BETTER THE BLOOD Hana Westerman, Book 1

Miriama McDowell and Richard Te Are take listeners on a journey to present-day Auckland, New Zealand, where they follow Maori detective Hana Westerman as she races against time to solve a series of gruesome murders that are linked to the country's violent colonial past. The use of two narrators helps listeners differentiate the different viewpoints and strengthens the intensity of the story. The author uses many Maori words and phrases, which both narrators pronounce with ease, giving an authentic backdrop while not detracting from the pacing or heightening suspense. The result is a rich combination of a high-tension thriller combined with interesting and sometimes uncomfortable insights into Maori history and culture. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2023]