The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. This time we’re looking at some recent Aduiobooks I got from the Library.


Nowhere To Run

Nowhere To Run

C. J. Box, David Chandler (Narrator)
Series: Joe Pickett,, #10
Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hrs., 13 min.
Recorded Books, 2010
Read: June 4-7, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Joe vs. a couple of hard-core survivalists and possibly breaking a missing-persons case that’s been dormant for years. It’s a great set-up—Joe stumbles onto these survivalists poaching and in the end, becomes hunted by them. He escapes, barely, but no one else can find them. So Joe and Nate gear up to go hunting for them on their own—if for no other reason, than to prove that Joe isn’t making the whole thing up.

At a certain point, don’t Wyoming Law Enforcement Officers need to start giving Joe the benefit of the doubt? Maybe believe his hunches, theories—at the very least give credence to the things he says he’s actually seen and done? Sure, there’s the petty rivalries, and I get where the local sheriff can’t give Pickett any credit. But surely everyone else can—he’s got a pretty solid track record.

It was a decent read, with some good tension, some good character moments. I’m not blown away by any of it, but I enjoyed it and am eager to see what’s next. I’m not sure I like how the Picketts are dealing with April, but there’s time to turn it around.
3 Stars

Sworn to Silence

Sworn to Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 45 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2009
Read: April 20-23, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
When she was a teenager, Kate Burkholder left her Amish family and faith. Not long after that, she began a career in the Columbus, Ohio Police Department. Now she’s been brought back to her hometown as Police Chief—she brings the ability to understand the language and culture of the Amish as well as the background in law enforcement among “the English.”

Then a victim of a grisly murder is found. And then another. There are similarities between these and murders that occurred in the area before Kate left home. Public pressure is mounting for a quick solution and city leaders bring in a State Investigator to “help” Kate out.

This was a solid read—with maybe a touch of melodrama here and there. I enjoyed this and see a lot of potential in the setting as this series continues.
3 Stars

Three Mages and a Margarita

Three Mages and a Margarita

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs. 14 min.
Tantor Audio, 2018
Read: May 21-22, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This was a lighter Urban Fantasy, like the Ella Grey books. Tori’s a waitress who can’t keep a job—she has this annoying tendency to stick up for herself when a customer gets out of line. Desperate for work, she finds a Help Wanted ad in the street. They’re looking for a bartender at a social club in a less-than-nice part of town. She shows up, gets a try out and does well.

But there’s one little thing—the social club is actually a guild of magic users. Yeah, that’s right, magic is a thing, and the guild is made up of a variety of specialists. Some of them have taken a liking to her and she’s hired on as the regular bartender. Tori strikes up a friendship with three mages in particular—and the four of them stumble into something big and dangerous.

This was fun, the dialogue moved well, the interplay between Tori and the three was great, and I can see this lasting quite a while. Looking forward to coming back for more.

3 Stars

2021 Library Love Challenge 2021 Audiobook Challenge

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