Percheron Fan

Narrator ruins it. I couldn't finish it

Revisado: 10-10-24

So disappointing. I tried running the story at 1.5 speed and it was faster, but the monotone, machine-like delivery was still awful. I managed it to Chapter 9 and gave up. Asimov's stories are too good to be wrecked by a terrible narrator. The next book is narrated by this individual as well, so I know I won't be getting that one. It's too bad as I'd like to finish the story but would have to read them and I don't have time anymore to sit down and read- hence the Audible books. Oh well. The first one that Scott Brick narrated was great!

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I agree with the cat

Revisado: 07-09-24

I listened to and enjoyed the seventh book in this series, which led me to try the first and second books. It is apparent the author is improving, after listening to the first and second books in this series. I saw that the narrators had changed and that many people didn't like the second narrator. I prefer the second narrator, The one in the first and second books has a nice voice for the other characters, but the one she uses for Gemma is like nails on a chalkboard for me. Fits in with the arrogant and self righteous character written by the author, so it's a good fit.
I don't think I'll be able to finish the second book. I am so tired of the portrayal of characters that act like complete jerks but all is forgiven because they're "smart". Gemma, as written, perhaps not on purpose, is mean spirited, thoughtless, rude, patronizing, and hypocritical. I vehemently disagree with the notion that "because its in a good cause" I can trample on people's privacy, physically trespass, make unwarranted assumptions and slander people, However, if the tables are turned, Gemma is outraged. Hypocrite. For someone who is written as "she's so much better / smarter than everyone" because her talent of observation and deduction, she sure is stupid about real life. I"m about 3/4 through and I don't think I'll be able to finish it- I can't stand her behavior.
Wish the author would give a read to one of Kerry Greenwood's books- her main character is every bit as smart but is well liked and kind... and her cat likes her.

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Not for me

Revisado: 01-19-24

I have tried 3 times to finish this audiobook and it's not going to happen. I read other reviews and all the "the hero's so great as he takes such good care of his dogs." and thought "Great! I'll read it". All I can say is: Hogwash! As far as I can tell he has 3 dogs that he leaves alone for many hours if not days at a time and thinks that hanging out for an evening makes up for it. One dog is supposedly recuperating from a physically traumatic attack and yet... no meds, no PT, no care except that the dog doesn't work anymore. The hero is supposedly a dog trainer... when does the hero have time? Dog training takes a fair amount of time, not only for each session, but over the many sessions it takes for a dog to be considered "trained". When does this happen?
I also have difficulty with this book as an audio book- the action is hectic/ absent/ hectic giving me listener's whiplash, the violence is more alarmingly vicious than I care for (but may appeal to others), and the flow of the story is way too choppy.
I don't recommend this book at all. if you want to see how working dogs are cared for and handled, try the Jessica Anderson K-9 Mysteries by DL Keur.
I just wish I could return this title, but unfortunately I didn't use a credit so i can't. will delete it from my library though.

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Don't bother

Revisado: 12-02-23

Maybe I'm too easily irritated by stereotypes. Maybe I'm too easily irritated by narrators who sound snarky and unpleasant. I listened to the first book and only a part of the second, then I quit. I kept visualizing Maureen O'Hara in any of the John Wayne movies- the stereotyped redhead/Irish female who is emotionally volatile, thinks she always knows better than everyone else, judgmental, and generally out of control but ends up being endearing somehow...ugh. No one in my world would want get away with behaving like Siobahn does most of the time in these books nor would they want to be like that, myself included. I'm capable of respecting other people's opinions and acting accordingly. I'm also sure that I don't know more than everyone else about everything; I also do my best to respect people's privacy and boundaries. It's unlikely I'll value a character who is the polar opposite.
It's nice that they got a local narrator, but for me she ends up sounding either snarky, judgmental, condescending, or irritated . I'd hate to live in this village- everyone always thinking the worst of their neighbors and then lying about it later. Or just that everyone seemed to lie all the time about all sorts of things for no apparent reason.
Even as a 3-fer for a credit, I'm going to return it. Too annoying to bother with.

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An Unexpected Treat!

Revisado: 10-19-23

Wonderful narration!! Great story- can’t believe I’ve missed this series for so long. Thank you Audible for offering it!

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Partial fix for the narration

Revisado: 07-04-23

I've listened to all the Sebastian St Cyr books in order, so I got used to - and loved- Davina Porter's narration. I read the reviews about how awful the new narrator is and...yes, she's definitely not Davina Porter (retired). When I started listening I was horrified but I have a solution that really improved the narration. Set the speed to 1.1 - 1.2 and it isn't distorted and really makes it possible to listen without too much irritation. I agree it would be nice if the French names were pronounced correctly- if it hadn't been for another reviewer mentioning the mispronunciation of Charlemagne, I never would have known that was the name she was saying. Still, if you speed it up a bit it really helps and it does get better the farther into the book you get.

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One of my favorite Gideon Oliver stories

Revisado: 02-02-21

Enjoyable to be able to listen to the story once again- but the narrator wasn't as good as the story. He was OK and didn't detract from the story and gets better as the story goes on. I do recommend.

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Narration is Terrible

Revisado: 07-26-20

I could only listen for 10 minutes and gave up. the narrator couldn't make Inspector Japp- an Englishman- and Hercule Poirot- a Belgian- sound appreciably different. I couldn't tell who was saying what unless the text had "Japp said" or "Poirot said". Stick with Hugh Fraser, he's great.

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Should have listened to other reviewers

Revisado: 05-25-20

Overall, I like this series. This particular one is not one I would recommend. The presenter, usually quite good, is not this time. Her American Southern accent is without a doubt THE WORST I've ever heard. I can deal with the occasional singing in the other books but this time there is WAY too much and her singing in a southern accent was so bad I skipped and skipped and skipped to get away from it. I would recommend to give this one a miss, even if you like the other stories in the series.

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Maybe it needs an R rating

Revisado: 04-23-20

If you don't like sex scenes then read the book. Hard to know how much of the Audible story I missed because I'm not interested in explicit sex scene and skipped ahead to avoid them.. Great story except for the soft porn. Excellent performance, though, and the actual story about the circus was great.

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