What do you think?
Rate this book
Matchbook
"Carol, I know what happened to your daughter.
You have to believe me..."
At moments tender, and others hilarious, the suspense novel, Matchbook, follows the harrowing quest of a most unlikely heroine.
Driven into a deep depression by the death of her daughter, Carol Lassiter has been homeless for three years. She's working out of her self-declared homeless oasis, a perfect place for collecting money while she nods in and out of an alcohol-inspired haze. As she gathers her box of "donations," she discovers a matchbook with a phone number scrawled on the inside cover. When she calls the number, she's hurled back into the nightmare she's been desperately trying to forget. The voice on the other end claims to have an answer to the question that savagely unraveled her world to begin with—the death of her daughter Ella, a death ruled by police as a suicide.
Carol begins a nerve-wracking journey following clues about the last weeks of her daughter's life, guided by the voice of a man who might be her killer, or worse, her persistent and terrifying delusion.
Part mystery, part thriller, Matchbook is a compelling read that will keep you riveted to the very end.
You have to believe me..."
At moments tender, and others hilarious, the suspense novel, Matchbook, follows the harrowing quest of a most unlikely heroine.
Driven into a deep depression by the death of her daughter, Carol Lassiter has been homeless for three years. She's working out of her self-declared homeless oasis, a perfect place for collecting money while she nods in and out of an alcohol-inspired haze. As she gathers her box of "donations," she discovers a matchbook with a phone number scrawled on the inside cover. When she calls the number, she's hurled back into the nightmare she's been desperately trying to forget. The voice on the other end claims to have an answer to the question that savagely unraveled her world to begin with—the death of her daughter Ella, a death ruled by police as a suicide.
Carol begins a nerve-wracking journey following clues about the last weeks of her daughter's life, guided by the voice of a man who might be her killer, or worse, her persistent and terrifying delusion.
Part mystery, part thriller, Matchbook is a compelling read that will keep you riveted to the very end.
267 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2015
9 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 17, 2018
5In Matchbook by Desireé Prosapio, while in the homeless shelter one night, Carol Lassiter goes through her take of donations to find a matchbook in her bag with a telephone number on it. On a drunken lark, Carol tries calling the number, only to have the voice on the other end call her by name and say he has information on Ella, the daughter whose death three years earlier ultimately led to Carol’s letting her alcoholism take over and lead her to become homeless. But it takes a lot of inner strength for Carol to take the steps she needs in order to get her life in shape enough to follow the truth and keep from being put in danger.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
August 19, 2023
Carol is a very complex and well written character. She suffers from long-term alcoholism, and it’s sometimes difficult to tell delusion from reality. She had a normal life, with a job and SUV and her daughter Ella. But all of that changed when Ella died. Carol is now homeless, spending her days, bouncing between the streets and shelters in a drunken haze, desperately trying to numb her grief.
Her routine of monotony spirals when she finds a matchbook with a phone number, and the voice on the other end, leads her on a quest for truth. Was Ella’s death an accidental overdose, or something more sinister?
Trigger warnings for drug and alcohol use, as well as language. There’s one character who uses racist and homophobic slurs in one of the chapters. It’s not throughout the book, just that one scene but I was glad my kids weren’t around when it came on (I listened to the audiobook).
I really enjoyed this book, I was hooked from beginning to end. I definitely recommend it. The character is quite relatable for me. And if you choose the audiobook, the voice actress who narrated did a fantastic job.
Her routine of monotony spirals when she finds a matchbook with a phone number, and the voice on the other end, leads her on a quest for truth. Was Ella’s death an accidental overdose, or something more sinister?
Trigger warnings for drug and alcohol use, as well as language. There’s one character who uses racist and homophobic slurs in one of the chapters. It’s not throughout the book, just that one scene but I was glad my kids weren’t around when it came on (I listened to the audiobook).
