Jeremy Marchant

Dust off your passport again...

Revisado: 06-18-20

Lawrence Block's second installment of Evan Tanner is just as enjoyable as the first, The Thief Who Couldn't Sleep. I started listening to the first title late one night, and finished it as the sun came up the next day...so I was eager to go for another adventure with Tanner. I wasn't disappointed.

I've read Mr. Block's email newsletter for years, and just recently finished listening to his autobiographical work Step by Step: A Pedestrian Memoir, so I know that he has traveled the world quite extensively. His love and knowledge of travel shows in the Evan Tanner novels. The story is similar to the first in that Tanner spends a lot of time country-hopping, and loving travel myself, I find that to be part of it's charm. When I read the paper books many years ago, I felt the same way.

This time, Tanner is off to abduct a former Nazi officer. This dates the material a bit, but certainly doesn't detract from the story. That the story was written and set in a different time just adds to the ambiance. I feel like I'm there in Prague with Tanner, there are no cell phones or laptops to be found, and the characters are conspiring with me over early 20th century political ideologies. I read to escape from real life, and that's what Block delivers.

I've become accustomed to listening to Theo Holland narrate Lawrence Block's books, but Alan Sklar delivers a solid performance with this one. It's a little jolting at first, coming fresh from the first book, but he settles into the character nicely in short order.

I'm looking forward to re-experiencing Tanner's Twelve Swingers next. More fun times ahead!

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International intrigue and adventure

Revisado: 06-18-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Evan Tanner couldn't sleep, and neither could I. So I listened to this book instead. Unfortunately it didn't exactly improve matters since I ended up listening to the whole thing in almost one sitting. I should have known better, since Lawrence Block has in the past been known to keep me up late reading.

Over the years, I've read all of the Evan Tanner books as well as the Bernie Rhodenbarr books. They are different characters, but Lawrence Block's "voice" is very similar in both. Since I love the way Block phrases things, this is comforting to me, like settling into an old favorite armchair.

This is a fun spy/mystery/adventure with heavy international travel mixed in. Some reviews have complained about the plot, character likeability, etc. Nonsense. This story isn't meant to be a serious Tom Clancy type novel. It's lighthearted, funny, and meant to be enjoyed. Throw away your expectations of real-life and jump in and have fun with Evan Tanner on his adventure.

Theo Holland's performance in this (and other Tanner novels) highlights his versatility. The myriad characters and their various accents are brought to life in a way that makes the story that much more engaging. Coupled with Block's witty dialog, one can easily get lost in the story. That is the point, isn't it?

Great story, great characters, excellent narration. I can't wait to listen to the other Tanner novels.

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An entertaining mystery...with benefits

Revisado: 06-18-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This is one of Lawrence Block's early works. It's quite clearly a product of it's time...a pulp crime/mystery with erotic interludes.

Block eventually became a master of mystery writing. One senses in this story that he's still honing his craft into what it would eventually be known for, but the product isn't quite as polished as it would become with time. There are elements of the plot which don't get particularly well-developed, but that may be more a function of length restrictions than Block's ability at the time. The plot is, however, believable and interesting, and the characters are relatable in a way one expects in this genre.

I was quite entertained with the story and while I could have done without the sexual overtones, they weren't terribly overdone, I understand that Block was writing to a particular audience and market.

This story actually is reminiscent of his Evan Tanner stories - guy and girl on the run from dangerous people, trying to get from one place to the next while solving the puzzle. His writing style is easy to listen to, and the story is exactly what I would come to expect from Block's later works.

Theo Holland, has narrated several other Block titles, and once again his performance, voice and tone is always very enjoyable for me to listen to.

I really appreciate Mr. Block going back and having these early works re-released. When you come to enjoy his writing as I do, it's always good to have more of it available.

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Another Block masterclass

Revisado: 06-04-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I've read other books on writing by Mr. Block, and he has never failed to deliver. He's a consummate professional in his craft, and he has a way of imparting that knowledge that is engaging, often humorous, and always gregarious.

The Liar's Bible contains years of collected articles that Block has written, and they're just as applicable now as they were when they were printed. Sure, there are a few references that date the material, but it doesn't affect the value of the material. Indeed, it just reinforces the timelessness of his wisdom.

The narrator, Michael Bonner, is also a pleasant listen and captures Mr. Block's tone very well.

If you're interested in learning from a master about the craft of writing, or for that matter any craft that requires dedication and tenacity, there is gold to be found here.

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Coffee with Lawrence Block

Revisado: 12-18-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I've been reading Lawrence Block's fiction for decades now, and have enjoyed every word.

When I comes to writing, Mr. Block has definitely been there and has the t-shirt to prove it...his body of work speaks for itself. Having some interest in producing my own fiction, I figured I'd see what a master of mystery had to say about it, and I wasn't disappointed.

While this title is billed as a companion to another book Block has written, I haven't read the other book. I can reassure listeners that it doesn't matter, as the subject matter he covers stands on its own effortlessly.

I've never heard Mr. Block speak, but the narrator's conversational voice combined with Block's engaging way of writing made me feel like I was just sitting having coffee with the author. I liked that.

I'm quite certain I will be listening to other audible titles by Mr. Block, fiction or not.

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