Michael A. Alderete

Sublime crime fiction of the highest order

Revisado: 01-22-25

This is a very nearly perfect novel. It is, somehow, the first Don Winslow book I read, and it remains my favorite, by far. The structure of the story is a masterclass in non-linear narrative fiction. It cuts back and forth between Frank's current life and his past, effortlessly, gracefully, and perfectly dramatically.

If you need a novel to go from Point A to Point B to Point C, until you get to Point Z, this is not a novel you're going to enjoy. But if you're comfortable with keeping things in your head as the timeline shifts backwards and forwards, you will find this rewarding in a way no linear novel can ever be. Rewarding in ways that mean you could listen to it a second time, immediately after the first, and get even greater enjoyment. Or years later, and experience it in a third, half-remembered, and again _different_ way. It makes this a rich and complex experience that rewards you for far more than the 9 hours and change of the recording. I know of only one other novel (Use of Weapons, by Iain M. Banks) that uses non-linear structure so skillfully.

I won't summarize the plot, as so many other reviews do, beyond "retired hitman's past catches up with him". That's all you need to know, and really, you don't need to know that. Just press play.

Dennis Boutsikaris was a new narrator to me with this book. He's perfection for the tone of the story, of Frank. He sounds just enough like Kevin Spacey that when I was ⅓ of the way through, I looked him up to see if it was a pseudonym. But as the novel moves forward, the narration tone and pacing is sufficiently different from Spacey, there's a clear difference. Very much a new favorite.

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Thought-provoking, well performed

Revisado: 10-02-23

Jason Isaacs gives a terrific performance for this short, thought-provoking story. Just over an hour long, you’ll be thinking about this one for much, much longer than that.

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Fun, clever, snarky, and maybe not for everyone

Revisado: 05-24-23

I _loved_ this book. It was pure catnip (and X‽) from about three sentences in. Wordplay, semantics, snark, and glorious typography. Memes, and music, and linguistics, and some deeply weird ideas. Plus a VR-based MMO that's well enough described, it sounds like a hit game in real life. If you think "Ready Player One", but add...well, a lot of weird fun (yes, more than RPO), and aliens, and a reality eating monster, and lots and lots of glitter, you're in the ballpark.

This book has what might be my favorite two sentence line in any novel, when a certain, ahem, character introduces itself. However, it contains both spoilers and profanity, so I won't repeat it here. I don't want to get hit with Takedown Notice.

It's not for everyone. Read the reviews here, and see if you "identify" with any of the folks making comments, you'll find your level. If it's not your thing, give it a pass. But if you give it a chapter or two, and it clicks, it's going to really, really click.

Is it perfect? No. Is it maybe too long, and could have used some tightening up in editing? Well, I'd say the same thing about "Order of the Phoenix". No one hits every shot. But a lot of them _do_ land here, and if they land for you, you're going to have a blast listening to this story.

I hate to give short shrift to the narrator's performance, but they were _perfection_ for this novel. Clearly distinct voices for the various characters, and an absolutely sublime vocal combination of glitter, cotton candy, and snark for the main character's voice. [chef's kiss emoji]

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Stellar Soundscape Performance

Revisado: 09-15-22

This is not an audiobook. If you just want someone to give you a dramatic reading of a book, this is not it. Try something else.

This is not an audiobook. If you want your audio entertainment to fit perfectly in a standard box, and "weird" variations are unwelcome, then you should give this a pass.

BUT.

This is something new: a full blown soundscape performance, where the narration of the performers is just half the show. And if you're open to trying something new, this might just grab you by the throat and shake you awake.

You cannot listen to this on crappy headphones, or with mediocre speakers while doing the dishes. Use high quality, isolating headphones, or really high quality speakers in a "good for listening" room. (I listened on AirPod Pros.) The difference is startling, and transforms the audio effects from being noise that obscures the vocal performances to a sonic bath that envelops you and augments the entire experience.

