Audible Book Review: A Borrowing of Bones, a Mercy Carr Mystery by Paula Munier

This is a good mystery with the plus of dogs.

A Borrowing of Bones
A Mercy Carr Mystery
By: Paula Munier
Narrated by: Kathleen McInerney

Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
Release date: 09-11-18
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Police Procedure, Search Dogs, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The first in a gripping new series by Paula Munier, A Borrowing of Bones is full of complex twists, introducing a wonderful new voice for mystery listeners and dog lovers alike.
Grief and guilt are the ghosts that haunt you when you survive what others do not....
After their last deployment, when she got shot, her fiancé, Martinez, got killed, and his bomb-sniffing dog, Elvis, got depressed, soldier Mercy Carr and Elvis were both sent home, her late lover’s last words ringing in her ears: “Take care of my partner.”
Together, the two former military police - one 29-year-old two-legged female with wounds deeper than skin and one handsome five-year-old four-legged Malinois with canine PTSD - march off their grief mile after mile in the beautiful remote Vermont wilderness.
Even on the Fourth of July weekend, when all of Northshire celebrates with fun and frolic and fireworks, it’s just another walk in the woods for Mercy and Elvis - until the dog alerts to explosives and they find a squalling baby abandoned near a shallow grave filled with what appear to be human bones.
US Game Warden Troy Warner and his search-and-rescue Newfoundland, Susie Bear, respond to Mercy’s 9-1-1 call, and the four must work together to track down a missing mother, solve a cold-case murder, and keep the citizens of Northshire safe on potentially the most incendiary Independence Day since the American Revolution.
It’s a call to action Mercy and Elvis cannot ignore, no matter what the cost.
©2018 Paula Munier (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Mercy was a military police investigator but was sent home after being wounded. Her fiancé, a dog handler, was killed and Mercy fought to take home his traumatized dog, Elvis, who suffers from PTSD. They have been keeping to themselves and taking long walks in the Vermont wilderness. On the July Fourth weekend they stumble upon a crying baby and a shallow grave.

US Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue dog Susie Bear, arrive in response to the 911 call. They begin to track the missing mother and Warner begins to investigate the cold case death. The local detective is antagonistic to both Warner and Mercy. He treats the Game Warden with disdain and wants them both away from his case.

Technically Mercy has no basis to continue involvement in the investigations, but she won’t back off, especially after the baby disappears from the hospital and the teen mother and baby show up at her home only to be scared off. Bit by bit the investigation by Warner and Mercy leads to a potential domestic terrorism threat that could cause community deaths. They are in a race against time and even the dogs are being threatened as a result of their persistent efforts.

I enjoyed these characters, their dogs and their interactions. The dogs quickly become friends and slowly Warner and Mercy develop a friendship. I felt there were some shortcomings of the book such as not treating the issue of PTSD seriously enough and the fact that Mercy kept pushing into the investigation with no authority. Still, I found the book entertaining and will be listening to more in the series. I recommend this to mystery, crime thriller fans who like search dogs.

Audio Notes: Kathleen McInerney delivers fitting energy but didn’t have strong voices, especially for the male characters. I think a stronger narrator might have added more. I am glad I got the audio version as it goes faster for me than reading.

Source: 8/28/2022 Audible August Credit. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free, Book 1, by S.E. Smith

This teen coming of age story ended up more entertaining than I initially expected.
Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free, Book 1
By: S. E. Smith
Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman

Series: Breaking Free, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 12-15-15
Publisher: S.E. Smith
Genre: Action and Adventure, Family, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
From S. E. Smith, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, comes this emotionally charged coming-of-age story filled with action, adventure, and suspense for listeners of all ages.
An act of defiance will either kill her or change her life forever.
Sixteen-year-old Makayla Summerlin enjoyed one thing in her crazy, messed-up existence: hanging with her friends at school. But her life is uprooted when she suddenly finds herself forced to live with a grandfather she barely remembers. One act of defiance will change her life forever. Having trouble adjusting to her new home, she sets sail in her grandfather's old sailboat. On a journey that will challenge everything she has ever believed about herself, Makayla must overcome her fears if she, and a surprising stowaway, are to survive.
©2015 S. E. Smith (P)2015 S. E. Smith

Review:
Sixteen-year-old Makayla has had to deal with a mother who would rather escape with drugs and a new boyfriend. Makayla finds refuge with a handful of friends at school. But she doesn’t want to tell even them how difficult her home life is. When her mother is in an accident, Makayla is forced to go live with her grandfather.

Her grandfather explains that her mother is in rehab, but Makayla isn’t happy and continues to try to get home to her mother. Grandfather begins to show Makayla how to care for an handle his sailboat, the Defiance. Makayla tries to resist falling for a young man who helps her grandfather, but, in spite of her efforts, her heart becomes engaged. Then she learns that the boy is leaving for college and that he will return with the snobby girl who has become Makayla’s nemesis at her new school.

Makayla decides to run. She loads food and supplies on the boat and heads out to sail home, from one side of Florida to the other. Makayla finds a surprise stoyaway on the boat and then has to face nature, as well as herself, as they struggle to get home safely.

This is definitely a story for teens and young adults. Although her parental situation was sad, I had some difficulty accepting Makayla’s attitude and poor choices. However, as the story progressed and she receives help from an unexpected friend, I enjoyed the friendship and developments of the story. The story does a good job addressing bullying and racial issues.

The survival story was a bit far-fetched but it worked for the fiction. I also liked the Florida settings and the boating details. (I grew up in Florida with close connection to power boats and occasional forays on sailboats.) I recommend this to teens and young adults, and also to fans of family issues and boats.

Audio Notes: Suzanne Elise Freeman does a fine job with the narration. Her tone is clear and smooth and portrays the emotions appropriately. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 7/19/2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet (“V”) goal.

Audio Book Review: Act of Mercy by Mandy M. Roth

This werewolf tale has a good story as well as high sexual level for those who enjoy that.

