Tag: Audiobooks Page 11 of 24

A Christmas Carol:
A Signature Performance
by Tim Curry

by Charles Dickens, Tim Curry (Narrator)

Unabridged Audiobook, 3 hrs., 31 min.
Audible Studios on Brilliance, 2016

Read: December 10, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry About?

Yeah, just kidding. We all know.

So, what did I think about A Christmas Carol: A Signature Performance by Tim Curry?

Really, all this post needs to be is: “Tim Curry read A Christmas Carol” and include a link to purchase. What else do you need? That’s pretty much all I needed to read from this post by Bookstooge.

But let me say something about the narration—it’s good, it’s really good. It’s also not what I expected, at least not fully.

I think I went into it anticipating an almost-over-the-top performance, whatever the audio-equivalent of a scenery-chewing showcase of Tim Curry excess. Which would have been delightful, make no mistake. Curry’s got one of those voices that would’ve lent itself to such a thing and I’d have made it an annual listen.

But no, Curry’s a pro. And he shows that here. He treats the material with respect and gives just the right emotional weight, sentimentality, personality, and life that the text and characters call for.

One line reading, in particular, made me chuckle (and came as close to what I anticipated as anything does):

“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “by Three Spirits.”

Scrooge’s countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost’s had done.

“Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?” he demanded, in a faltering voice.
“It is.”

“I—I think I’d rather not,” said Scrooge.

I chuckled at that last line and went back to listen to it a couple of times.

This is just what I needed—did it make my heart grow three sizes that day? Nope. Too much of that moralism-disguised-as-Christianity so typical of Dickens and his era, this work will never have that effect on me. But it’s a nice dollop of holiday spirit, and sure to entertain anyone who gives it a listen.

5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Time and Tide (Audiobook) by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson: The Times They Are a-Changin’

By HCNewton

On December 9, 2021

In Audiobook, DC Smith & Kings Lake, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Time and Tide

by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator)
Series: A DC Smith Investigation #7

Unabridged Audiobook, 13 hrs., 29 min.
Tantor Audio, 2018

Read: May 7-11, 2021

What’s Time and Tide About?

A new DI has been named at King’s Lake—and it’s a person we’ve run into before—and it’s a bridge too far for DC Smith. He’s been thinking about retiring since the first book, and that thought’s been getting louder. He’d probably stick it out for a little longer if not for this new boss, but…so he turns in his papers and starts to prepare to leave.

But first, there’s a murder to solve. Smith sets out for what’s likely the last time with his team and their new DI to solve the case of a suspected figure in organized crime being murdered in a small tourist town.

Everyone tries to treat this as just a typical investigation, but the specter of Smith’s retirement looms over everything. This is Smith’s last chance to impart his training on his team—Chris Waters in particular. Waters is doing his best to prove to his mentor that he’s ready to fly solo (all the while trying to soak up anything he can). Smith’s also busy trying to put his team in the best positions for their career—even if their immediate future is under the DI that led him to resign.

Also, he should probably figure out what he’s going to do when he doesn’t have a job anymore.

So, what did I think about Time and Tide?

So, I know there are more books in the series, which takes a little sting out of it, but I wasn’t ready for Smith to leave Kings Lake.

I thought the story meandered a bit more than I’m used to, but it worked. It felt appropriate for the time. It’s not just Smith’s upcoming retirement, there’s a lot about changing of times, former careers/lives, the past defining people, and so on. It’s probably the most obvious that Grainger’s been about matching the themes of the plotlines, but I’m not going to complain.

Like I said, I know there are more books to come in the series, so it’s not an ending—or really the beginning of the end—it’s a transition novel. Things are going to change, and while I’m not necessarily a fan of change, I’m betting that Grainger’s going to pull it off. He’s doing so already.

On top of that, we get the typical wise and witty Smith with his very capable team unearthing secrets, and making sure the truth is revealed. Narrated by the man who continues to make these characters come to life and elevates the already well-written text. You really can’t go wrong with this series.

