Duane K. Laflin

A book that wanted to be good, but wasn't.

Revisado: 11-02-21

This book is strange in that, although the reader does a great job and the author has a decent style of writing, the whole thing just doesn't work. In spite of the fact that the description says it is a Jake Pendleton story, it is hard to figure out who the main character of the book really is until quite a ways through the book. Parts of the story do not seem to make sense (or "fit") and, although the author has key characters occasionally review the plot by way of dialogue so we can understand what is going on and put plot pieces together, things still don't seem to fit. So...there is a sense in which the book doesn't seem bad, maybe even okay...then you realize "I don't really get this." Maybe the next book in the series is better.

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Starts great, ends badly.

Revisado: 10-14-21

I just finished the book and, as much as like the John Milton series, was frustrated and disappointed. With this book the author basically hijacked his own story. He started a new book instead of finishing this one. It left me (the reader) unsatisfied. Yes, I will purchase the next book and I must say I have great respect for Mark Dawson as an author...but I really don't like what he did here. The romantic aspect of the story? Basically no conclusion to it. The hero exposing and dealing with those who have murdered people in the process of their nefarious scheme? Not really. The hero facing down the evil strong man as the course of the book would lead us to expect? Don't mean to offer a spoiler but you might as well know ahead of time the answer is "It doesn't happen." Again I say, I like Milton and I like Dawson. I will get the next book in the series...but I am expressing my frustration here in hope that writers might pay attention to the importance of making sure the conclusion of a book meets with expectations created by earlier chapters of the book. For the first 8 hours this is a great story. In the final hour the reader goes "What? Why is it finishing this way?) We know why...so the next book can start, but the author has let us down.

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I wanted to like it, but couldn't finish it.

Revisado: 07-17-20

I am a Mark Dawson fan. I really wanted this book to be great, but it wasn't. It is rare that I purchase an audio book that I do not listen to all the way through, but I gave up on this one. I don't understand the other good reviews. What did they see that I did not? Frankly, I wondered if they might be biased. I would have thought I am biased toward Dawson too, but I still cannot give this book a good review. It seemed as if this might be something Mr. Dawson wrote early in his career, before he mastered story-telling skills. The story is hard to follow. I could not figure out who the main character was, nor if there was a main character. The tale jumps back and forth between different people and their points of view in a way that makes the plot difficult to follow. There is a strange emphasis on newspaper reports that makes things tedious at times. Anyway, I love Dawson's work and truly am a fan. I highly recommend his other work, especially the John Milton series. So this was a big disappointment.

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What a pleasant surprise!

Revisado: 06-29-20

This book was on sale here at Audible.com. I read the description and, on a whim, decided to take a chance. Not a book I normally would have checked out, but so glad I did. Really fun. I like the main character, I appreciate the lack of profanity, the author writes extremely well...nothing boring about this book. Bottom line is, it entertained me and that's what I was looking for. I've already ordered the next book in the series at the regular price.!

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Really liked it.

Revisado: 02-14-19

I listen to audio books to be entertained. A book must hold my attention and maintain my interest. That is what Passenger 19 did. A good mystery. Action and intrigue. I like the main character. I intend to listen to every book in the series. By the way...this is how it works for me. If I get one book from an author and find it bores me, or the narrater makes listening uncomfortable, I don't get anything else from the author and avoid books that use the narrator. (I assume that is what most of us do.). On the other hand, if I like the author and narrator, if the book is a good read, I get everything in the series. The problem with this approach is, once I exhaust the work of my favorite author, who do I listen to next? I have to start a search and hope I don't get burned by giving someone new a try. With Ward Larson and the Jammer Davis Character a wonderful discovery has been made! I took a chance of the book and am glad I did. Is it fantastic literature? That isn't the issue. It is a good story, a good listen and well written. That is what matters to me.

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I couldn't finish it, but you might like it.

Revisado: 01-30-19

Boring! I will explain...I like character, story and action. This author is all about context, details and exposition. When a man does a parachute jump from a plane, while he is on the way down, the author explains what seems like at least six different aspects of what has to be done in a parachute jump and the physics involved. I'm thinking..."get on with the story!" When the guy finally lands, the author keeps on with his exposition. I gave it a good try. Listened to several chapters and then finally gave up. I was enduring the story and making an effort to listen. That's not what I want. I want the book to draw me in and captive me. Having said this, I know some people like details and exposition. They want to feel like a book is educating them about every aspect of what is going on. If that is your style, you will probably like this book. If it further helps you understand my perspective, I have listened to all of the Mitch Rap books, Gray Man, Victor The Assassin and I like Stephen Hunter, Clive Cussler, Benard Cornwell. I have pretty much listened to everything they have written. But this book...no.

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So disappointed!

Revisado: 08-29-18

When the Victor series started, I enjoyed it immensely. In fact, I couldn't decide who I liked better...Victor, the Gray Man or Mitch Rapp. Sad to say, the author has not been able to keep up the good work. This seventh book was hard to listen to and at times the storyline was just plain frustrating. The narrator did a fine job, but he had a bad story to work with. I found myself anxious for this book to end so I could listen to something else. When it did end, the ending was unsatisfying. Such a disappointment. If you have followed the series, like me, you will probably get this book. If you have not followed the series...do not start with this book. The first few books are great, the next few okay, this one not even mediocre. Sorry to be so negative about something that, at the start, seemed so good. Now it is not good.

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Really enjoyed it.

Revisado: 08-30-17

Interesting plot. Fascinating characters. Action and adventure in an exotic location. I want books to entertain me...this did the job well.

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Extremely well written and fun!

Revisado: 08-13-17

I noticed several negative reveiws of this book and therefore was tempted not to get it. However, I so much enjoyed the first two books in the series I thought it was worth a chance. Glad I did! Fascinating story. Certainly not plagiarism...in fact refreshingly original. The references to Indiana Jones are tonque in cheek; and the author makes this clear. This is a book about treasure hunters, but not the old-fashioned kind of treasure hunters. The author is a great writer. The story moved along fast, never boring. The main characters are not your standard action heroes and that even makes it more interesting. I am ready and waiting for the next volume in the series!

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Extremely well written and fun!

Revisado: 08-13-17

I noticed several negative reveiws of this book and therefore was tempted not to get it. However, I so much enjoyed the first two books in the series I thought it was worth a chance. Glad I did! Fascinating story. Certainly not plagiarism...in fact refreshingly original. The references to Indiana Jones are tonque in cheek; and the author makes this clear. This is a book about treasure hunters, but not the old-fashioned kind of treasure hunters. The author is a great writer. The story moved along fast, never boring. The main characters are not your standard action heroes and that even makes it more interesting. I am ready and waiting for the next volume in the series!

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