Act of Mercy
Written by Mandy M. Roth
Narrated by Mason Lloyd

Run Time 4h 53min
Release Date: May 8, 2014
Publisher: Raven Happy Hour, LLC
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Shifter, Romance, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
From NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Mandy M. Roth
Book One in the Immortal Ops Series World spin-off the PSI-Ops series.
Paranormal Shifter Military Special Ops Romance
Paranormal Security and Intelligence Operative Duke Marlow has a new mission: find, interrogate and possibly eliminate the target—Mercy Deluca. He knows looks can be deceiving, but it’s hard to believe the beautifully quirky woman running around in a superhero t-shirt is a viable threat. The little biomedical engineer quickly proves she is more than he bargained for and Intel has it all wrong—she’s not the enemy. Far from it. Intel also forgot to mention one vital piece of information—she’s Duke’s mate. And this immortal alpha werewolf doesn’t take kindly to her being in danger.
When Mercy accepted a position within Donavon Dynamics Corporation, she thought it was to help cure disease and to make a difference for mankind. She had no idea what her new career path truly entailed—monsters masquerading under the guise of scientific research. Unable to stomach the atrocities she’s uncovered, she reaches out through what she hopes is the proper channels, asking for help. Mercy gets more than she bargained for when a team of paranormal hotties show up on her doorstep ready to take down the Corporation. One, in particular, is able to get under her skin, both aggravating and exciting her in ways she can’t explain.

Review:
Duke is an immortal werewolf shifter serving as a Paranormal Security and Intelligence (PSI) Operative. He and his team are called in when there are dangerous and or delicate situations involving paranormal beings. The idea is to keep the shifter community under control and out of the public eye. The team has become family to Duke who has had to go below the radar many times to hide his generations of age. During his long life he has never found a mate and isn’t sure that favor will ever be his.

Grumbly Duke is writing reports, (with his two-finger typing), when he takes a call to the office by a woman seeking help. The conversation goes sideways as his sexually slanted snark ends up not helping the desperate caller whom he believes to be a prank.

A day or so later Duke’s team is called on to investigate and secure a biomedical facility that is believed to be kidnapping and torturing shifters to learn their DNA secrets and to develop a virus to disable their abilities. In addition to suspecting that one of their own is being held in the facility, the team has been instructed to interrogate, and terminate, if necessary, a key person involved at the research facility, Mercy Deluca.

Mercy is a beauty who is also a geeky whiz at computers and technology. She had no idea what Donovan Dynamics (the Corporation) was up to when she accepted a job with them. Now she knows their work is murderous and she is trying to save one man’s life and get herself out safely too. Mercy was raised in the foster care system and isn’t quick to trust strangers.

Although the PSI men don’t want to think the attractive woman is the enemy, they will do what is necessary. That is until Duke comes face to face with the woman and know for sure she is not only innocent, but also she is his mate and in trouble.

I really did enjoy the intensity, danger, and chemistry of the story. The team is full of Alpha males who engage in fun, if dirty-minded and base banter. There is a good dose of foul language which I wasn’t thrilled with. I was glad that the sexual contact was nicely handled although I think it would be described as “hot sex”. Still, the situation is romance so that makes a difference. I might get more in the series when I feel like this form of story. I recommend this to fans of shifter characters and steamy sex.

Audio Notes: Mason Lloyd does a good job delivering the base snark of the male shifters. He also manages the female characters. I wasn’t exactly pulled into the voice at first but, as the book progressed, I think he carried it well. I am glad I had this in audio.

Source: 4/24/2021 Chirp Deal $.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Spellsinger Dramatized Adaption by Alan Dean Foster

This is a fun fantasy listen.
Spellsinger [Dramatized Adaptation]
By Alan Dean Foster
Narrated by: Multi

Duration: 8 hours 1 minutes
Release date: 10-30-20
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Genres: Apocalyptic & Dystopian, Immersive & Radically Different, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Summary:
Snatched through a portal into a land of magic, a young musician must use a mysterious, multistring duar to rescue the world into which he has fallen before he can return to his own. Jonathan Thomas Meriweather is a typical college student, interested in girls, music, and an occasional taste of reefer. But when a journey through an interdimensional portal lands him in a world of talking animals and ominous sorcery, he finds he is on a very different trip indeed. Here, when he plays a strange instrument called a duar, peculiar things happen: powerful magic that may be the only way to stop a dark force that threatens his new world-and his old one. Reluctantly, he finds himself teaming up with a semi-senile turtle wizard; a thieving, backstabbing otter; and a bewildered Marxist dragon to rally an army for the war about to come. Spellsinger, the first in Alan Dean Foster's eight-book Spellsinger series, introduces a world of magic and mayhem, where animals are people and plunging ahead no matter what the consequences may be the only way to survive.

Review:
Jon is a serious college student who enjoys music, playing his own instruments, enjoying eyeing the girls, and occasionally enjoying a reefer. One evening he is pulled into an interdimensional portal to a world filled with talking animals and full of legal and illegal sorcery. Jon battles one of the first creatures he meets, an otter, and ends up being taken before a powerful wizard who is also a bit of a senile bumbler. The wizard, a turtle, had tried to call out another powerful sorcery but ended up with Jon who appears to have no sorcery skills…until he picks up a strange instrument and things happen.

Jon teams up with the turtle and the rascally otter who takes him into town to get decked out with clothes that will blend in and a weapon or two. After Jon sets off a riot in a bar, they escape to an outcasts camp. Once again, Jon stirs up trouble and now they escape again with a female warrior. They return to the wizard hoping that he has found a way to return Jon to his real world. That doesn’t exactly work.

Now the full team is traveling to seek support to fight the dark evil that the wizard knows is coming. Along the way, Jon’s singing conjures up a Marxist dragon who will help them only because Jon convinces him they are comrades.

I do enjoy a good graphic novel now and then. As the story started, I wasn’t sure but quickly I learned that this is surprisingly fun. I enjoyed the discovery of Jon’s skills, I loved the variety of characters and the support they give each other. The story does set up as a battle of good and evil with the evil insects reminding me of the Orc Army. I would be interested in listening to more and I recommend this to fans of fun fantasy.

Audio Notes: There is a large group of narrators that help to make this fun. I liked the narration but did find the background noise to be too loud and distracting sometimes.

Narrated By: Gregory Linington, Paul Reisman, Chris Genebach, Todd Scofield, David Jourdan, Rose Elizabeth Supan, Bradley Smith, Alyssa Wilmoth, Jeff Allin, Ren Kasey, Yasmin Tuazon, Andy Clemence, Scott Mccormick, Michael John Casey, Shanta Parasuraman, Ken Jackson, James Konicek, Michael Glenn, Mort Shelby, Terence Aselford, A Full Cast, Nanette Savard, Richard Rohan.

