Livia

Simply stated: This is Excellent!

Revisado: 12-11-18

Probably the best proof of how good this was is to say that it took me far longer than 3 hrs and 48 minutes to listen to it, because I kept taking breaks to go listen to the recordings of Aretha's they were discussing.

I am 67, and I have been a fan of Aretha's since the 1960s. But I knew very little about her life, her family or the diva behaviors they discuss. All of those things were interesting, but the thing that captured me most were the discussions of her music -- the influence and roots of styles and vocal techniques used in specific songs, and the things going on in Aretha's life (in the studio and outside the studio) when the songs were recorded.

Kudos to Mikal Gilmore for the writing, and double kudos to Adenrele Ojo for her performance. This piece made me go back and listen to lots of Aretha's music -- some I hadn't heard in years.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I Tried, I really did.... I am returning it

Revisado: 05-06-17

14 chapters and 2.5 hours in, and this is the slowest moving, dreariest, most depressing, flat delivery of an endless monologue I have ever heard or read. I even stopped in Chapter 3 and restarted the book hoping I had missed some information that would make it more interesting, or give direction or content to the quiet, flat dialogue of a bored unhappy woman.

I knew nothing about this book before buying it, except that there's a lot of hype about the aptness of the story in today's political climate, and that it was about a dystopian society. But dystopian does not have to mean boring. After 2.5 hours of listening, I have no idea 1) what happened to change the world 3 years before it starts, or 2) what is going on in the society except that a woman who had a husband and child now has no husband or child and is living in a caste society where she is continuously monitored and watched. But, I don't care.

As explained in some other reviews, the "multi cast" portion of the recording is not done for the book (at least for the first 14 chapters) -- it's all one narrator. So.... I am tapping out and returning this book (something I rarely do with Audible books). This one is just not for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Great Continuation of the series!

Revisado: 10-21-15

Ok, so it's not Stieg Larsson. But it is the same cast of characters, a reasonable plot, and very entertaining. Simon Vance's narrative adds to the continuity. Totally worth adding to your library, and I would read the next one if David Langercrantz continues the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Really Good Start to a Series...

Revisado: 06-05-15

Well developed characters who you end up liking a lot, and a good twisted mystery with surprises up to the end. I like the dark shading of the Comoran Strike (the detective), the fact that he fought in Afghanistan and wears a prosthesis, and the relationship with his temporary secretary (Robin). I read the second book first, and was not disappointed by then reading this one (first in the series). I am SO hoping there will be more.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Outstanding First Book! I want more!

Revisado: 02-22-15

There are a bunch of things I loved about this book. In my world, that doesn't happen unless the characters are fully developed (their behavior "rings true"), the story is original and unpredictable, the dialogue is rich and honest, and the narrator is skilled. All of that is true here. Best of all, I live in Tucson, AZ where a great deal of this novel is set, and this author has made the culture and feel of Tucson an integral part of the story. Tucson and the southwest are not just a setting here -- they are a central character in the author's tale. I have to admit that I almost did not buy this book because of reviews that called it "grim and hate filled". I didn't get that at all -- in fact, I found myself laughing out loud at some of the exchanges between the main character (Rodeo) and his best friend. The author's characters are not one dimensional sketches -- I felt like I knew these people. Please -- buy the book, so CB McKenzie will write more, and I can hear more about Rodeo Grace Garnet.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 55 personas

Great first novel, totally worth the read!

Revisado: 01-22-15

I have been looking for a new series, and may have found it with William Kent Krueger's first Cork O'Connor book. The story is strong, and the prose terse and quiet in their descriptions of the Native American culture, and the narrator does an excellent job. But the thing that sold me was the characters -- they emerge fully formed, complex and interesting. I never expect that in a first book. I am off to purchase book #2 now....

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Good book. Mispronounced "Ft Huachucha" nags a bit

Revisado: 09-18-14

If you like the Joanna Brady series, this book is pretty satisfying. It has all the family stresses combined with Joanna's struggles with being female and running the department. One of the reasons I like this series so much, is it is set in Southern Arizona where I live. So the places mentioned and used in the story are familiar -- I've been to most of them. That's why C.J. Critt's mispronouncing "Ft Hauchucha" as "Fort Wah-HACK-A" instead of "Fort Wah-CHOO-Ka" throughout the book bothered me so much. I tried really hard not to wince everytime she said it, but couldn't shake it...

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Engrossing, surprising, and totally worth it!

Revisado: 10-19-13

This is one of the best "first in a series" books I have read in a long time. The plot, involving the murder of a young girl, and the subplot (the disappearance of two children years before) is set against the backdrop of a murder squad and the rich texture of Ireland. Characters are fully developed, complex, surprising, and Steven Crossley's narration is flawless. I finished this book 10 minutes ago, and am writing a quick review so I can purchase, download, and start book 2. Kudos to Tana French!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Claustophobics Need Not Apply

Revisado: 09-15-13

I really liked the first book in this series, and was looking forward to this one. While the characters, small western town setting, narrator and writing is good, the charm of the first book was missing for me.The last third of the novel has characters traveling through a nightmare of trash tunnels in what can only be described as a hoarder's Taj Mahal. While I understand the Vietnam reference, and the skill with which this is presented, I thought the the story line was buried by the author's drive to show us the bravery, skills, trauma, and horror experienced by US soldiers who served as "tunnel rats" in Vietnam. It is an important topic, but completely overpowered the plot for me. Frankly, it was all a bit too unbelievable and claustrophobic, and I just wanted the book to end. BUT, I am not giving up on this series. The first was so good, and the characters are so strong, I plan to purchase the next in the series hoping this one is the exception.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

"To Kill a Mockingbird" Meets "Longmire"

Revisado: 09-15-13

I suppose I have Longmire on the brain because I have just finished that series (and it was worth every second). Just as in Longmire, I fell in love with these characters pretty quickly, as well as the small town constable's interactions with people he has known all of his life. The relationship between grandpa and Top is charming, and reminiscent of "To Kill a Mockingbird", partly because some of the narrative is told from Top's side, and partly because they're so damned likeable. The author does a nice job of evoking and integrating the tempo, issues, music and views of the early 1960s, and the insidious effects serving in the Vietnam conflict had on the lives of the young men sent there, and the small towns where they returned after they served. The mystery is a good one, with twists and turns, and false starts that mislead the listener. This was altogether worth the read, and I will be buying the next in the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 80 personas