Lynn

original southern gothic with narration to match

Revisado: 09-22-24

I've been a longtime fan of James Wade's books and jumped at the opportunity to read his most recent, HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. This novel is set during the Depression and Prohibition eras of American history. Bootlegging, violence, gang wars, corrupt politicians and police, and scarcity are all central to this novel. 
Writing/Plot: 
Wade's distinctive writing style is the appeal in any of his novels. His writing is descriptive and visual to the point where I can imagine the feel of the red clay under my own shoes. 
"The woods were still save a lingering gust of wind somewhere in the treetops. Subtle and soundless, the swaying of the pine like maladaptive kelp. The leaden sky bereft of clouds. An eerie and unmoving calm."
I mean, come on! There are only 26 letters in the alphabet. But Wade puts those letters together into words in such an original way that is just Chef's Kiss. 
Melancholy, truth, and death permeate this story, with no need to mollify the readers. But there is a bit of hope in the epilogues if you are one of those readers who need a happy ending. 
HOLLOW OUT THE DARK follows Texas Ranger Amon Atkins and WWI veteran\reluctant bootlegger Jesse Cole on their separate journeys. Amon is trying to solve a murder; Jesse is trying to protect his friend and family. Both arcs, for me, result in a crisis of personal beliefs and morals. I love this quote from Jesse, and think it could also apply to Amon: 
"Some folks have to be watched over, Danny told his little brother, when Jesse asked him why he'd done it. Other have to do the watching."
Both Amon and Jesse fit the bill of protectors in this novel. 
What strikes me about both characters is their connection to the women in their lives. Amon's wife and son follow him on his different assignments. Cora has supported him throughout his career. We can see the love these two characters have for each other and their son. There is one very moving scene between the three characters that I don't want to spoil, but let's just say that I found myself with a twig or something in my eye while walking on the treadmill! Jesse, on the other hand, is torn between protecting his brother's family, Eliza and Sarah, while fighting his feelings for his first love, Adaline. The juxtaposition of the relationships is noticeable and speaks volumes to the characters' motivation. 
Characters: 
There are A LOT of characters in this book! And a lot of characters that I would not want to hang out with in any way, shape, or form. Most of the Fenley gang. I did gravitate towards the women in the novel and would have appreciated some of the story from their POV's, especially that of Adaline. She has some secrets that were not yet discovered by the end of the novel that I'm still wondering about days later.  
Narration:
I both read and listened to HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. The transition from reading to listening was very seamless. Mr. Clark's narration captivates and enhances Wade's storytelling. The POV switches were easy to follow, with Jesse's and Amon's voices distinct. The production was smooth and enjoyable, with no quality issues with the recording. Clark's voice, speaking patterns, and enthusiasm while narrating are a perfect match for your southern gothic listening needs. 
With Wade's characteristic writing style and Clark's narration, I can easily imagine an old man, sitting on a porch, telling this story to his grandkids. Or anyone else who will listen. It's a bit of a stroll between Amon and Jesse's POV switches, but it's well-written and original. I recommend this to any readers interested in descriptive writing and southern gothic storytelling. 

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

character driven and poignant

Revisado: 05-01-24

JUST A HAT is a compelling immigrant coming of age story which puts the reader into the hat, as it were, of Joseph as he navigates life in a small Texas town in 1979.
Joseph felt like he was translating again. He was sorting through what was Iranian, what was Jewish, what was American, and what was Texan. To make sense of what people were doing. Did every kid have to do this? To figure out the world around him, against who he is, where he was born, and where his parents were born. Probably not.
(Punctuation is mine. Pulling quotes from audio books is a struggle!)

Other than the absence of modern technology (Joseph’s family doesn’t even own a TV!), JUST A HAT could easily be set today:
Teenagers trying to find their place in society.
Racial and cultural clashes.
Bullies and bigots haven’t really changed in forty plus years.

