Wynne McLaughlin

Brilliant and Haunting

Revisado: 03-11-23

This is a gripping, taut, and very well-researched techno thriller set in the world of present day medical research, neurobiology, and quantum physics. The main character, Caro Soames-Watkins, is a very smart, relatable, likeable, and cautiously skeptical professional neurosurgeon whose specialty is the insertion of the DBS implants used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Caro gets an unexpected and incredibly generous offer to join a Nobel Prize winning physicist and his team of researchers on a secret project in the Caymen Islands just as a family tragedy upends her life and career. I won’t say any more, but I will compare it to the best of authors like Blake Crouch, Andrew Weir, Steven King, Michael Crichton, and Paddy Chayefsky. There are moments of paranoia and abject horror interspersed with moments of breathtaking thrills and miraculous wonders, but in the end, I found it to be very reassuring and life-affirming. In short, I loved it and I feel certain I’ll reread it at some point.

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Smart, Expertly-Plotted YA Science Fiction

Revisado: 01-05-19

The first of a smart new YA science fiction series by Brandon Sanderson. It's very original and tightly plotted, with an "Ender's Game from the POV of a young woman" vibe. Nail-biting action sequences, humor, and a fascinating mystery with multiple twists I didn't see coming. Even though it's the first of a series (which makes me happy 'cause I want more!) it's also a satisfying and complete story on its own. Highly recommended.

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Comic SF With A Heart!

Revisado: 12-28-18

Ok, now I've gone and done it. I've listened everything Rob Dircks has published, and to my great surprise and delight, this last audiobook, "The Wrong Unit," might be my favorite of them all! It's smart sci-fi with Rob's signature humor, and a ton of heart. I'm not going to say anything more about the story-- except that it takes off from the very first page, never lets up, and constantly surprises--but I will say that for a robot, the protagonist "Heyoo" has an amazing character arc. He's immediately become one of my favorite characters in all of sci-fi. Bravo once again, Mr. Dircks! (And for Core's sake, please write faster!) :)

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New Favorite Author

Revisado: 12-26-18

Ok, I definitely love this guy's work. What a fun read! Much shorter than "You're Going To Mars!" but compulsively readable and non-stop hilarious. My kind of crazy. You've gotta check his stuff out, trust me.

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"Don't Ask; Sh*t's Crazy"

Revisado: 12-26-18

The hilarious follow-up to Where The Hell Is Tesla? Another compulsively readable (or in my case, listenable--Rob actually reads both audiobooks and he's a terrific performer!) comic sci-fi multidimensional masterpiece. Seriously, you guys need to check out this author! I'm moving right on to his next book--the only one I haven't read--and now, like many of his readers, I'll soon be stuck waiting and jonesing for his next! :)

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Fun, Fast-Moving, and Genuinely Funny Sci-Fi

Revisado: 12-21-18

This audiobook was a blast! A comedic sci-fi take on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story with a female protagonist. Even though Ready Player One was similarly-themed, this book is about as different as you can get, and in many ways a better book. Wacky, often laugh-out-loud funny, but smart, with a very likable heroine. Brought to mind the humor of Kurt Vonnegut, Carl Hiaasen, and Christopher Moore. I almost gave it four stars because it's admittedly not amazing literature, but since these ratings are about how much I personally enjoyed a book, I'm going with five stars and adding it to favorites. That's just how much fun I had with it! I'll definitely be checking out more by this author.

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Nothing Short of a Masterpiece

Revisado: 10-07-14

Would you listen to Wyatt in Wichita again? Why?

John Shirley, one of the founding fathers of the cyberpunk literary genre, turns his considerable talents to the Wild West in this blend of historical fiction and fact. This is the untold story of a young Wyatt Earp, before Dodge City, before Tombstone, and before the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. As frontier fiction, it's right up there with the best of Larry McMurtry and the early westerns of Elmore Leonard. As historical fiction, the story weaves it's way across the territories from Wichita to Deadwood, crossing paths with well known figures like Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, Martha "Calamity" Jane Cannary, Charlie Utter, and many others, bringing them to life as never before. The novel is dark, but uplifting; unflinchingly violent, but heartfelt. Shirley's decision to use a period voice even in his omniscient narration was bold, but flawlessly executed, and the narrator, John McClain, captures the cadence and the style perfectly. It's a thrilling, action-packed, rip-roaring tale, well told. Don't miss it!

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