Review: Body Art Audiobook by Jordan Castillo Price, narrated by Gomez Pugh

3 hrs 24 mins

Does everyone have a certain “type” they end up with…whether they want to or not? If Ray Carlucci’s ex is anything to go by, Ray likes his men gorgeous, rebellious, and chock-full of issues. But now that Ray is single again, he has a shot at a fresh start—a very fresh start, since his tattoo shop was gutted by repo men and he can fit all his belongings in the trunk of a taxi.

Ray’s shiny new chauffeur’s license lands him a job as a driver for an elderly couple on Red Wing Island. It’s a cold fall, and since the Michigan island is the summer home to snowbirds who fly south for the winter, it’s practically deserted—save for Ray’s new household and a sculptor named Anton Kopec, who works day and night twisting brambles and twine into the distorted shapes of macabre creatures. Compelling, bizarre, and somewhat disturbing…not just the sculptures, but the artist, too. Ray has a feeling Anton is just his “type.”

Despite their scorching chemistry, when a dead body is unearthed by some workers and a freak ice storm traps them all on the island, Ray can’t say for certain that his new flame isn’t capable of murder.

I'm a recent convert to audio books - what a great way to get housework done and not give up reading time. ;) I'm a fan, though they take longer to 'read', A)  because I'm quite a speedy reader (I have a fear of not managing to read everything I want to!!) and B) I can't always listen when the kids are around, so limited times to read. 

Body Art was a book I thoroughly enjoyed though, and I'm really pleased I listened to it as an audio book, because I loved Gomez Pugh's narration.

Ray, our protagonist, is a likeable character. Down on his luck, but not giving in without a fight, under his tattoo's is a man with a heart of gold. He's lost everything material that meant anything to him - his whole business (into which he'd poured his heart) was slowly filtered away from him by his layabout, greedy, good-for-nothing, ex. Ray would have had every right to be downright miserable - he still had bailiffs after him, after all, instead we see him making the best of a bad situation. This really endeared him to me. I mean, he's gorgeous, covered in tattoos but is thoroughly nice too. I know people turn their noses up at nice, but I like nice!

Anton, the other MC, is eccentric and definitely marches to his own tune. Something I thoroughly applaud - even though, sometimes, just sometimes, I wanted to hit him upside the head. Mainly when he was leading Ray a merry dance! Other than that, he intrigued me. The artist who sees the world just slightly differently. He was a character it was difficult to know whether to trust or not. Trust him or not though, Anton + Ray = scorchio sexy times. Just sayin'.


The crime and mystery part of this story came across really well in the audio version. I had no idea what had happened to the previous chauffeur's, or why. I did't know who to trust - in the small island community, where only one family and their staff stay over winter there were several unique characters, nobody seemed to be an open book. I truly felt each moment with Ray as he became more and more part of the household - and mystery.

Jordan Castillo Price is an author I'm going to be reading more from. I've enjoyed everything of hers I've tried and I'm very much enjoying her easy writing style and interesting characters. If you like audiobooks, I'd highly recommend this one - and if you're not sure, it might be worth giving it a go. Just know, if you're listening to it in a car the sex scene will be just as you pull through the drive through/get stopped for directions/halt at traffic lights with you window open etc. It's sods law.


A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.
For more information try Goodreads.

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