If I rated this book solely on the narrator on Audible, I would give it 5 stars. The narrator was brilliant! However, based on the actual c3.5/5 Stars
If I rated this book solely on the narrator on Audible, I would give it 5 stars. The narrator was brilliant! However, based on the actual content of the book, it was more of a 3.5 stars. I thought it was a good book. There were several twists and turns throughout that I enjoyed. Some I guessed at, some I did not. As far as the "unreliable narrator" trope is, this was better than most. HOWEVER, and this is where the book falls down for me, I did not like the ending. The one final "twist" is so incomprehensible that it really ruined the rest of the book for me. So, read at your own peril. If you are a huge fan of the psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator, you will LOVE this book. If, like me, you read it as a distraction from the action thriller/crime novels I gravitate toward, it's well written, but the ending is not satisfying....more
Oh Spenser, how I've missed you! It's been at least 15 years since I've read a Spenser novel, not counting the rereads. I certainly understand why AceOh Spenser, how I've missed you! It's been at least 15 years since I've read a Spenser novel, not counting the rereads. I certainly understand why Ace Atkins was chosen by the Parker estate to take on this series. This book was everything I remember a Spenser novel being. Spenser still pisses off the cops, cooks up a storm, has Pearl and Susan! And hangs out at Henry's gym. The only thing missing was Hawk. This had a very Maltese Falcon feel to it, which was fun for me. I gave this 5 stars, because I absolutely loved getting reintroduced to Spenser. In reality it was probably a solid 3.5 or 4 stars (8 of 10). I will definitely go back and read the other books written by Ace Atkins....more
Updated 12/28/2020 5 stars I did a re-read (actually a listen an Audible) and didn’t think I could love this any more, but I did! The narrator really mUpdated 12/28/2020 5 stars I did a re-read (actually a listen an Audible) and didn’t think I could love this any more, but I did! The narrator really makes the book. Everything I said below is still true. James Reece is an amazing character.
This was a fantastic debut! It was an action-packed thriller with true authenticity that only comes from a Navy SEAL. while the endless descriptions of weaponry were a little more than I wanted to read about (and why it wasn't a 5-star for me) most former military people will appreciate his accuracy in the weapons. I loved the main character, James Reece. He definitely was not a super hero like Dewey Andreas or Scot Harvath. He is more like Pike Logan or Mitch Rapp. I am looking forward to continuing with this series!...more
4/5 (8/10) stars This was a really well-crafted ode to James M Cain. Everything you want from an out-and-out noir novel: Lies, money, bad marriages, sm4/5 (8/10) stars This was a really well-crafted ode to James M Cain. Everything you want from an out-and-out noir novel: Lies, money, bad marriages, small towns, private eye, sleazy lawyers. I felt totally pulled along in Polly and Adam's world. The majority of the novel takes place in 1995, so no cell phones or handheld digital devices, which just makes the tension go up that much more. While the ending was somewhat predictable (after all, it's noir), it has a nice surprise at the end that I didn't see coming. I had never read anything by Laura Lippman before, but I will be looking for other books by her....more
3.5/5 stars I’m sad to say this was not one of my more favorites in the series. Mark Greaney is an excellent writer and has a gifted way of describing 3.5/5 stars I’m sad to say this was not one of my more favorites in the series. Mark Greaney is an excellent writer and has a gifted way of describing action, but I had a really hard time getting invested in this story. For me, there were too many instances of “really?” I admit there were some good nuggets of background on The Gray Man and there was more development of his character, but I just did enjoy this as much as the first two. On to the next one....more
3.5 stars (7/10) A nice debut thriller. I really enjoyed this. The characters kept pulling me along and kept me invested in the story. There were point3.5 stars (7/10) A nice debut thriller. I really enjoyed this. The characters kept pulling me along and kept me invested in the story. There were points where I could feel Vivian's desperation as she tried to save her kids. I would say the first 3/4 of this book were excellent. It fell down for me at the end. I'm not sure I buy the ending. But overall a solid debut. I would definitely read the next book by this author....more
This booked lives up to the hype. A very well-written psychological thriller. I found it to be a compulsive read. While I've grown weary of the "unrelThis booked lives up to the hype. A very well-written psychological thriller. I found it to be a compulsive read. While I've grown weary of the "unreliable narrator" device, this was well done. I thought the author presented Agoraphobia in a very realistic light. I could feel Anna's terror when she tries to go outside. And while I figured out part of the mystery, the ending was not exactly what I expected and therefore very satisfactory. I highly recommend this book....more
4.5/5 (rounded up to 5) Holy Cow! What a thrill ride! A skyjacked business jet, former child soldiers, missing nuclear material, pneumonic plague, a ma4.5/5 (rounded up to 5) Holy Cow! What a thrill ride! A skyjacked business jet, former child soldiers, missing nuclear material, pneumonic plague, a mafia capo and a super secret society started after WWII...what's not to love?!? Thea Paris is a very strong heroine who is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But, she kicks butt and takes names along the way. Without going in to the plot details, lets just say it's a little convoluted, but KJ brings it all together very nicely. There is a great cast of supporting characters. Not only do we get to know the Quantam team a little better (which I hope she continues to do), but she introduces some characters I hope we see in the future: Jabari and Ayan, the former Boko Harem child soldiers (total scene stealers!) and Prospero, the mafia capo. He could be a great foil in future books. Overall, I highly recommend this series....more
5 STARS Update: 2/9/2020 After reading the series from start to finish, this one makes so much more sense. It's so much more enjoyable after meeting eac5 STARS Update: 2/9/2020 After reading the series from start to finish, this one makes so much more sense. It's so much more enjoyable after meeting each of the members of Mitch's "misfit team" and how he's worked for/against them previously. I still really love this one and would read it again and again. I stand by my original review in that you can read this as a stand-alone, but it is so much richer if you've read the entire series.
