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Title: Misery Loves Maggody

Author: Joan Hess

Narrator: C. J. Critt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Maggody Police Chief Arly Hanks is all shook up when she hears that her mother collapsed during a pilgrimage to Graceland and is in a Memphis hospital. Another member of the tour is pushed to her death from a hotel balcony. A prominent Maggody citizen stands accused of the murder. Arly's suspicious mind tells her to snap into action--it's now or never--before the touring residents of Maggody are returned to sender ... in a hearse.

Voicing the perfect amount of wit and satire along with the fast-paced dialog, narrator C.J. Critt gives listeners a real treat, as this mystery spins out of control and back again.

Members Reviews:

Funniest Yet!

A friend of mine turned me on to Joan Hess' Arly Hanks series some time ago and I was more than delighted to find a few of them here on Audible.com.

"Misery Loves Maggody" is one of the funniest Maggody books yet. I was laughing so hard the tears ran down my face. If you love some great humor with your mysteries, I highly recommend this book (series). Also, the narration by CJ Critt is superb!

Choppy and hard to follow.

Would you listen to another book narrated by C. J. Critt?

Not sure.

Was Misery Loves Maggody worth the listening time?

It wasn't a bad story but it did not flow at all which made it difficult to follow as well as frustrating at times.

Love the book. Not the reading.

My grandparents were from the south. My great uncle was from Arkansas. C.J. Critt is a well respected reader, but she makes all the characters in Maggody Arkansas sound like they're from Wisconsin! Its so jarring to hear southern phrasing with a Midwest accent that I can barely manage to listen, even though this is one of my favorite series.

Not much character development

This is my first exposure to the Maggody series. I knew it would be a light and humorous read, but the character development was full of negative stereotypes like the southern fundamentalist preacher and the collector of velvet Elvis portraits. The narrator seems to use a Wisconsin accent for some characters although I think the women are all from the south. It really hasn't held my attention either as a mystery or as humor.

Awful - horrible waste of time

What would have made Misery Loves Maggody better?

I never write reviews and hesitate to write only when I dislike something but this was truly awful. Uninteresting characters; horrible dialog; the story built around an event we can't care about, etc. I'm sorry there is a refund option.

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Title: Heat Lightning

Author: John Sandford

Narrator: Eric Conger

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

It's a hot, humid summer night in Minnesota, and Flowers is in bed with one of his ex-wives (the second one, if you're keeping count ) when the phone rings. It's Lucas Davenport. There's a body in Stillwater, two shots to the head, found near a veterans' memorial. And the victim has a lemon in his mouth, exactly like the body they found last week.

The more Flowers works the murders, the more convinced he is that someone's keeping a list, and that the list could have a lot more names on it. If only he could find out what connectsthem all...and then he does, and he's almost sorry he did. Because if it's true, then thiswhole thing leads down a lot more trails than he thought it did - and every one of them is booby-trapped.

Filled with the audacious plotting, rich characters, and brilliant suspense, this is Sandford writing at the topof his game.

Members Reviews:

Heat Lightning with Virgil Flowers

"That F*!#ing Flowers!" We've all heard that exclamation coming from Lucas Davenport, his boss Rosemarie Roux, and other working compatriots of Virgil Flowers over the years of John Sandford's novels, but we've never really known why. Now, we know! Virgil Flowers is brought forward in this Sandford book and is really given some character. The story line has lots of twists and turns-- CIA involvement in a 30-plus year Viet Nam War-era coverup that extends into a current-day Minnesota killing spree-- and like his boss Lucas Davenport in his Porsche, Virgil drives his old pickup truck through them all, getting shot at the whole time. Flowers is an amazing investigator-- a little crazy, perhaps, or maybe just "unconventional"-- but with an uncanny ability to figure out the "who dunit" of the crimes while on one of his well-known fishing trips. Muskie and Northern Pike fishing will never be the same... Virgil Flowers really comes out as a "fleshed-in" character-- more than just an honorable mention in a Lucas Davenport story. A great "listen"-- I loved it!

Virgil, Virgil, Virgil!

What made the experience of listening to Heat Lightning the most enjoyable?

John Sandford is great at description. His characters are real-bad habits and not always tightly wrapped! He makes you "see" an area that he clearly loves and he tells a good story. I like all of his books but especially the Virgil Flowers series! I love series with interesting characters that make you want to read more about them. You can't go wrong with a book by John Sandford.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not "edge of my seat" but certainly in it until the story was finished.

What about Eric Congers performance did you like?

Narrators can make or break a good audiobook. Eric is a very good narrator. He is perfect for this series and I enjoy the sound of his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, I can't say that. I just liked the whole thing which I think is more important.

Too much violence

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Less graphic description of torture before victims were killed.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Nothing by this author, that's for sure!