4 Stars

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Case of the Missing Marquess; Dark Arts and a Daiquiri; Breaking Silence; Everything Happens; Based on a True Story: A Memoir; How to Resist Amazon and Why; Nothing Like I Imagined

By HCNewton

On November 24, 2021

In (Auto)Biography, Audiobook, Fiction, Humor, Jo Perry, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction, Politics/Current Affairs, Urban Fantasy

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. This time, I’ve got a handful of 3 Star reads/listens (I don’t think I planned it that way, it just worked out).

The Case of the Missing Marquess

by Nancy Springer, Katherine Kellgren (Narrator)
Series: Enola Holmes, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 4 hrs., 31 min.
Recorded Books, 2008
Read: November 1, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This is a cute read for people who like the idea of Sherlock Holmes, but aren’t that interested (or ready) in the real thing. Which may sound dismissive, but it’s not supposed to be. I can easily see why the people behind the movie(s) latched onto this character. I can also easily see why they tweaked the content of this book and expanded it for the first movie (does the second book some/all of what they used to expand?).

I don’t know that I’m going to go the distance with this series, but I can easily see going for one more dip in the pool.

Fast, amusing and pretty clever. This look at Sherlock and Mycroft’s little sister is a pleasant little book.

3 Stars

Dark Arts and a Daiquiri

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 39 min.
Tantor Audio, 2018
Read: October 22-25, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
For book 2 to remove our non-magical bartender to a guild of Magic Users from the Guild Members for the majority of the book is a pretty gutsy move. I’m not sure it was the right way to go, and I’m not sure it was successful. But it was gutsy.

The story was…okay, I guess. It really didn’t do a lot for me, but the last few chapters—pretty much when Tori reunites with her friends made the whole thing worth it. And the Dresden File hat-tip was fantastic.

I’m still in on this series/group of series, but I bet when all is said and done, this’ll be the one to forget.

3 Stars

Breaking Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #3
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 21 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2011
Read: October 20-21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Another horrific murder in Amish country. I’d love for a few books to involve other crimes in this community. I realize it’s her shtick, but a little variety could help things.

That aside—the villain of this piece is horrible and creepy, and you can feel the evil. Watching Kate and Agent Tomasetti try to figure out the motive behind the killing and the identity of the killer was a fun ride. I really do like these individually—even if I wonder about the series as a whole.

3 Stars

Everything Happens

by Jo Perry
Kindle Edition, 119 pg.
Fahrenheit Press, 2019
Read: October 18-19, 2021

(the official blurb)
This starts as the story of a nurse trying to get a quickie divorce from a loser and then turns into a story of carjacking, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, robbery, vengence, betrayal, and car chases.

Basically: just another weekend in Vegas.

I was riveted throughout, but…I couldn’t stop asking, “Why?” I’m not sure I saw the point of the whole thing—but you know what? I didn’t care, I enjoyed it too much to bother with things like that.

3 Stars

Based on a True Story: A Memoir

by Norm Macdonald, Tim O’Halloran (Narrators)
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 18 min.
Random House Audio, 2016
Read: October 12-14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
A fictionalized version of MacDonald’s memoir, it’s hard to tell what’s memoir, what’s a joke, what’s a mixture. The more obviously genuine moments are marred by their vicinity to the clearly fictional. As a book? This is a mess—a self-indulgent, erratic, mess.

But wow. This was funny—even most of what I didn’t like was funny.

Don’t go into this thinking you’ll understand MacDonald’s life, career, or humor better. Go into it expecting a strange performance art-like experience with some giant laughs and you’ll be set.

3 Stars

How to Resist Amazon and Why:
The Fight for Local Economics,
Data Privacy, Fair Labor,
Independent Bookstores,
and a People-Powered Future!

by Danny Caine
Paperback, 113 pg.
Microcosm Publishing, 2021
Read: October 6, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This is a no-holds barred critique (screed?) against Amazon—their business practices, the way they treat employees, the way they deal with governments, their security products…and just about everything else. It’s also a call to arms against the giant.