Characters:
JUST A HAT has a strong lead character in Joseph. I may not have any similarities with a 13-year-old Jewish boy, but I certainly empathized with Joseph throughout the book. Some scenes which really stand out for me are when Joseph is playing the piano for Miss Eleanor, their neighbor, or when he’s riding his dirt bike with his friends. Joseph’s connection with his cousin Shahla is touching. While they are cousins, their relationship is closer to that of siblings. Their weekly phone calls and time spent together during holidays are tender reminders of more innocent times (and long distance phone bills!). It’s Joseph’s relationship with his father that absolutely tugged at my emotions. I was grateful to see how that relationship progressed by the end of the novel.
The secondary characters are fully formed and gratifying. I adored Miss Eleanor and her teaching Joseph not just the piano but also southern hospitality. I cherished Mr. Ybarra and the other neighbors who showed up to protect Joseph and his mother when the town bigots threaten the family. I even grew to appreciate Larry and Brian, Joseph’s bullies.

Writing:
The synopsis above does a great job of summing up my feelings of JUST A HAT – action-packed, humorous, poignant. I’d add a must-read to that list! Khubiar’s writing is conversational and easy to follow. But it also conveys Joseph’s emotions to the reader in such a manner that I could relate to Joseph and the other characters.

Narration:
I truly believe that Ramiz Monsef’s narration enhanced my enjoyment of JUST A HAT. I listened at 1.25 speed and had no difficulties following along with the story. The audio production was fine listening both with headphones and in my car while driving. The different characters have distinct voices. Monsef’s inflections paired with Joseph’s emotions throughout the novel.

Character-driven, with heartfelt scenes of growing up trying to fit into Texas culture, JUST A HAT is the kind of moving story that we can all use these days. Definitely check this one out.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Full Cast Sci Fi Parody

Revisado: 01-28-23

Oh how I love a good sci fi parody! Especially when it's wrapped up in an Audible Originals package, complete with full cast, musical interludes, and sound effects! This novel is a parody of Master Class lectures, taking place in the year three hundo thirty. On the planet Toxic Earth. It's the Star Wars \ Fellowship of the Rings mashup that you didn't know you needed. With some Harry Potter, Terminator, & Independence Day references thrown in for good measure. The Organic Multiverse against the Robotic Multiverse. The standard Chosen One. But what I loved most is the imaginative nature of the characters\species. The head of the History Department? Bowl of Pudding. Different Multiverse beings include cyclops cats, spaghetti and meatball monsters, and cod fish pirates! Listen if you have the sense of humor of a pirate. Skip if you have the sense of humor of said bowl of pudding.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Funny and Well Written Collection of Mysteries

Revisado: 10-16-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I’ve already read and reviewed the books in this omnibus and I was worried that I’d be bored with a re-listen. But honestly, I was quite entertained! I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the characters and remembering the details of the mysteries. (Click here to see the other reviews.)

Narrator Lookadoo is engaging with an easy to listen style. As previously, I appreciate the straight-forward and conversational language used in the novels. This makes listening to the audio inviting. Lookadoo really nails the West Texas accents and characters in these novels. The narration of the characters is distinct, including JayJay’s voice. The audio production is well done and listening to the novels is a pleasure.

These novels are funny, well-researched, and well-written in a conversational tone. The Texas quips stand out on second reading.

“Younger Edward, as many West Texans say, was all hat and no cattle.”

I'm still chuckling at that!

I appreciated the blending of historic facts and information with fictional storytelling and characters. The historic setting of the mid to late 1990’s provides a lens to view current times. Topics in these novels are just as relevant today as they were in the 1990s (homophobia, racism, Chinese American relations, oil boom and bust cycles, and more). The pop culture and movie references are enjoyable to read and had me laughing many times throughout the novels.

The secondary characters almost steal the show in these novels. Each is fully developed and entertaining to say the least! From the team at Covey and Associates (M.A. & Jack) to the cast of characters Covey and JayJay meet along the way (a ghost, a Boston gangster, spies, amongst others), I can easily picture these characters and their interactions with Covey and JayJay.

COVEY JENKS: The scenes where J.J. and Covey become reacquainted is even more poignant knowing how their relationship progresses throughout the novels. The historic scenes blend well with the current scenes. I really enjoyed when the characters and together, breaking down the crimes and determine who is guilty.

