Diane M. Gregson

Disappointing

Revisado: 01-16-23

I sought out this book because of its nomination for the Edgar award. I am disappointed.

The book seems more like a try out for the next blockbuster action movie with mismatched "buddies."

Too often the dialogue becomes preachy and unrealistic as everyone belabors the prejudice against blacks, gays, trans, poor, and any other put upon person. The violence is often but the two protagonists have the movie ability to spring back from brutal beatings and hospital beds in order to amp up the next fight. Lots of stereotypes and cliches. The scene in the gay bar was cringe worthy.

It takes a lot of suspension of disbelief to follow this tale.

The narration was off putting. The narrator used the same voice/dialect for all the characters and it was hard to know who was speaking.

I cannot recommend the book.
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********** Mild spoilers
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I figured out the villain as soon as Buddy Lee spoke with his ex-wife early in the story.
All the mayhem caused by Ike's and Buddy Lee's investigation did not seem to come to the notice of the local police until after everything is over.
Ike and Buddy Lee repeatedly state that their sons had made something of themselves and become good men, but there is not much in the story that explains this. No insight into the two young men besides that they had been 27, gay, married, and with an adopted child. I kept wondering how they had become successful and so well liked but the story does provide details just statements.

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Interesting but not What I Expected

Revisado: 12-12-22

A heartbreaking story. But not quite the mystery story I expected.
The narrators were fine.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 12-12-22

I admire Julia Child. However, if i did not know something of her and her career this book would have me believe that she was an intellectual liberal elitist. I never got a real feel for Ms. Child or her husband. I felt they were described "once removed." The endless lists of wines they drank and dinner guests felt like name dropping or page padding.

Also, I disliked the English/British narrator for this book. There were many mispronunciations of common American names and terms.

I was greatly disappointed in this biography.

I would not recoommend.

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Charming

Revisado: 12-12-22

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a warm and funny story. Understated, but amusing.
The narrator, Peter Altschuler, is excellent and greatly contributed to the pleasure of this listen.

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Eleven Hours of Boring

Revisado: 07-20-22

So many implausible plot points. So many ridiculous characters.
So drawn out.
A terrible read/listen. I finished the book to ascertain if the author could redeem it with a solid ending -- but she could not.
****** slight spoiler*****

It really irritated me that one character buys a hamster for company and keeps it in a cage in a closet.

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Inferior Imitation

Revisado: 07-14-22

******** Some Spoilers *******


The central plot of a family murdered in a locked farm house is obviously based on the real life murder case of Jeremy Bamber in 1985. That is fine; many novels have been based on actual events. I hoped the author would present an intriguing resolution of the murders. No such luck. The protagonist, Atticus Priest, is very reminiscent of the Cormoran Strike novels. And, the ending has a bit of a Sam Spade/Maltese Falcon touch. This imitation is not flattering but very poorly done. Neither Priest or the female "lead", Mackenzie Jones, are very likable. The entire book seems to be snippets of other stories poorly stitched together. I do not recommend.

Simon Vance's narration is excellent as ever.

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Paint by the Numbers Story

Revisado: 07-14-22

I like historical fiction and enjoy "exotic" locations. I like mysteries. I do NOT like banal cliche-ridden romance novels.
This book was presented as a mystery. Oh, no. There is a thin thread of plot purporting to be a mystery, but this book is nothing but a simpering romance. The female protagonist repeatedly states she is not a frivolous weak woman but proceeds to be just that.
I should have tuned out as soon as I heard the breathy voice of the narrator, but I muddled through (much like the characters) hoping the book would evolve into enjoyment. NOPE. I do NOT recommend.

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Derivative Drivel

Revisado: 07-14-22

******* Some Spoilers *******

Sloppy re-working of Agatha Christie's classic. (WHY?) No character development.
Unnatural dialogue -- no one converses as these character do.
Even the "twist" ending reneges by providing the killer with a medical condition.
I am not certain the timeline is consistent; however, I was so bored with the book that I did not go back to try and verify the "facts" the author threw around.
Definitely would NOT recommend this book.
Narrator was indifferent.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 04-21-22

I thoroughly enjoyed "News of the World." This novel reeked more of romance than history or adventure. I tired of Simon's longing for Doris. The "bad guys" should have had whiskers to twirl. As other reviewers have stated, I really wanted to the book to end. Nice prose. Poor story. And I really di not care that much about the main characters.

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Disappointing and Basically Boring

Revisado: 12-27-20

I am amazed that Horowitz who created "Foyle's War" (one of my favorite TV series), writes novels with such a snide and mean-spirited mood.

There is not a likable or relatable character in this book. The "love" story line between the "main" character and her boyfriend/fiance is contrived and painful to read. Their dialogue seems lifted from a second rate romance novel. Horowitz seems bitter about happy relationships and gleefully and maliciously destroys every couple in the book.

The "duo mysteries" are not that interesting or riveting. There is a lot of silly soul searching and breast beating.
More caricature than characters.

My main complaint is that Horowitz is disparaging about the mystery genre. Constantly, he inserts little barbs belittling mystery and mystery writing. I get a sense of rancorous man smirking at readers for buying his tripe.

I will not be tempted to read Mr. Horowitz again.

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