A. Nicholson

Miniature Masterpiece

Revisado: 02-04-25

You've been warned - this charming little tale from a superb storyteller at the height of her skill will entice you into addictively following more of Penric and Desdemona. These stories have their tension, but the overall vibe is relaxing and whimsical. Under the surface there are deeper questions to ponder. That's why I feel that after the amazing feat of creating the World of the Five Gods, the author is now having fun with concepts and 'what ifs'. An exploration that takes us along in the most engaging way.

Grover Gardner's performance is equal to the material - it enhances, and never detracts from, the listening experience. There's a versatility of voice that seems natural and doesn't intrude. Characters are clearly delineated. It's easy to overlook how skilled it is because the focus is on delivering the story, not the performance.

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Mixed response - but I still follow it

Revisado: 11-27-23

The plot ideas and plot and character development work well. The writing needs a good editor. So many characters "shiver" - with excitement or fear. Repetition. Older characters using immature language and thinking. Strange 'English as a second language' errors such as characters gnashing their teeth when the author means gritting their teeth with determination. Yet the plot keeps me listening to the end. Just grit your teeth and persevere.

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Not a fave

Revisado: 05-29-23

A whiny self-sabotaging main actor in a stupidly dangerous environment with little rationale. Lots of exposition, little explanation. The reader has the right voice for the main role, which shows good skill, but creates the paradoxical effect that I really don't want to hear more.

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It's addictive - you've been warned

Revisado: 06-22-22

The title implies an offbeat, gently humorous, tale. Indeed that's what it delivers, and also a cast of characters that develop through the series. Each book is complete, but there are also threads that weave longitudinally through the series. Kirby Heybourne is an interesting narrator. He reads Fred as an utterly uninteresting character, and at first I was wondering what I bought. Some way into the book I realised the range of voices I was listening to, and that Fred's voice was perfect. It's worth checking out the first book to see if it is right for you.

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Too preachy and Protagonist is a confused assembly

Revisado: 01-05-21

I was expecting a cool, clear eyed buddhist detective, so that has influenced my expectation. Instead this is a strange mixture of the old trope of a Private Eye that makes terrible life decisions, falls into bed with old lovers cheating on supposedly serious partners, but is also a dedicated SGI practitioner - so it doesn't work well - hardly a protagonist to appeal. SGI Buddhism is unusual in that it actively hunts for converts, and you, Dear Reader, are one of the targets. Preaching to you about the wonders of chanting and SGI Buddhism gets well in the way of the story. Chanting is the response to every challenge, and this emotionally shallow and low personal insight protagonist needs to chant a lot. I found it a real struggle to finish.
The plot is OK, and gets tied up in a neat bow, and many participants are 'shakubuku'ed' into considering chanting, so there's that. Just have a clear view of what you're getting into.

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esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

More please

Revisado: 12-17-20

I've enjoyed discovering Detective stories that I never knew existed. They are well written, and I listened to the end, left wanting more. Stephen Fry is competent as a performer, and well suited to the time and place.

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Not expected standard

Revisado: 08-13-18

There are excellent female actors with presence and enough life experience to represent different characters. mine workers, foreman, cops of both genders. This narrator is not one of them. Even on a long drive I couldn't listen to this for an hour. Finishing was more painful than I like my books to be. when my partner was in the car she couldn't handle the voice for more than 5 minutes. It may have been a better story than I rated but compared to the previous Fox books and their narrator, this was pretty disappointing.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

expert summary

Revisado: 09-30-16

it takes a real expertise to create this quality of summary, turn it into an interesting story that makes you want to know what happens next (even when you know), adds enough Gore to convey the idea without emphasising it, and covers topic essentials. brilliant job.

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