I really enjoyed this book, I was hooked from beginning to end. I definitely recommend it. The character is quite relatable for me. And if you choose the audiobook, the voice actress who narrated did a fantastic job.
March 22, 2017
Unbelievably good
Not at all what I thought it would be. Sooo much better! These are some tough characters that are well developed and who have numerous faults. The story is amazing and will have you wondering if you have missed something in the reading because of the state of mind of Carol. It does a very good job of telling a little about life on the street as well. It is a really good story. Highly recommended.
Not at all what I thought it would be. Sooo much better! These are some tough characters that are well developed and who have numerous faults. The story is amazing and will have you wondering if you have missed something in the reading because of the state of mind of Carol. It does a very good job of telling a little about life on the street as well. It is a really good story. Highly recommended.
March 9, 2016
Some heavy material here, folks. Even so, there are moments of witty humor - Carol hasn't completely lost herself to the mean streets of homelessness and despair yet.
After losing her daughter in a supposed heroin overdose, Carol's world crumbles. The police close the case, but a mother's heart can't let it rest - especially because Ella was always championing those lost to drugs and booze. Ella use drugs? Not a chance. So what really happened?
A year later, Carol is destitute after spending everything she had on a private investigator, whose only interest in the case was milking a grieving mother dry. The mortgage turned upside down. The credit cards maxed out. Then the proverbial final straw hit the haystack and Carol lost her job.
Whoosh! In one fell swoop, Carol is thrust into the streets. Two years later, she's finally learned a few things about survival - if you want to call it that. But she's jarred from her bottled bereavement when someone leaves a book of matches in her donation box while she lay passed out on the sidewalk.
Inside is a phone number. On the line is a voice. Something familiar about it niggles the dark recesses of her mind, but Carol isn't sure she's ready to tackle the demons that surface until the voice mentions the one person she can't forget.
"...I knew Ella. I know what happened..."
When the voice begins to lead her on a path around San Antonio, retracing the last moments of her daughter's life, Carol's world is once again turned upside down - and this time, she may not have the strength to claw her way back from the truth.
Like I said - some heavy material here, however presented with some colorful characters to keep Carol teetering on the edge to avoid falling over the cliffs into insanity. We're immediately thrust into the homeless world in the opening pages then follow along with Carol's discovery of what happened to her daughter. A nice job of showing, weaving the past into the story along the way and making Carol a sympathetic figure without making her a pathetic soul. There's still humanity and a tenor of true strength beneath that hardened exterior. The world hasn't claimed her yet.
Point-of-view stays with Carol in first person, and we get a clear picture of who she is now and gradually see who she used to be. Along the way we get to see several of her fellow homeless, Maurice being my absolute favorite. He was such a hoot!
Though the plot was mostly engaging, the pace was uneven and plodding at times - not a true thriller and more in line with the suspense/mystery genre. This uneven pacing was especially the case once we finished Part One and switched over to Part Two. For the first several scenes of P2, it felt like a different novel entirely, which pulled this reader from the story for far too long and caused me to almost quit reading. However, eventually the main storyline did pick back up, though it remained somewhat disjointed.
The ending was a bit of a disappointment. We had the old hat of the tired and overused antagonist's reveal where he explains why he did it - which was really no surprise.
Content Warning: Some occasional rough language, but used sparingly. The subject matter of homelessness and drug/alcohol abuse probably would be too heavy for young teens, but older teens (16+) might be okay if they enjoy reading about deep subjects and a middle-aged mother's insights.
Overall a thought-provoking read, but not a thriller. A definite genre misclassification. Good POV and characterization with nice showing are pluses. I really enjoyed the first half of the novel, however very uneven pacing in the second half and a trite ending leave me with a rating of three stars.
I was provided with a free copy of this novel in exchange for review and was not financially compensated for my opinion.
After losing her daughter in a supposed heroin overdose, Carol's world crumbles. The police close the case, but a mother's heart can't let it rest - especially because Ella was always championing those lost to drugs and booze. Ella use drugs? Not a chance. So what really happened?
