Spanning nearly one hundred years, following different times, characters and stories, all woven together by a bird's egg. Collectible, sought after, and potentially worth killing for. Aside from having an egg in common, another theme that runs through all the narratives is greed and the immorality that inherently comes with it.

As a reader of primarily dark speculative fiction, this was a refreshing breakaway read. The bad guys are fueled by greed, not possessing one's soul or eating brains. To be honest, the lack of a malevolent antagonist threw me for a few chapters until the story grounded me. I was settled in by the world building.
The characters are crafted well and I was able to sympathize with them, and that includes the birds whose eggs are being stolen.
The Impossible Thing has made me want to branch out into other genres more often.
Well played.

I've really enjoyed Belinda Bauer's writing in the past, so I couldn't resist the opportunity to listen to her newest story The Impossible Thing. There was just something about the premise with its egg trafficking angle that I found absolutely intriguing, as it was something I hadn't heard about before. I've been looking forward to start listening to it ever since, but I have to be honest here and say that I'm not sure what to make of this story. There are definitely mixed thoughts involved, and I'll try to explain what did and didn't work for me below.

First of all I have to say that I still love the premise of this story, and the whole topic of egg trafficking was both fascinating and clearly well researched. It's not something I had heard about before, and I always enjoy learning something new along the way. That said, trigger warnings are definitely in place for animal cruelty with those poor birds suffering that loss over and over again. I can understand why it is now illegal to have/hunt for eggs, that's for sure! The egg trafficking part of the story is actually based on true events, and it did make the story feel more authentic.

What I didn't realized was that one of the main characters actually wasn't new and had already appeared in Rubbernecker... Thankfully I saw this before it was too late and since I already had a copy on my kindle I ended up reading it first. I'm SO glad I did, because this book wouldn't have been the same otherwise. Why? Patrick Fort is such an intriguing and unique character, and he deserves a proper introduction to get to know him better. It's simply impossible to understand how his brain works otherwise, and his chapters won't hit the same if you haven't read Rubbernecker first... Especially since there are no introductions for the reappearing characters in this book.

The Impossible Thing uses a dual timeline structure, and here is probably partly where things went wrong for me. I usually prefer one much over the other, and this is exactly what happened in this story as well. While I appreciated the focus on the egg trafficking and the creation of the Metland egg collection, the pace used in the 1920s timeline was incredibly slow and it took me a long time to warm up to the characters. In fact, I struggled to find the motivation to listen to this audiobook until Patrick Fort's POV appeared in the present, who is for me the true star of the show. Both timelines have multiple POVs, and some are much more engaging than others... In fact, some almost felt like fillers and slowed down the pace even more.

I also struggled a little with the audiobook, and especially in the first half. This probably had to do with the fact that I had a hard time getting used to the narrator's accent, which made it a bit difficult to follow the story at times. Sure, I liked how he changed his voice with the characters and things did become better after a while, but I can't deny that his voice made it harder to properly warm up to the story for a long time. This might have to do with the fact that English isn't my first language, but I would definitely suggest listening to a sample before committing to the audiobook. I personally feel that I would have enjoyed The Impossible Thing better if I had read it on my kindle instead... I can't deny that the pace of the narration was solid though, and it fitted the story.

All in all I ended up having mixed thoughts about The Impossible Thing, and it took me a lot longer than expected to actually make it to the end. I kind of wish Patrick Fort would have been more present in the story, because he sure made it easier to keep reading. This dual timeline story has a lot of focus on the past instead of the missing egg mystery in the present; not a bad thing, but this abundance of historical details did slow down the pace. I do seem to be in the minority so far though, and most people seem to love their experience with this book.

Engaging, original, and well narrated. A recommended purchase for collections where quirky mysteries are popular.

Honestly I found this read very unique. Such a very strange story, to start with, who knew there was so much to know about collecting eggs. I learned a lot through the chapters and loved the overlap between the sag and the present.

I liked how the book eventually unfolded and I thought the characters were individual and the writing was excellent.

