Mindo'ermatter

Tense, Suspenseful Espionage Story of Betrayal

Revisado: 03-09-21

Overall, this was a serious tale told well of the convoluted lives of early members of the OSS and CIA fraternity in 1953 with dubious pasts and corrupted integrities. The characters were well developed through effective narration and terse dialogue.

Audible's narration brought the story to life with dramatic personality portrayals that added emotional realities to the storyline. My only disappointment was that the recording did not include the book's last chapter.

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Fun Characters, Fast-pacedIsland Murder Mystery

Revisado: 03-01-21

Engaging storytelling with wry humor amid small fishing port community. Characters clash as tensions and small-town rumors fly after a well-known but highly disliked local gossip is found dead after a community movie party.

The story focuses on Maggie, a former San Francisco detective, who has flown to Whisper Island in Ireland to visit with her Aunt Noreen. Suspicions and resentments grow as Maggie's trained investigative skills make her an unpopular island interloper. The story's told with a self-deprecating first-person account by Maggie, as she struggles to fit in. The Irish charm and provincial manner gives this tale a slightly irreverent but engaging tone but still in family-friendly language. A delightful contrast and escape from more serious and convoluted works.

The character personalities come to life with vivid dialogues and narration dramatic voices. A great listening and reading experience. I plan continuing this enjoyable series.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Intriguing, Entertaining Story. Lots of Suspense!

Revisado: 01-09-21

Didn't quite know where this story was headed, but I quickly found the story unusually engaging, wanting to hear more. The first half of the book seemed to be taking a different direction than did the last half, which dampened some of my enjoyment. Overall, everything did fit together well, although the narration performance soon outshined the plotline.

Loved the secretive tale of a clandestine investigation agency that solved unsolvable cases of crime and missing children. I had hoped the story might have focused on these events. However, the plotline shifted more to one of solving the unexpected murder of an agency associate and became more macabre and took on darker themes.

This adventure surrounds Marion Lane, a likeable character and an apprentice to the agency's doings in a story set in 1958 London. Appreciated the author's efforts in replicating the historical contexts and economic hardships on people in the languishing times of the postwar recovery.

If this becomes a series, I hope the plotline and storytelling focuses more on the agency's primary role of solving crimes through the many ingenious tools and practices described in this background installment.

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas

Effective Dramatic Reading of Maugham's Story

Revisado: 01-04-21

One of Maugham's most widely read stories illustrating well the collisions of cultures, ethnics, imposed expectations, hypocrisy, and pride. Human nature and the better parts of humanity often have extremes that when overplayed have tragic and unintended consequences. This story explores the conflict of wills, the results of poor decisions, and the injustice of irreligious judging. Told well too is the impropriety of imposing one's beliefs upon others by force and manipulation, while underestimating human weaknesses in ourselves and others. Lots here to examine.

Audible's narration adds personality and to this story of power, control, and human weakness amid fear, misgivings, and prideful arrogance.

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Fantastic Beethoven Sonata Excerpts and Backstory

Revisado: 01-03-21

Defined by many as "the Beethoven expert," this musical memoir recounts the personal emotions and talents of an extraordinary pianist and his special relationship with performing Beethoven, as seen retrospectively amid the artistic isolation demanded by Covid-19 restrictions on his imposed cessation of public performance.

A some introductory remarks, Jonathan Biss introduces each of seven selected Beethoven sonata movements with insightful masterclass perspectives of instruction and personal interpretation. These lived-experienced accounts act as a strong foundation for each magnificent rendition and inspiring performance not to be forgotten. The recording clarity and vibrancy is both breathtaking and sensually palpable.

A much needed antidote to the woes of isolation and emotional dysfunction, these brief and magical sound poems invigorate the soul and inspire hope.

Well done and much appreciated!

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Excellent Review Maslow's Theory of Motivation

Revisado: 11-16-20

This first publication if Maslow's theory of human motivation provides unique insights of the key foundational concepts without getting bogged down in too much detail. Although many psychological terms and phrases might be outdated or have fallen out of favor, the basic premises remain clear and enlightening.

Although the narration is somewhat mechanical in tone and delivery, the presentation is more than appropriate and adequate for a nonfiction theoretical work. The brevity of this recording makes it appropriate for short listening opportunities, such as during lunchtime or while driving.

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The Plot Thickens, Disoatcher Tony Valdez is Back!

Revisado: 09-27-20

This second installment by both author, John Scalzi, and narrator, Zachary Quinto, is much better that the introductory Dispatcher Audible Original. Tony Valdez's character is futher developed as the practical implications of the Dispatcher's trade become corrupted and manipulated, creating a great storytelling adventure as Tony works with law enforcement to identity the larger crimes and more dangerous criminals and their extensive networks. Ugh!

This edition is about an hour longer than the first, allowing for a more engaging storyline and better plot development, making it a more satisfying listening experience. Available only now as an Audible listening option, this three-plus hour mystery adventure makes an enjoyable listening experience for a longer drive or commute, or perhaps an afternoon listening activity.

Some strange dispatch experiences and a bank robbery create several suprising complications and twists to Tony Valdez's strange career, was while the legal boundaries of his profession get blurred and questioned. Suspicions and tensions grow as the investigations proceed, while Tony's trust is strained to its limits. Wow!

Appreciated Audible's listening speed control options that allows pacing to be adjusted to variable listening conditions. Great feature!

This installment proves the depth and adaptability of a longer sequence added installments, allowing listeners the chance to experience broader dispatcher adventures and more opportunities to learn more about Tony Valdez's character and potential relationships. Appreciated that the language for this release was less offensive for general and younger listening audiences.

Looking forward to the next installment suggested by the author and his Audible Free interview.

Although this installment could easily be listened to first or independently, it also builds well upon the initial Dispatcher Audible release.

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Innovative Storyline of Murder Victims Alive Again

Revisado: 09-26-20

Intriguing and imaginative limited science fiction story of a world where murdered victims return to life in a safe place in their unharmed but several hours younger. In a world with this new phenomenon that only affects murder victims, people immediately find ways to profit from this possibility, manipulate it, or try to find ways to work around not being able to successfully kill someone. Yikes!

Authorized "dispatchers" make a living by helping people facing natural or accidental deaths to get a second chance. This Audible listen-only story focuses on Tony Valdez and his unpredictable career as a dispatcher. Lots to think about and enjoy with is engaging storytelling, narrated by Zachary Quinto. In many ways, this is like listening to a well-told story on the radio.

Appreciated the author's (John Scalzi) well-written and developed storyline and unusual plot. The short format of this Audible "Original" makes it a fun exploratory listening experience. I appreciated too, Audible's customizable reading-speed option that allows adjusting the story pacing to the most comfortable speed without losing dramatic and tone inflections that enhance character personalities.

A fun was to spend a few hours with an engaging story. This is a solid 4-star effort to enjoy once or twice. The author's unique creation seems to have enough depth and breadth to justify a series of the dispatcher listening events.

Although I enjoyed this exploratory listening experience overall, I only wished the author had not used the F-word as aggressively and frequently as he did because it neither added to the story, while also making it impossible to predict or prevent to avoid other more-sensitive listeners. Not very helpful for parents.

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