Truthseeker

Written by C.E. Murphy

Narrated by Em Eldridge

Lara Jansen is the world’s worst liar. Literally.

Born with an uncanny gift to know when the truth is being spoken, Lara lives a quiet, risk-adverse life as a tailor. But when handsome, mysterious Dafydd ap Caerwyn enters her life and claims—truthfully—to be a prince of Faerie, Lara’s world is turned upside-down.

Dafydd has traveled from his world—the Barrow-lands—in search of a ‘truthseeker’ to help untangle the truth around his brother’s murder, a crime which the warring factions in the Seelie court can’t solve. Lara, determined to take a few chances with her life, agrees to journey to the Barrow-lands with him, but there, discovers that even her gifts don’t necessarily prevent people from lying to her...and that charming, irresistible Dafydd has secrets of his own.

Caught between ancient, bitter rivalries and a burgeoning evil wielding dark power, Lara’s own abilities grow uncontrollably, and the Barrow-lands may yet discover that truth is the deadliest magic of all….

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094437583

C.E. Murphy

C.E. Murphy is the author of more than twenty books—along with a number of novellas and comics. Born in Alaska, currently living in Ireland, she does miss central heating, insulation and—sometimes–snow but through the wonders of the internet, her imagination and her close knit family, she’s never bored or lonely. While she does travel through time (sadly only forward, one second at a time) she can also be found online at www.cemurphy.net or @ce_murphy on Twitter

Reviews for Truthseeker

[Karen Chandler · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this fast-paced, mysterious storyline with believable characters. It maintains your interest throughout.

[Michael · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Used the word “truth“ way too much. I liked the premise of a person that can hear truths but didn’t care for the way the author made the power operate. Is it audio, visual, or some combination of both and it giving her directions with no point of reference to divine truth from falsehood? It just made no sense. Should’ve just said she had magic and had a spell to Devine the truth. Why couldn’t the elves divine truth falsehood with their magic?

[Marcy · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narrator is one I’ve listened to before, and it makes it difficult to tell if the book is bad or if it would be better if someone else read it.
That being said, I really tried to like this book but it’s not great. The main character is very literal and kind of annoying and there’s a mix of fae lore but also exorcism? I stopped at that part because I was just over it.

[junipersun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great premise: that a person can have a physical reaponse to lies--it would be interesting if other unethical actions had immediate consequences. I enjoyed Lara's obsessiveness with precise speech (at the beginning) but she lost it later in the book. That was too much of a change for a truthseeker. I also liked the bantering between Lara & Kelly. Lara jumping David when they crossed was too dissonant for me, and CE Murphy must have known that because she has Lara ponder this later & come up with an (inadequate) explanation. Another unbelievable bit comes at the end when Kelly is chasing a villain but pauses at the threshold to exchange goodbyes & regrets at missing her friend Kelly's wedding.Great action.

[Laura Novello · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Probably a good book but this is the worst narrator I've ever heard. Couldn't take it. I may try to read this book at some point, but listening to this narrator just doesn't work for me.

[Sam Ashish · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Again the narrator did not do it for me, the narrators can make or break the book and whether someone listens to it or not. I want to enjoy the book but unfortunately am put off at the start if the narrator is not suitable. The narrator and book I feel should suit.

[fifi · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I could not make it through the first chapter. The storyline sounds great but I just can't get past the narrator's voice. It's ear burning.
What a terrible choice for the narration of this book.

[Jeannine B · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I feel like this book is one that is better when read rather than listened to. I was actually interested in the story but the narrator is so so so robotic it takes you out of it. What a shame.

[Sarah Searle · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I like this author and may like the book, however I have tried to listen to this on several occasions and I just can’t get very far. The narrator’s cadence is so distracting that I cannot stay with the story line. It’s aweful.

[Stacy Faulkner · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ugh! I keep starting this and I just can’t get passed the readers monotone lol. The book has potential, but the beginning doesn’t have the hook beyond, she knows if your lying.

[Nicky De Proost · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is, by far, the worst narrator I've heard in an audiobook. Was this done by AI?
It's hard to focus on the actual story. I'm sure it's actually not that bad...

[Lori Curran · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Narrator was only passable. Sorry but her voice was stiff and grating. Also writing was somewhat stiff also and could use some rewrite. I'm still going to listen to the second book so I can follow the story, but this book could use some more work.

[lolly · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I cant give a rating for the book/author, i couldn't get past the first chapter unfortunately. The Narrators voice just wasn't for me, it was too robotic and montone. I enjoy more emotion in the voice as I feel brings the story to life and this was giving more analytical, which I'm sure is enjoyable for some, but is not really my cup of tea.