I have a lot of sympathies for Caine’s positions and desires—and agree with most of them. I also follow some of the practices he espouses (not as many as I want, but hey…I’m on a budget).

Still, I’m not sure the megastore is a super-villain—it may resemble one, very closely. As much as we might want it to be.

Read this—blanch at some of it—but take it with a grain of salt.

3 Stars

Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes)

by Mindy Kaling
Unabridged Audiobook., 2 hrs., 19 min.
Brilliance Publishing, 2020
Read: October 1, 2021

(the official blurb)
I really enjoyed Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and Why Not Me?—this has the same kind of humor—and the audio versions of all three are equally charming.

But I don’t know, this seemed lifeless? Sweet and genuinely funny, but it left me wanting a bit more. I don’t think it was just the length, either.

3 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Word Is Murder (Audiobook) by Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear: A Great Start to an Unique Take on a Holmes/Watson Duo

By HCNewton

On November 16, 2021

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

The Word Is Murder

by Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear (Narrator)
Series: A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, #1

Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs. and 2 min.
HarperAudio, 2018

Read: August 30-31, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s The Word Is Murder About?

The setup here is that a former police detective, Daniel Hawthorne, is doing some work as a consulting detective and as a consultant for TV. He’s one of the consultants on Anthony Horowitz’s show, in fact. And now he comes to Horowitz with a proposal, Horowitz should follow him around on some of his cases, watch him at work and write True Crime books about it, with the two splitting the profits.

Horowitz is hesitant but is talked into the deal. And regrets it almost immediately—and would probably walk away from the deal if he wasn’t intrigued by Hawthorne (who he really didn’t know at all until this point) and the case.

It’s hard to say if the murder case is the “A Story” or the “B Story” in this novel—I think it’s the A, with the storyline focusing on the writing of Horowitz’s first Hawthorne book as the B Story. But it’d be easy to argue the other way—which really doesn’t matter, I’m just bringing it up to describe how the novel works.

I should probably talk about the murder case, though—it’s pretty clever. A wealthy woman (also the mother of a famous actor) goes to a funeral parlor and starts making arrangements for her funeral. A few hours later, she’s murdered. It’s not as if she predicted her death (maybe not, anyway, that’s to be determined), just the kind of freaky coincidence that gets the attention of journalists, consulting detectives, and spy novelists looking for a new project.

It’s not just a good hook—plenty of twists, turns, intrigue, and colorful suspects follow.

Not the Most Flattering Depictions

When you first meet him, you think that Hawthorne’s probably just a misunderstood guy because of a combination of his brusque manner and genius. You may even think that this work with Horowitz may lead to a redemptive arc, a rehabilitation arc, or something. But as the book goes on, the less convinced I was of any of that. I think he’s just a foul sort of person who’s really good at something. By most measures, he’s not a good sort of person—but those are frequently fun characters.

Horowitz really doesn’t come across much better. I remember in junior high when I came across a handful of mysteries that Steve Allen (yeah, that one) wrote and I couldn’t help but wonder why someone would write himself so unflatteringly. I eventually sussed it out and by the time I got to Kinky Friedman’s mysteries, I expected it. See also, Brent Spiner’s new book. Horowitz fits into that scheme—he’s bright enough but doesn’t have the stomach, the instincts, or cynicism to handle a murder investigation on his own—which is fitting, he’s a writer, not a detective. He’s a good Watson figure to Hawthorne—even while it’s clear that he wants to do better.

How was the Narration?

I’ve listened to interviews with Horowitz before, but I halfway wonder if I listened to another one and it didn’t sound like Rory Kinnear if I’d believe it was him. Kinnear did a great job embodying the narration and characters–he’s definitely the kind of narrator I’d want to listen to again.

So, what did I think about The Word Is Murder?

