Ralph

Very, very good. Practically perfect in every way

Revisado: 01-11-14

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There are very few books that I would rate as 5 star efforts. The Lock Artist is one of those books that rates a near perfect score. The combination of an engrossing story, well developed characters, dead-on pacing, and a great narrator make this book a winner.

Everything about this book rang true to me. Not once was a suspension of belief required. Nothing about the prose or narration pulled me out of the story. There is so much to this story that a few paragraphs cannot do it justice.

The protagonist, 17 year old safe cracker Mike, is mute as a result of a terrible incident in his childhood. He tells his story by relating his experiences through his writings and by an evolving graphic novel between Mike and his soul mate, Amelia.. Being an audio book adds another level as this is written in the first person and we hear Mike tell his story. How great is that?

I really loved this book and I will be listening to it again to savor the story that Mr. Hamilton has woven for us and Mr. Andrews brought to life. Well done!

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A fun romp

Revisado: 12-30-12

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What a delightful find. I saw the advertisement on the Audible front page and although I wasn't familiar with Mr. Westgate's Dortmunder series, I was intrigued by the premise and reassured by the good ratings.

A reality show producer looking for his next big hit after "The Stand" (a reality TV show he produces chronicling the life and drama of running a roadside farm stand) hits upon an idea to recruit a team of actual thieves (the Dortmunder gang) and film them planning and then executing a real burglary.

The money is good, the risk to the gang manageable, and Dortmunder has ideas of his own to sweeten the take for the gang. John Dortmunder is one of the cleverest (and unlucky) criminals you are likely to meet, so the reality TV show promises to be very interesting indeed.

This was such a fun listen and I was sad when it ended. Even more so since Mr. Westlake passed away in 2008 and the Dortmunder gang is most likely in retirement. However, there still are 13 other Dortmunder books for me to enjoy.

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Not engaging for me

Revisado: 12-30-12

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I was looking forward to a good police procedural story, but although a good story may be lurking inside, the narration/editing got in the way. I often listen while walking or doing other activities and I zoned out a number of times listening to this title due to the almost flat narration.

Mr. Weiner appears to be a talented narrator, but his performance in this title left me lacking. Much of the time one scene flowed into the next without a clear demarcation. A good example was at the end of the story when things were being resolved. The flow indicated that more story was following, but instead I got the "Audible hopes you enjoyed..." tag. Better pacing would have improved my experience.

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Another good read from Joseph Finder

Revisado: 07-10-11

This is the second book featuring Nick Heller (he was introduced in Vanished) and it doesn't disappoint. As with most of Finder's books, he is able to weave an interesting and captivating tale that holds your interest until the end. Nick Heller is tough ex Special Forces turned private investigator who is much more relatable and believable than Flynn's Mitch Rapp.

Holter Graham does a fine job narrating and disappears into the background just leaving the story for us to experience. With three minor exceptions. His voicing of Gabe, Taylor, and Alexa (in the early part of the book) was distracting and seemed unnatural. Gabe's whining or whatever it was supposed to be followed him from Vanished where I didn't enjoy it there as well. Unlike all the other characters in the book, whenever Gabe or Taylor spoke, I popped out of the story and was not thinking about what was being said, but how it was being said. However, these moments comprise a very small part of the book and Graham's other characters are superb, especially the protagonist Heller.

I have enjoyed each book from Joseph Finder and can't wait for the next Nick Heller adventure.

Recommended.

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