Source: 3/14/2021 Two for One Young Adult Credit Deal at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: The Road to Paradise A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett

This is nice Christian fiction with gentle romance and just a little suspense.
The Road to Paradise
A Vintage National Parks Novel
Written by Karen Barnett
Narrated by Ann Richardson

Run Time 10h 9min
Release Date: March 4, 2019
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Christian Romance, Christian Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
It’s 1927, and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in the unrivaled splendor of Mount Rainier’s long shadow. But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father’s death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and its crowd of visitors seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator’s daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.
When Margie’s former fiancé sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park’s pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?

Review:
In 1927 women didn’t have open career paths. They were expected to marry well and take care of the family. Margie, a senator’s daughter, is an idealist who is an avid naturalist. She is excited to get the chance to work alongside the park rangers at Mount Rainier, not knowing that her father has paid a significant contribution to the park.

Most of the rangers are very skeptical. Chief Ranger Ford took over his father’s job managing the park when his father died in a mountain climbing accident. Ford is filled with anger and bitterness. He doesn’t expect much from Margie and is reluctant to watch over her. As he begins to train her on basic survival in the woods, he is surprised when she brings distinct botanical knowledge and a unique skill of communication to the ranger team. Their friendship slowly grows.

Margie is happy with her progress but gets alarmed when her former fiancé shows up at the lodge. He exudes privilege and is proud, vain, and overbearing. He announces that he will develop the Paradise Inn and its park trails to include a tourist lodge and elite housing. And he also doesn’t want to let Margie go and is willing to threaten her father as well as the park. Margie and Ford are horrified, and it looks like Margie may have to compromise if she wants to save the natural lands. Margie accepts a challenge that will put her life in danger. As she and Ford come to a point of recognizing their feelings, their relationship is tested by the secrets that have been kept. Can they save the park and their relationship?

This is a sweet historical romance with a touch of suspense and danger. I enjoyed the characters and really liked the setting and history of the park rangers. I recommend this to fans of historical romance with a touch of mystery.

Audio Notes: Ann Richardson does a fair job with the narration. She doesn’t quite manage the male voices but she still delivers a decent performance. I did enjoy the audio as the story moves easier for me than a print or kindle reading.

Source: 9/5/2021 Chirp $2.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Elemental Thief by Rachel Morgan

I enjoyed the magic element but didn’t find this fantasy compelling me to the next book.
Elemental Thief
Written by Rachel Morgan
Narrated by Arielle Delisle

Series: Ridley Kayne Chronicles, Book 1
Run Time: 7hrs 46
Release date: 02-05-19
Publisher: Rachel Morgan
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
She’s a thief with forbidden magic. He’s the guy she just stole from. Now they’ll have to work together.
In a city where magic is outlawed, teenage thief Ridley uses her special powers to steal from the rich and give to those in need—until the night someone follows her home after a heist and ends up murdered outside her apartment. When her best friend is accused of the crime, Ridley is determined to prove his innocence.
But things get messy when the artifact Ridley stole turns out to contain secrets that could endanger many lives. Forced to team up with wealthy Archer—the guy she stole from—Ridley must hunt down the artifact before it winds up in deadly hands.
Which means following a trail into the hidden parts of the city …
… and hopefully not winding up dead.

Review:
Ridley knows that it is dangerous to use her magic skills, but she justifies it by ‘doing good’ – stealing from the rich to help the poor. Her latest assignment has her taking a particular statute from a rich family that she happens to know. She thinks she has completed her heist undetected but then she realizes someone is following her. She does some twists and turns to get home to her father and their antique shop. From her window she spots her pursuer in the alley but then witnesses his murder.

Initially, Archer, the rich young man she stole from, is accused and Ridley knows that he will wiggle out of the charges. She is surprised when Archer coerces her to help prove his innocence. They are both after the rich mayor’s son who is apparently willing to use magic for personal gain.

Ridley and Archer have an interesting childhood connection and they are both hiding secrets. I enjoyed how their relationship changed as they worked against each other and finally together. I also enjoyed their journey through a hidden community where Ridley had to use her unique magic skills.

There are interesting twists, good action, and pacing but the book does end with a cliffhanger and lots of unresolved issues. As I note these things I liked, I can’t pinpoint why the completion left me with an “okay” feeling rather than a “must read on” inclination. Ridley is a little immature in her behaviors which makes the character less engaging and Archer’s “Trust me, but I can’t tell you why” got to be a tiring refrain. These, plus the disappointment at the end may have caused my reaction. I still would recommend this to readers who enjoy paranormal fantasies, and I would recommend the Complete collection with all three books.

Audio Notes: Arielle Delisle provides a fitting narration. Her voice sounds like a young, emotionally struggling heroine. The male voices aren’t strong, but they are sufficiently distinct.

Source: 10/10/19 Chirp $.99 purchase. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Nomad, The Nomad Triology 1, by Matthew Mather

This apocalyptic, action story has interesting climate science elements.

Nomad
The Nomad Trilogy 1
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Series: The Nomad Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 11-04-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Something big is coming...big enough to destroy the entire solar system...and it's heading straight for Earth. That's what Dr. Ben Rollins, head of Harvard's exoplanet research team, is told by NASA after being dragged out of bed in the middle of the night. His first instinct is to call his daughter and wife, who are vacationing in Italy: Something is coming, he tells them, a hundred times the mass of our sun. We can't see it, we don't know what it is, but it's there. They're calling it Nomad, and it's coming fast. In just a few months, the Earth may be destroyed.
The world erupts into chaos as the end approaches - and Ben discovers that his wife and daughter are trapped in Italy. The key to humanity's survival may rest in the final answers he pieces together in the midst of his frantic scramble to find his family before Nomad swallows the planet.
©2015 Matthew Mather (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
As a young scientist, Dr. Ben Rollins provided research predicting a collision in space. That research paper was declined for publication many years ago. Now Earth is facing a catastrophic solar event which is being hidden from the public even as it will soon be in position to be seen by amateurs. Nomad, as the event is called, doesn’t have to collide with Earth to cause a terrible impact. Instead, it has enough draw to pull planets out of orbit. There will be cataclysmic global warming, volcanic activity, tsunamis, and more extreme conditions that will remove society infrastructure as well as causing immediate deaths.