This was a fun mystery—you put any PI/PI duo in the mystery part of the story and it would’ve worked well*, it’s just so well-conceived. Not surprisingly at all, Horowitz can construct a strong mystery/story and he does that here. I’m ready to read/listen to something like that any day. The victim, the suspects, the various motives, the red herrings, and the ultimate reveal provide everything you want.

* In my mind, that’s a compliment to the design of the story. I’m not sure it reads that way when it’s read.

What makes this distinct is the characters of Hawthorne and Horowitz—how they interact with each other and the suspects. Their new business relationship and its ups and downs over the course of the novel make this more than just a good PI story and turn it into a series that you’re going to want to come back to.

And you will want to. I’m glad there are at least two more and am looking forward to diving in.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (Audiobook) by Elle Cosimano, Angela Dawe: A Clever Idea, Well Executed

By HCNewton

On November 11, 2021

In Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

by Elle Cosimano, Angela Dawe (Narration)
Series: Finlay Donovan, #1

Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 59 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2021

Read: October 25-27, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It About?

Finlay Donovan is a writer of romantic crime novels who is struggling to meet her deadline—that’s not true, she’s so late that her publisher is on the verge of demanding a return of her advance.

What’s caused her to get behind is turmoil and upheaval in her life—she’s in the middle of a messy divorce, she has almost no money for rent (paid to her soon-to-be-ex to live in their house), food, or gas. Her husband’s lawyer is gearing up to wrest custody of their kids from her. This has shot her confidence, her trust in herself, and her ability to focus on anything.

So, she’s in a Panara, meeting her long-suffering agent, trying to get a little more time for the overdue novel, and is overheard by someone at a nearby table. This woman is convinced that Finlay is describing a contract killing and offers her a good sum of money to kill her husband.

Finlay doesn’t want to take the job—because she’s not a monster—but is curious about the husband, does a little research on him, and then arranges to meet him. Shortly thereafter, he’s killed. Finlay and her kids’ nanny, Vero, dispose of the body (to keep from having to answer uncomfortable questions).

Finlay soon has a guilty conscience, a healthy dose of paranoia, a nice stack of money, a referral for another job, and (most importantly) a plot for her new novel. She and Vero form an alliance to deal with it all—and, well, things go nuts from there.

How was the Narration?

Angela Dawe’s narration was solid—she captured the comedic sense of the novel along with the tension and emotional moments. There were a few accents involved and she did a believable job with them, too. This book really was a balancing act between the various tones and characters, and Dawe dealt with it admirably.

So, what did I think about Finlay Donovan Is Killing It?

I really don’t have a lot to say about this one, as much as I’ve tried. It’s a clever idea and it was executed well. I think the pacing could’ve been a bit tighter—it seemed like there was a good amount of wheel spinning at the end of the second act/beginning of the third. Not enough to turn me off of the book, but enough to make me impatient.

This is a good mix of suspense, quirky humor, and a dash of romance. I enjoyed the characters and situations. I’m pretty curious about where the second book is going to take the characters and hopefully answer a couple of lingering questions I have. For example: why was Vero so willing to throw her lot in with Finlay and jump into this life of crime (or a life adjacent to crime)?

It’s a fun ride, you should give it a whirl.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Treadstone Exile, Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors, In a Sunburned Country, Pray for Silence

By HCNewton

On October 14, 2021

In Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction, Urban Fantasy

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. Here are some recent-ish audiobooks.

The Treadstone Exile

by Joshua Hood, Ron Butler (Narrator)
Series: Treadstone, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 1 min.
Penguin Audio, 2021
Read: September 2-3, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I thought the first novel in the series was a heckuva thrill ride, but a little thin on character and believability. Still, the follow-up sounded fun.

Wow, was I wrong. The characters were just as thin (maybe thinner), I didn’t ever get invested in—or even mildly curious about—the plot. The action scenes were great, though.

Still, I think I’m done with the series.
2 Stars

Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors

by Annette Marie, Rob Jacobson, Iggy Toma (Narrator)
Series: Guild Codex: Warped, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 6 hrs., 34 min.
Tantor Audio, 2020
Read: August 26, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This book (and series, I guess) kicks off in the aftermath of Three Mages and a Margarita—and I love the idea of multiple series that are interwoven yet independent. It’s going to get difficult to track at some point, I bet, but that’s on me.