Did Eric Conger do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No, not at all.

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Title: Run For Your Life

Subtitle: Michael Bennett, Book 2

Author: James Patterson

Narrator: Bobby Cannavale, Dion Graham

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-18-08

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The Teacher has a meticulous and calculated plan. Cold-hearted and cunning, no one knows who he is or where he came from. Until now. Now it is time for everyone to learn his name as he teaches New York a lesson it will never forget.

Intent on exacting revenge and causing mass hysteria, he embarks on the worst killing spree the city has ever seen. The whole New York Police Department is tested to its limits, none more so than Detective Michael Bennett. As the Teacher leads him on a terrifying chase, Bennett follows in his tracks but just as he seems to be on the brink of a breakthrough, he is pulled deeper and deeper into an unfolding terror. The killer has one more victim in his sights and it brings Bennett's investigation frighteningly close to home.

Members Reviews:

yksi jännittävin kirja,mikä on tehty.

lue ja hyppää kirjan jättivään matkaan. jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee jee jee jee jee jee hee jee jee

Lost in the story

Although I have read a fair amount of James Patterson's books, this is the first time I have listened to one. I really enjoy the genre that James Patterson writes in, and he is a master of this one.

But listening takes it to another level. One gets so much more caught up in the scenario that its hard to break out of it and carry on with mundane tasks. The two narrators were excellent, and the voice of the serial killer was so creepy, that when I heard a similar voice on a documentary program the other evening, I changed channels !

I enjoyed the normality of Michael Bennett's life in contrast to the one he has to face in his day to day job, and will certainly continue with the series.

A well deserved 5 star rating on all counts

Run for your Life by far the best Pattersons

An excellent Patterson, well worth the listening, very entertaining, quite an enjoyable journey though the book with both the good and bad charaters.

Great storyline as always

Simply loved it, once I'd Started it I just had to finish. So much for sleeping

5 stars plus more...

Absolutely brilliant. Can't wait to read the next book. Thrilled to have found Michael Bennett...

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Title: The Death Collectors

Subtitle: Carson Ryder/Harry Nautilus #2

Author: Jack Kerley

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 69 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Fast-forward more than thirty years: A suspected prostitute is found murdered in a candlelit motel room, the first in a series of horrors suggesting Hexcamp's art remains alive and treacherous. Following a trail of beautiful - and profoundly disturbing - artwork, homicide detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus descend into the shocking world of the Death Collectors, people who spend vast sums to collect serial-killer memorabilia. As Ryder and Nautilus race to solve a thirty-year conspiracy, it becomes sadly evident that at the intersection of art and madness, death is beauty, tragedy a memento, and suffering suitable for framing.

Members Reviews:

Pass This One Up Quickly!

The Death Collectors by Jack Kerley is a very tedious whodunit. It is a story of sociopathic serial killers and those who collect the macabre memorabilia that they produce. I had to pinch myself often to stay awake as I listened to it. The characters were uninteresting and the plot was dull.

Wonderful

What a shame there are only two books by the wonderful storyteller available here in the US. Truly our loss.

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Title: The Cruise Connection

Subtitle: Bob Burns Investigates

Author: Peter Kerr

Narrator: James Bryce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-01-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Working undercover on a cruise liner bound for the Canary Islands, Bob and his two sidekicks have plenty to cope with. The discovery of a severed finger in a passenger's quiche lorraine sparks an investigation full of greed, guile, deceit and double-dealing.

Does the finger belong to an alleged man-overboard victim? Was the man-overboard victim pushed, or did he commit suicide? Is it all just a cleverly engineered insurance scam?

Critic Reviews:

"Peter Kerr writes with a combination of nice observation and gentle humour." (Sunday Times)

Members Reviews:

Cant Deal With The Sound Effects

ACH! Forget it. I started listening in 2008, got more than way though, and gave up because it was boring and I HATED the narration. I tried again now (Dec 2012) and I just cant go on. Im 38% done and I could not care less.

This might be the best story ever, but I will never know it because the narration is terrible. The strong Scottish accent of some of the characters is IMPOSSIBLE to understand.

But that pales in comparison to the DISGUSTING, REVOLTING noises going on during the narration. Wet, clicking, smacking, swallowing sounds it he actually eating??? Maybe sucking on a mint? Loose dentures?? Really its like hes talking with his mouth full - Its so distracting (gross) I just cant go on.

boring

Out of all the books I've gotten this is without question the worst plot. I kept on thinking that something was going to happen. It didn,t

The narrater who talks from his throat is mostly hard to understand. I't's too bad the author

wasted his time.

sorruory

Bore Excuse for Mystery Novel

I had to try very hard to even listen to this book. I struggled through the first 2 hours, then felt that perhaps there was some promise after all but soon fell back into struggling.

