You Can't Just Leave (Digital Audiobook)

This story was a page-turner right from the beginning. Mulhall’s writing style pulls you straight into the minds of the characters. Their thoughts, fears, and hopes feel almost tangible. I found myself walking beside them through every emotion: the fear, the joy, the pain, and the triumph. The characters are so real and deeply layered that their journeys made me reflect on my own fears, losses, and hopes. It’s rare to find a story that resonates so personally, but this one truly does.

Kept me engaged and guessing from beginning to end!

I had the chance to read this book in its early manuscript stages, and it just grabbed me. The pacing, the atmosphere, the way the tension creeps in and refuses to let go... everything worked. Even in its early draft, it had that rare, unnerving energy that you can’t fake.

What impresses me most is how layered the characters are. Nothing feels on-the-nose or predictable. The twists are smart, earned, and land hard. The psychological tension builds with such precision; quiet at first, then escalating in a way that feels both inevitable and completely unpredictable. As usual, John Mulhall’s talent shine through. He’s intentional with every choice and it shows.

My review of the audio is cross posted with the print version, but I'm here to give props to the narrator, Maria Marquis. Maria captured each of the characters superbly, and I am a tough critic of narrators. Because I edit a fair amount of manuscripts, I tend to read for pleasure with my ears. Thus, I get a little picky about narration. I LOVE Maria, who has now narrated a few of my client's books, and I gotta say, she nails them. I love all of Mulhall's writing, but this one was far and away my favorite work of his. As an editor, I took on this project for a final round of edits. I typically tell clients to expect a three to four week turnaround, but I had You Can't Just Leave back to John in a week. It's THAT unputdownable. The writing is THAT good. The pacing is fast, the tension remains taut throughout, and the characters are well developed. There isn't one element of the story that doesn't move the plot along towards its full circle, satisfying ending. Keen readers will grasp the overall metaphor of the story, and my hope is they will appreciate Ethan's vulnerability, Chris's loyalty, Grace's strength, and Mandy's struggle to come to terms with her past alongside the family she has created for herself. To say it's a page-turner is an understatement, but I expect that from John, and watching his body of work grow over the years has been a treat.

I love all of Mulhall's writing, but this one was far and away my favorite work of his. As an editor, I took on this project for a final round of edits. I typically tell clients to expect a three to four week turnaround, but I had You Can't Just Leave back to John in a week. It's THAT unputdownable. The writing is THAT good. The pacing is fast, the tension remains taut throughout, and the characters are well developed. There isn't one element of the story that doesn't move the plot along towards its full circle, satisfying ending. Keen readers will grasp the overall metaphor of the story, and my hope is they will appreciate Ethan's vulnerability, Chris's loyalty, Grace's strength, and Mandy's struggle to come to terms with her past alongside the family she has created for herself. To say it's a page-turner is an understatement, but I expect that from John, and watching his body of work grow over the years has been a treat. Oh, and the audiobook read by Maria Marquis is a REAL treat. She captures the characters with absolute perfection.