Catch the Sparrow cover art

Catch the Sparrow

A Search for a Sister and the Truth of Her Murder

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Catch the Sparrow

By: Rachel Rear
Narrated by: Julia Locascio
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About this listen

Growing up, Rachel Rear knew the story of Stephanie Kupchynsky's disappearance. The beautiful violinist and teacher had fled an abusive relationship on Martha's Vineyard and made a new start for herself near Rochester, NY. She was at the height of her life—in a relationship with a man she hoped to marry and close to her students and her family. And then, one morning, she was gone.

Near Rochester—a region which has spawned such serial killers as Arthur Shawcross and the 'Double Initial' killer—Stephanie's disappearance was just another news item. But Rachel had more reason than most to be haunted by this particular story of a missing white woman: Rachel's mother had married Stephanie's father after the crime, and Rachel grew up in the shadow of her stepsister's legacy.

In Catch the Sparrow, Rachel Rear writes a thoroughly enjoyable and unerringly poignant reconstruction of the dark and serpentine path, across more than two decades, to try to solve the case. Obsessively cataloguing the crime and its costs, drawing intimately closer to the details than any journalist could, she reveals how a dysfunctional justice system laid the groundwork for Stephanie's murder and stymied the investigation for more than 20 years, and what those hard years meant for the lives of Stephanie's family and loved ones. Startling, enthralling and deeply moving, Catch the Sparrow is a retelling of a crime like no other.

©2022 Rachel Rear (P)2022 Hachette Audio
Murder Disappearance

Critic Reviews

"Catch the Sparrow is true crime at its most personal and purposeful—heartfelt and intimate, noble and determined, meticulous and brave." (Robert Kolker, New York Times best-selling author of Hidden Valley Road and Lost Girls)

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Oh lordy - the narrator - just terrible

The story is okay but oh lordy the narrator leaves a lot to be desired. Her emotionless, expressionless, monotone voice is cringe worthy and makes this title incredibly boring and a chore to listen to.
I know it's a serious subject and I don't expect an upbeat narration but there is a huge difference between upbeat and down right dull and boring. It sounds as though Julia is reading straight from a piece of paper and is unable to inject any feeling into her narration.
I would definitely not listen to another book read by Julia Locascio as I am really struggling to get through this one. The only reason that I am sticking with it is because I want to find out what happens in the end.
My recommendation for you is to buy another book.

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