Characters are not well developed. Very difficult to understand character Ian for the 1st half of the book - in the second half you don't care whether you can understand him or not.

Also a lot of what I assume is Scottish lingo, a bit of it is cute, but most of it would not be understandable to Americans.

Trust me, you don't want to waste your money on this one.

couldn't finish

I think if I'd been a character in this book I'd have murdered the inspector's girl friend. If she said 'Kimo Sabi' one more time I'd have screamed.

I might have finished this a book by skipping some pages, but I couldn't labour on with it any further.

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Title: Terminal

Subtitle: A Burke Novel

Author: Andrew Vachss

Narrator: David Joe Wirth

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-11-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The one card he has to play is a small-time degenerate who paid for protection when they were in prison together. That professional bottom-feeder claims he personally buried the body of a 13-year-old girl who had been raped, tortured, and finally killed by three rich men more than 30 years ago - and that he's holding irrefutable proof. But such a complicated extortion scheme needs the hand of a specialist crew, so Burke is offered a piece of the action.

He and his outlaw family put together a lethal plan. If they can pull it off, Burke gets the two things he lives for: money and revenge. If they can't, "terminal" could prove to be more than just one man's diagnosis.

Members Reviews:

Perfect Author

First off, let me say - Andrew Vachss is incapable of writing an imperfect novel. He has long been my favorite author, though I'm just recently trying his material out on audiobook. As with any Vachss novel, you'll have to pay close attention to every single word. If you zone out here and there, it won't make sense later on. For this reason, I prefer his work in print - because it forces me to grab on to every word.

Great narrator, though, with a very interesting take on The Mole's voice. Not at all how I've heard that voice in my head for well over a decade and a half, but it kind of made sense once I heard his version. Very nice work on The Prof as well.

I would recommend this audiobook over Two Trains Running, primarily due to the narrator. He keeps you pulled in, and that will give you a good introduction to the pace and cadence of a Vachss novel.

Gritty, Hard Edged, Toxic, and a Wild Ride

Vachss's book Burke novels are always about the dark part of the streets with all its grime, shadows, smells, and bare reality that few novelists have the courage or knowledge to write about. It is a world full of greys and outside the radar. The novels are fun thriller/mysteries but made only for those that don't mind the dirt of reality served with thier thrills.

The one thing bad about all Burke books is that they never go in a straight line so it can be difficult to those with a bit of ADD. Vachss likes to constantly be going off on side stories, explanations, and background which makes it very difficult for me to read. The good news is that this is not as aggrivating when your are listening to the stories.

The reader for this series is excellent. All the Burke novels are highly recommended and unlike any other. If you like your vision to teach you something and see things in a new light (even if messes with how you want to see the world), not just take you on a ride then you can miss with anything at Audiobooks by Vachss.

What Romance Novels Are to Women...

...this might be to men. This was the first Burke novel I read/listened to (when I downloaded it I didn't realize it was Book 17). The highly unlikely scenarios throughout the story are fueled by uber-"manly" dialogue about time in the big house to prostitutes to cutting-edge (often destructive) spy technology. The story could have happened in half the time if it hadn't gone off on tangents, often charged with political opinion and conspiracy theories.

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Title: Mask Market

Subtitle: A Burke Novel

Author: Andrew Vachss

Narrator: David Joe Wirth

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-11-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Now he has to find her again - not only because she might be in danger, but also because he has to prove to himself that his rescue mission hadn't been financed by a predator who wanted his "property" returned. His search will force him to confront a new kind of human ugliness and, finally, to practice the survivalist triage that has marked - and cursed - his life since childhood. In Mask Market, Burke the outlaw investigator finds himself searching for the truth: not only about a girl named Beryl, but also about himself.

This is classic Burke: dark, dangerous, and galvanizing, from the opening scene to the explosive climax.

Members Reviews:

Tough, Raw, Exciting, and with a Great Ending

Vachss's book Burke novels are always about the dark part of the streets with all its grime, shadows, smells, and bare reality that few novelists have the courage or knowledge to write about. It is a world full of greys and outside the radar. The novels are fun thriller/mysteries but made only for those that don't mind the dirt of reality served with thier thrills.

The one thing bad about all Burke books is that they never go in a straight line so it can be difficult to those with a bit of ADD. Vachss likes to constantly be going off on side stories, explanations, and background which makes it very difficult for me to read. The good news is that this is not as aggrivating when your are listening to the stories.

The reader for this series is excellent. All the Burke novels are highly recommended and unlike any other. If you like your vision to teach you something and see things in a new light (even if messes with how you want to see the world), not just take you on a ride then you can miss with anything at Audiobooks by Vachss.