A year later, Carol is destitute after spending everything she had on a private investigator, whose only interest in the case was milking a grieving mother dry. The mortgage turned upside down. The credit cards maxed out. Then the proverbial final straw hit the haystack and Carol lost her job.
Whoosh! In one fell swoop, Carol is thrust into the streets. Two years later, she's finally learned a few things about survival - if you want to call it that. But she's jarred from her bottled bereavement when someone leaves a book of matches in her donation box while she lay passed out on the sidewalk.
Inside is a phone number. On the line is a voice. Something familiar about it niggles the dark recesses of her mind, but Carol isn't sure she's ready to tackle the demons that surface until the voice mentions the one person she can't forget.
"...I knew Ella. I know what happened..."
When the voice begins to lead her on a path around San Antonio, retracing the last moments of her daughter's life, Carol's world is once again turned upside down - and this time, she may not have the strength to claw her way back from the truth.
Like I said - some heavy material here, however presented with some colorful characters to keep Carol teetering on the edge to avoid falling over the cliffs into insanity. We're immediately thrust into the homeless world in the opening pages then follow along with Carol's discovery of what happened to her daughter. A nice job of showing, weaving the past into the story along the way and making Carol a sympathetic figure without making her a pathetic soul. There's still humanity and a tenor of true strength beneath that hardened exterior. The world hasn't claimed her yet.
Point-of-view stays with Carol in first person, and we get a clear picture of who she is now and gradually see who she used to be. Along the way we get to see several of her fellow homeless, Maurice being my absolute favorite. He was such a hoot!
Though the plot was mostly engaging, the pace was uneven and plodding at times - not a true thriller and more in line with the suspense/mystery genre. This uneven pacing was especially the case once we finished Part One and switched over to Part Two. For the first several scenes of P2, it felt like a different novel entirely, which pulled this reader from the story for far too long and caused me to almost quit reading. However, eventually the main storyline did pick back up, though it remained somewhat disjointed.
The ending was a bit of a disappointment. We had the old hat of the tired and overused antagonist's reveal where he explains why he did it - which was really no surprise.
Content Warning: Some occasional rough language, but used sparingly. The subject matter of homelessness and drug/alcohol abuse probably would be too heavy for young teens, but older teens (16+) might be okay if they enjoy reading about deep subjects and a middle-aged mother's insights.
Overall a thought-provoking read, but not a thriller. A definite genre misclassification. Good POV and characterization with nice showing are pluses. I really enjoyed the first half of the novel, however very uneven pacing in the second half and a trite ending leave me with a rating of three stars.
I was provided with a free copy of this novel in exchange for review and was not financially compensated for my opinion.
March 1, 2017
Carol is a homeless drunk.She gets a matchbook in her panhandle box and calls the number inside.She is connected with a man that has answers to her past.As several more notes come in we get to know her story and meet her social circle.Sometimes fun and always suspenseful, it is a good read.Becket Royce is a fabulous narrator.I was given this book free by the author,narrator or publisher.
August 31, 2015
3.5 Stars for this well weaved tale!
Carol has lost her daughter (Ella) to a drug overdose, something that is simply impossible to believe, her daughter was not a drug user—Carol is an alcoholic, and Ella was the only reason she got sober. When the police close Ella’s case as an overdose, Carol can’t and won’t accept it; she hires a private detective who takes her for everything she’s got. Now Carol’s broke, her heart is broken and the only thing that can console her is the bottle…she becomes homeless and lives on the streets of San Antonio. One day, while passed out on the sidewalk, someone leaves a matchbook with a phone number. When Carol calls the number she’s told Ella’s death wasn’t an accidental overdose. The caller; mysterious, yet familiar, sends Carol on a journey to find the truth about her daughter‘s death.
