Amy Metz

Couldn’t finish

Revisado: 09-11-22

This is nothing more than substituting a young woman into a Luca Davenport story. Doesn’t work for me.

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Returned

Revisado: 03-25-22

I love David Sedaris, but when I listen to an audiobook of a David Sedaris book, I want to hear David Sedaris reading David Sedaris' thoughts, not a woman! I couldn't continue to listen to this and returned it.

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Sandford let us down

Revisado: 10-18-18

I come and go from the Lucas Davenport series. Whenever I come back, I’m reminded why I left, which is what happened with this book.

Spoiler alert!

I like a strong woman character. But just once, I’d like to see the strong female character be smart. She’s a cop. She should be on her guard and not so easily duped and captured. Just once, I’d like to see her beat the brains out of the bad guy BEFORE he repeatedly rapes and beats her. And why even have that as a plot point? That’s entertainment? That’s drama? Not for me.

But since we did have to live through Catrin Mattson being brutally raped and beaten for days, are we really supposed to believe that after all she’s been through, with several broken bones–one in her wrist–she’s able to summon the strength to literally bash the brains out of the bad guy in one fell swoop? Mr. Sandford, after experiencing those horrific scenes with her, that’s not a satisfying outcome. I want her to do that BEFORE he viciously rapes and beats her–when she’s strong and it’s believable. And I’d really like her to do it on her own, not with the help of Lucas coming to her rescue. If that is an important part of the plot, then a final scene in the book where she testifies against him in court while looking him in the eye would be a great ending.

Now to Lucas. Why is he so stupid? Shaffer figured out who the killer was early on in the book. But it took Lucas the entire book to figure it out? Is he really that stupid? If he is, why are we rooting for him? I feel like the bad guy was so much smarter than Lucas–which could happen I suppose–but it doesn’t make for a satisfying story for the hero of the book to be outsmarted for the entirety of the story, only to finally stumble on the easy clue that he should have seen long before.

The other strong female character in this book is Lucas’s daughter Letty. I love Letty. But I don’t care how strong and independent and headstrong and streetwise a teenager is, Sandford made this one unbelievable in her maturity level. He made her a peer of the other cops and that’s ridiculous.

The side stories, to me, were distracting and not necessary. If you need the book to be longer, don’t fill it with useless subplots like the ones in this book.

I suppose I’ll be back to read more about Lucas, but for now, I’m gone again because you let me down big time with this book, Mr. Sandford. Your books aren’t fantasy–don’t try to make them so! Give us a good mystery with interesting, intelligent, strong male and female characters who try to solve the mystery with brains and skill. And just once, I’d like the bad guy to be captured and sent to prison, not given the easy way out with a gruesome death. Is that really too much to ask for?

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Love this series

Revisado: 07-01-17

Chris Knopf never disappoints, and Keith Szarabajka is the perfect narrator for Sam Aquillo books. A thoroughly enjoyable read . . . er listen. Love this series.

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Wish I'd skipped this one

Revisado: 11-22-14

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who wants to read about the worst kinds of human beings would like this book.

What could Chris Grabenstein have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not written it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The last one. But I wouldn't call anything about this book a favorite.

What character would you cut from Mind Scrambler?

All of them but John and Danny.

Any additional comments?

I love this series, but I wish I'd skipped this book. The murder victim is Danny's old girlfriend--sweet, innocent, loveable Katie. If that's not bad enough, add in pedophilia, uninteresting characters, and Ceepak's horrible old man, and the only thing that was good about this book was the narrator.

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Michael, you could have done so much better

Revisado: 01-19-14

Any additional comments?

Michael Connelly, I love your books. But I was disappointed in the ending of this one. I think you had a chance to make a really exciting revelation/gotcha scene in the courtroom, thereby getting both bad guys, clearing the innocent man's name, and winning the day. The path you took was very unsatisfying for me. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book. I did. You wrote it. It had Mickey Haller in it. How could I not enjoy it? But I think it could have been so much better. Your justice in the end was different, I'll give you that. But it didn't give Mickey the win that I so badly wanted.

I also have some bones to pick with you. I've noticed the tendency in a lot of your books for you to over explain. You don't give the reader enough credit. Stop dumbing it down for us! It's condescending, and it slows down the pace. Stop it!