Great book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend all of Andrew Vachss' collection.

Any additional comments?

Being a HUGE fan of "Burke", I might be somewhat bias.

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Title: Swan Peak

Subtitle: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

Author: James Lee Burke

Narrator: Will Patton

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-08-08

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

But the serenity is soon shattered when two college students are found brutally murdered in the hills behind where the Robicheauxs and Purcell are staying. They quickly find themselves involved in a twisted and dangerous mystery involving a wealthy, vicious oil tycoon, his deformed brother and beautiful wife, a sexually deviant minister, an escaped con and former country-music star, and a vigilante Texas gunbull out for blood.

At the center of the storm is Clete, who cannot shake the feeling that he is being haunted by the ghosts from his past - namely Sally Dio, the mob boss he'd sabotaged and killed years before.

In this expertly drawn, gripping story, Burke deftly weaves intricate, engaging plotlines and original, compelling characters with his uniquely graceful prose. He transcends genre yet again in the latest thrilling addition to his New York Times best-selling series.

Members Reviews:

Swan Peakj

Typical of other James Lee Burke novels:

TOTALLY AWESOME! Fabulous prose, incredible villains, and spectacular insight on truly interesting folks! My favorite AUTHOR OF ALL TIME, Bar NONE!

Oh sigh!

If you like unrelenting death and murder and the contemplating of it - then this is your book.

I usually like Dave Robecheau but not in this book.

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Title: The Colour of Blood

Author: Declan Hughes

Narrator: Stanley Townsend

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Private Investigator Ed Loy is working on what looks like an open and shut case: the disappearance of dentist Shane Howard's daughter, Emily.

Little does Loy realise that this seemingly simple case will involve delving into the world of blackmail, organised crime, and the very murky secrets of the Howard family.

Locating Emily turns out to be only the beginning. Within hours, Emily's ex-boyfriend is found murdered, and Loy finds himself in a race against time to catch a killer.

Critic Reviews:

"Declan Hughes breathes new life into the private detective story." (Michael Connolly)

"The sharp writing and strong local color distinguish this novel from the common run of thrillers." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Horrible Job Reading the book

I like Declan Hughes and have read two other "Ed Loy" books in print and would highly recommend them. However, Townsend does a HORRIFIC job reading the books. His regular first person narration and the voice he does for the protagonist is fine, but every other character in the book has a bizarre, deep voice, that makes it sound as if the reader is making them out to be mentally disadvantaged in the retelling of some very bad joke. It ruins the audio version of the book. Read the print version instead.

Ok if you wan an Ireland based story

Lots of characters. Not sure all are refer as they can serve to push the limits of the listener.

Also not sure I like the narrator taking ion different voices.

Townsend rocks!

Great Irish detective noir. Credit to Hughes. But as somebody said "It's not about the bike stupid!".

Listen to this for the performance. Townsend could turn cornflake packet copy in to drama.

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Title: The Dream Stalker

Subtitle: Arapaho Indian Mysteries

Author: Margaret Coel

Narrator: Stephanie Brush

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-08-08

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 40 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

The Wind River Reservation agrees to a nuclear-waste storage site in exchange for jobs and millions in revenue. But murder points Vicky Holden and Father John toward a larger plot.

Investigate another

.

©1997 Margaret Coel; (P)2005 Books in Motion

Critic Reviews:

"Commendable plotting and characterization. A fine addition to a successful series." (Library Journal)

"Against a vivid landscape and accurate historical backdrop, Coel injects drama and surprise into every corner of her story." (Booklist

Members Reviews:

Don't Start Until You Have Time to Read the WHOLE Series ... because you won't be able to stop.

This book hooked me on the series and I'm now on book 10! I find the heroine a bit hard to take - so self contained and ready to believe the worst that I wonder why all the men in the book find her so attractive; also, she slams every door she touches which gets annoying (as do other characters: no one seems to simply close a door). She fumbles for her keys every time she reaches for them so whichever guy she's with has to open the door for her (I'd not thank any man for taking my keys to open my door). But, these annoyances aside, the stories are interesting, I really like the priest at the heart of the stories, and I generally like the people we meet, the elders and community members. If not for the annoying and repetitive slamming and key fumbling in every book so far, I'd probably rate them all as 5 star.

great read

I'm really beginning to like Margaret's stories. And interestingly I just noticed on the paper today that wind River the movie is out.

Great Mystery Series

While visiting South Dakota I came upon some of Margaret Coel's books and being a mystery lover as well as interested in the Native American tribes in this region I purchased a book and really loved it. I like the characters, the region, the culture and history and the fascinating story she tells and I look forward to reading more of the Wind River Reservation mysteries.

Five Stars

Bought for friend

Five Stars

Well written and a great story. One of her best.