I really enjoyed listening to something a bit different and was a success for me.

Can it be real?

A scarlet egg with the hint of pink at the tip?

The first one discovered in 1926 sets the egg-collecting world on fire.

What?! You say reading about a rare egg sounds boring? The price of regular old eggs is enough to deal with? Think again!

It has been awhile since I first read Snap by Belinda Bauer, but I have never forgotten how her taut and precise writing style builds suspense and makes for a riveting read. This book is no different.

Bauer gives us a two timelines that are both focused on the Metland Egg-- considered the 8th wonder of the world by egg collectors in the 1920's. The egg was laid by the Common Guillemot off the cliffs of Bempton. A particular spot can only be reached by an enterprising wisp of a girl named Celie.

In modern times a young man tries to put an egg up for sale on Ebay. Nick is trying to raise money for a proper gaming chair and discovered the red egg in a box in the attic. Little does he know the events he has set in motion. Along for the ride is his best friend Patrick. We can read more about Patrick in the first Rubbernecker book (I am sorry to have missed it before now.)

This is an amazing read and you will be as surprised as I was to find just how engrossing and egg tale can be. An impossible thing? Not for Belinda Bauer.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Phil Dunster gets all the stars for his performance.

Come fly away!

Charming, quirky, weird, and, unforgettable. The story uses a dual timeline to explore the lucrative business of collecting and owning wild bird eggs.
The story combines mystery, humor and flawed but interesting characters. Perhaps because this story is so different, it did take me time to connect to the story. Bu once I was hooked I wanted to keep listening as I could not figure out how this was going to end.

Narration by Phil Dunster was superb providing enough emotion and dialects that the listener is quickly immersed in this bizarre world.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press and NetGalley for this audio ARC.

Crimes, danger, obsession, poverty, wealth, fascinating characters, friendship, loyalty, and a remarkable adventure spanning decades. The most beautiful books are the most difficult to review. At least they are for me.

Belinda Bauer is remarkably talented. Her multi-strand novel pulled me in from the first page and kept me mesmerized by places and things entirely foreign to me. I knew nothing about egg collecting prior to experiencing this book. On the surface, it might not sound like a scintillating topic. The web of events and lives held me spellbound. This is one of the most gripping historical novels I've read, and it's equally successful as crime fiction.

I'm grateful for the audiobook experience. Phil Dunster displays phenomenal vocal talent. It was like listening to a full-cast recording, and his accents made the locations come more fully to life.

Bauer displays great mastery of suspense and compelling characterization. There's wonderful dialogue and great power in the things that aren't said. The emotional nuances are orchestrated across multiple scenes, rising in small revelations to great crescendos.

Although there are disturbing things in the book, it never became overwhelming. There's a lot of heart and some humor, and overall, it's uplifting.
The settings in nature and in homes of people at different economic levels were vivid and added to the immersion.

She's as adept with action, adventure, and believable men as fully dimensional girls and women. Aspects of women's lives that are often hidden or left out of history appear here powerfully and with respect. Being Neuro-atypical is presented in a matter of fact manner. The Impossible Thing moved me. The ending landed perfectly and left me choked up.

I highly recommend this audiobook to readers of general and literary fiction as well as to those who enjoy historical, crime, and mystery novels. The Impossible Thing transcends genre. I look forward to experiencing more books by Belinda Bauer as well as those narrated by Phil Dunster.
Thank you, Dreamscape Media, for the ALC for consideration.
I'll add links soon.

Thank you, Netgalley and Grove Atlantic, for providing me with a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Impossible Thing is a fictional account of the collection and disappearance of real Metland Eggs, the priceless red Guillemot eggs collected in Yorkshire, England. The novel volleys between the 1920s when the eggs were first collected by an impoverished young girl and sold to collectors for large sums of money. A century later, Patrick Fort is aiding his friend Nick, whose egg was stolen. It was nice to revisit Patrick, the neurodivergent protagonist of <I>Rubbernecker</i>. He's earnest and clever. Once again, I appreciated how well Bauer wrote a character on the autism spectrum. I also enjoyed "Weird Nick" and the 1920s characters Celie and Robert.

