparently. This helped as the section before, told from a totally new POV was interesting but again, threw me off and lost the pacing/impact it could have had. I didn't enjoy the unnamed POV sections throughout the book and found myself having to re-read to try and absorb the information it was telling me - so having this POV for the last line of the book felt disappointing.
Overall, I am giving the book 3/5 stars and would recommend this book to others who are interested in very modern thrillers. I am excited to see what is next for Shane W. O'Haire and would definitely pick up his next novel, I'm interested to study his writing style further.
Thank you Shane W O'Haire, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
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March 15, 2025What a brilliant first novel this is. Very, very different, this novel explores the power of social media for good and bad and actually how good and bad we are as a society. It does deal with bereavement, bullying both on and off line and the effect this can have on the victim. I loved this quote from Caleb regarding social media “I hate what my generation has become. Narcissistic, judgmental, prying and insecure. These are the main things that feed the social media frenzy. It is anything but social. Just incredibly selfish and self absorbed”.
Told from the POV of Caleb, the bereaved brother of Jake and beautifully narrated through Caleb’s grief and the grief of his parents, the affect this has had on their family life and their friends. Trish_ona_mish, an on line detective with a huge following of “mishionaries”, determined to succeed where the police are failing and narrated in typical “on line speak” . Brett, the father of the very disturbed Donna and his appeals for help and support via the online forum “Parents of Troubled Teens/Addiction & Recovery”. Who is #Why You/Why Now etc? Is it Donna and did she kill Jake or is she the victim in this story? Is everything her father tells us via his online forum a lie or is he a genuinely troubled parent just trying to do the best for his daughter and seeking help from like minded parents? This book really portrays the phenomena that social media is and what it could become.
As mentioned above there are numerous protagonists. Apart from those already mentioned as we reach the conclusion we have the juror, who is alone in believing the “defendant” is guilty and her little side story. For me this didn’t confuse the story, it added to and rounded it out. An emotional, exciting and different read.
Told from the POV of Caleb, the bereaved brother of Jake and beautifully narrated through Caleb’s grief and the grief of his parents, the affect this has had on their family life and their friends. Trish_ona_mish, an on line detective with a huge following of “mishionaries”, determined to succeed where the police are failing and narrated in typical “on line speak” . Brett, the father of the very disturbed Donna and his appeals for help and support via the online forum “Parents of Troubled Teens/Addiction & Recovery”. Who is #Why You/Why Now etc? Is it Donna and did she kill Jake or is she the victim in this story? Is everything her father tells us via his online forum a lie or is he a genuinely troubled parent just trying to do the best for his daughter and seeking help from like minded parents? This book really portrays the phenomena that social media is and what it could become.
As mentioned above there are numerous protagonists. Apart from those already mentioned as we reach the conclusion we have the juror, who is alone in believing the “defendant” is guilty and her little side story. For me this didn’t confuse the story, it added to and rounded it out. An emotional, exciting and different read.
March 6, 2025
I was immediately intrigued by the premise of The Sound of Tuning Out. As someone with a social media presence, I could easily follow the storyline set in that space, and the exploration of digital culture was something I was looking forward to. The book’s short chapters were a definite plus, making it a quick and engaging read.
However, I found myself struggling with some aspects of the storytelling. There were too many "mysterious voices" woven into the narrative, which often left me feeling confused rather than intrigued. Instead of adding depth, they seemed to muddy the plot. Similarly, the sudden horror-like scenes felt out of place, as if they had been inserted without fully integrating them into the story’s overall tone.
The novel also juggles multiple points of view, and while that can sometimes enhance a story, I wasn’t convinced it was necessary here. At times, it felt like it added complexity without much payoff.
That said, for a debut novel, it wasn’t a bad effort. While I expected more, the book had its strengths, and I’d be curious to see how the author’s storytelling develops in future works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
However, I found myself struggling with some aspects of the storytelling. There were too many "mysterious voices" woven into the narrative, which often left me feeling confused rather than intrigued. Instead of adding depth, they seemed to muddy the plot. Similarly, the sudden horror-like scenes felt out of place, as if they had been inserted without fully integrating them into the story’s overall tone.
The novel also juggles multiple points of view, and while that can sometimes enhance a story, I wasn’t convinced it was necessary here. At times, it felt like it added complexity without much payoff.
That said, for a debut novel, it wasn’t a bad effort. While I expected more, the book had its strengths, and I’d be curious to see how the author’s storytelling develops in future works.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 14, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up. I was immediately drawn into The Sound of Tuning Out by its captivating premise, which promised a thrilling exploration of secrets and lies in a quiet suburban community. The author’s ability to weave together complex themes and characters is commendable, and there’s no doubt that the story has a lot of potential.
