Jon Michaelsen

A Nice-paced, Well-crafted Mystery

Revisado: 02-09-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely - A fine follow-up to the first novel in the series; Hidden Identity.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Crime Wave?

The scenes between Jimmy and Captain Frisano.

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Joel Leslie is incredible performing this awesome novel; his spot-on voice inflections helped to make the characters come alive with the descriptions, action and words written by Carpenter.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to reading the next in the series. For audio book lovers, Joel Leslie is incredible performing this awesome novel; his spot-on voice inflections helped to make the characters come alive with the descriptions, action and words written by Carpenter.

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A stunning performance of a fine mystery!

Revisado: 06-23-16

What made the experience of listening to Death by Pride the most enjoyable?

K.C. Kelly's narration quite frankly was brilliant! His performance and inflections of the characters was spot on, but it was his creepy, surreal depiction of serial killer, Dietrich Keller that brought this novel to life!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death by Pride?

K.C. Kelly's performance of psycho serial killer, Dietrich Keller.

Have you listened to any of K.C. Kelly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I will certainly seek him out!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Frankly, every reading that involved serial killer, Dietrich Keller.

Any additional comments?

A well written, perfectly spaced mystery told in three-povs; Kyle Callahan, an amateur sleuth; his partner/husband Danny Durban, and owner of a high end restaurant that figures centrally in the story; and the diabolical, psycho serial killer, Dietrich Keller. Highly recommended.

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Another great addition to the Hardesty P.I. Series

Revisado: 01-23-14

What did you love best about The Bar Watcher?

In the third book in the Dick Hardesty gay P.I. series, we find tough guy, Dick, playing the field much more so than the first couple books, which is interesting in that this novel is set at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic (which actually isn’t mentioned by name since the virus was not yet identified). Rumors abound of otherwise healthy young gay men getting sick and dying, causing Dick to take note. It so happens, Hardesty’s latest case involves investigating the death of one of the partners of “Rage”, a popular, members only gay bathhouse where only the gorgeous need apply.

But while looking into the private club’s managing partner’s murder, Hardesty begins noticing other deaths of suspicious circumstances involving gay men, and with the help of his latest squeeze, Jarod, finds a common thread among all the deaths – including that of Rage’s manager, former porn star Comstock. It’s not long before Dick realizes there is a possible serial killer targeting gay men of the nasty kind.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Bar Watcher?

What I found striking in this novel along with the mystery- which is solid, deftly written, with twists and turns–is Hardesty’s philandering. Wait, did that just age me a bit? Hardesty is a bit of a horn-dog in this novel, which is understanding considering the time the story takes place during the very early stages of the AIDS crisis. I will be so interested to see how Grey deals with the emerging crisis since it was so much a part of the lives of gay men everywhere, especially in large, gay popular cities in the USA.

Any additional comments?

Again, I must admit that I listened to the unabridged audio book version of The Bar Watcher. Unlike the previous two novels, which I had read both print and listened to the corresponding audio versions, this one I did not. I still feel I got a received a great reading experience. I appreciated listening to the same voice of the narrator, Jeff Frez-Albrecht, who narrated the first two Dick Hardesty mysteries. He helps to bring Hardesty to life in a deadpan, non-complicated way, yet also helps us to view a glimpse of Dick’s inner thoughts through Dorien Grey’s awesome prose.

I highly recommend The Bar Watcher, and the entire Dick Hardesty P.I series!

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A wonderfully, Eerily Suspenseful Thriller!!

Revisado: 08-01-13

What made the experience of listening to IM the most enjoyable?

The challenge of a good narrator if he (in this case) can project enough voice variation to discern each character and still come across authentic enough to keep the listener engaged, to not sound dull or boring by simply “reading” a script. Tavvi Mark is able to perform this act and much more, especially in the case of the psychotic killer, who comes across as decidedly eerie.

What was one of the most memorable moments of IM?

Let me just say right off the bat, this novel is out-and-out scary, but it’s the narrator’s voice that makes the experience downright creepy. I felt Tavvi Mark had perfectly captured the serial killer’s state of mind, but his voice inflections were spot-on, to the point where listening to the words of Reed’s awesome novel became bone-chilling.

Which scene was your favorite?

Oooh, too many to name, but the one that stands out the most is when one of the killer's potential victims is able to survive and attack....scary!

