Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Hey there, fellow travelers and story lovers,

It’s not every day you stumble across a thriller that feels like a winding road trip through the human psyche, but “Simply Lies” by David Baldacci, narrated by Corey Carthew and Lisa Flanagan, does just that. From the moment I pressed play, the story unfolded like a dusty map revealing hidden trails – each twist pulling me deeper into a game of deception I couldn’t turn off. As a travel writer who’s spent countless hours soaking in tales from strangers across the globe, this audiobook hit me square in the chest, blending the rush of adventure with the intimacy of a fireside confession.

Picture this: I’m driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, the sun blazing over an otherworldly stretch of sand and salt flats, listening to “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The narrator’s voice wove magic into the air, turning the desolate landscape into something alive and breathing. That memory flickered back as I dove into “Simply Lies”. Mickey Gibson’s world – a single mom juggling kids and a remote job at ProEye – felt as real as the families I’ve stayed with in Oaxaca, where I’d sit spellbound as a grandmother spun tales with a cadence that could stop time. Carthew and Flanagan bring that same magic here, their voices painting Mickey’s hectic life with such vivid strokes you can almost hear the clatter of her kitchen or the hum of her laptop.

The story kicks off with Mickey, a former detective turned corporate sleuth, getting a call to check out a vacant mansion. What starts as a routine gig spirals into a psychological showdown when she finds a dead body – and realizes she’s been set up. Baldacci crafts a narrative that’s less a straight highway and more a series of hairpin turns. You’ve got Mickey on one side, sharp and determined, and on the other, a nameless con artist whose motives are as murky as a fogged-up windshield. It’s cat and mouse, sure, but it’s the kind where both players are rewriting the rules as they go. The themes hit hard – trust, identity, survival – and they reminded me of nights swapping stories with locals in far-flung places, where you’re never quite sure who’s spinning truth or fiction.

Now, let’s talk about the audio experience, because this is where “Simply Lies” really shines. Corey Carthew’s narration of Mickey is grounded and warm, with a grit that makes you root for her even when she’s backed into a corner. Lisa Flanagan, voicing the enigmatic con artist, slinks through the story like a shadow – you can almost feel the chill of her calculated moves. Together, they’re a perfect duet, balancing tension and humanity. The production quality is crisp, with pacing that mirrors the plot’s relentless momentum. You can hear the creak of that mansion’s floorboards, the catch in Mickey’s breath – it’s immersive, like stepping into a scene rather than just listening to it.

That said, it’s not flawless. The plot’s complexity sometimes feels like a detour that loops back a little too late – there were moments I wanted the story to tighten its grip sooner. And while the dual narration is a strength, there’s a slight overlap in tone between Carthew and Flanagan that can blur the line between characters if you’re not paying close attention. But these are minor bumps on an otherwise thrilling ride.

Compared to Baldacci’s other works like “The 6:20 Man”, “Simply Lies” leans harder into psychological suspense over action-packed thrills. It’s less about gunfire and more about the quiet menace of a mind game – which, for me, echoes the slow-burn tension of a storyteller holding a room captive with nothing but words. If you’re a fan of mysteries that unfold like a chess match, or if you loved “Gone Girl” for its dueling perspectives, this audiobook will hook you.

Who’s this for? Anyone who craves a suspenseful listening experience that’s as much about character as it is about plot. If you’re the type who’d pull over on a road trip just to hear the end of a chapter – or if you’ve ever lost sleep wondering what’s around the next bend – this one’s got your name on it. Bonus points: there’s a free audiobook version floating out there, so you can dive in without spending a dime.

Listening to “Simply Lies” took me back to those Oaxaca evenings, where every pause in a story felt like an invitation to lean closer. It’s a reminder of why I love audiobooks – they’re a journey you don’t need a passport for, just a pair of headphones and a willingness to get lost. Baldacci, Carthew, and Flanagan deliver a tale that’s equal parts pulse-pounding and personal, and I’m already itching to replay it, maybe on my next drive through some wild, untamed corner of the world.

Until our next story-soaked adventure, stay curious out there,
Marcus Rivera