Ben is picked up by government/scientific authorities. He apparently has the only records that would help pinpoint the origin and trajectory of Nomad. He tries to have his family, ex-wife, Celeste, and daughter, Jessica, fly to meet him but they get trapped in Italy when the climate reactions begin.

Jessica and Celeste were touring a castle (“castello”) in Chantilly, Italy. Jessica is an expert extreme climber in spite of having a prosthetic leg. She captures the eye of the owner of the castle which provides her a place to seek refuge after getting mugged in Rome.

The pacing was good and I enjoyed the action moving the story along. The scientific descriptions of the events and consequences made this interesting. On the other hand, I wasn’t particularly drawn to the characters with their poor decisions. It is an interesting post-apocalyptic and I expect I may pick up more in the series sometime in the future.

Audio Notes: Keith Szarabajka did a good job with the various voices, including acceptable accents (a least to my untrained ear). I am glad that I had this title to listen to.

Source: June 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Tattered Loyalties by Carrie Ann Ryan

I enjoyed the shifter story but the romance is a bit spicier than I like.
Tattered Loyalties
Written by Carrie Ann Ryan
Narrated by Gregory Salinas

Series: Redwood Pack, Book 9, Talon Pack, Book 1
Run Time 7h 13min
Release Date: March 4, 2015
Publisher: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Shifter, Wolves
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
When the great war between the Redwoods and the Centrals occurred three decades ago, the Talon Pack risked their lives for the side of good. After tragedy struck, Gideon Brentwood became the Alpha of the Talons. But the Pack’s stability is threatened, and he’s forced to take a mate—only the one fate puts in his path is the woman he shouldn’t want.
Though the daughter of the Redwood Pack’s Beta, Brie Jamenson has known peace for most of her life. When she finds the man who could be her mate, she’s shocked to discover Gideon is the Alpha wolf of the Talon Pack. As a submissive, her strength lies in her heart, not her claws. But if her new Pack disagrees or disapproves, the consequences could be fatal.
As the worlds Brie and Gideon have always known begin to shift, they must face their challenges together in order to help their Pack and seal their bond. But when the Pack is threatened from the inside, Gideon doesn’t know who he can trust and Brie’s life could be forfeit in the crossfire. It will take the strength of an Alpha and the courage of his mate to realize where true loyalties lie.

Review:
Brie, daughter of the Redwood Beta, is a submissive wolf who has a special ability to give comfort and care to her packmates, whether in trauma or conflict. Brie saw Gideon when she was just a teen and suspected that he was her wolf mate. But she didn’t feel worthy or strong enough to become the mate of such a strong wolf who is now the Alpha of the Talon pack.

Gideon is struggling with tensions in his pack and some disgruntled members. When he meets Brie in a negotiation meeting, he is stunned to discover she is his fated mate. Although not everyone in his pack likes the idea, Gideon chooses to mate with Brie and secure a favorable relationship between their packs. In addition to disapproving members, Gideon doesn’t realize that he is about to face an enemy from the past waiting for a chance to take over the pack through brutality, threats, and tyranny.

I enjoyed the plot of the wolf threat and I liked Brie and Gideon as characters learning to be a couple. I found the sex a little too heavy for my tastes but otherwise I liked the story. I would recommend this to shifter fans who enjoy sexier romance.

Audio Notes: Gregory Salinas does a nice job with the narration. He provided distinct voices and appropriate emotions. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: January 2021 Chirp Purchase $0.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906 by Gail Langer Karwoski

This is an easy listen and would be good for school children..
Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906
By: Gail Langer Karwoski
Narrated by: Terry Bregy

Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins
Release date: 04-08-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Graders
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Buildings were weaving in and out, the street pitched like a stormy sea and bricks were raining down all around him.... Experience first hand through young Jacob what it was like living through this country’s most destructive earthquake!
©2006 Gail Langer Karwoski (P)2011 Audio Bookshelf

Review:
Jacob is a young Jewish boy of 13 (he celebrated Bar Mitzvah his last birthday) living in San Francisco in the early 1900s. His father runs a meat stand and Jacob helps by delivering the orders through out the town. One of his stops is to deliver meat to his Uncle Avram who runs a produce market. While making the delivery, Jacob, discovers he is being followed by a small dog. Uncle Avram encourages Jacob to take the dog home since Avram’s wife won’t let him take the dog in since they have an infant to care for. But Jacob suspects his father will not allow him to keep the dog. His father, his little sister, Sophie, and Jacob have been struggling since his mother died during the past year. There is little happiness in the house as father and children suffer with grief.

The next morning Jacob leaves early to take the dog away as his father has insisted. Along the way to Uncle’s home the dog gets skittish and soon is pushing Jacob away as a wall is shaken down by an earthquake. Jacob and the dog, later named Quake, dodge through panicked crowds and falling buildings until they are lost. As Jacob tries to head home, Quake takes him to a cluttered hole in the ground where they rescue a young Chinese boy, San. The two boys and dog set off to try to find their families.

Jacob and San end up first in Union Square and later in Golden Gate Park searching desperately for their families. There are frightening rumors that the quake has damaged many other states and at first, they think no help will come. Along the way of their search, San faces racial discrimination and bullying but the boys also find a temporary tent home with a young Irish family who helps them.

The story is an easy read and does a good job describing the setting of 1906 San Francisco and the various class (wealth) separations and immigrant communities. The young boys and dog will help to keep children interested. I think this would be a good book for middle graders to learn about the time, the event and the negative aspects of racism. I recommend this to families to read or listen together.

Audio Notes: Terry Bregy does a nice job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and accents for the immigrant characters. I was glad to have this as a free audio.