And why do you have to kill off likeable characters? The one you killed in this book makes no sense. Are we supposed to hate the bad guys more? Are we supposed to feel more? Are you following the logic of "write a character the reader loves, then kill him off?" It doesn't work. It just ticks me off. It seems senseless. IMO, it added nothing to the story and took away a lot.

Are all judges as snooty, egotistical, disdainful, and patronizing as the one in this book? I love your courtroom scenes, and I marvel at how well you can write with such detail and not be a lawyer. But this judge really got on my nerves with her superiority. Yes, I know judges are supposed to be superior. But this judge was over the top. And really, really annoying.

Lastly, why do you have a tendency to make your main characters do really dumb things? I know mc's need to be flawed. But come on. We're rooting for Mickey (and Harry), and you make them SO dumb at times. In this book, I think you let the bad guys "win" too many times in the small skirmishes with Mickey. We're pulling for the good guy. When you let the bad guy get the last, best, word over on Mickey, time and time again, it doesn't make him flawed. It makes him stupid. And it makes me mad. Who wants to root for a stupid main character?

I did like this book. I'm a fan of your work, and I enjoyed this one. Just make the good guy come out more of a winner in the next book. Please.

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Disappointed

Revisado: 10-12-12

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wanted to love this book. I've read all of Robert B. Parker's books, and Spenser is my favorite fictional character. So I really want more of Spenser, and I really wanted to love this book. But I didn't. It may have been largely due to Joe Mantegna's performance, or it may be a combination of things. I felt like the story was formulaic. Spenser's wise cracks were more sophomoric smart ass comments than Parker's Spenser. I found it hard to care about the characters. I've never been happy to see one of Parker's books end. This one, I couldn't wait until it was over.

Would you recommend Robert B. Parker's Lullaby to your friends? Why or why not?

No. For the reasons above. I also felt the plot was weak. I never did feel like we should care why Julie was murdered. I never understood why Gerry Broz was brought into the story. Time and time again, people told Spenser they wouldn't help him, and then boom--for no explained reason they were helping him. The involvement with the FBI man didn't gel. There was no point. None of it seemed to have a point.

Would you be willing to try another one of Joe Mantegna’s performances?

Maybe for another character, but never again for Spenser. Mantegna's rendition felt like Mr. Rogers channeling Micky Spillane. I cringed when I heard some of Spenser's dialogue come out of Montegna's mouth. I know some people think he's great for the part, but this voice was not Spenser. I thought the performance was awful. Sorry. I like Joe Montegna, but not as Spenser. I felt like a first grade teacher was reading to six-year-olds.

Do you think Robert B. Parker's Lullaby needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I never got emotionally caught up in the characters. I was glad when the book ended. No more!

Any additional comments?

I don't like giving bad reviews, and usually if I don't like a book I just quietly move on. But this is Spenser. Except it wasn't. And I was sorely disappointed.

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Loved it...until...

Revisado: 10-02-12

What made the experience of listening to Odd Thomas the most enjoyable?

Dean Koontz's characters, and David Aaron Baker's performance made this book so enjoyable to read. The characters were unique, memberable, fun, and real because of the writing, and Mr. Baker's many voices brought them alive. The mystery was excellent, the character development was excellent, all of it was excellent...until the end. I won't spoil it, but suffice it to say I have a bone to pick with Mr. Koontz.

What about David Aaron Baker’s performance did you like?

Each character had their own distinct and unique voice. The performance was outstanding.

Who was the most memorable character of Odd Thomas and why?

Definitely Odd Thomas. There were so many layers to him, and I enjoyed the first person narrative.

Any additional comments?

I read for enjoyment, entertainment, and escape. I do not read to feel depressed, or sad. I don't understand why authors think that's a good idea. I have enough sadness in real life. I don't want real life in the FICTION I read. I want a happy ending. If you don't mind a less than happily ever after ending, read this book. If you're like me and do mind--this probably isn't the book for you.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 04-27-11

I love the Spenser series, but this one disappointed. Not so much the story, but the reading of the story. Usually I'm sad at the ending of a Robert B. Parker novel, because I've enjoyed the book so much. The voices of the various characters in this one were so awful I couldn't wait for this book to end. Michael Prichard is not only missed as the reader of this one, David Dukes ruined it, in my opinion. I recommend reading the book yourself.

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