Prof Dee

Another fun listen

Revisado: 12-03-22

I look forward to these now Christmas time releases of the next Andy Carpenter tale (or should it be “tail”?). Grover Gardner’s narration is always spot on. Sure they’re predictable, but it’s like watching a TV series your’re fond of: same set up, characters and humor. As usual, I await the next one.

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A Great Read

Revisado: 04-04-21

Overall, this is an excellent book - well structured, great pacing, an emotionally compelling story capped with a find performance. This is the second book by Andrew Gross I’ve listened to on Audible, the first was The One Man, which kept be engaged from beginning to end. I think he's outdone himself with Button Man. His sophistication as an author has elevated him to a small group of my favorite authors.

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Not up to par

Revisado: 08-02-19

Like other reviewers have commented, this isn’t on a par with the author's Andy Carpenter series, of which I'm a big fan. While the overall story structure follows Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter books (hero trying to unravel mystery with cutaways to the plotting of the bad guys) this falls far short. The underlying premise of a cop whose memory is missing trying to figure out a mystery he may have uncovered, but now can’t remember, has promise, but it never seemed to jell for me. I could probably be less critical of the book if the reader weren’t plain bad. While some of Rosenfelt's humor creeps into the prose, it’s obliterated by the clunky narrator. He seems to have 3 styles (gruff, heavy, flat) all equally boring.

While many writers don’t have any real choice who reads their material, I don’t believe that's the case for Mr. Rosenfelt whose best seller status should give him some input. I can also understand why the always terrific Grover Garder (who does the Carpenter series) might not be suitable since the tone is different for this book, and the writer or publisher might want to keep him exclusively for Andy Carpenter, there are literally hundreds of voice actors who could have brought my life and flair to narration than Mr. Steizer.

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If you’re a Kellerman fan, skip it

Revisado: 03-02-19

Like many others, I’m a big fan of Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels and John Rubinstein’s narration. This book doesn’t belong on the same shelf. In fact, if not for Rubinstein’s always sterling performance, I would have returned it. Except, I kept thinking it would find it’s path and be worth the time. Not so. While it does bear Jonathan Kellerman’s name, I suspect his name is there only to help out his son’s writing career. In short, the story never made sense. The investigation was all over the place and the religious mythology only served to distract from the storyline.
If you’re new to Jonathan Kellerman, skip this forgettable work and settle down with Alex Delaware.

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Great narration. mediocre story

Revisado: 05-20-18

Ray Porter's narration is almost enough reason to listen to this book, but unfortunately, it isn't. Porter does an excellent job of trying to keep this reactionary and humdrum piece of revenge from sinking in its own muck. The problem isn't so much the overall narrative arc, as there have been any number of good revenge novels, but the repetition of jingoistic memes including the constant reminders of the values of family, pregnant wives, military buddies, and the awfulness of liberals who apparently want to undermine the actions of real warriors, such as banning waterboarding. Authors are allowed to express their political viewpoints, I don't mind that. However, when it interferes with a strong and growing narrative, believable multi-dimensional characters, and a fresh take on a well-visited subject matter, then it's time to jettison the political POV and concentrate on engaging the listener with a solid story.

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An incredible story of courage and commitment

Revisado: 03-25-18

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

The Vietnam war and it's disastrous impact on American society still lingers today. I lived through those times and unlike the authors of this book, I was opposed to our involvement in this cruel and senseless crusade. But I was drawn into the personal world of these young men, teenagers actually, who went off to fight for Uncle Sam armed with ignorance, naivety, and the echo of heroic but fictional WWII movies filling their thoughts. We are drawn into the lives of a small group of Marines who encounter an unbelievable onslaught that challenges many misconceptions of what it meant to fight and die in the jungles of this distant land.
It's an intelligent and insightful piece accompanied by superb narration. It paces well and builds well and most significantly, reduces the rhetoric of Vietnam to human fears, determination, and perseverance. All in all, a remarkable book.

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Good tale, poor naration

Revisado: 12-01-17

Where does The Beast in the Red Forest rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the 3rd book in the series that I've listened to. It's been a compelling story telling adventure. But this one has been let down by the new narrator. Whoever decided to change the narrator from the earlier books made a big mistake. Mr. Pacey isn’t bad, he just doesn’t have the same rhythm, range, or style. I had planned on listening to more of the Pekala mysteries, but with Pacey performing, I think not.

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Goodfellas on the surf

Revisado: 09-17-17

If you're a fan of the film Goodfellas, you'll be a fan of this excellent tale of made guys, surfer dudes, and sunny San Diego. The narration does sound like Ray Liotta in the film, and that's to it's benefit. A great ride with a wiseguy who actually one can root for. Another great read from Don Winslow.

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Great performance, only OK story

Revisado: 08-17-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Collared to be better than the print version?

Can't answer that, I haven't read the book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ultimately, disappointing. Not up to the author's previous works.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He's consistently a great reader. Certainly the best part of this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Andy Carpenter gets lazy.

Any additional comments?

The story seemed more contractual than original. I've enjoyed all of Rosenfelt's earlier "Tara" novels, but this one was disappointing. He seems to have a checklist that he or his publisher had him mark off. Mostly the ending was a let down. Maybe he's getting tired of writing the same book with different bad guys.

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Great setting, mediocre plot

Revisado: 08-30-16

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The author picked a really interesting period in history, the immediate aftermath of the collapse of Nazi Germany. While the surrounding environment makes for interesting details, the basic plot is, at best, mediocre. Without giving away the story, I would say that the author went with the most cliched plot line - hunting for a serial killer. Out of all the possibilities of setting a crime story in post-war Germany, he settled for one which could have been told in contemporary LA, Chicago, or St.Louis.

What was most disappointing about John A. Connell’s story?

The serial killer. What again? Another twisted mind doing carnage, this time with a nod to the horrific atrocities committed by Nazi doctors in the death camps. Connell trivializes these horrors to tell a tale which, unfortunately, feels tired and so cliched.

What three words best describe Rob Shapiro’s performance?

Engaging, energetic, and listenable.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

Why do so many contemporary crime/mystery writers feel compelled to reduce everything to hunting a serial killer? It's boring and has been done to death. While the author picked a fascinating, and largely unexplored time, to set his story, he drops the ball by creating a routine driven cop vs sadistic madman scenario complete with dense bureaucratic boss whose only purpose is to frustrate the protagonist. Spoiler alert -- just like any average B movie thriller, the character has to surrender his badge at the end of act II and pursue the killer all on is own. Wow. Never thought of that.

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