Source: 6/10/2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 3) Code of Honor by Jay J. Falconer

This series’ episode fits the bill for a quick action title.
Bunker (Book 3) Code of Honor
Written by Jay J. Falconer
Read by Gary Tiedemann

Run Time 5h 50min
Release Date: May 29, 2017
Publisher: BookBreeze.com
Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

A Warrior Lives for Peace. Sometimes All He Finds is War.
When the perpetrators finally reveal themselves, Jack Bunker finds himself the target of a deadly manhunt. He’s all that stands between them and complete control.
Yet mortars, artillery, and machine guns are not the only threats Bunker must face.
News of an airborne pathogen spreads panic across the countryside, leaving everyone to fend for themselves, including Bunker after he’s wounded.
Eventually the citizens of Clearwater must make an impossible decision: resist with their lives or serve on their knees.
>>> From award-winning, bestselling author, Jay J. Falconer, comes another heart-pounding, post-apocalyptic saga you won’t be able to put down. If you love high-intensity thrillers, this book was written just for you.

Review:
Jack Bunker was able to escape with Deputy Daisy from a gang of military mercenaries. But soon find themselves facing Russian enemies. Jack sends Daisy back to town to warn the mayor and others there. Then Jack finds himself running for his life after being spotted.

Jack isn’t the only one the Russians are chasing. Apparently, their real reason for being in Clearwater is to find the man who stole a deadly weapon. That man is on the run with a daughter returning to her home.

Back in town, the community is excited to welcome FEMA trucks and supplies when they roll into town. Although the ‘rescuers’ are manned by a foreign team, the mayor and citizens agree to line up for a special vaccination they are told is to protect them against radiation from the potential threat of a damaged nuclear site miles away.

Soon all injured parties are converging on the home of the local prepper, who is now dead. There is a delayed challenge between some of the primary characters before the straggling group recognize that they need to pull together if they want to protect themselves and help their community from the Russian threat and the unknown, but suspected, threat posed by the ‘FEMA’ group.

I enjoyed this quick listen. I still disapprove of some of the shallow jealousy of one character in particular, although that may have been resolved in this book. I still like how Bunker takes the blows and keeps pushing back. I will be continuing with the next two books which I already own.

Audio Notes: Once again, Gary Tiedemann does a fine job providing distinct voices and appropriate energy that fits the story. I am glad that I can listen to this series.

Source: 10/2/2021 Chirp Purchase $1.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 1) Born to Fight by Jay J. Falconer - 4.0.
Audio Book Review: Bunker (Book 2) Dogs of War by Jay J. Falconer - 3.75.

Audible Book Review: Zombies A Record of the Year of Infection by Don Roff

This journal style was interesting but less action than some might like.

Zombies
A Record of the Year of Infection
By: Don Roff
Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

Length: 1 hr and 40 mins
Publisher: AudioGO
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The year is 2011, and what starts as a pervasive and inexplicable illness ends up as a zombie infestation that devastates the world's population. Taking the form of a biologist's journal found in the aftermath of the attack, this pulse-pounding, suspenseful tale of zombie apocalypse follows the narrator as he flees from city to countryside and heads north to Canada, where he hopes the undead will be slowed by the colder climate. Encountering scattered humans and scores of the infected along the way, he fills his notebook with descriptions and careful observations of zombie behavior, along with terrifying tales of survival.
This frightening contribution to the massively popular zombie resurgence will keep fans on the edge of their seats right up to the very end. ©2009 Don Roff (P)2012 AudioGO

Review:
As soon as a new illness begins to ravage the population, Dr. Robert Twombly, begins to journal the symptoms and progress of the decease. He dictates his findings noting that he and his colleagues soon realize the illness moves quickly into a zombie infestation. They lock up one doctor who is infected and Twombly (and the audio listener) can hear that co-worker banging on the door in the background.

Twombly and another healthy man plot an escape from the building when it is threatened by a mob of the undead. The doctor, and people he meets along the way, continue to hide and flee from the death behind him. Although he hears of a safe place further north, Twombly decides to locate and investigate a food facility which is believed to have started the illness.

Ultimately Twombly travels further north since reports are that the zombies can’t function in cold weather. He reaches a community that has not had any experience with the infected. Will they be safe?

Because this is presented as journal entries it lacks the intensity of live action and danger that some readers might want with their zombie story. I enjoyed the style for its uniqueness and quick presentation. It appears the print (and kindle) versions have some good drawings that enhance the journal style reading. Zombie reading fans who aren’t audio buffs might want to try the print versions.

Audio Notes: I found that the - sometimes rough - narration provided by Stephen R. Thorne fit the journal style of the story. I enjoyed the quick audio reading opportunity.

Source: October 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice

I enjoyed this coming of age with magic story.

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Narrated By: Wayne Farrell

Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Genre: Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

In the #1 Bestseller A QUEST OF HEROES, Thorgrin, a special 14- year old boy, the least loved of his father, learns he has powers he does not understand. An outsider, he must fight for acceptance as he strives to become a warrior, to join the King’s Legion, and as he falls in love with the king’s 16- year old daughter. Most of all, he must learn who he really is, and why his destiny is so important.

Review:
Thorgrin is frustrated when his father refuses to let him go with his elder brothers to have a chance at being picked to be trained as a warrior in the King’s Legion. He goes forward anyway and is mocked as too young and too small. When he runs to the forest in anger he comes upon a strange man in a clearing. Thorgrin is shocked to find himself face to face with the King’s own Mage advisor. And the man brings to Thorgrin’s attention that he has special powers that he needs to learn to use.

Thorgrin kills a wild beast in a remarkable way with his newly emerging skills. Bolstered by this success, Thorgrin makes his way to the King’s city to force his way into the Legion. He faces opposition but manages to convince a handful of influential warriors to take him on. Thorgrin finds favor with the King and several of the royal children, including the Princess. But the King has enemies, even in his own household and not everyone likes Thorgrin and his interference. Thorgrin tries to warn the King of an assassination attempt but the warning goes awry.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am not always into coming-of-age stories, but I totally enjoyed this one with its touch of magic Thorgrin is brave and means well even in his foolish impulsivity and naivety which made me roll my eyes. The theme of farmer boy making it good in the King’s forces isn’t new but it has a certain charm in this book. Further, although the characters are not greatly developed, there is a good mix of good guys and grades of bad to evil guys. I enjoyed the action and the bits of humor. This ends with a cliff hanger so part of me wants to get the next book to see what happens next. No big rush on this. Readers who enjoy magic and don’t stress on writing form may well enjoy this story.

Audio Notes: Wayne Farrell does a fair job for the work. He actually helps to deliver Thorgin’s youthful emotions. I am glad that I got to listen to this on audio.

Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1 By: Neal Asher

This is creative military space opera.
Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1
By: Neal Asher
Narrated by: David Marantz

Series: Polity, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 10-22-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Alien, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Neal Asher takes on first contact, Polity style. This original novel recounts the first contact between the aggressive Prador aliens, and the Polity Collective as it is forced to retool its society to a war footing. The overwhelming brute force of the Prador dreadnaughts causes several worlds and space stations to be overrun.
Prador Moon follows the initial Polity defeats, to the first draws, and culminates in what might be the first Polity victory, told from the point of view of two unlikely heroes.
©2006 Neal Asher (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
The Polity is the Earths’s societal government entity that is led by AI with humans often integrated. Polity has been in space but over many years only found one other intelligent species. Now they have met another – the Prador.

The Prador are a species comfortable on land and in the sea. They resemble standing shrimp with a hard carapace and crab claws. They have technologically advance ships that appear to be undefinable as they proceed to annihilate worlds. The creatures themselves are led by Captains who breed children who are the soldiers. Only the best of the young live to become Seconds or Firsts and the Captain will kill and sometimes devour those who don’t make the grade.

Vortex is a First Child of Captain Immanence. When he leads a party of Prador to a meeting with the Polity he has no intent of friendship. Instead, he and his smaller soldiers attack the human and partially human hosts leaving a bloody room.

Jebel is a Polity, enhanced-human soldier who has been fixed with AI technology and parts. He suffers under the initial attack of Vortex, but lives to face the enemy again.

Moria is a brilliant scientist, technician, who has been promoted to a level beyond her capability to understand the gate technology she is tasked to study. The only way to manage is to accept augmentation in the form of AI nano tech inserted to connect with her own brain synapses. After surviving the aug installation, Moria begins to advance in her understanding to a point where she is able to comprehend the gate technology that will allow new leaps in space travel. Can she use her new knowledge to help stop the Prador?

Captain John Varence remembers vaguely when he was once only human, now he is mostly AI on (or part of) the ship Occam Razor. They have been in stasis for years but now awaken to the call of danger. They are ready to fight the Prador and make the first successful blow against the impenetrable Prador ships. But they can’t fight the enemy alone.

These three characters and their comrades must find a way to work together if they want to keep the Prador from taking out another Polity world.

This book jumps quickly into an alien bloody attack. There is plenty of action that moves the story along. The Polity characters are interesting although shallowly developed. On the other hand, Asher gives more depth to the Prador species. The world building is creative. There is some political commentary twisted into the story but that can be overlooked if the reader chooses.

The story is entertaining but did not pull me into committing to the Polity world of space sci fi. I will probably get another Asher title at some point, but I am not rushing. Space Opera fans should check out other reviews and consider reading/listening to this title.

Audio Notes: The narration by David Marantz is mixed. At times I thought Marantz was doing a good job delivering the energy with the underlying excitement and humor of the text. Other times I cringed at the mispronunciation of terms. Still, I am glad I had the chance to listen to this audio from the Plus Catalog.

Source: July 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Book Review: Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6) by M.L. Buchman

I really like the unique characters and situations in this story.
Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6)
by M.L. Buchman

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QSPWHL2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Buchman Bookworks, Inc. (March 23, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 23, 2021
File size ‏ : ‎ 1500 KB
Genre: Political Fiction, Suspense, Technothriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

When the fastest and most powerful helicopters in the US Army’s fleet start falling out of the sky, Miranda Chase and her team of NTSB crash investigators are called in.
One crash leads to another and they are fast entangled in a Chinese conspiracy to start a war. Only Miranda’s team can stop the trade war from becoming a real one.

Review:
Miranda Chase is a genius with autism. She navigates life in a unique and detailed fashion. Each member of her team – Mike, Holly, Andi, Jon and Jeremy – has their own unique foibles and skills which allow them all to work together, protecting each other and successfully completing each mission or job. Jeremy had recently had a quick and traumatic romance, watching his one-night love interest crash to her death.

Taz (aka Vicki) was sure she would be sent to military prison, so she faked her death. She has been working extreme jobs, now firefighting, and learning to live on her own for the first time in her life. She is alarmed when Jeremy appears in her world to investigate a Chinook helicopter crash near the latest wildfire. Instead of getting turned in, Taz is surprised that Jeremy and the team allow her to come along with their fast-paced investigation.

While Jeremy and Taz try to figure out where their ‘relationship’ might go, a Chinese leader is manipulating events in the background. This results in another Chinook helicopter crash right in front of the team.

This is the first book I have read in the series which means I was not familiar with the main characters. However, I was able to follow and enjoy the characters as I met them. There is a good mix of intrigue, emotional drama, and action that kept me interested. I have enjoyed other books by this author who does a good job delivering romance as well as suspense. I recommend the author and this series for clear intrigue and action.

Source: March 2021 from Author (through BookFunnel). This qualifies for my 2022TBR and 2022eBook goals.

Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather

This got a little long and dreary but I was satisfied when it ended.
Polar Vortex
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 04-02-19
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A routine commercial flight disappears over the North Pole. No wreckage. No transponder signals.
Mitch Matthews is writer struggling to make ends meet when his wife's brother offers them a first-class seat on a flight from Hong Kong to New York. When his wife needs to stay behind, it becomes an opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time with his five-year-old Lilly. At check-in, they run into a strange Norwegian arguing with a huge Russian. A mysterious redhead is guarding a package in the business lounge. But everything is fine...right up until the event.
Within hours of Allied Airlines 695 disappearing, a massive international search is launched. Aircraft and ships are dispatched from Russia, America, Canada, and Norway. How can a modern airliner simply vanish in one of the most heavily monitored places on Earth?
Global tensions rise. The media and grieving families whip into a frenzy. The armed forces of America and Russia tip the world toward the brink of an apocalyptic war.
Weeks later, found on the ice in a chance discovery, the journal of Mitch Matthews reveals the incredible truth behind the disappearance of Allied 695, and what really happened in the Polar Vortex.
©2019 Matthew Mather (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Review:
Mitch Matthews leaves his wife in Hong Kong while he takes a flight with their five-year old daughter, Lily, to return to their home in New York. The flight pilot is his wife’s brother, who is known to have a drinking problem and possible anger issues regarding Mitch. As a struggling writer, Mitch journals his observations of other passengers, his surroundings, and the events that occur.

