Rickapolis

A bit of a bore

Revisado: 04-15-24

I found all this most uninteresting. No real conclusion was reached, only the author telling how he himself was affected. I'm not sure I'll try anything else by Grann. Slow, inconclusive, and with a handful of exceptions, uninformative about Z. If you're on the fence about this one give it a miss.

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I know why she’s smiling

Revisado: 11-29-21

I enjoyed listening to this book, but I must say it on a very long time. I didn’t think the book was read too slowly as one reviewer did, just that it took way to long for the author to tell the story. Kathe Mazur was, to my mind, an excellent narrator, but M. Scotti could have given us the same information in a lot less time. So, why is ML smiling? Because, she’s in on the joke. Unless you have a serious interest in the story of the theft you may want to this one a pass.
Rickapolis

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Miss America is still kicking

Revisado: 11-17-21

I was surprised I downloaded this audiobook. I watched the Miss America pageant once in my life, around 1971 or so, and cannot say I missed it in the years since. However, I found myself intrigued and gave it a listen. Let me get the one one big negative out of the way at once. Deanna Anthony's narration was only just bearable. The list of mispronounced words is lengthy and her misplaced emphasis made the listening very jarring at times. Her list of narrations is short, and I will be sure not to listen to any of them. Ms Argetsinger's story was, for the most part, quite interesting. I had read of the strong bond between women who competed in "beauty" contests and also knew the dedication so many had in community work. The occasional airhead (the Miss Teen USA contestant's famous, or infamous, discussion of maps was not ignored) gets the attention, but most contestants are poised and do a fine job. The pressure can be intense. The Miss America contest was a bit slow to change with the times, but most institutions of this kind are...tradition hangs on for dear life. The author does a nice job telling of the internal squabbles and difficulties that brought about the change that is evident in recent years. The book goes on a bit too long, but it is still worth your time. Reading it may be better than listening, but all in all I recommend the title.
Rickapolis 11/21

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Artistic

Revisado: 07-21-21

My "reviews" are really just my thoughts of the book. Others do a much better job describing the story than I ever could. I love mysteries and am always looking for a "new" author. Louise Penny is a treat. I found this book to be first rate. I'm much more a fan of the "procedural" type mystery and this fit the bill nicely. After listening to an hour or so stretch of the middle of the story, and then taking of my headphones, I found myself imagining I was in the village of Three Pines. Not intentionally, I just envisioned myself there. That rarely happens for me and attests to the excellence of the narrative. My most memorable thought is how the reader (or listener) can't help but notice the similarity between the murderer and one of the investigating officers. The inability to accept responsibility and the justification for unjustifiable acts is most apparent. It was finely done
My only unfavorable comment is about the narrator who either misses the word play or chooses to ignore it in his reading. It's okay, I think, to admit there a some puns and jokes in the story. Maybe it was the directors fault. (I'd always prefer to blame the director.) I will most definitely download further books in the series. A strong recommend. Enjoy.
Rickapolis

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Entertaining, but tests one's patience

Revisado: 05-25-21

I quite enjoy the "Deadly Sin" series. Sanders goes into such detail the reader feels immersed into the plot. Fascinating stories well told. My disappointment about the protagonist, Edward X. Delaney, is that he frequently behaves as badly as the criminals he is seeking to arrest. He may not be precisely "amoral", but his contempt for the law matches, or surpasses, the worst of his suspects. As long as that doesn't bother you, if you can accept the adage "the end justifies the means", or put away your distaste of that attitude for the duration, I recommend this book, as well as the others.

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Too, too long

Revisado: 11-15-20

I have mixed feelings about this book. The narration was excellent. Imogen Church is a narrator I'll search out to see what other books she has read. If it sounds interesting I'll try one. Not, however, one of Ruth Ware's. The story could have been told in half the time and I thought it excruciatingly tedious to hear the same expressions of fear and nervousness repeated so often. I get it, they were scared. (To be fair, the descriptions of the frigid weather did cause me to feel cold as I read. That deserves special mention.) When the plot was being advanced without all the repetition it could be interesting. Sadly, that was rare. Also, I am poor at figuring out mysteries, and I even I knew "whodunit" early on. Nothing here really surprised me. The reviews I read in the newspaper were very positive, but I cannot agree. Sorry, but listen to "And Then There Were None" again rather than spending your money on this one.
Rickapolis

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Good cop, bad ex-cop

Revisado: 03-31-20

I enjoy the "Deadly Sin" series quit a bit. They all hold my attention from start to finish The stories are excellent. What I find hardest to deal with is how contemptible the main character is. Edward X. Delaney is no better than the killers he stalks. His unspeakable belief that the job of a police officer is to "protect the police department" instead of to protect the public results in a totally unnecessary death. I recognize the contradiction here. I love the stories and despise the main character. Perhaps that is what draws me. I still recommend the books. All of them. The McNally books are great, too. They are much lighter in tone than these. I really enjoy that main character. So give them a listen. Realize though, EXD is a foul man.

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I aged years listening

Revisado: 07-15-19

I read "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea" a few years ago and had a positive memory of it. This book, alas, was a dreadful bore. If not for John Lee's outstanding narration I would have never gotten to the end. The endless passages in Latin and Italian were nothing but time wasted. I doubt if one in 10,000 understand it and the "beauty of the language" excuse can only take one so far. I further feel Cahill's personal prejudice was far too evident. I appreciate it is his book, and he can say as he pleases, but it becomes very off putting for the reader (or listener). Broader historical strokes and a less narrow point of view would have made this a more successful work. I really cannot recommend it.
Rickapolis

I'm sorry to say Thomas Cahill died shortly before I listened to this book. My sympathies to his family and friends.

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An occupied plot

Revisado: 11-23-18

I found this to be a very predictable story with characters whom are two dimensional at best. It is tiring to read of unprofessional police officers who carry out the most childish of pranks, or others who deliberately call colleagues by an incorrect name. Unless this book is meant for young adult, or even teen readers, that kind of foolishness should be left behind. The driving subplot is poorly, and very haltingly told. So, if you want an obvious plot, unsatisfactory subplot, and weak characters this is the book for you. I was hoping to find a new series to follow, but I have no desire to read any more entries in this series.
The narration of Nigel Patterson is considerably better than the story he tells.

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Always more to learn

Revisado: 04-14-17

Any additional comments?

That Hitler was a drug user is not new information, but that the army was high, as well as much of the populace, is, and explains a bit more about the horrors they perpetrated. When on drugs, why care about atrocities? Why, in fact, care about anything but the next fix? This book rewrites much about what we know about the war. The blitz-ers were, indeed, blitzed. I strongly recommend this audio book. Keeble's narration is first rate, and only some redundancy in the telling works against it. Perhaps the most important lesson from the war is 'never forget'. Ohler's book shows there is always still more to learn. Listen Please. Rickapolis

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