The book is also an eye-opening look at the world of egg poaching. Bauer covers this criminal trade from all angles: the people that risk their lives to obtain the eggs as a means of feeding their families, the wealthy collectors, the conservationists, and the birds themselves. The cruelty imposed on these birds is hard to read but important as it is based on real-world practices.

Bauer once again delivers incredible prose. I highly recommend this to readers of historical fiction and crime novels. I hope Bauer brings Patrick Fort back for another mystery soon.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narration was very well suited to the story and was easy to listen to. The story was fun and moved along at a good pace. I had no idea about the history of egg collecting, so the historical basis for the story was fascniating!

This was an unexpectedly unique piece of history meets mystery. While it took me a little bit to get into the story once it grabbed on it had my heart and filled my mind with excitement and intrigue.

The fictional characters revolve around the true story of the rare red Metland Eggs that were gathered between 1912 and 1938 from the Bempton Cliffs in the UK. The timeline jumps back and forth from the collecting of the eggs to present day and both timelines, with all their interesting characters and heartfelt insights, were written in a way that made it easy to follow and thoroughly enjoyable. I was highly invested in the eggs and felt so many emotions for the birds who are mentioned just a few times. I think that says a lot about how powerful the writing was. And even though this is the second in a series I didn’t feel like I missed anything having not read the first. That said, i will definitely be reading more from Bauer soon!

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the excellent advanced listening copy!

The Impossible Thing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💖

I absolutely adore Belinda Bauer. She has such a unique writing style that I have yet to find anything remotely similar. I am so happy that this book is the second in the series! I am looking forward to what comes next.

I chose this book, The Impossible Thing, not knowing it was the second in the Rubbernecker series, So I decided that is where I should begin. And if you haven't read that first, I highly suggest that you do, it helps give a little more context to the main character and his relationships. Rubbernecker was fantastic! One of the things that I really enjoy about this series is how unconventional it is. The main character is not neurotypical, and that is what I love the most about it.

These books are beautifully done in a way that is difficult for me to describe. They address difficult issues without tackling them head on, and help you think about them gently, if I can put it like that. Often books can be so direct and almost shove your nose right into the issue they want to see, but this has a very smooth way of doing it, and it never felt out of place within the book.

I have found that not a lot of people know about Belinda Bauer , and that is unfortunate. Her books are well written, character and plot driven, atypical, and "unputdownable". And they may not be for everyone, but I really enjoy what she has to say in every one of her books, the three I have read so far, and I think they are work the time and little effort that will go into each one.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audio copy of this book. All my opinions are my own.

I appreciated how the story builds over the novel. Two timelines, the past and present, reveal secrets as we follow characters through a growing mystery. The "who dunnit" is easy enough to solve, but the puzzle pieces coming together is a great story by Bauer.

3.5
This starts off really interesting looking at the once popular tradition of collecting precious eggs aka "climming" off the cliff in Yorkshire, England. You simply drop a rope over the cliff and scaled down to collect eggs that are then brought back up, carefully hollowed out, and then sold off to collectors.

I would've loved more about the actual life of those that lived in the village and collected eggs along with some of the politics surrounding that. But, this was more about the egg collectors and collecting in general. The book has two time points and I definitely had a favorite time frame to read about.

Overall, it was fine, but I felt like the storyline was a bit boring and could have done so much more. That said, I was definitely looking up pictures of these popular collector eggs of guillemot eggs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the gifted ALC of this book. The audiobook was well done.

I both read and listened to this book on audio. I really enjoyed the audio which helped with the pacing in my opinion.

I've read and loved Bauer's books and this was no exception. However, this book, while fascinating, moved at a slower pace than I would have liked. I loved all the characters and I loved the moving back and forth in time to have mysteries unfold in several timelines. I loved falling head first into the world of egg collectors both in real life (as in physically collecting the eggs from the birds) and in the academic sense (who knew?!) and the obsession and craze and the ones who were taken advantage of and the ones who put themselves in all kinds of danger.

It will be impossible for you to not fall into the rabbit hole of this world of danger, intrigue and deception.

with gratitude to Grove Atlantic and Dreamscape Media and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

What an unexpected mystery. I cannot say that I would have anticipated being as invested in a novel whose crime involved some stolen eggs, and yet I was. That's due in large part to the writing, though the narrator of this book being Phil Dunster certainly added to the experience.

The story is told in dual timelines. We learn about the origins of the eggs themselves while we're racing to find them in the present moment. Each timeline contains characters who felt compelling to read, which isn't always a given with dual timelines.

I could have done with a bit more tension for this to have really risen in the ranks for me, as is it straddled between a cozy and traditional mystery.

I was gifted an ALC of this book by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This is without a doubt one of the most unique pieces of crime fiction (that also happens to be historical fiction) that I have ever read! I went in knowing nothing of two things:
1) Belinda Bauer, the author and
2) The fact that egg collecting was quite a trend among the elite in the UK and US in the Victorian Era through the early part of the 20th century!

That said, this is a dual timeline story following, in the past, the exploitation of mostly poor children to do the dangerous work of collecting these eggs, and in the present, two quite interesting young men attempting to hunt down a valuable stolen egg that had been in the possession of one of their families. It's probably best to go in relatively blind to most enjoy this very creative and entertaining plot. While it is crime fiction and a bit of a mystery, it's also a book about class, greed, and obsession with a really nasty bad guy and other characters to root for.

While I enjoyed this, particularly the beginning and end, it drug quite a bit for me in the middle. I also wanted a little more exploration of the Celie, our main character in the past timeline. I think I would've been more invested had we gotten more from her character. We are given more of the personalities and characteristics of the guys in the present timeline. This made the book feel a bit "choppy", as some characters who are important to the plot are introduced but not really fully formed.

That said, the plot was so unique, and Bauer's books so critically acclaimed, I plan to pick up some backlist from her. I would definitely encourage readers who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary to pick this one up.
3.5 stars

The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer, Narrated by Phil Dunster (Audiobook Version)

A century ago, egg collecting was a hobby. Who knew? Certainly not I. No, this was not merely a pastime for the average person; rather, it was for the wealthy and affluent. Bursting at the seams, money oozed out of their self-centered hands. Finding those rare shells, exquisite in colors, bright in their rare hues proves paramount. Thus allowing bragging rights within a small circle of the wealthy trying to “one up” each other. I challenge you, dear reader, to think of anything more significant than obtaining a miraculous egg to elevate our status in a world full of insecurity.

Celie Sheppard was the destroyer of the family, or so it seems to her siblings. Outwardly different in appearance, she was a girl with a small caveat. She was thin. Her slight build can be attributed to a variety of factors, one of which may be a lack of nutrition. What she lacked in bulk or height, she made up with toughness and grit. Through this determination, she could squeeze through the smallest of crevices, allowing her dangerous access to uncover some rather unique eggs. A rare egg resting on a not-so-ordinary cliff—this cliff no one dared to venture to due to its precarious position, inferring death at its doorstop. Her bravery afforded her possession of one such special egg. The fortunes for her family positively altered, albeit with specific stipulations from a well-paying egg connoisseur.

In the present time, Nick, and his friend Patrick have experienced robbery. Ultimately, one that was preventing them from purchasing a new gaming chair. An empty box is found with hints that a majestic egg once was placed within. Who has the egg? Why would anyone steal an egg? After some investigation, they start to unravel the mystery. What once thought a small crime, a complex plot reveals itself with a multitude of bizarre possibilities.