[Shilo Smith · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Cannot tolerate the narrator. Sounds like AI, and not even good AI. Didn’t get very far before I had to stop listening

[Jill Whitmer Hamilton · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I tried to listen to it, but the narrator was horrible. The end of ever sentence was the same. She read like a robot. Awful

[Casey Ferguson · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to give this book a chance, but couldn’t get past the narrator’s voice. She is very technical, avoid of any personality or emotion. To be fair, I am very selective with narrators. Oh well… I’ll have to find something else.

[Kate McNutt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm sorry. The book seems like it would be a good one, but the narrator doesn't appeal to me. I may read it myself at some point, but not likely as I drive for a living which is why I listen.

[Tekie Robertson · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The narration on this book is so awful, it sounds computer generated!

[Charlene Smith · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I’m trying so hard to get through this book. The story so far is good but unfortunately I can’t stand the narration. The punctuation is off, almost every sentence ends as a pause or a question, almost a valley girl tone each end work being elongated.

Please re-record it with a better reader. It would be much easier to listen to and enjoy.

[Robyn L · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The narration is the worst I've heard. Will not continue 2nd book because it is the same narrator.

[Charlie · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Unfortunately the narration didn’t work for me. I had to stop listening as it jarred. A shame as the preamble sounded interesting.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's hard to review TRUTH SEEKER. C. E. Murphy is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors, and I adore her Walker Papers books. Therefore, in reading any of her other series, I can't help but compare them to the Walker Papers... and they inevitably fall short. This start to a new series feels flawed in a few ways, but at heart it's still a solid read.Lara Jansen has always had an uncanny knack for sensing if someone tells the truth. Lies ring like discordant notes in her ears. Then she encounters enigmatic TV weatherman Dafydd ap Caerwyn. After knowing each other for a mere day, Dafydd confesses he's a prince of Faerie--and to Lara's horror, his words ring true. He begs for her help in settling the murder of his brother. Lara agrees and steps through to the Barrow Lands... where all hell breaks loose.The premise is fun. What bothered me the most were the pacing and the way some crucial points of the plot seemed way too easy. Lara's character development feels way too fast in the beginning. She starts out shy and awkward, pushed by her best friend to do anything, and when she steps into the Barrow Lands, her character evolution is almost instantaneous. Other characters observed this, too, which didn't explain it away for me. Some of the later plot points with her power seemed too simple; things simply happened. The ending is also a huge cliffhanger that barely introduces the villain. If you want to read a stand-alone book, this one isn't for you. (Fortunately, I have an ARC of the sequel to read.) However, there are a lot of positives. Lara is a fun character, and her chemistry with Dafydd feels strong from the star. There are some horrifying plot twists that I didn't see coming.In the end, it's not the strongest of Murphy's work (go read the Walker Papers!) but it's still fun. I do hope the book will be even better when paired with the sequel.

[Nancy Kalyniuk · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Could not get past the first chapter; the narrator who is either AI or a chain smoking COPD patient. The entire script is read monotone and my google pill does a better job narrating with emotion.
Heebbee geebbees

[Mindy Ngo · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I listened to 1/3 of the book and cannot get into it. Plus, as for the reader, I completely concur with other people’s comments on how awful she sounds. No, it doesn’t get better.

[Rebekah Sandell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Starts out slow but you finally get the storyline and it becomes interesting. There was to much detailed description of the fights. For teens and romantics.

[Kate McConnell · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Deserves a better narrator. The narrator is stiff, almost mechanical. Her “male” voices are all gruff and very forced. Her unnatural rhythm makes the audiobook impossible for me to listen to.

[janetarmentani · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good Story, flowed really well. Can't wait for part 2

[stacyatufi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book By C.E. Murphy that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I cant wait to read her next book in this new series and I will be checking out her other books as well.

[sharon dean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The weave of words this author can make. Dreams come true reality is stretched and there is more to come. However at 3.50am it will have to wait till my mind and body has been rested damn it. I believe if a legend is shared enough there has to be an ounce of truth in there somewhere. Stretch your mind and see if you can keep up with this author’s words. Loved this story I have to know the rest!

[kara acre · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't usually write reviews unless I feel a need to explain a low rating. I really liked the storyline, but like so many others, I had a very hard time listening to the narrator. She was definitely not a good narrator for this book. However, I quickened the reading pace to 1.5x and it was enough to keep me listening to the end of the book.
Maybe try that before quitting because the story is quite good!