Prosapio does a fantastic job of delving into the deep psychological issues of her main character, as well as the added plight of homelessness. Although I knew who the antagonist was about two-thirds through the book, she threw in enough twists and turns to keep the story interesting—I was dying to know how Carol was going to put all the pieces together and survive this.
I have to agree with another reviewer, this wasn’t really a thriller so much as a psychological suspense/mystery. The tale is weaved well and for the most part the writing flows smoothly, although I will say at some points it seemed like the author tossed in a bit too much filler, which slowed things here and there. I would definitely recommend this book though, the characters are well developed and the story is interesting and creative.
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )
Carol has lost her daughter (Ella) to a drug overdose, something that is simply impossible to believe, her daughter was not a drug user—Carol is an alcoholic, and Ella was the only reason she got sober. When the police close Ella’s case as an overdose, Carol can’t and won’t accept it; she hires a private detective who takes her for everything she’s got. Now Carol’s broke, her heart is broken and the only thing that can console her is the bottle…she becomes homeless and lives on the streets of San Antonio. One day, while passed out on the sidewalk, someone leaves a matchbook with a phone number. When Carol calls the number she’s told Ella’s death wasn’t an accidental overdose. The caller; mysterious, yet familiar, sends Carol on a journey to find the truth about her daughter‘s death.
Prosapio does a fantastic job of delving into the deep psychological issues of her main character, as well as the added plight of homelessness. Although I knew who the antagonist was about two-thirds through the book, she threw in enough twists and turns to keep the story interesting—I was dying to know how Carol was going to put all the pieces together and survive this.
I have to agree with another reviewer, this wasn’t really a thriller so much as a psychological suspense/mystery. The tale is weaved well and for the most part the writing flows smoothly, although I will say at some points it seemed like the author tossed in a bit too much filler, which slowed things here and there. I would definitely recommend this book though, the characters are well developed and the story is interesting and creative.
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )
July 12, 2016
Although a very flawed character, Carol comes across as real...and surprisingly personable. I loved her humor and wit. The perspective of Carol, being a homeless person, is so captivating that I was rooting for her to solve her daughter's murder just for the hope that she would then be able to get off the streets. I didn't know if she was truly crazy and imagining the matchbook man or if he was real. I didn't know if her transvestite friend was real or the social worker she meets along the way...but I wanted her to solve the mystery and be able to move on.
Carol is an alcoholic, single mother who got herself clean long enough to raise the daughter she had after a short, doomed marriage to an Army Ranger. Her daughter, Ella, was her lifeline to the 'real' world. When Ella is murdered, she loses her tenuous grip on reality and loses herself in her alcoholism and takes to the streets to forget.
Then one day someone drops a matchbook with a phone number into her begging take. The matchbook has a phone number on it. This sets in motion a series of events that will make Carol choose between searching for answers and, maybe, life or falling into oblivion and dying on the streets.
I have to say I was entertained along the way. Carol is a person who accepts her circumstances and, even without knowing it, helps almost everyone she meets. I was rooting for her from the very first minute of listening!
Loved Becket Royce's narration! She nailed the men and the women and I will look for her as a narrator in other listens.
I received this book for free from Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.
Carol is an alcoholic, single mother who got herself clean long enough to raise the daughter she had after a short, doomed marriage to an Army Ranger. Her daughter, Ella, was her lifeline to the 'real' world. When Ella is murdered, she loses her tenuous grip on reality and loses herself in her alcoholism and takes to the streets to forget.
Then one day someone drops a matchbook with a phone number into her begging take. The matchbook has a phone number on it. This sets in motion a series of events that will make Carol choose between searching for answers and, maybe, life or falling into oblivion and dying on the streets.
I have to say I was entertained along the way. Carol is a person who accepts her circumstances and, even without knowing it, helps almost everyone she meets. I was rooting for her from the very first minute of listening!
Loved Becket Royce's narration! She nailed the men and the women and I will look for her as a narrator in other listens.