Who was the most memorable character of IM and why?

Well, I loved ex-cop Ed and his boyfriend, Peter, of course - but I would have to say the most memorable was the killer because he's just downright creepy, scary and psychotic as hell - all things necessary for a thrilling, suspenseful serial killer novel!

Any additional comments?

I greatly enjoyed the romantic sub-plot between Ed and Peter and would love to know more of their story, should Mr. Reed endeavor as he has done with other unforgettable characters readers have grown to love.

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An extraordinarily, inventive mystery!

Revisado: 07-28-13

What did you love best about His Name Is John?

In His Name Is John, prolific author Dorien Grey has achieved the rarity few writers enjoy, which is developing a solid first novel in another series daringly different than Grey’s wildly popular Dick Hardesty private investor mysteries.

Once again, Grey has created a colorful cast of characters we love and despise, beginning with the introduction of a middle-age Elliott Smith, a rather mild-mannered man whose vocation is real estate development in the Chicago area. Elliott and his rather motherly sister are siblings of wealthy parents who appear more interested in traveling the world and keeping up appearances than in spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Although he is from wealth and privilege, Elliott has achieved wealth of his own by investing in historical, architecturally significant buildings to rehab and sell for profit. A great backstory that provides a solid foundation for the novel that quickly bursts to the forefront when a decades old skeleton is discovered behind a brick wall in the basement of Elliott’s latest project.

Have you listened to any of Jim Hickey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I certainly will listen to any Hickey narrates in the Elliott Smith series.

If you could take any character from His Name Is John out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Elliott Smith because he's a very interesting character and we share the same love for old architecture and desire to restore historical properties to their former glory - Elliott has the resources; I have the desire.

Any additional comments?

Dorien Grey has written an extraordinarily, inventive, highly imaginative mystery within a mystery, complete with well-developed characters and tightly plotted prose. The incredible talent of narrator, Jim Hickey, makes this already terrific novel an even more enjoyable listen. Those listening to the audio version of His Name Is John will quickly slip into a comfortable zone hearing Hickey’s words, the perfect choice of narrator for this novel, not to mention lending the right voice to Elliott Smith’s character.
I am looking forward to reading more Elliott Smith mysteries and hope Grey continues with Jim Hickey as narrator for future audio releases.

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A Horror, Mystery Suspense/thriller & Gay Romance

Revisado: 04-25-13

Where does The Blue Moon Cafe rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Blue Moon Café is a horror mystery suspense/thriller and gay romance all in one that will pull you in, scare the crap out of you and have you rooting for the unlikely relationship between human and werewolf. Non-traditional in that it strays from modern-day romantic epics and ends with a shocking surprise that just might break your heart. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to in years!

What did you like best about this story?

The horror, suspense and wonderful love story between two unlikely men.

Have you listened to any of Topher Samuels’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and I really enjoyed Mr. Samuel's smoothe, calming voice, which he ratcheted up at the terror and suspenseful portions to scare the crap out of me!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Scare the crap out of me!

Any additional comments?

I usually listen to audio books (the unabridged versions) via headphones traveling on hours-long plane rides or driving long trips alone. So when a book I’ve had my eye on was released in audio book format recently, I decided to take a chance and listen while in my car – which proved quite often as I found myself looking for places to go, errands that needed doing so I could listen to Rick R. Reed’s suspenseful, romantic thriller, The Blue Moon Café.

Taken from the blurb for both print and audio format: “Someone–or something–is killing Seattle’s gay men...” Something moves in the dark night at full moon hunting and killing gay men in the places they gather. The protagonist is Thad Matthews, a young gay man done with relationships and certainly not ready–or willing–to take yet another dive for the perfect dream that presents in the form of a sexy, super compassionate, masculine, hairy and handsome Sicilian restaurant owner and chef, Sam Lupino.

Reed begins The Blue Moon Café with his signature terror/horror prose, which he is well-known for delivering, quickly ensnaring the reader–or listener in my case–with heart-racing, pulsating suspense. Vivid detail and full-moon-lit scenery ratchets up anticipation and ushes the listener forward, sans trepidation. Reed tempers the heightened elements of the novel with a strong romance that provides a little distraction from the bloody killings.

Read the rest of my review here:

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