What a story. I was enamored with the characters. Belinda Bauer, our author, has set the table. Eggs are the main course within the countryside cottage of Yorkshire. Phil Dunster, the narrator, confidently expresses emotional fervor in the telling of this story. His inflections and accent whisked away my senses to the countryside. Birds flocking to the cliffsides, laying their precious cargo. As the tale gathers momentum, Bauer introduces the sourness of collectors, causing my stomach to unsettle. Per usual, monetary gain being the evil culprit. Greed emphatically clutches its self-serving paws on the less fortunate. However, the foundation has been laid: beauteous characters lie in wait upon a blustery windtorn rockface, thus making for an eventful listen that I can encourage others to partake in.

A journey well worth your time. The writing and narration meld together perfectly to provide a rewarding experience. Recently I gave pause watching a heron fly close to the nearby inlet covered in rocks and oceanic debris. With a subtle nod, I slowly nodded my head in solemn respect as it flew off into the distance, appreciating its grace in flight. The book has forever touched me, and for that I am grateful. I am giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars. Rounding up to 5 stars! Highly Recommended!

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Sadly, this book was impossible for me to finish. I was so bored that at 67% I gave up.
I appreciate the research into the topic, and the whole egg-collecting and trafficking business part was informative. But to me the separate storylines were going nowhere, and there was no real suspense.

Belinda Bauer's The Impossible Thing intertwines two narratives across a century, delving into the enigmatic world of rare egg collecting. In 1926 Yorkshire, young Celie Sheppard's discovery of a unique red guillemot egg alters her life's trajectory. Fast forward to contemporary Wales, where Patrick Fort and his friend Nick become entangled in a perilous quest after a similar egg is stolen from Nick's home.

Bauer's portrayal of characters, especially Patrick, who is on the autism spectrum, has been lauded for its authenticity and depth. One reviewer noted the "masterful portrayal of Patrick's autism spectrum disorder," fostering a deep connection with this complex character. The dual timelines are seamlessly interwoven, enriching the narrative's complexity. The historical backdrop and the exploration of the obsessive nature of collectors provide a fresh perspective within the crime genre.

However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with the historical narrative holding slightly more allure than the present-day story. Additionally, the fantastical aspect of the egg may require readers to stretch their imaginations, bridging reality and the extraordinary.

In conclusion, The Impossible Thing offers a unique mystery that appeals to fans of literary fiction and suspense alike. While it may not resonate with all readers due to its pacing and imaginative elements, it remains a captivating journey that stays with you long after the final page.

I read the book a while back and couldn’t resist giving the audiobook a try.

Narrator Phil Dunster does a great job. His narration really brings out the lyrical quality of Belinda Bauer’s writing, and he does a great range of character voice and accents. He really brings them to life!

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since Exit, Belinda Bauer’s last book back in 2021. The Queen of quirky character-driven Crime is back to claim her crown!

The Impossible Thing delves into the hidden world and history of collecting rare birds‘ eggs. In 1926 organised gangs dangle men on ropes to snatch the eggs from the nests of the sides of towering cliffs in Yorkshire, the rarest eggs sell for big money. 100 years later in a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort finds his friend and his mother have been burgled, the only thing missing an old carved case containing an unusual egg.

You may remember Patrick from Belinda Bauer’s classic Rubbernecker, one of the original neurodivergent protagonists, long before Strange Sally Diamond, Eleanor Oliphant or Dawn Schiff. You don’t need to have read Rubbernecker before The Impossible Thing, but you HAVE TO read it at some point!

Belinda Bauer weaves a wonderful tale, through past and present, emerging us in the murky world of egg collecting, the present day efforts to crack down on the trade, and of course Patrick’s quest to recover the egg.

Inspired by a news story on the radio, Belinda Bauer has achieved the impossible by creating a complex and captivating mystery around rare egg collecting. The mix of past and present is enchanting, Sarah Penner fans need to read this book. Fans of Belinda Bauer’s recent books Snap and Exit need to read this book. Fans of Belinda Bauer’s early darker works, such Blacklands, The Facts Of Life And Death and Rubbernecker need to read this book which still captivates and grips the reader without the death and darkness.

Hugely entertaining, a superb Audiobook adaptation of a must read which deserves to be widely read and celebrated. Belinda Bauer is one of the finest character writers in Crime fiction today.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media