Matthew Boswell

Creative, enjoyable palette cleanser

Revisado: 07-28-24

Sometimes you need a break from the heavy “realistic” fantasy and sci-fi, and you need a fun micro-mystery of Sanderson, Gaiman, Martin, King, Sullivan and other giants of the fiction world. I’ve read (listened) to 3 of the gas station books, and while you don’t need to read those first, it’s also a good tie-in from the same universe, but with a fun, engaging spin. The narrators cadence of main character Jack can be a little off-putting, but I genuinely think it fits the character, and it’s a purposeful move. The best friend Jerry is COMPLETELY enjoyable and a brilliant, well-fitting companion for Jack. Absolutely I will be seeking out purchasing much more from this author/ narrator combo.

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The unique dark plot, and witty characters

Revisado: 03-01-24

Very reminiscent of “John dies at the end”. Fantastic listen, and kept me engaged from start to finish. I’m surprised that this book doesn’t have more traction.

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Surprised, but it was THAT good!

Revisado: 07-24-20

This realist, gossipy, situational suspense style of writing is definitely not my normal thriller type, that I go for. Normally it’s fantasy or sci-fi, that gets my credit. However, the novella was masterfully written and held my attention pleasantly, with a mild grip, and then when I was thinking that I was going to get a nice pleasant conclusion, IT GOT GOOD! I immediately added the first full book in the series, The Ruin, to my wish list. And now I’m actually excited about exploring this new author and narrator. I certainly hope that the subtle, yet purposeful steering of the story is a common theme. Very glad I gave this title a shot!

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Came for the science left with the guilt

Revisado: 12-08-19

Ok, I want to start off by saying that it’s going to sound like I hated the story, and I didn’t, it’s just not what I had hoped for. Also, the performers were great, they transported me there, and had good conveyance of emotion. Here we have a great opportunity to peek inside the personal life one of the greatest scientific historical figures, and all we get is gossip and a second hand failed love story? There was a missed opportunity to show an EXAMPLE of a courageous woman showing how she demanded respect by being a truly amazing scientist., doing science stuff. But this story reduces her to gossip, complaining, bitterness, and misogyny. Why not throw a little science in there too? Why not touch on history, why just say “I’m so great, I’m so smart” when you could have shown us how? It’s ok to include this whole aspect of the story, but add to it, focus more on the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. I would have loved to hear more on the war aspect, in addition to the science aspect. I believe this story achieves the opposite effect of what they were going for when the reduced someone so amazing to a gossipy complainer, who ragged on how unfair those men are, disappointing.

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Dated but good premise

Revisado: 11-09-19

Well this certainly has the 80s science story stamp all over it! 😆 you have to be patient as the background goes into extreme detail on basic computing principles that would have been complicated and impressive to most people in the early 80s. similarly The racial sentiments that would have been commonplace then are blatant and mildly obscene now, ex: “this area has never before seen by white people” as if it didn’t have any worth until a white guy sees it? Couldn’t have just as easily been said that “never before has there been a confirmed observation of this place”? Overall a good read if you can overlook the dated details. The narrator was impressive and on point throughout the story Andy I would gladly listen to more of her narrations

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Gender shaming murder mystery? Really?

Revisado: 09-25-19

I wish I could listen to a story about some awesome lawyer cop sisters who were awesome at getting to the truth of the crime without every 10 minutes being given an example of all the males being either imbeciles, perverts, vindictive, or condescending. Not sure that point needed to be proved, but it was done at the expense of what could have been an excellent gumshoe story. Disappointing.

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Well this one was tough

Revisado: 09-14-19

I’m reading through the whole series on audible, so by now George and all of Craig’s characters have become close to me. There is some emotional suffering, and George’s portrayal of loss was so heartfelt that I actually cried. I haven’t cried since the birth of my last child, so I was glad to see that part of me still working.do not skip this one!

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Hard to review, enjoyed immensely

Revisado: 09-01-19

This is likely one of the best stories of all time,wonderfully created and conceived. However, as most of Twain’s works, the language can be a bit cumbersome, but especially here as Twain is imitating Olde English. Nick did a superb job in the reading as his inflections and pace accurately conveyed meaning, humor, and even sarcasm and understanding when the words themselves could not. I will not listen to another Twain book with out Nick or Elijah Wood narrating!

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Why? In what way? How so?

Revisado: 08-14-19

Ok I thoroughly enjoyed many aspects of this book and plot line. I’m a fan of fantasy and sci-fi, which this story has many elements of. However, for me a big distraction was the constant, nearly whiny unnecessary questions that the main character asks. For an IT guy he sure lacks the nearly requisite paradoxical knowledge or basis of any conceptual abilities. I get it, the author needs a chance to set up and explain what is happening to an uninformed reader, but the questions could have easily been answered without all the ‘whys’ and ‘how sos’. The unfortunate result is the main character coming off as a constantly questioning young child always asking questions about things which the answerer has already explained, or clearly doesn’t have an answer to. “But why, but why, but why???” When places in a story next to people who are so sure of themselves, who unapologetically built their own lives by being bold and seizing their own American Dream, our character comes off as bumbling and impotent 😞 A characteristic that is ultimately proven by the disaster of an ending. True to form, the story gears up and gears up, only to leave with a whimper, indecision and a bunch of “but what do I do nows?” And “but why?” Which is a shame because it truly is a great concept, original idea, and has a likable personality, that could have easily sparked a full series. Bummer it took the direction that it did. But I will admit that I will continue to read this author now to see if he can reproduce the great aspects of this storytelling while leaving some of the bad habits behind. And honestly, even after all of that, I would still recommend that others give this book a shot!

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Fun history

Revisado: 07-17-19

So am I the only one that pictured President Obama reading this to me? A fun set of stories well read and engaging. Wish the book was longer!

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