When the officials sweep in to clean up after 3 Mages one of the mages arrested is a low-powered psychic, Kit Morris. Really, the MPD is more interested in who Kit can lead them to than him—and they’re playing hardball with him to get to his higher-powered pals.

What ensues is Kit trying to play the Agent who’s trying to get him to flip and looking for a chance to escape (and neither working too well). A strange alliance forms between them.

I had a lot of fun with this one, maybe more than I did with its predecessor. Iggy Toma sold me on the characters, too, I really enjoyed the narration. I’m looking forward to spending more time in this world.
3 Stars

In a Sunburned Country

by Bill Bryson
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 54 min.
Random House, 2000
Read: August 24-25, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I remember reading Bryson’s The Mother Tongue back in the ’90s and have often thought about trying him again—but anytime the thought occurred to me, I couldn’t find one of his books available. So when I saw this as available from the library I jumped on it. Not the best move.

This is a travelogue of a trip or two that Bryson took around Australia. It’s fairly amusing, mildly interesting, and not a complete waste of time. That’s about all I can say for it—the few pages/minutes he spends on Cricket were laugh-out-loud funny. The rest of the book barely maintained my interest.

Your results may vary, but this just didn’t do it for me.
2 Stars

Pray for Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 27 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2010
Read: August 16-17, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
At the rate these books are going, by the time this book reaches book 14 (expected next year), I don’t see how anyone is going to be left alive in Painters Mill. A small town like this just can’t take a lot of mass murders, can it?

But for now, Book 2 still has a nice, bustling community full of people. In fact, an Amish family moved to town about a year ago. But when we meet them, they’re the victims of murder. Chief Kate Burkholder comes across one of the most disturbing crime scenes I’ve seen in fiction—and that’s saying something. But as Kate digs into the family’s past trying to find a motive for the butchery, it seems that the gruesome murders weren’t the worse expression of evil in the novel.

Gripping story, solid narration by Kathleen McInerney, but I could use a little more growth in Kate. Still, I’m going to be back for more pretty soon.
3 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Data Detective; All Creatures Great and Small; The Miracle Pill

By HCNewton

On August 12, 2021

In Audiobook, Non-Fiction

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 Non-Fiction Audiobooks.

The Data Detective: Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics

by Tim Harford
Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hrs., 24 min.
Penguin Audio, 2021
Read: May 19-21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
On the one hand, Hartford’s aim is to dispel the myth that “to really lie, you use statistics.” But part of what he ends up saying is that they are pretty handy tools for (at least) misleading people. So I’m not sure the book’s as successful as it could’ve been.

But what Hartford really does is show how to interpret statistics, to look behind the headlines and look at what the studies (or whatever) were looking into, what were they asking? And then to take the results reported in the news (or wherever) to use them to better understand things.

It’s basically a guide to teach yourself critical thinking skills—something we could all use more of. I really enjoyed it, and probably need to read/listen to it a few more times to really internalize it.
3 Stars

All Creatures Great and Small

by James Herriot, Christopher Timothy (Narrator)
Series: All Creatures Great and Small, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 15 hrs., 41 min.
Macmillan Audio, 1999
Read: May 17-19, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I read this series back in junior high—I remember liking them, I remember eventually getting to the point that I wondered if mother cows/sheep/horses always had problems delivering, and…well, that’s about it really.

I didn’t remember how much drinking there was, or the interpersonal stuff between Herriot and the vet he worked for, or the silliness of some of the other interactions he had with people. Which is a shame—because that was just so much fun.

There were some really moving parts, too—I probably skimmed over them in my youth, but I enjoyed dwelling on them now.

