KeiB

Mixed Thoughts and A Spoiler

Revisado: 01-17-21

I'm a confirmed fan of this series and have read all, including the Graybill and Dufris narrated volumes. I admit that the sudden change of narrator was jarring and made it difficult to immerse myself in volumes 19-22. The stories themselves were quintessential Joe Gunther and overall great reads.
I deliberately skipped over book 23 as 24 saw the return of narrator Tom Taylorson and I was looking forward to hearing the "real" Joe Gunther and company. What a let down. During Taylorson's hiatus, he seems to have forgotten how to perform his own characterizations. This would not have been so terrible if it hadn't been for the disjointed story line, Mayor is usually more skilled in weaving together the threads of a plot. The addition of a romance with another long-standing character in the series feels awkward, contrived and just... ewww. Years of character development just went right out the window and certainly added nothing to the plot as a whole.
Overall, Three Can Keep a Secret was a disappointment but I'm an optimist and will continue with the series.

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Where Is The Real Joe Gunther?

Revisado: 01-10-21

I admit it. I have a secret crush on Joe Gunther. The REAL Joe Gunther.
Although Christopher Graybill does an acceptable job of narrating - and may indeed be an exceptional voice for other characters; he isn't Joe aka: Tom Taylorson.
The plot is as engaging as ever and the interweaving and revisiting of characters from the beginning of the series are one of many reasons I enjoy how Archer Mayor has crafted this series. For that reason, I'll forge through books 19-23. I'd love to see them rereleased with Tom doing the narration though and would gladly listen again if that happens.
No spoilers here. If you read the series and like it, Book 19 doesn't disappoint other than being a little harder to become immersed in the ongoing tale due to the difference in voice actor.

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Couldn't Detect A 21st Century Female Protagonist

Revisado: 12-16-20

I almost never review but this book hurt me. The narration was not nearly as bad as made out here; certainly not my favourite narrator and yes, toosled v. tousled made me grit my teeth but far worse was the utterly juvenile and unlikeable main character.
I like my female detectives to have matured beyond high school and Josie Quinn has not.
Far too much time was spent on her waffling between the two men in her life, adding nothing of value to character development and the last scene where the now Chief Quinn is interviewing her former husband's girlfriend made me want to just stop listening.
Really? No, really? An adult female police chief is leading an interview with a woman who had the confidence of the recently deceased former chief and the questions are all about the witness' romantic/sex life and profession choices? Did I fall into a girls' washroom of the 1950's? When half the dialogue involves a male subordinate admonishing every strident sentence Quinn utters with "Chief...", that is sad. The plot had potential.
I managed to finish the book but it was excruciating, an unworthy portrayal of a police officer and women in general.

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Uncomfortable and Enlightening

Revisado: 03-09-20

Very well written, intense and frightening by turns. With human trafficking becoming a scourge and disgrace across many countries, this book is timely. Great character development of protagonist with potential for more stories to follow.
This book won't be for everyone. I found myself shouting at the villains, very disturbed by some of the graphic depictions - appropriate to the storyline, and ultimately wanting to do something proactive in Real Life to end, help to end or bring greater awareness to this insidious crime.

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Not For Me

Revisado: 06-16-18

I've tried writing this a couple times now. It's not a bad idea but has a disjointed and unbelievable plot, really unlikeable characters and sex scenes that are uncomfortable and awkward; especially when the main character is constantly condemning her friend's life choices. Sophomoric, will be returning.

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Angela, How Could You?!

Revisado: 05-24-18

In the tradition of Game of Thrones (the books) and Grey's Anatomy...Insert massive spoiler here.

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Lottie, I'm Disappointed

Revisado: 04-17-18

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Only to faithful followers of the series

Would you recommend No Safe Place to your friends? Why or why not?

No. I had trouble relating to Lottie in this book, I doubt a reader new to the series would get through book four.

Was No Safe Place worth the listening time?

For the narration and the basic plot, yes.

Any additional comments?

Lottie, if we were friends I'd be sitting you down and telling you to shape up. Gone is the somewhat flawed but well-intentioned protagonist. You're wallowing in bad habits, making no attempt to move yourself forward. You're randomly rude and mean to other characters, coming off as abrasive and stubborn rather than independent. Please seek counselling from Ms. Gibney before Book Five comes out.

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Outstanding!

Revisado: 12-08-16

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

The narration was superb.

What other book might you compare Grace to and why?

The Colour Purple - for empathetic and realistic character development and themes that stay with you long after the last page.

Have you listened to any of Lisa Reneé Pitts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I'll look for more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

Any additional comments?

I can't believe I snagged this on a Daily Deal offering! I'd gladly pay full price and will be reading this one again.

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Meh...

Revisado: 09-28-16

What disappointed you about City of Echoes?

Even with my limited knowledge of police procedure, I found many of the situations hard to believe. Who doesn't turn off their cellphone when staking out the bad guys?? Unlikeable characters, sophomoric writing and too many side plots - setting up for future books? - kept this from being fully developed or adequately researched for believability.

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

I like Nick Podehl's work and in this case he did his best with what he had to work with.

Any additional comments?

I'm very glad this was a Daily Deal.

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I Want To Marry John Lydon

Revisado: 12-09-15

Would you listen to Anger Is an Energy again? Why?

Yes! This is a totally engaging story and revisiting is something I do with all books I love.

What about Derek Perkins’s performance did you like?

I felt like I was listening to John.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had the hours - yes!

Any additional comments?

Anger Is An Energy: My Life Uncensored - by John Lydon

I'll start by saying, I want to marry John Lydon- sorry Norah!. He's smart, funny, brutally honest, a godfather of Punk and just as wordy, creative, off-the-wall and ADD as I am.

I bought this book because Punk (Goth, Romantic) is my tribe and I cut my music teeth on Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones, Teenage Head. My parents are Led Zeppelin, Queen and earlier but the music that felt like my own was Punk and Alternative.

This book is the audio version, narrated by Derek Perkins and the overall feel is that you're sitting with John down pub and just chatting over a Guiness and a Strongbow (really Spellcheck? You don't recognize 'Guiness'?? SMH).

This is a fantastic backstory to all the was the Sex Pistols and PIL, in John's own words and it is insightful, informative, fun and ultimately relatable. John's narrative style is so easy on the ears and yes, I'm biased to the lilt. It puts paid to a lot of the rumours and stories that have circulated about him as a human and the rise and fall of SP and the various supporting characters in that world.

I recommend this for anyone who is interested in Music, Biography, Sex Pistols, Post-Punk Music and the music industry on both continents. Not to mention those of you who still wear 'stovepipes', love 'DIY' and remember 'if it ain't Stiff it ain't worth a fuck'. Oh! Also for those of you who see pictures of Mum with a blue Mohawk, a safety pin in her nose and are proud to declare "My Mum's a Punk Rocker".

~ Bloody learn to love each other properly

~ kei, the Eclectic Poet
9 December 2015

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