David Collins

The Most Amazing Book Ever Written!

Revisado: 02-19-20

One of the most amazing books ever written. Highly recommended. A beautiful reporter is murdered in the first few pages of the novel, and Kate Dawson is asked to review the crime scene. Each chapter takes you deeper and deeper into the mystery, with the ultimate showdown between good and evil unfolding in the final chapter. Flynn's writing is truly amazing, developing characters and suspense around each corner. Of course, there is a twist ending that most readers will find as mind-blowing. I love this book and the writer. Thanks for making it an audio book.

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Brilliant Stories & Social Commentary!

Revisado: 12-22-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

John Flynn is more than a popular, bestselling author of thrilling detective novels; his new audio book, Visions in Light & Shadow, is a collection of short stories that reveals he is a social historian and commentator about the human condition. Mark Twain, Jean Shepherd, and Ray Bradbury seem to have inspired him to write these tales. Each story is unique and teaches a lesson about the human spirit; some of those lessons are a brutal reflection of the negative that we see all around us every day, and other stories suggest that hope can prevail if we just try to love and understand each another. “A Gift of Verse,” Flynn’s Hugo-nominated short story, pays homage to Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Bradbury’s “The Smile,” by introducing us to a seven-year-old Martha Goodman who questions the choices her parents and society have made after a nuclear-holocaust has laid waste to her world. They are traveling the dangerous, bombed out road to town to witness a hanging. The “good” reverend and town elders have decided to hang a poet” because his poetry “intoxicates” young people’s brains and causes them to abandon their chores. Basically, the verse runs contrary to the conservative, right-wing values of the community. Martha doesn’t understand their reasoning, and after she listens to the poet’s last words (before he is hanged), she can find nothing bad about them even though the local folk fear him so much. She has received “a gift of verse” from the poet. Like this one, there were very few happy endings in the stories, but the sad stories still teach us a great lesson about what lies inside each person. It really is quite an intriguing and extraordinary collection. You’ll love Flynn’s excellent storytelling ability, and then will spend time afterwards contemplating what he was saying. Thank you, Audible, for publishing a truly amazing book.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Powerful Story! Outstanding Characters!

Revisado: 11-16-19

Merchants of Death was one of the most powerful thrillers I have ever listened to on audio books. I started listening to the book on the way to work Monday morning, and the shocking death of a policeman as well as the "unexplained" deaths of 24 passengers on board a Bart train in San Francisco gave me pause when I was supposed to be heading into work for the weekly Monday morning meeting. By Wednesday, I found myself taking breaks throughout the day, so that I could sit in my car and listen to the next chapters of the story. By Friday, I sat in my car after work, and just listened as Kate Dawsonand her cohorts stormed a train filled with a deadly toxin to stop it from killing thousands (including the President) at a World Series game. The plot from beginning to end was simply riveting, and I'm sure that I wasn't the only person sitting in his car, avidly listening as the story unfolded. I've listened to several other novels written by Author John Flynn, including two other books in the Kate Dawson thrillers, and I'm convinced that he is one of the best storytellers writing today. His characters are always interesting and reflect real-life figures that you might know. Kate Dawson, Flynn's female homicide detective, is slowing down with age and the normal wear and tear of life when she finds herself confronted with a younger rival who wants to take her job. Dawson is also dealing with issues related to wanting a child but knowing she has only a few years left to give birth to one. She is also being harassed as a woman by the mostly male-department, and becomes a member of the me-too movement when a superior demands sex from her. Suffice it to say, she struggles with a great deal, but still manages to stay on the track of killers with a brand new nerve gas. The other characters in her orbit also experience similar changes, not the least of which is her annoying neighbor Lenny. His story appears to have reached an end of sorts, and is not likely to pop up in future novels. I cannot really say much more without giving away key plot points. I will simply close by suggesting you forego listening to this tale until you're ready to listen from beginning to end. Or you'll share my experience of sitting in my car moments before work to find out what happens next. A powerful story, with outstanding characters.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Incredible Writing! Raises bar of Verisimilitude!

Revisado: 11-13-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

A couple of nights ago, Author John Flynn was the guest on a radio show in Austin, and he spoke about the research that went into his writing. In particular, he spoke about Intimate Bondage and verisimilitude. For his depiction of the scenes set in the BDSM club known as the Black Rose in his novel, he visited its real-life model in Washington D.C., which is called the Black Rose, and formed the basis of his fictional club. He said he introduced himself, explained his purpose for wanting to know everything that he could find out, and worked with several couples who showed him the ropes, so to speak. The scene in the book is one of the key sequences, and showcases his incredible writing skills, transforming a real-life club into a fictional one that comes across as being very real. If I didn't know better, I would have thought the Black Rose was an established club in San Francisco. He also reveals his in-depth knowledge of the BDSM lifestyle through his fictional psychology professor's discussions with Kate Dawson. Again, incredible writing skills that raise the bar of verisimilitude. I am now even more impressed with Flynn's writing. Good research is what separates the truly remarkable from a ho-hum story. I think Flynn raises the bar for what is expected from the work of other writers. Great job!

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Packs a Punch! Highly Original!

Revisado: 11-11-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm more of a Sci-Fi buff, and prefer speculative fiction. But one of the members in my Book Club suggested that I might enjoy Architects of Armageddon because it's an end-of-the-world thriller like The Andromeda Strain or The Satan Bug. He was absolutely right! I loved this book, almost as much as Flynn's The Jovian Dilemma. The world hangs in the balance as a radical sect of religious fanatics attempt to launch a global Jihad, and only the intrepid Kate Dawson, a homicide detective with the SFPD, stands in their way. From the very first page, this highly original story really packs a punch! I never thought I'd have so much fun with a mystery-thriller as much as I did. I especially enjoyed Kevin Chambers' sensitive narration. Great job, guys! And much thanks to Audible for continuing to have the best in audio books.

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Speculative Fiction at its Best!

Revisado: 10-22-19

The Jovian Dilemma is speculative fiction at its best! You're not going to find cute, little robots, faster-than-light travel, rayguns and space battles, time machines, aliens who look and act like humans, the Force, magic and wizards, cyborgs or mutants, superheroes, parallel worlds, or any of the crap that science fiction has regrettably become. This book is about first contact between humans and aliens who are so totally alien they do not fit any conventional definitions; it is built solidly upon science that may be just one step removed from today's technology. Speculative fiction is generally plausible, realistic, possible and yes, it has to be real with a speculative element. I was very impressed with Flynn's book, and if the rest of his SF is as good, I can understand how he received three Hugo nominations as a writer. As far as I am concerned, he deserved to win a Hugo for this great work. Well done!

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas