Suspenseful, tragic true crime.

Prior to listening to “If I Can’t Have You”, I was largely unfamiliar with the Susan Powell case, I remembered some fragments from news coverage from when the case was new, but nothing more. Thankfully, authors Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris do not presume the reader/listener has any familiarity with the case, and instead provide a thorough account of the many twists and turns in the case. Events unfold in a suspenseful way, with an engaging, detailed narrative. Kevin Pierce – who is the primary narrator – has an excellent, authoritative voice, perfect for true crime. And Laural Merlington – who voices Susan’s journal entries and other recollections at the beginnings of chapters – adds a nice, sometimes haunting element.

The fact that “officially” much of this case remains unsolved (no confession, no body), will make aspects of it linger in your mind. It’s easy to apply hindsight and say that much of the tragedy and injustice in the case should have been preventable. But I suppose that’s the problem with hindsight.

All in all, this was a suspenseful, detailed account of an increasingly tragic, frustrating series of events. I received a free promo copy of this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.