P. Penwood

Pendergast never disappoints me.

Revisado: 07-14-20

Preston and Childs have written another Pendergast thriller. This is not one of those summer books you pick up to while away the time. The Special Agent, along with "partner" Coldmoon and ward, Constance Green combine, in their own ways, to find the source of amputated feet washing up on the shores of Sanibel Island. As the trail crisscrosses the world, the story drags you deeper into a sinister plan to develop a new and terrifying weapon. Throw in the usual bad guys (the macho Coast Guard officer, an inside spy, the maniacal mad scientist) and things go quickly awry for the good guys. Now add in a ghost story and you have a tale that I couldn't put down.

The true pleasure for me was the new reader, Jefferson Mays. For years now, the voice of Rene Auberjonois has been the voice of Pendergast for me. His voice and the story of the moment were like a single entity. Auberjonois's death made me wonder if a new person could do justice to the stories I knew would come. Mr. Mays not only has a similar voice quality to Auberjonois, but within a few chapters I had forgotten that Rene was not relating the story. Thank you for the gift of Mr. May he live long in the guise of Pendergast.

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Not the author I've read in the past

Revisado: 08-01-18

I have read, or heard, every book Jance has written in this series, and the Joanna Brady series. This book might have all the characters I know, but it was so complex and hard to understand . The narrator did an admirable job of conveying the story, but even she couldn't overcome the complexities and lack of suspense. I could not even finish listening, it gave me a headache to try to follow the plotlines. I hope this will not become a pattern for Jance.

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Great Hillerman, poor narrator

Revisado: 03-28-18

This is a Hillerman teaming of the "Legendary Lieutenant", Joe Leaphorn, and the younger, Jim Chee, who wants to be a singer. Together, they work on two murders and a hit and run, all while looking for a runaway Navaho boy for his grandmother. As usual the pieces come together slowly but surely, though as is finally pointed out to Leaphorn, with less attention to timing. I've read, and or listened to, all of Tony's books and all of his daughter's as well. The major issue I have with the newer versions are the narrators. The narrator for the older books is flat, without much inflection, and has no imagination to differentiate the voices of each character. While that may seem tedious to him, Guidall really "makes" the book for the listener. He really needs to take lessons from George Guidall. The female narrator of the new series makes most of the major characters sound backward rather than distinctive. There really need to be two NEW narrators, or at least one, and go back to the Guidall versions.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Bad! Bad! Bad!

Revisado: 01-16-18

I have listened to some really bad stories, but this one really came from under the bottom of the barrel. This narration reminded me of that 4th horror film at the drive-in when only those who really hate going home stay to watch. The actors tried too hard, the story lacked any credibility, and the whole package had no attachment to any facts other than the "blood-and-gore" sensationalism of the worst yellow journalism of 1888. To market this as anything resembling literature is pure jest.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Save your credit for a real story

Revisado: 03-23-17

I don't know whether this tale is good or bad, but the writing sure stinks. I love poetry, but this even stinks as poetry. And if that weren't enough, the whole first chapter is a discourse on Holmes literature and the Holmes and Watson characters. I don't need a lecture to read a book, and I would prefer to be warned that the "story" is actually a poet's attempt at relating a tale.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Not as good as I was lead to believe

Revisado: 10-16-16

When I got this book I was looking for something light, not too serious, and fun. What I got was something else. I couldn't even get into the characters because of the narrator's rapid speaking, high voice, and stereotyped character voicing. I don't know if the story was even worth the "read" because I couldn't get past the reader.

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James Patterson is getting trite

Revisado: 09-16-16

I've read a number of Patterson books, but if this is an example of his newest and latest style, he should hang up his pen and try something else. He puts out a lot of work in a year lately, usually co-written by other authors. I wonder who Patterson is trying to please, the co-writers or his banker. Make no mistake, the narrators have done a fine job, but their material is very poorly done. I look forward to more of their work, but I will certainly think twice before I buy another Patterson book.

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NOT a book

Revisado: 07-15-16

This is a guide for perhaps a book club or discussion group, but it is NOT a book. Why it was in with fiction books I will never know but it is most misleading.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

The story for "Death by Decree"

Revisado: 01-23-16

As I listened to this book, I realized I knew what was around the next corner. Then I understood! This is the story behind the movie "Murder by Decree" which starred Christopher Plummer and James Mason. I love that movie, but didn't realize that there was an actual story that had been published that was the same tale. I found that none of the "good" parts were missed, and the story fleshed out the movie. This is usually rare, but both are good and well-performed in their own genres. But do wait for a foggy night to listen, it feels more London-like.

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If you love coffee and want something more ...

Revisado: 01-05-15

I read mysteries. This has a mystery buried in it. However,you have to get past all the coffee instructions and information, the flashbacks and the matchmaking intrigues to find it. I know there are romance lovers out there, and foodies and mystery buffs (like me), but trying to please them all in one story is overwhelming. This author really needs to find a genre she loves, and stick to that. This was jut too much for me. I just found myself saying, "Oh no, not more about coffee!

On the plus side the storyteller did an admirable job with what the material. She found the right blend of coffee instructor and intrigue needed for the book.

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