Considering how much I enjoyed the first book of the Black and Blue series, I was pretty excited about what the couple’s second adventure would entail. And while I hadn’t initially intended to wait for the audiobook release of The Quiet House, I had heard a lot of praise for Joel Leslie’s performance in The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings, so I was more than happy it worked out that way.
The Quiet House had a very unique feel and storyline. I always enjoy stories featuring established couples because we get the opportunity to see a magnified chemistry that has had a chance to develop and solidify with time. I loved seeing Levi and Blue together on this adventure in a house with quite the reputation for its powerful spirits. Truthfully, I was a little surprised at how uncertain both men were concerning their importance and role in one another’s life. While that feels like an honest characterization of a newer relationship, I don’t know that it completely gelled with how I saw Levi and Blue at the end of the first book. That said, I enjoyed watching their bond and trust in their relationship deepen over the course of The Quiet House as much as I enjoyed their playful banter and teasing.
The paranormal aspect also felt pretty different than I initially expected. Once again, I enjoyed how unique the setting and experiences were in The Quiet House. The author’s descriptions are always so colorful and fantastic, and the scenes really do come to life. Of course, this is only enhanced by the fun and consuming performance Joel always puts into his narration. But where The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings had a great spooky factor, The Quiet House had a more theatrical haunting vibe. That isn’t to say that the images and story weren’t great and incredibly unique, because they certainly were, it just didn’t have that scary vibe that had me jumping or anticipating the next sudden reveal.
All in all, I enjoyed the audiobook of The Quiet House. The narration is boisterous and fun, and the story very unique.