Avid Reader

Disappointing

Revisado: 06-16-22

As someone who grew up there, my disappointment stems from what was left out. The early history was interesting, but fails to mention Erasmus Hall High School, one of the oldest high schools in the state dating back to the Dutch Reformed times (BTW my alma mater ... so I may be biased)

I grew up there in the 50's and 60's and left Brooklyn permanently in 1971. This time period was not fleshed out. There is no feel for any of the neighborhoods. I grew up in the shadow of Ebbets Field, which gets a cursory mention, but nothing was mention of the surrounding Crown Heights of the time. My block had predominantly Jewish residents. One block down were Irish Catholics, One block over were Puerto Rican residents. That was my Brooklyn of the 1950's

Dr. Pernell mention's Pete Hammil going to Jesuit St Regis in Manhattan but fails to mention Jesuit Brooklyn Prep which was one block from my house, and which I passed daily on the way to P.S. 161 He fails to cover the Downtown entertainment of the Brooklyn Paramount, et.al which feature Chuck Berry among others. The is scant mention of Brooklyn College and Downstate Medical School both of which were of major impact in the Brooklyn of the afore mentioned decades. I could go on.

These are just a few things he left out which resulted in my disappointment.

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What a disappointment.

Revisado: 05-28-22

The plot is quite implausible. The multiple twists and turns are just thrown in there without regard to logic or necessity, The trial scenes are laughable. The ending is absurd.
I liked the first two books, but this one does not deserve to be revived --- let it stay in the nineties.

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Meh

Revisado: 12-30-21

First the positives: Ray Porter is terrific. He even gets the cadences of Nixon and Kissinger right. The techno-speak sounds right.... as I would expect from an ex-astronaut.
The plotting ranges from incredulous to nonsensical. To wit:
Apollo does an Earth orbit chore and then goes to the moon.
American intelligence fails to do an even rudimentary background check on an astronaut and then sends him on a moon mission
Radioactive material is secreted in a character's crotch.
Persons swim and fight

in spacesuits, clothing in the ocean with five foot swells.

There are more, but these come to mind.

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Great Narrator

Revisado: 11-03-21

The narrator saves this book. The story is overly convoluted, which is a shame as Mr. Mayor has some true lyrical moments

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Disappointing

Revisado: 10-17-21

Just because the author is stridently anti-communist, does not make this a good book. Michner has done far better (The Source, Hawaii, and so many others). Perhaps he was too close to the Hungarian uprising (writing in 1957.) The writing is flat and uninteresting. If one knows nothing of the Revolution perhaps this book is of some value. It is just not a good read and he covers no new ground. I assume his basis is all from secondary sources; Refugees fleeing to Austria.

Communism is a failed system and authoritarianism is a blight on the human condition. That being said, this polemic is superficial. I am sure there are better histories of the period. The expectant reader would be better off searching for them and passing this effort by.

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Terrible

Revisado: 10-15-21

If I could give a rating lower than one in reviewing for this story I would. If you enjoy the concept of creating flatulent noises with your armpits, than perhaps this tale is for you. Otherwise, beware! To speak of a plot would be a stretch for this sophomoric effort. The one saving grace is the narrator, Bahni Turpin. She is excellent, but cannot save this opus. I shall look for her other endeavors.

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Very disappointing

Revisado: 09-24-21

I have listened to all the pervious books in the series. The last couple have a disappointment. Plot, never Leon's forte, here moves at a glacial pace. The complaints regarding Italian society have been voiced previously, and no new ground is covered hers. Even the driving plot device of contamination has been used before. Colacci's reading is up his high standards. He can't save a boring opus.

Best stay with the earlier titles.

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Meh

Revisado: 09-01-21

Plotting has never been Leon's long suit. Her observations about Italian life and Venice are enjoyable if, having listened to this series from the beginning, predictable. They are the main reason I continue with Brunetti and company. This plot is very unsatisfying. It starts with a victim suffering a depressed skull fracture and subdural hematoma. I am sure in today's Italy he would have been treated appropriately with neurosurgical intervention, but no: here he is forced to lie in an indefinite coma. This is important to the plot. Next, the scam perpetrated by the "villain(s)" is implausible and far fetched. Lastly, the concluding resolution seems forced and unsatisfying.
Had this been the first Brunetti mystery to which I listened, I doubt that I would have opted for a second. As it is, I hope for better things from Leon's remaining Brunetti offerings.

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Narrator

Revisado: 07-03-21

The story is up to Leon's par. The narrator, who would be fine reading Sherlock Holmes, here comes across as Lord Hawhaw splashing in the Laguna.

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Meh

Revisado: 04-30-21

The action sequences, while overlong, are vivid. The plot isconvoluted beyond belief. The narration is acceptable until the reader tries too hard to act out the characters, If a testosterone filled tale is one's cup of tea, the this book is okay. If not, look for something else.

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