Finally getting around to reading this! What a great book! It was a non-stop thrill ride. Mitch and his merry band of men (and women). I have not read all the other books in this series, but did not feel like it was necessary. I will, however go back and read them to get the back story on Mitch's encounters with each one. I highly recommend this book for all fans of Ben Coes, Brad Taylor and Brad Thor....more
This was a brutal, dark, terrifying and completely satisfying read. This a thriller in the absolute best sense of the word. Her characters--all of theThis was a brutal, dark, terrifying and completely satisfying read. This a thriller in the absolute best sense of the word. Her characters--all of them--are terrifyingly real. Her main detective is a young detective on her first homicide case...one that is a little too personal. The bad guy is really well envisioned. I'm not saying you will like him, but he is not a cardboard cut-out. Even the minor characters are well drawn and life-like. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I would give it 10 stars if GR allowed it. If you haven't read this yet...run out and get it ASAP!...more
Great start to a new series by Michael Connelly. Renee Ballard is a very different character than Harry Bosch. She's tough, resourceful and smart. SheGreat start to a new series by Michael Connelly. Renee Ballard is a very different character than Harry Bosch. She's tough, resourceful and smart. She's also a damn good investigator. I really enjoyed getting to know Renee. Her tenacity kept me reading long past bed time. She's a great addition to the Bosch World. I look forward to reading how Bosch and Ballard interact in the next book....more
I always feel bad when I don't like a book. But...I really couldn't care less about Iris and her search for what her husband may or may not have done.I always feel bad when I don't like a book. But...I really couldn't care less about Iris and her search for what her husband may or may not have done. I could not bring myself self to keep reading about her. The writing was not bad. I prefer to think that this book was just not for me....more
This was a very good thriller. At first, I had a hard time with whynthe laptop wasn't returned immediately...but where would the book be without that.This was a very good thriller. At first, I had a hard time with whynthe laptop wasn't returned immediately...but where would the book be without that. So I went with it. And couldn't.stop.listening! Joe Finder pulled me along and had me wanting to know how all of this would turn out. For the most part I thought the characterizations were good. I had a bit of a problem with Will, but not enough to turn me off. I liked Michael and his team, and even liked the Earle character. Overall an enjoyable thriller....more
Updated 10/4/2019: I have nothing more to add. This was a thrilling, harrowing adventure. Dewey’s car chase through Paris was especially nerve wrackinUpdated 10/4/2019: I have nothing more to add. This was a thrilling, harrowing adventure. Dewey’s car chase through Paris was especially nerve wracking as narrated on Audible. The narrator was a Fantastic! I found myself on the edge of my seat through the whole book. Definitely my favorite of the series...I know, I said that about First Strike, but I think this was even better. The revelations in this book put a huge spin on what we’ve thought about Dewey through the whole series.
Another high-octane, auctioned-packed thriller from one of my very favorite authors. Ben Coes does a magnificent job of creating a complex conspiracy involving the over-throwing of the US Government using our very constitutional rules governing succession. Ben Coes is a master of thrilling sequences. There is the trademark chase scene involving a Lamborghini Aventador through the streets of Paris that is only topped by a harrowing scene aboard a speeding train. In addition to the action sequences, there are some old friends and old enemies brought along to distract Dewey from his mission. There is also an amazing revaluation for Dewey. Overall, these keep getting better and better. I cannot wait for Bloody Sunday to be released in July...more
7/26/2020: My husband and I planned a cross-country road trip and The Gray Man on Audible was the perfect Companion. Jay Snyder is a wonderful narrato7/26/2020: My husband and I planned a cross-country road trip and The Gray Man on Audible was the perfect Companion. Jay Snyder is a wonderful narrator and really brought the story to life. A great way to pass the time in a long road trip.
WOW! That was a very fast-paced action-thriller. Court Gentry, also known as the Gray Man, is an absolute bad a$$! He is the perfect blend of Mitch Rapp, Dewey Andres and McGuyver(the original). While there were some flaws (this is the first book in the series), they are easily overlooked. I found this so compelling that I spent all extra moments reading a few pages...I just couldn't wait to see how Court was going to work it all out. The ending was a little scmaltzy, but it was perfect. I can't wait to pick up the next one!...more