The Lance Gifford

Exciting Space Opera Diminished by Poor Narration

Revisado: 03-29-20

Myke Cole brings undeniable verisimilitude to this Coast Guard in Space action tale. He’s extrapolated a reasonable future involving Moon mining, international tension and inter-service rivalry.

Sadly, the narration by Mia Barron ruins Cole’s story. It may not be her fault. Perhaps she received poor support from the director and producer.

For me, and I suspect many listeners, the space and military jargon is critical. She muffs words like boatswain (bosun), azimuth (AZ-i-mth) and several more. It’s fingernails on the chalkboard that yanks me right out of the story.

This is an evergreen rant for me. Directors, producers, narrators: Do your homework, be prepared, get it right. It’s important.

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Still too raw to hear

Revisado: 12-17-19

What I was able to listen to was well researched and written. The voice performances were spot-on.

It’s just...even after so many years it’s too raw, too painful to hear. I remember that day and the horror too well.

Kudos to the author and performers. But, sorry, just can’t.

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Intriguing Story Marred by a Contrived Presentation

Revisado: 09-22-19

The mysterious disappearance and assumed death of Suzanne Pilley is a tragedy. But is the conviction of David Gilroy for her murder justice or a miscarriage of justice? That’s the conundrum upon which this intriguing story is based. While the facts uncovered and the reasonable certainty that Gilroy — guilty or not — was denied a fair trial is gripping, the story is marred by a contrived presentation.

Ellis and Brown, TV producers and writers, depend too much on reconstructions and supposition that detract from the mystery.

Worth a read, if not a listen.

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Another Well-Crafted Mystery with Top-Notch Narration

Revisado: 09-01-19

The always dependable S. J. Rozan never fails to satisfy. Once again the redoubtable Lydia Chin and her loyal partner, Bill Smith take us on a journey that is by turns cultural, historical, and a fine mystery to boot.

Emily Woo Zeller is nimble and credible and is an especially comforting narrator when voicing Lydia.

Come for the mystery, stay for the history and the emotionally satisfying coda.

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A Ripsnorting Adventure Brilliantly Read by Wil Wheaton

Revisado: 08-25-19

Wil Wheaton lifts Edward Savio’s deep time adventure above the mundane plot and cookie-cutter characters. He distinctly voices each character and brings them to life.

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Disappointing!

Revisado: 08-02-19

David Drake’s RCN series can be a slog at times, but overall enjoyable.

Unfortunately, this related novel is all slog.

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Disappointing—Not Up to Perry’s Usual

Revisado: 01-25-19

Interesting concept—young female cat burglar accidentally caught in a triple homicide/art fraud/paramilitary conspiracy type thing—yeah, not so interesting.

I liked the main character and found the intricacies of burglary intriguing. Everything else was just too unrealistic and kept kicking me out of the story. Good narration!

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Worthy Follow-Up to The Lady Astronaut

Revisado: 11-11-18

The extraordinary Mary Robinette Kowal follows her Lady Astronaut novel with...well, I am not sure one would call it a sequel--I think of it more as a "what-are-they-doing-now" follow up.

Beginning years after The Lady Astronaut end, Elma is a veteran astronaut and pilot, enmeshed in the routine of flying transports on the moon. Events conspire to ground her just when the Mars expedition(s) are forming. Will she make it to Mars? Will she ever even fly again?

Once again, Mary Robinette delivers a brilliant book, a terrific read (listen!) and satisfying in every respect. Her craft as a writer is matched by her narrative skills as she again brings Elma to life.

#spaceexploration #althistory #femaleprotagonist #moon #mars #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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Stunning Intro to an Engaging Protagonist

Revisado: 11-11-18

Lourdes Robles is the literary love child of Virgil Flowers and V.I. Warshawski. She's an NYPD detective in constant hot water with the brass and with her fellow Ds. Still, she persists. Liars, cheaters, traitors and killers abound, Lourdes stumbling ahead undaunted.

I anticipate the next Lourdes Robles books with excitement.

Ari Fliakos is a competent narrator I have enjoyed in the past. However, he's not quite a natural fit for this character.

#femaleprotagonist #gritty #realism #conspiracy #serialkiller #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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Echoes from the Past Drive Reacher To the Truth

Revisado: 11-11-18

Long time Reacher fans may be disappointed, as I was, with this outing.

A fork in the road leads Reacher to his father's home town of Laconia, NH, where his search for his father's family leads him down the cliched dark road.

The parallel story involves a mysterious hidden motel and a hapless pair of down-on-their-luck Canadians, whipsawed around by the motel's operators.

I'm afraid the motel story is overwrought, an unconvincing contrivance. Moreover, by the time Reacher gets to the truth about his father and his family, I no longer cared. The plot-stretching Child resorts to in bringing Reacher, the Canadians and the motel guys together kicked me right out of the story.

Scott Brick is a superb narrator whom I've enjoyed many times over the years. Honestly, though, I miss Dick Hill, who brought the rough edge of Reacher with every word.

Final note: I've been to Laconia several times, and as recently as last year. The town I know bears no relation to the Laconia described in this book.

#absurd #smalltown #family #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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