I received this book for free from Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2016
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
I really enjoyed this book - the main character, Carol, was very well developed and interesting. I enjoyed her casual sarcasm and thought that the author did a great job of making her likeable even though she is a very flawed character. The story flowed well and I didn't feel like it was rushed or sluggish at any point.
The story is about Carol's search for the cause of her daughter's death. Carol is a homeless alcoholic which is an unusual situation for a "sleuth" but worked well for her. Through an interesting turn of events, Carol begins to unravel the thread of what really happened to her daughter.
It was unique to see things play out through the perspective of Carol's character - I don't think the book would have been nearly as good from a different perspective. The confusion she experiences is apparent in the way the story progresses at times and allows the reader to better understand the situation through her.
The narrator for the audio version had the perfect voice for this character. I felt that it was believable and I could envision Carol based on the vocals.
Overall, Matchbook was worth the listen.
I really enjoyed this book - the main character, Carol, was very well developed and interesting. I enjoyed her casual sarcasm and thought that the author did a great job of making her likeable even though she is a very flawed character. The story flowed well and I didn't feel like it was rushed or sluggish at any point.
The story is about Carol's search for the cause of her daughter's death. Carol is a homeless alcoholic which is an unusual situation for a "sleuth" but worked well for her. Through an interesting turn of events, Carol begins to unravel the thread of what really happened to her daughter.
It was unique to see things play out through the perspective of Carol's character - I don't think the book would have been nearly as good from a different perspective. The confusion she experiences is apparent in the way the story progresses at times and allows the reader to better understand the situation through her.
The narrator for the audio version had the perfect voice for this character. I felt that it was believable and I could envision Carol based on the vocals.
Overall, Matchbook was worth the listen.
June 28, 2015
First of all, I wrote this book. However, GoodReads wants me to review it. So, in an attempt to be fair in my approach, I'll tell you a little about the writing of this book rather than a review, which would be ridiculously self-serving.
This book was the result of a writing prompt: write a short film where the action begins with someone calling a number from a matchbook.
The short film treatment I wrote was a finalist in that contest, but I so fell in love with the characters than I felt compelled to write a short story. Then I wrote a novella. Then I finally wrote a full novel. Because Carol (my main character) wouldn't stop talking in my head.
She still pops up every now and then, so I guess a sequel is next!
Carol, the main character, is homeless, mostly because I wrote this novel during a time many families were ending up on the street. I tried to understand how this could happen, especially to someone who once "had it together," so to speak.
This novel has won a few contests in its rough form, and from what I've heard from others, it has become a polished and memorable story. I hope if you do decide to read it, you'll get in touch.
This book was the result of a writing prompt: write a short film where the action begins with someone calling a number from a matchbook.
The short film treatment I wrote was a finalist in that contest, but I so fell in love with the characters than I felt compelled to write a short story. Then I wrote a novella. Then I finally wrote a full novel. Because Carol (my main character) wouldn't stop talking in my head.
She still pops up every now and then, so I guess a sequel is next!
Carol, the main character, is homeless, mostly because I wrote this novel during a time many families were ending up on the street. I tried to understand how this could happen, especially to someone who once "had it together," so to speak.
This novel has won a few contests in its rough form, and from what I've heard from others, it has become a polished and memorable story. I hope if you do decide to read it, you'll get in touch.
October 22, 2016
An Engaging Mystery...
For a book that is a little less than 300 pages, it packs a huge punch.
From page one it immediately takes off:
"Three basic types of people walked by my
spot on the sidewalk: the Blind, the Deaf, and the Dumb"...
I liked Carol, the female lead, she doesn't care what anyone thinks because she is on
a mission, she does not believe that her daughter died of a drug overdose.
Carol is willing to do whatever it takes to find out the Truth, so when a mysterious
person leaves a matchbook with a phone number near her, she cannot resist the urge
to call that number.
There are many characters who move the story along and there are twists and turns
that kept me hooked until the very end of the book.
Overall, this was a engaging Mystery that was worth reading.
Becket Royce did really well with the narration and look forward to other books that she has narrated.
Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."
November 1, 2016
Audiobook review: This is a story about addiction to alcohol and drugs and a lot of secrets revealed on the journey. You'll keep asking questions like "How did it come this far?" and as the story revolves it gets more and more compelling!
It starts out in the present time where Carol is homeless and poor and it jumps back in time to her previous life where she had it all. She's now begging on the street along with her urge to find out what happened to her daughter. This is a mystery/thriller with a lot of backstory and an extremely well-developed plot that holds your attention to the end!
Becket Royce is a favorite narrator of mine and she really does another great job. She's extremely good with voices and invests a lot in the stories she performs. She can do the most convincing male voices and makes you laugh when the funny stuff appears.
*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
It starts out in the present time where Carol is homeless and poor and it jumps back in time to her previous life where she had it all. She's now begging on the street along with her urge to find out what happened to her daughter. This is a mystery/thriller with a lot of backstory and an extremely well-developed plot that holds your attention to the end!
Becket Royce is a favorite narrator of mine and she really does another great job. She's extremely good with voices and invests a lot in the stories she performs. She can do the most convincing male voices and makes you laugh when the funny stuff appears.
*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2016
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
OMG the feels! Get out your fuzzy blankets, tissues, beverage of choice, and prepare to hunker down for awhile with this one. *crying emoji*
Prosapio has taken a story that is relatable and tragic all on its own — a mother losing her daughter, but she adds another dimension to the tragedy by introducing us to this mother, Carol, as a homeless woman living on the streets. Prosapio does an excellent job of making me invested in this main character from the get-go. I want to know her back story, and I want to know where she’s headed.
Read the rest of my review at: https://raeleighreads.wordpress.com/2...
OMG the feels! Get out your fuzzy blankets, tissues, beverage of choice, and prepare to hunker down for awhile with this one. *crying emoji*
Prosapio has taken a story that is relatable and tragic all on its own — a mother losing her daughter, but she adds another dimension to the tragedy by introducing us to this mother, Carol, as a homeless woman living on the streets. Prosapio does an excellent job of making me invested in this main character from the get-go. I want to know her back story, and I want to know where she’s headed.
Read the rest of my review at: https://raeleighreads.wordpress.com/2...
May 7, 2016
I REALLY liked this book. While it is a fiction mystery, it gives a different perspective on homelessness, substance abuse, and addiction. I felt like the characters really came alive, and the narrator's voice matched perfectly with how I pictured the main character and her sarcastic wit. I had a hard time tearing myself away from this one and always wanted to know what would happen next. I listened to the Audible audiobook, and I really enjoyed this narrator (Becket Royce). She was really good at both female and male voices, which is something I always look for in a good narrator. I really enjoyed the story and would definitely look for more books by this author. If you want a good, realistic mystery, I highly recommend this book.
June 8, 2015
I was able to get an advance copy of Matchbook, and am happy to review it. I loved this story for so many reasons, the main one being the narrator's voice. Written in the first-person perspective of Carol, a homeless woman with a razor-sharp wit, readers are given a first-hand look at Carol's life on the streets and her imperiled struggle to solve the mystery of her daughter's death. This was a page turner that kept me up at night because I was happy to follow along with Carol's adventure and root for her and her quirky street buddies getting in and out of trouble. To top it off, all of the plot points led to a satisfying conclusion. Well done, Desiree Prosapio!
July 2, 2016
I REALLY liked this book. It grabbed me from the start and I was hooked the entire time. It was the perfect balance of being entertaining, thought provoking, suspenseful and poignant all wrapped into one great story.
I received the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review and it was a pleasure to listen to this story. The book is narrated by Becket Royce and she does a fabulous job. Her voice totally fits the personality of Carol and since the book is in first person (Carol’s voice) the audio is a true enhancement to the story.