This was a sweet book, and it’s easy to see why people have been reading this series for years—and will probably continue to do so. I’m coming back for more as soon as I can.
3 Stars

The Miracle Pill

by Peter Walker
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 58 min.
Simon & Schuster Audio UK, 2021
Read: May 3-4, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
So, basically, here’s the thing the book is pushing: moving more improves our health. Little things like walking and riding bikes—and sitting less—will do wonders to help our health in ways we can’t imagine. Essentially, he argues that if we could take an expensive pill that would have the same impact, we all would. So why not do the free, natural thing?

Walker addresses several different ways that sedentary life can have an adverse impact on health and the ways that movement (walking, cycling, etc.) can reverse that. He talks about the small changes (that hopefully lead to larger changes) that can make dramatic improvements. Walker experiments on himself to illustrate some points, which is always fun.

It gets a little old and repetitive from time to time. But it’s good to review this stuff and a quick and entertaining listen. Give it a shot.
3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: Nowhere To Run; Sworn to Silence; Three Mages and a Margarita

By HCNewton

On August 2, 2021

In Audiobook, C. J. Box, Joe Pickett, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Urban Fantasy

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

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

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

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

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Overdue 2021 Audiobook Challenge Mid-Year Check-In

By HCNewton

On July 26, 2021

In Audiobook, Miscellany, News/Misc.

One of the few challenges I’m letting myself do this year is the 2021 Audiobook Challenge. And now that July is about done, I’ve finally carved out the time to write up my mid-year check-in. Whoops.

By my count, from January-June, I listened to 49 audiobooks (well, 48 and one DNF)—25 that were first-listens and 24 that I’ve read the text version of and wanted to revisit. I haven’t had a chance to write something about all of the first-listens, and have only written a little about the re-reads (but that’s typical). So, yeah…I’m behind. But, hey, that’s where I am.

First-“Reads”/Listens

bullet Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
bullet Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan; read by Jesse Bernstein
bullet Blood Trail by C. J. Box; read by David Chandler (my post about it)
bullet Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan; read by Madeleine Maby (my post about it)
bullet Paper: Paging Through History by Mark Kurlansky; read by Andrew Garman (my post about it)
bullet The Rags of Time by Peter Grainger; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about it)
bullet You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar (my post about it)
bullet Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke; read by J.D. Jackson
bullet Below Zero by C. J. Box; read by David Chandler (my post about it)
bullet Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures by Stephen Fry
bullet Sworn to Silence by Kate Burkholder; read by Kathleen McInerney
bullet The Miracle Pill by Peter Walker
bullet The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling; read by: Narrated by: Warwick Davis, Noma Dumezweni, Jason Isaacs, Jude Law, Evanna Lynch, Sally Mortemore, Bonnie Wright
bullet Time and Tide by Peter Grainger; read by Gildart Jackson
bullet The Writer’s Library by Nancy Pearl & Jeff Schwager; read by Nancy Pearl, Jeff Schwager, Xe Sands, Dominic Hoffman, Eileen Stevens, Piper Goodeve, Andrew Eiden, Lameece Issaq, Rick Adamson, JD Jackson, Ryan Do, Timothy Andrés Pabon, Emily Woo Zeller, Richard Ford, Luis A. Urrea, Vendela Vida, Laurie Frankel, and Siri Hustvedt(my post about it)
bullet Junkyard Bargain by Faith Hunter; read by Khristine Hvam (my post about it)
bullet A Man With One of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell; read by Morgan C. Jones
bullet The Data Detective: Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics by Tim Harford
bullet Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie; read by Cris Dukehart
bullet The Authorities by Scott Meyer; read by Luke Daniels
bullet Nowhere to Run by C. J. Box; read by David Chandler
bullet Creature Feature by Steven Paul Leiva; read by Seamus Dever and Juliana Dever(my post about it)
bullet Scarface and the Untouchable Al Capone, Eliot Ness, and the Battle for Chicago by Max Allan Collins & A. Brad Schwartz; read by Stefan Rudnicki, Max Allan Collins & A. Brad Schwartz
bullet OCDaniel by Wesley King; read by Roman De Campo
bullet In This Bright Future by Peter Grainger; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about it)
bullet The Salvage Crew by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne; read by Nathan Fillion (my post about it)