Mitch’s brother-in-law allows Mitch and Lilly the rare opportunity to visit in the pilot’s cabin. They learn a little about the plane and its route before the rotation of crew has them returning to their seats. They fall asleep and wake to find the plane has crashed on the ice of the north pole.

A handful of passengers, including several dubious characters, must work together to try to survive the hostile environment. This is more edgy as there are suspicions of sabotage that brought the plane down and has inhibited the ability to communicate the location of the crash. Several conspiracy theories abound.

There was a lot in the story that was a stretch to believe and the dreariness of the situation made it almost unpleasant to continue. However, I enjoyed the mystery and the unfolding of the final scenes. I did guess the important passenger although not the reason for the attack. I also like the use of the journal entries being used by the searchers to find the plane and determine the cause of the crash. I would recommend this story to fans of adventure (willing to stretch) and mystery stories.

Audio Notes: Tom Taylorson is a new narrator to me. I enjoyed the distinct voices as well as the tone that fit the narrative style of the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 11/30/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger

This is a dark, rather depressing, but ultimately intriguing listen.
Let Her Be: Hush Collection
By: Lisa Unger
Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla

Series: Hush Collection
Length: 2 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-30-20
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A writer’s misguided suspicions ruined his life once before. This time he plans to prove he’s right in a New York Times bestselling author’s haunting short story of what happens when seeing is not believing.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
©2020 Lisa Unger. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
The story opens with Will describing his depression and attempted suicide. He was upset by the apparent rejection and abandonment by his ex-girlfriend. Her social media posts would make it seem she is enjoying a simpler lifestyle in seclusion with her new boyfriend. Will is obsessed with her and begins to think that the blog posts are faked. One of his ex’s best friends is trying to help Will work past his obsession and depression. She begins to believe there may be something in his suspicions and she travels with Will to investigate a location they think has appeared in the posts.

The best friend has long had a crush on Will. But her interest in him may put her in danger she doesn’t suspect as the web of deception gets more clouded.

I was a little bit uncomfortable with the negative emotions…but perhaps that is the author’s intent and a sign of successful story telling. I did appreciate the twist revealed in the end. To that point, I recommend this quick listen to fans of dark, phycological stories.

Audio Notes: Chris Andrew Ciulla seemed to provide spot on narration. The tone fit the dark nature of the primary character and the female voices worked as well. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Zero Tolerance by Jonathan Maberry

A quick listen and more ‘worse than a zombie’ action in this gritty series.

Zero Tolerance
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Joe Ledger, Book 1.1
Length: 44 mins
Release date: 07-14-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Horror, Suspense, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
This sequel to Patient Zero brings Joe Ledger back into action.
Zero Tolerance picks up a few weeks after the close of Maberry’s action-thriller Patient Zero. Dropping back into the world of former Baltimore cop Joe Ledger, the Department of Military Sciences, and flesh-eating zombies, fans of the series will finally see the tying up of a few loose ends.
©2010 Jonathan Maberry (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Joe Ledger and his team have to stay ready to fight the new monsters that have been unleashed – flesh-eating and aware zombies. Intelligence has determined that the first encounter and capture was only one of a pair of monsters created to take infect and destroy the ‘infidels’. A report comes in from a team in combat that they have found evidence of more monsters. Ledger and his team are flown onsite to investigate and, more importantly, eliminate the threat.

After finding a buried science lab one of his teams goes silent and Ledge suspects they have found what they are looking for. He leads his remaining team into the trouble and they find more than they quiet expected, especially considering the involvement of military men.

This is another quick story full of action, swearing and violence. I wouldn’t want to listen to a steady stream of this, but it is the nature of the series. I happen to like military action and don’t mind the gory parts. I have to overlook the language as best I can. So far, I have read two novellas in the series and there are more that are free through Audible Plus. I have to decide if I want the first full book which is 14 hours. Different readers will either want to read more or find something that suits them better. I will continue with the novellas for now.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is an excellent narrator and helps to carry the grit of the story. I am more than happy to enjoy Porter’s narration so that adds to my wanting to listen.

Source: December 2021 free on Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry   My Rating 4.25

Audio Book Review: Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman

I did enjoy this PI mystery.

Gone to Dust
Author Matt Goldman
Narrator: MacLeod Andrews

Series: The Nils Shapiro Series, Book 1
Duration: 7 h 24 min
Release date: 08-15-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Detective Stories, Mystery, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Set in Minnesota, Gone to Dust is the debut private-eye murder mystery from Emmy Award-winning Seinfeld writer Matt Goldman.
A brutal crime. The ultimate cover-up. How do you solve a murder with no useable evidence?
Private detective Nils Shapiro is focused on forgetting his ex-wife and keeping warm during another Minneapolis winter when a former colleague, neighboring Edina Police Detective Anders Ellegaard, calls with the impossible.
Suburban divorcee Maggie Somerville was found murdered in her bedroom, her body covered with the dust from hundreds of emptied vacuum cleaner bags, all potential DNA evidence obscured by the calculating killer.
Digging into Maggie's cell-phone records, Nils finds that the most frequently called number belongs to a mysterious young woman whose true identity could shatter the Somerville family-but could she be guilty of murder?
After the FBI demands that Nils drop the case, Nils and Ellegaard are forced to take their investigation underground, where the case grows as murky as the contents of the vacuum cleaner bags. Is this a strange case of domestic violence or something with far-reaching, sinister implications?

Review:
Nils Shapiro is a private detective who has had some success in solving cases, often involving domestic surveillance. A former colleague who is a nearby Police Detective convinces his chief to hire Nils to help with a puzzling murder. Nils gets to walk through the crime scene early to inspect the woman who was murdered on her bed. The house and bedroom are covered with dust from emptied vacuum cleaner bags creating a forensic nightmare as it obscures the DNA of the true murderer. The first thing Nils notes is that this probably indicates a killer whose DNA is in the system, and it indicates a well-planned murder. There was no evidence of struggling so it appears that the killer was known to the killer. This leads to an ex-husband and a current lover as prime suspects. Then phone records lead to a mysterious female that adds a whole new aspect to the case.