Five minutes listening and I wasn't sure I was into it. 20 minutes later, and I told my wife to eff off for the evening, I _needed_ to finish this book. I powered right through to the end. And I've been thinking about it ever since.

I loved it. I want a sequel. I want a trilogy. I want a series.

Look, vampires aren't everyone's jam, and it's not a perfect story, either. Of course it's not for everyone.

But if it's in your wheelhouse, you are going to L-O-V-E it, if you listen with the right equipment, and mindset.

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Fun, funny, and very, very clever

Revisado: 11-26-20

There’s a reason there are a lot of books in this series. This is the novel that started it all.

Yes, at times it’s dated. Phone booths, leaving messages for people with bartenders, a wild run through an airport with no TSA or other security even noticing.

And yet it holds up. Holds together. Pulls you straight through. A fun yarn. Feels like it would make a great Guy Ritchie movie.

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Engaging story, well performed

Revisado: 11-29-16

This is a fun listen. Yes, there's enough science and engineering to qualify as "hard" science fiction. If that's what floats your boat, you'll probably enjoy this book.

But it's really the humor of the main character (you'll never guess, his name is Bob), a sly and slightly nerdy wit that sets the tone. He and his...brothers made me laugh out loud more than once. And the narrator, the excellent Ray Porter, does a terrific job telling the story with just enough variation between the...brothers' voices to keep conversations straight.

The story is solid, plausible, and moves right along, with enough dramatic tension—without being one of those edge-of-your seat thrillers. (I often dislike those, because authors frequently cheat to make the plot chart the course they've set up.)

One note, the book doesn't wrap up all neat and tidy. It's a good stopping point, but there's plenty more story to come. (The author says two more books' worth on his blog.) I will certainly be buying those books as they arrive.

Fun and thought-provoking, without being heavy. Recommended.

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Good background read for the series

Revisado: 05-05-15

This story fills in background details of life on Mars within The Expanse series. It's not essential from a plot standpoint, but adds depth. And it's a good story on its own.

Gunnery Sargent Bobby Draper (from book #2) plays a part, but is not a main character. (It's great to get more of her, she's a favorite.)

The narrator does a very good job here. I've found his performance stilted in the other book and short story I've listened to (also Expanse stories), but he's solid here. Not sure what the difference is. More practice? A different director? Maybe I just hate his voice for Amos. Anyway, a welcome change, and a story worth listening to.

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Hooked!

Revisado: 04-25-12

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was my first Preston/Child novel and my first Pendergast novel. I'm hooked. I've been buying Preston/Child UNABRIDGED novels ever since. Some have been better than others, but I'll always remember the joy of this novel, discovering a great new series and two new authors.

FYI: I'll buy it again when the unabridged version come out.

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Strap in to a rocket ride

Revisado: 03-11-10

This novel blasts off in the first minutes, and never slows down. And even though it's "only" 6+ hours long, it's so intense, and so funny, you will feel like it's a much longer book. I loved every minute of it.

The novel "takes place" over the course of the narrator's shift in a hospital, with flashbacks into his past. The non-sequential structure is easy to follow, and makes for a more compelling story, building suspense from two directions. It is an R-rated novel, for obvious sex and violence aspects, but what may make listeners squirm the most are some graphic medical scenes.

The narration is spot on, with a fast pace that matches the novel, bringing both intensity and humor. After listening to this book, you will never think of hospitals the same again.

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I dream of Harry Bosch

Revisado: 06-01-05

Every time I listen to a Harry Bosch novel, I end up dreaming about it, and him. He's a great character, written well, and as you read or listen to the novels, you feel like you get to know him, that you are compelled to think about him.

And Len Cariou, the narrator of The Closers (as well as Lost Light and The Narrows) *is* Harry Bosch. His voice is so perfect for the role, I _hear_ his voice in my head when I think about the book. I imagine that when I listen to a Harry Bosch novel without him, it will take away from the book.

All in all, another highly recommended book from Michael Connelly. Start listening today, you'll not be able to stop.

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