Re-“Reads”/Listens

bullet Highfire by Eoin Colfer; read by Johnny Heller (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Orphan X by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz; read by Scott Brick (https://irresponsiblereader.com/2018/01/22/orphan-x-by-gregg-hurwitz/)
bullet Night and Silence by Seanan McGuire; read by Mary Robinette Kowal (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Game of Cages by Harry Connelly; read by Danial Thomas May
bullet Fated by Benedict Jacka; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet He Drank, and Saw the Spider by Alex Bledsoe; read by Stefan Rudnicki (my post about it)
bullet The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan; read by Jesse Bernstein
bullet Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs; read by Lorelei King (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire; read by Robinette Kowal (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Cursed by Benedict Jacka; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Circle of Enemies by Harry Connolly; read by Daniel Thomas May
bullet No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne; read by Luke Daniels (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Slow Horses Mick Herron; read by Gerard Doyle (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet The Next to Last Stand Craig Johnson; read by George Guidall (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Skinwalker by Faith Hunter; read by Khristine Hvam
bullet The Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire; read by Mary Robinette Kowal (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Blood Cross by Faith Hunter; read by Khristine Hvam
bullet Taken by Benedict Jacka; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter; read by Khristine Hvam
bullet All Creatures Great and Smallby James Herriot; read by Christopher Timothy
bullet Chosen by Benedict Jacka; read by Gildart Jackson (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter; read by Khristine Hvam
bullet The Hum and the Shiverby Alex Bledsoe; read by Emily Janice Card and Stefan Rudnicki
bullet Ink & Sigilby Kevin Hearne; read by Luke Daniels (my post about the non-audio version)
bullet Dad is Fatby Jim Gaffigan (my post about the non-audio version)

The Rags of Time (Audiobook) by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator): DC Smith is a Fly in a Colleague’s Ointment

By HCNewton

On July 12, 2021

In Audiobook, DC Smith & Kings Lake, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

The Rags of Time

by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackson (Narrator)
Series: A DC Smith Investigation, #6

Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hr., 29 min.
Tantor Media, 2017

Read: March 9-11, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Rags of Time About?

While DC was recuperating from knee surgery and dealing with his past in Northern Ireland—basically, while In This Bright Future was going on—DC’s rival, DS Wilson led both teams in a murder investigation. By the time DC returned, it was almost completed, he was assigned to do some clean-up on the details. Take care of a couple of witness statements, address some of the paperwork, and whatnot—busy work, really, so he stays out of Wilson’s way and keeps occupied.

But as one expects when DC gets involved, things don’t go that easily. In the first book, for example, he is supposed to sign off on an accidental death investigation and within days there’s an arrest, evidence of war crimes, and Secret Services personnel in Kings Lake.

This time? DC asks a few questions, gets curious, asks some more, and then turns up some evidence that really doesn’t fit the narrative being constructed. Before you know it, there are some big problems with Wilson’s case, and the DS isn’t taking it too well.

So, what did I think about Rags of Time?

I enjoy anytime I get to spend with DC, Chris Waters, DC Murray, and the rest. I love hearing DC’s little jokes (mostly for his own amusement) and his musings about life and the rest. Every one of these books is comfort food for me. Gildart Jackson’s narration just makes them more enjoyable, and this one was no exception.

But…I don’t know, there was something missing with this one. Something felt flat. Maybe it seemed like DC went around in circles for a little too long before stumbling on to the fact that I’d guessed at long before (although, I have the advantage of knowing it’s a novel and I can go for who’d make the most dramatic impact rather than finding evidence).

I liked it, I’m glad I listened to it, and was eager to move on to the next one—so eager that I broke my own rule and listened to it before I had a chance to write about this one. But…it’s the weakest of the series thus far. It’s good, just not as good as the rest. DC will be back up to snuff soon.

3 Stars