Skipper

an okay start to the series

Revisado: 02-14-25

Two stars means okay. This was an okay read. Not bad. I like this genre. The premise is somewhat tantalizing — the difference between innate human intelligence and intelligence boosted by genetic manipulation and AI neural implants. Quite relevant today. We also have the tale of an underdog beating the odds, of character growth, courage, and the ability to dig deep when the problem feels insurmountable, or when it feels like nearly everyone is against you. There is also loyalty and friendship and just a touch of romance. These are all popular tropes, and for good reason.

However, the writing came across like a mishmash of scientific exposition, news reporting, and fictional narration. An okay read, but not highly memorable. I think this might be the author’s first series, so perhaps the next books in the series will include increasingly more vivid scenes, engaging dialogue, and suspenseful tension. I both read and listened, alternating between speech and print.

The narration is fine, but sometimes it sounded like I was listening to the evening news — but that’s probably due to the material.

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Cross Grows Culinary

Revisado: 01-17-25

A good murder mystery plot. Plenty of red herrings. I did have my eye on one of the culprits. I did not feel much sympathy for the murderer, and even less for the murder victim.
For our favorite bulldog detective, there is some family drama — some sad turns and some happy realizations, plus a fun gathering of the gang celebrating a birthday. Glad to see McKenzie again. I liked the introduction of cooking / culinary efforts into the main characterization. DCI Carter comes in for some scorn again, which for some reason didn’t quite jive with how his role played out in The Teacher. This book addresses some unfinished business (Warner’s story) left dangling from The Teacher. This is not my favorite of the series, but nonetheless a solid hit! My personal preference: I always like to see the courtroom aspect of a case, and I always enjoy Cross’s interaction with any lazy detectives (e.g., Warner) or any of the big cheese, e.g., the Chief Constable.

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thanks for the moments

Revisado: 01-10-25

Quite an enjoyable listen — excellent narration. Nice to see old friends again. I love these characters. Maybe a bit disjointed, hopping about in time and space, but that’s okay. I would buy another. I wonder about those absurd Abidan judges. I’m amazed they manage to accomplish anything.

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Death makes an entrance

Revisado: 12-24-24

I enjoyed this one. Death is one of my favorite characters. He shows up in most books in the discworld but this is the first book where he is a central character. Good narration.

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murder mystery, lots of toughing it out

Revisado: 12-24-24

Nice listen. I enjoyed this. I did feel the survivalist stuff was a bit overdone, and the grim scene at the end in the woods was a bit lengthy. But I enjoyed this book, and appreciated the teen boys.

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Convoluted, shifting storylines

Revisado: 12-24-24

Might have been easier to follow if reading it, but listening left me lost several times. Happy ending. Some fine new characters in this story. Baker Street Irregulars get a mention. Bancroft is pulling strings from prison, but Charlotte Holmes is onto his games. Introduced Tumble, John/ Gonzales, Jessie, etc. What about that nasty inspector Fowler? Is he covered in glory?
Narrator is excellent but I do wish she would not emphasis so many words. Overdone a bit.

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post apocalyptic robo-valet with humor

Revisado: 12-09-24

Excellent narration. Story started slowly and with some tedium. I almost gave up after the first hour. Glad I didn’t. Good listen, if a bit long / meandering at times. The story is told in 3rd person through the perspective of an AI robotic valet, unCharles, so dubbed by Wonk, a comrade he meets on his journey through a dystopian land, seeking employment. There is irony and satire and other sorts of dry humor. I laughed aloud several times. There is war and famine. Librarians. A god. A historic farm. Some humans. And lots of robots of all types. There is truth — reflecting too much about the world today, and possibly tomorrow— hope it’s not prophetic. Maybe a bit heavy-handed on the moral or message. Still, a feel-good read, because it ends well and I liked the two main characters, unCharles and Wonk.

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a completed trilogy begins here

Revisado: 04-05-24

Three books, set in the distant future. Earth is lost. Humans live on various planets, space stations, and other habitats, all accessible via a cosmic faster than light superhighway called The Flow. When the Flow starts to collapse, the new young emperox Cardenia must plan for the billions of humans who will be stranded on space stations without food or water. She is determined to save as many as possible. She must also deal with the truth about her family, newly learned.

However, people — politics, ambition, greed, ignorance, and sheer selfish stupidity — get in her way. Murder, treachery, treason, kidnapping, rebellions, etc. Thankfully, some few good souls have Cardenia’s back across the trilogy, as does a Memory Keeper AI character named Jiyi.

Bad guys: Nadashe Nohamapetan, her mother the Countess Nohamapetan, her bothers Amit and Ghreni.

Snarky. Lots of screwing and f***ing from Kiva, but it’s flippant and almost funny. However, if f-u is upsetting to hear, this is not the book for you.

The science fiction elements are not the main drivers in this story. This is a story of reckless human ambition within a backdrop of space.

I read all three books. The series is neatly completed. I like the characters.

The narrator does a fine job — not brilliant, but quite good.

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sad but gripping murder investigation

Revisado: 03-19-24

Series begins here. Each book gets better than the last. My favorites are the Patient and The Monk. Set in Bristol England, in current or contemporary times. Detective Sergeant Cross is the main character. He’s on the autism spectrum, manifesting Asperger traits. He is committed to putting things right for the dead, and his ability to focus and think beyond assumptions is a mixed blessing, as he frequently if unwittingly annoys or insults others, particularly his colleagues. The silver lining is his logical mind as evidenced from his high conviction record.

Repeating Characters in Series:
Main character: DS George Cross works at the Avon and Somerset Major Crimes Unit in Bristol
Raymond Cross, his father, retired aerospace engineer
Father Stephen Mount, a kindly Catholic priest who lets George play the church organ for practice and relaxation

DS Josey Ottey is George’s partner and eventual friend
Alice MacKenzie works with/for the Major Crimes Unit but is not an officer
DCI Ben Carson heads up the major crimes unit
Forensic Pathologist Dr. Clare Hawkins
Dr Michael Swift, crime scene forensics. Very tall.
Catherine — CCTV officer, surveillance camera video footage analyst

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Wonderful listen

Revisado: 11-03-23

Fun story set in historical London 1818, after the war, when steam engines and hydraulics and passenger balloons were big. Enjoyable cast of characters featuring two adorable youths and a great galloping dog — as well as the main love interest. Jameson’s narration is quite pleasant, spot on, and does not detract from Heyer’s work at all. A win!

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