One area where the book could be improved is in its narrative structure. The use of multiple points of view, while ambitious, sometimes made it challenging to follow the story’s flow. Especially with the introduction of a new perspective towards the end. It felt a bit unexpected and unnecessary.
In terms of pacing, there were moments where the narrative felt a bit slow. Trimming some sections could help maintain a more consistent momentum.
Despite these areas for improvement, the author shows a keen insight into human nature and the dynamics of small communities. The writing is engaging, and the mystery is intriguing enough to keep you curious until the very end.
Overall, it’s a promising debut with a lot of heart, and with some refinement, it could truly shine. I look forward to seeing how the author grows and develops in future works!
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
One area where the book could be improved is in its narrative structure. The use of multiple points of view, while ambitious, sometimes made it challenging to follow the story’s flow. Especially with the introduction of a new perspective towards the end. It felt a bit unexpected and unnecessary.
In terms of pacing, there were moments where the narrative felt a bit slow. Trimming some sections could help maintain a more consistent momentum.
Despite these areas for improvement, the author shows a keen insight into human nature and the dynamics of small communities. The writing is engaging, and the mystery is intriguing enough to keep you curious until the very end.
Overall, it’s a promising debut with a lot of heart, and with some refinement, it could truly shine. I look forward to seeing how the author grows and develops in future works!
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
March 5, 2025
Potential not met.
The accidental death of a teenage boy and the disappearance around the same time as the also teenage girl next door, are not at first considered suspicious. Until new evidence appears in the most shocking of ways.
It was a great premise, which got me interested in the first place. Sadly it never really took off after that. I wanted to know more about the boy’s brother - there was a lot about his health and grief but little about him. The pacing was overall slow and at times glacial. The courtroom section held no drama and introduced a whole new character who was irrelevant and uninteresting. The last chapter should have been way darker. There were multiple pov’s, all written in the first person, but they were almost indistinguishable in their tone and presentation.
I did like the concept of the social media afterlife, which could have been explored even more.
The book would have benefited from a tough editor to cut out the slack, stop the first person pov, and pull out the hidden gems.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The accidental death of a teenage boy and the disappearance around the same time as the also teenage girl next door, are not at first considered suspicious. Until new evidence appears in the most shocking of ways.
It was a great premise, which got me interested in the first place. Sadly it never really took off after that. I wanted to know more about the boy’s brother - there was a lot about his health and grief but little about him. The pacing was overall slow and at times glacial. The courtroom section held no drama and introduced a whole new character who was irrelevant and uninteresting. The last chapter should have been way darker. There were multiple pov’s, all written in the first person, but they were almost indistinguishable in their tone and presentation.
I did like the concept of the social media afterlife, which could have been explored even more.
The book would have benefited from a tough editor to cut out the slack, stop the first person pov, and pull out the hidden gems.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 12, 2025
This was a really good mystery/thriller book! I was instantly hooked from the beginning and the cause of death was so unique it made this book stand out for me. I loved the different pov’s and uses of blogs for this story. I am a multiple pov person so it ticked boxes. The middle dragged out a tiny bit for me and I feel as if some could have been chopped down but I was so eager and excited to find out who the killer was, I was sold either way. I LOVED how there was a complete new pov towards the end for the use of jury service as it gave an experience from an outsiders perspective and I was able to jump into this characters shoes, which was perfect for this book and the ending. That was so cleverly incorporated in. I couldn’t guess the motive for the killer at all so it came as a surprise for me which again ticks the boxes for a mystery/thriller. I do really recommend this book, it was defo worth the read
February 26, 2025
This book follows the aftermath of the “accidental” death of a 17 year old YouTuber.
Be sure to check triggers warnings before diving into this one if you have any (death of a child) as it was a bit brutal and horrific and I could definitely see how it could be quite a trigger for some.
The book started off really strong and I was totally hooked and reading with my jaw lying on the floor! I really liked the different media snippets and the online support forum chapters. It all came together piece by piece as different information came to light and connections were made…
However, I did feel that it kind of lost that momentum a bit just over half way and the book could have been a lot shorter and still had the same impact.
Overall though, a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future!
Be sure to check triggers warnings before diving into this one if you have any (death of a child) as it was a bit brutal and horrific and I could definitely see how it could be quite a trigger for some.
The book started off really strong and I was totally hooked and reading with my jaw lying on the floor! I really liked the different media snippets and the online support forum chapters. It all came together piece by piece as different information came to light and connections were made…
However, I did feel that it kind of lost that momentum a bit just over half way and the book could have been a lot shorter and still had the same impact.
Overall though, a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future!
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