As Nils investigates the primary suspects, he runs afoul of an FBI investigation and is told to back off. But Nils is too far in to back off. He and his friend continue to pursue clues, hoping to flush out the killer. Soon another man ends up dead and all leads point to him as the killer. But Nils doesn’t think so. He is pretty sure that someone has been manipulating the direction of the clues. Soon Nils isn’t sure which suspect is really the killer, but he won’t stop until he finds out.

I initially had mixed feelings about the main character, as I wasn’t crazy about the brash and sometimes base nature of Nils’ character. However, I was pulled in by the mystery and definitely appreciated Nils’ perseverance and attention to detail. The foul language and some sexual side comments were not to my liking. I did enjoy most of the description that flushed the story although there is a little extra minutiae in the daily activity. Still, the mystery with several red herrings and twists made this an engaging listen. The next several books in the series were also included in Audible plus so I will look forward to listening to another. I recommend this to PI mystery fans.

Audio Notes: MacLeod Andrews does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and a fitting, low-key, determined atmosphere.

Source: I won this at Beth Fish Reads with a set of titles from Audiobooks.com during Audiobook Week July 2018. I also have it on Audible as it is part of the Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Chaos Rising, Edge of Collapse, Book 0.5, by Kyla Stone

This is a quick intro to a post-apocalyptic series.
Chaos Rising
An Edge of Collapse Prequel
By: Kyla Stone
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Series: Edge of Collapse, Book 0.5
Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 12-31-19
Publisher: Paper Moon Press
Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
In a heartbeat, everything grinds to a halt. On Christmas Eve, the lights go out. Vehicles stop working. Communications break down. Reclusive former soldier Liam Coleman doesn't want to be anywhere near bustling downtown Chicago the day before Christmas. But his twin brother and his pregnant sister-in-law need him.
But mere minutes after leaving O'Hare, their car crashes, along with hundreds of other vehicles. When Liam's phone stops working, he begins to suspect something more sinister than a local power outage. But before he can react, the first plane falls from the sky.
When a super EMP takes down the nation's power grid, Liam knows it's time to bug out. He's prepared, but he never expected to be caught in the middle of Chicago as chaos erupts. With society collapsing before his very eyes, Liam will have to risk more than he ever thought possible to protect the ones he loves if it's not already too late.
Chaos Rising is a riveting post-apocalyptic EMP survival thriller set in the Edge of Collapse universe, a brand new series from best-selling author Kyla Stone. Perfect for fans of Jack Hunt, T.L. Payne, and Ryan Schow.
©2019 Kyla Stone (P)2019 Kyla Stone

Review:
Liam is a former soldier arriving in Chicago to share Christmas with his twin brother, Lincoln, and his very pregnant sister-in-law, Jessa. It is just a bit difficult due to the history of their meeting. That may be the emotional difficulty, but the real-life problem hits everyone in the form of an unexpected power loss. Not just any loss, but disastrous damage from an EMP strike that sends planes crashing into the city.

Many are injured from the first plane crash and the people in the street panic. Lincoln, also a former soldier, freezes in trauma. As the masses run to get away from the next plummeting plane, Liam has to make unimaginable choices. How can Liam rescue Lincoln if he has to rush Jessa to a hospital? Can he save the ones he loves while struggling to get out of the chaos that surrounds them?

This was a short introduction to the series. The writing is clear if not compelling to me. I liked Liam as a character and felt for the hard decisions he has to make. However, I questioned the actions at the end of the book as not fully taking into account the power loss and that dampened my enthusiasm for the rest of the series.  Fans of Post-Apocalyptic may wish to check this introductory book.

Audio Notes: Stacey Glemboski does a good job with the narration. She provides proper emotion and distinct voices. I enjoyed the audio.

Source: 6/18/2021 $5.95 Audible Purchase. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Eternal Frontier by Anthony J. Melchiorri

This is full of action with one fight and miraculous escape after another.

Eternal Frontier
By: Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bradford Hastings

Series: Eternal Frontier, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 04-18-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Adventure, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Humanity has avoided interstellar war for centuries.
It was a time of peace, prosperity, and exploration. But when an unexpected attack cripples a scientific vessel, the SRES Argo, it appears that time has come to an end.
Chief Medical Officer Tag Brewer is the ship's only survivor. He is alone in the far reaches of space. To survive, he must restore and protect the downed vessel from its unknown attackers on a planet as deadly as it is mysterious. He vows to do everything in his power to seek justice for his fallen crew.
When Tag uncovers a sinister secret about those who attacked the Argo, he realizes far more is at stake than just his survival. Something more powerful, more technologically advanced, and more ruthless has emerged from the darkest voids of the galaxy. It's up to Tag to survive long enough to warn humanity and stop the dawn of a new war.
©2017 Anthony J. Melchiorri (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Tag Brewer once trained to be a captain, but one failed exercise resulted in a change in his career. He still wanted to go to space, so he became a Chief Medical Officer on a scientific ship, the Argo. The ship is headed to a particular inhospitable planet to pick up a biologist who was left there to explore the local life. When the ship enters the planet atmosphere, they begin to lose communication abilities. Then they are attacked by ‘pirates’ who swiftly take control of the ship poisoning all humans on board…except Tag who watches in horror from his secured medical bay.

Tag manages to stay alive and take out the three aliens who remained on the bridge in spite of their superior weapons and armor. Tag finds himself without any AI which has been compromised. He cannot make repairs or man the ship without aid, so he implements an experiment he has been working on. He implants brain tissue from one of his dead friends into the medical robot. The robots reaction when activated is to attack its creator!

Tag has to dodge the pirates, land a badly damaged ship and hope he can find the biologist if he wants a chance of finding another human and getting the Argo back running. He survives one death situation after another to finally gather a handful of companions to help make a risky, miraculous escape and then an equally risky and unexpected rescue.

It doesn’t take long into the book to wonder at Tag’s remarkable escapes and versatile skills. He is the sole character for the beginning of the book. The story was full of action which was good although it required a suspension of belief. I downloaded this book and its sequels for free through the Audible Plus Catalog, so I have the next two books in the series and will read them at some point. I don't count this as stellar space opera but it should be entertaining for action junkies.

Audio Notes: Bradford Hastings does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices (when there is more than one character) and he brings good energy to the presentation. I enjoyed the audio.

Source: January 2021 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.