COVEY JENKS GET EDUCATED: The addition of JayJay’s point of view and narration in this novel is a real boon! Her POV really adds to the novel, giving us scene details when Covey is not around. Liberal vs conservative Texas is at the forefront of this novel. This reads as very current. Plus, I did not see those twists at the end coming, even the second time!

THE CHINESE MURDER OF EDWARD WATTS: Of the three, this one reads as the most Columbo-esque. The murder of Edward Watts takes place at the beginning of the novel (and it’s in the title!), while solving the murder unfolds throughout the rest of the novel. Overly large personality Randy Jordan makes his debut in this novel. I'd read more of his stories anytime!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Short but powerful memoir \ call to action

Revisado: 09-09-22

CREATRIX RISING is a short but powerful read on the power of mature women, and women in general.
In this book, Ms. Raffelock is suggesting the replacement of CRONE in the Maiden, Mother, Crone archetypes with that of the Creatrix. Creatrix here is used to describe older women as still vital to society, creating and teaching, rather than withering away. Honestly, I’ve not spent a lot of time thinking about crone as it applies to women outside of fairy tales, or myself, in particular. (My feminist line in the sand is being called a spinster. Having a spouse does not make one complete. Especially when someone is too young to make that decision.) Given that, I appreciate the acknowledgment and the importance of older women in society.

“… here in America, we shame women for growing older, rather than revere them.” [Punctuation my own. Audio downside!]

Men are allowed to age gracefully in society. Here’s to women doing the same!
I found the memoir portion of CREATRIX RISING meaningful, especially in the context of the lineage of women who came before the author or influenced the author in her life. Notably, I identified with the section of the novel where Ms. Raffelock describes time spent with her grandmother, gardening, cooking, learning. This was very poignant for me, remembering my own time spent with my grandparents. My mother has on more than one occasion pointed out the importance of grandmothers to young children. And I would agree, wholeheartedly.
CREATRIX RISING includes guided prompts for journaling and reflecting. While it’s difficult to reflect while listening\driving (HELLO BIG SEMI!), I can easily see myself listening to prompts, pausing the audio narration, reflecting, and then resuming the narration. I can also see having a print or ebook copy in addition to the audio for jotting down notes or thoughts.
I listened to the audiobook of CREATRIX RISING, which is narrated by author Stephanie Raffelock. The narration is conversational and intimate. It’s similar to what I imagine a conversation with Ms. Raffelock would be. The author’s familiarity with the subject makes listening enjoyable. As I listened, I can’t compare it to the reading sensation. As of this writing, 80% of my reading this year has been via audiobooks. I’d rank the listening experience of this novel near the top of my list of listens for the year. The audio production is smooth, with no issues. (I listened at 1.25x speed.)
Part memoir, part self-help\how to\call to action, CREATRIX RISING is an inspirational tool for any human, and highly recommended in any format.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Amazing audio production.

Revisado: 04-24-22

In the category of Audible Original Production, this one is a sure winner. I was surprised by how quickly I became attached to the characters in this story. There were a couple of scenes that really had me verklempt! The story is great - the search for life on one of Saturn's moons. And the 'Sea in the Sky' title is very accurate, with a submersible going into the moon's oceans. But what stands out for me here is the audio production. From the hydrophones, sonar beeps, space-age-y music, and especially the switch in tonality in the daily dispatches depending on who is speaking or listening, I really enjoyed the full audio book experience. Check this one out while it's free with your Audible subscription.  

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Lighthearted AND Dark Comedy sums this up.

Revisado: 01-07-22

This had all I was looking for. Short ✔️ Full Cast ✔️Free ✔️ and I loved the tagline of Lighthearted Dark Comedy. That is right up my ally! Full Cast narration did a great job. Audio production was well done, including a muffled conversation from different sides of a door. And a super cute story. As long as you don't take kidney stealing as too serious of a crime. Definitely recommended! 

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great narration and world building

Revisado: 11-17-21

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, which surprised me. I didn't have a lot of expectations going in. The world building is impressive. I love the idea of a central library in the multiverse collecting unusual books. And this world includes books and librarians! Plus fae, vampires, zeppelins, and awesome detectives! Irene and Kai make a great time. Plus the baddie is super bad. What I think that really worked for me was Kristin Atherton's narration. All of the voices and accents are distinct. Even the male characters. Definitely a narrator I'll look for again! 