All in all I totally recommend this book. If you are considering reading it, do! You won’t be disappointed!
I received the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review and it was a pleasure to listen to this story. The book is narrated by Becket Royce and she does a fabulous job. Her voice totally fits the personality of Carol and since the book is in first person (Carol’s voice) the audio is a true enhancement to the story.
All in all I totally recommend this book. If you are considering reading it, do! You won’t be disappointed!
April 8, 2016
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
A mother's loss of her daughter sends her into a downward spiral ending on the streets. The plot sends her searching for answers to why her daughter died. Twists and turns abound in this mystery / thriller. I could picture these characters from the vivid description.
The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed.
A mother's loss of her daughter sends her into a downward spiral ending on the streets. The plot sends her searching for answers to why her daughter died. Twists and turns abound in this mystery / thriller. I could picture these characters from the vivid description.
The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed.
July 17, 2015
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I want to read more!! I live in NB and I recognize places mentioned. This could happen to anyone. One day you can have it all and he next it can be gone. Went to the river walk last night and didn't see many homeless but the ones I did see I just knew they had a story behind them. Love this book and will definitely recommend it!!
April 16, 2016
I was gifted this book with the understanding I would leave an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. The story is very well written. The narrator does a wonderful job too. Carol the main character is witty and fun. I recommend this book.
Read
November 23, 2016“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
LOVED this. Wonderfully written book that kept me hanging on til the very end.
LOVED this. Wonderfully written book that kept me hanging on til the very end.
April 17, 2017
This book could easily be made into a movie — it's that good!
Matchbook is an original, intriguing, and suspenseful mystery that immediately sucked me in and wouldn't let me go until I had listened to the entire story in two days. Written by Desireé Prosapio, the story revolves around Carol who is a homeless drunk three years after her teenaged daughter's alleged suicide. The main premise of the book is the mystery behind the death of Carol's daughter and Carol's intense need to uncover the truth. There are several twists and turns along the way that I didn't expect and I didn't guess who was the "bad guy" until it was revealed at the very end.
What makes this story stand out from other books of this genre are the great secondary characters. Most of them are very charismatic and full of personality. Similar to Carol's story of why she is homeless, many of the secondary characters are homeless because they choose to be [Carol is homeless because she lost her good paying job and her house after becoming obsessed with proving her daughter did not kill herself, including hiring private investigators who did little more than take her money]. What I liked most though is how the homeless became a little family themselves looking out for each other.
Becket Royce narrated this audiobook and she did a wonderful job. She had great intonation and pace, keeping the story suspenseful throughout. Beckett's style is very natural with smooth overtones and subtle character nuances for each of the characters. In fact, Becket's outstanding narration kept me listening into the wee hours of the morning. Brava!
Matchbook is an original, intriguing, and suspenseful mystery that immediately sucked me in and wouldn't let me go until I had listened to the entire story in two days. Written by Desireé Prosapio, the story revolves around Carol who is a homeless drunk three years after her teenaged daughter's alleged suicide. The main premise of the book is the mystery behind the death of Carol's daughter and Carol's intense need to uncover the truth. There are several twists and turns along the way that I didn't expect and I didn't guess who was the "bad guy" until it was revealed at the very end.
What makes this story stand out from other books of this genre are the great secondary characters. Most of them are very charismatic and full of personality. Similar to Carol's story of why she is homeless, many of the secondary characters are homeless because they choose to be [Carol is homeless because she lost her good paying job and her house after becoming obsessed with proving her daughter did not kill herself, including hiring private investigators who did little more than take her money]. What I liked most though is how the homeless became a little family themselves looking out for each other.
Becket Royce narrated this audiobook and she did a wonderful job. She had great intonation and pace, keeping the story suspenseful throughout. Beckett's style is very natural with smooth overtones and subtle character nuances for each of the characters. In fact, Becket's outstanding narration kept me listening into the wee hours of the morning. Brava!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews