James E. Degnan Jr.

Dark

Revisado: 11-17-18

I have read many Grisham books and listened to quite a few. The Recogning as very disappointing. It is a multifaceted and multilayered story that John Grisham crafted very well as usual. The narrator was excellent. Multiple characters, both male and female and most with distinguishing southern accents. The narrator moved seamlessly from male to female and back using multiple dialects. He was terrific. What I didn't like about the book is it is very, very dark and discouraging. As usual, the author developed multiple characters very well and created and then maintained a high level of suspense. However I was not prepared for, nor did I enjoy the darkness of the story. After I listened to this, I had to go and listen to one of David Rosenfelts Andy Carpenter books to lift my spirit. .

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Gone Girl on steroids

Revisado: 08-04-15

What did you love best about The Kind Worth Killing?

The diabolic plot twists come in each chapter got me every time. The story begins a little improbably, but quickly moves to an almost Hitchcokian level of intrigue and develops geometrically in each chapter. The author used a clever writing style with each chapter named after one of the main or developing characters and advances the story from that person's perspective only to end the chapter with a "cliff-hanger" similar to the old movie serials of the 40's and 50's. It is effective and just when you settle into the rhythm of of the narrative, the author springs a plot twist to take you to another level and re-energizes your interest. The plot is fairly simple and perhaps implausible, but gripping. The characters are hard to warm up to, but they are unique and very interesting. I can't wait to read/listen to the next book by this author.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was perfect because I didn't notice the narrators just the story. Job well done.

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GRIPPING

Revisado: 08-23-14

Would you listen to You're Next again? Why?

This is my first book by this author, Gregg Hurwitz. I can't recall what motivated me to buy the book, but it is the most chilling and gripping mystery I have read/listened to since Gone Girl. It may even be better. The first 20% is a little slow and meandering, but once everything comes together, the roller coaster is fast and furious. Once the motivating factors become known 80% into the book, they are a little implausible, but the magic is that these circumstances don't diminish the fast pace action and plausibility. Hurwitz has the ability to slowly develop a story line that quietly grasps the reader into a web of mystery and horror without the reader realizing it. He develops the story and characters very skillfully. I cannot recommend this book with any more enthusiasm. I hope you enjoy it.

What did you like best about this story?

I was most impressed by the author's ability to grip my attention in a way that I was able to relate to the protagonist and his plight in such a manner that I not only cared what happens next, but I took it personally as though the action was actually happening to me.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I am a hugh fan of Scott Brick and often the fact that he is the narrator is my deciding factor.

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Wonderful Suprise

Revisado: 12-09-12

Would you listen to 11-22-63 again? Why?

I don't like science fiction and have never read/listened to a Stephan King book before. I had just read O'Reiley's "Killing Kennedy" which I liked for different reasons. I was 16 when JFK was shot and was deeply affected by his death. While O'Reilley's book was very good, this is an extraordinary well written story that doesn't take a huge leap of faith to accept. King uses the Time Travel vehicle artfully. His protagonist is likeable and believable and makes accepting this ruse bearable. Once into the story, the author develops a wonderful historical fantasy that is fraught with twists and turns, interesting characters, in-depth relationships that make the reader care about the characters and it creates suspense. It reads like a Hitchcock movie. Best of all is Craig Wasson's narration. He uses multiple voices, accents and dialects with an artful ease. His Yankee accents (Main downeaster's, Kennedy's Boston Brahmin, small town period New England slang) are matched with multiple Texan and Georgian accents. He even has a German/Austrian character that sounds like Schwartzeneger and he gets away with it. My favorite was a bookie (who shows up in two different but related characters) that is a perfect Burt Lancaster. I have listened to over 400 stories since I joined Audible and love most of them, but this could be the most fascinating and well crafted fiction I have read in a very long time. I may try another King book, and will definitely look for more narrations from Mr. Wasson.

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

I have not, but I will certainly seek him out. He was terrific.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

POTENTAL SPOILER ALERT: The female lead, Sadie is developed as intricately as is Jake/George. There comes a point in the relationship between Jake/George & Sadie when Jake/George slowly lets her into why he is in Texas at that time and where he came from. Her acceptance and testimony to her love of Jake/George is credible, moving and rewarding. I really liked that.

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One of the most engaging reads/listens ever

Revisado: 11-07-11

Mr. Archer spins a great yarn, and nowhere has he done a better job than in the Cliftion Chronicles. I started listening on Saturday and finished on the way to work today and am sad the the book ended. I can't wait for the next edition of this saga.

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Absolutely Fabulous: don't miss this experience

Revisado: 01-09-08

After Five years as an Audible listener, this is by far the best book I have ever listened to. I have read all of Ken Follett's books and enjoyed them on a par with Fredrick Forseyth's novels. I decided to take a plunge on what I thought would be an uninteresting narrative with Follett's "Pillars of Earth" (Which is the predecessor "World without End" and turned out to be the second most interesting book I have listened to), I enjoyed it so much that I bought World without End and am almost catatonic that it is over. Rush to buy these fabulous stories. They can stand alone, but because of the the chronology begins with Pillars of Earth and resumes 150 +/- years later with World Without End. Different characters, but the second story does follow the first. Enjoy

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Engaging and gripping

Revisado: 05-04-07

This is my first Jeffrey Deaver book, and I am going to explore others. The concept of an almost "film noir" quality gangster/assassin as a protagonist is unique and it really worked in this story. The plot and the story development kept up on a fast pace and provided a look at Pre WWII Nazi Germany that we rarely see in books and movies. The action is "Indiana Jones" ish,ad the plot twists are fast and furious. My only regret is that I bought the abridged version. The reader was very good as well.

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