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Emotional and moving with a great YA Heroine

Revisado: 08-13-21

I didn't have a lot of expectations going into the book club read. And wow. I was blown away. Emotional and moving, Ms. Boulley weaves an amazing story. Daunis is the kind of YA heroine that we need. She's smart and scientific, and is blending her knowledge of her indigenous life to solve crimes and protect her family. There are some twists that I saw coming and others that I did not. Isabella Star LaBlanc was amazing. I could not have managed to get through the book on my own. The audio really enhanced my experience. This book is really worth the read, especially with your ears. 

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Entertaining, fast-paced, and fun mystery

Revisado: 05-20-21 El oyente recibió este título gratis

A murder, a possible ghost, and a side of espionage in a compact fast read! The Chinese Murder of Edward Watts is an entertaining, fast-paced, and fun mystery for any reader.

Mr. Williams's writing is visually descriptive and delightfully entertaining. From descriptions of locations as varied as Taipei, Beijing, and Notrees, Texas, I had a real sense of where Covey visited in this novel. In addition to solving the titular murder of Edward Watts, JayJay takes us on a side journey involving the death of a teenage girl, decades earlier, which still resonates with local high school students.

The audio narration by Dave Clark was impressive. The narration is both engaging and enjoyable to listen to. As Covey's voice in the story, Mr. Clark shines. The Texas accents are splendid (at least for this non-Texan!). The voices of the other characters are also distinct. Especially that of Randal "Randy" Jordan, tour guide, pilot, and VERY LARGE personality. I was also thrilled that Mr. Clark did well narrating the female characters, like JayJay and Maggie. I often struggle with male narrators' attempts at female characters, but not in this case. I haven't listened to books narrated by Mr. Clark previously, but I will certainly be exploring other books he's narrated. The production quality of the audio book was excellent; it is clear and accessible listening to the novel. Mysteries (unlike romances!) lend themselves well to audiobooks. Granted, you can't go back and re-read passages looking for clues, but you can always rewind!

Humor and mystery are great genre descriptors of The Chinese Murder of Edward Watts. They sum up my feelings perfectly! Many scenes had me giggling while I was listening in the car. Two that really stand out are a scene where Covey is being compared to Joey Callo or Joey Gallo from My Cousin Vinny! Now I'm picturing Covey as Joe Pesci. (And the grits!) The second scene involved Randy Jordan and some iconic Hitchcock aerobatics. I'll leave you to read that one on your own!

All the characters in Mr. Williams's novel are fully developed and well-written. We learn more about Covey's life before meeting JayJay. The secondary characters, like Maggie and the Chinese delegation are also fully formed. Here's an example of a description of from the first time we meet Randy Jordan out on the oil field:
"Randy had zinc oxide slathered on his nose for protection from the sun, and he was wearing cowboy boots of the raggedy-ass variety. They were old and dull brown, or was that caked-on mud? That's not what we noticed first though. Above the boots were his thick, brownish, hairy legs. He had no pants on. No, he was not naked; he was wearing blue, torn running shorts."
COME ON! That whole passage had me busting out laughing! From the precise description, I can clearly picture good ol' Randy as he interacts with the Chinese diplomats he's escorting. I don't know that I'd want to hang out with Randy, but he's certainly memorable.

And do remember, dear reader, this book is set in 1998. Not 2021. There are some hilarious callbacks to Covey and JayJay learning how to text on their phones. Have you even thought about what it was like BEFORE you texted or interneted on your phone? Let me tell you, I have not!

While The Chinese Murder of Edward Watts is the third in the Covey Jencks series, I do think you could read it without having read the others in the series. The characters are introduced enough to follow along with the plot. And the mysteries involved are separate from the other stories, with a few call backs where necessary. But you should certainly check out the first two in the series. They are just as great as this one! (Read my reviews of Book #1 here and Book #2 here.)

5 Stars for both the novel and the audio narration!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona