If I Didn't Care

Cozy 90s Mystery

Review by: The Audiobook ReviewDanielle Palli has a knack for writing quirky, interesting characters that seem so earnest and authentic. So many of her characters feel so fully fleshed out, with rich backstories driving them and adding appropriate motives to their actions, you can't help but feel like you've known them forever.

Danielle described "If I Didn't Care" to me as a cozy mystery, inspired by (among others) Columbo. I did catch the cheeky nod to Columbo with "Just one more thing..." asked by one of the detectives. Cozy mysteries are a genre that I admittedly don't spend a lot of time perusing, but after this outing, I'm thinking perhaps I should.

Set in 1997 just as all things tech is getting ready to explode onto the scene, we follow Rue as she navigates her way through a new job working for a private detective, unwittingly being caught up in a murder at the theatre, all while being caught up with two tech companies vying to dominate the industry.

The plot was well-paced and had me guessing to the end. The characters, as mentioned earlier, really added an extra dimension to the story. It's hard to describe without repeating myself, but Palli's characters always come across as genuine people you could believe meeting.

Narration by Graham Mack, along with the author Danielle Palli and husband John Palli worked well. Graham has one of those easy-to-listen-to voices and suits this genre well. Danielle lends her voice to the female characters, which works for me.

Overall, a cozy mystery that kept me listening, with a touch of nostalgia for the mid-nineties era technology to throw my mind back. More to come with these characters? I hope so!

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I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I have not let this gift affect nor influence my opinions of this audiobook and have left an honest review.