Audible Book Review: Unleashed, Andy Carpenter, Book 11, by David Rosenfelt

This is a fun series I like to revisit regularly.
Unleashed
Andy Carpenter, Book 11
By: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-23-13
Language: English
Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.
Genre: Legal Procedures, Mystery, Traditional Detective
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Audie Award Winner, Mystery, 2014
Andy Carpenter's accountant, Sam Willis, receives a surprise call from Barry Price, a friend he hasn't spoken to in years. Barry needs Sam's financial acumen and Andy's legal expertise. But when Sam almost runs over an injured dog on the way to Barry's house, he can't drive off without waiting for help. By then, Barry's taken off on a private airplane headed to who-knows-where. Soon after they learn that Barry's plane has crashed, and they come to the terrifying realization that Sam was also supposed to have been killed on that plane. Barry was in far more serious trouble than either of them knew, and for Sam and Andy, the trouble is only beginning.
©2013 Tara Productions, Inc. (P)2013 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Review:
Andy continues in his usual lackadaisical lifestyle. He is wealthy enough that he doesn’t need to work … which is just fine with him. His wizard accounting friend, Sam, contacts Andy to ask his help for another friend, Barry. Sam is on his way to meet with Barry but gets delayed when he hits a dog. Sam stops to care for the injured animal which turns out to be fortunate as Barry’s private airplane, where Sam was to join him, crashes.

Sam, who has adopted the injured golden retriever, presses Andy to represent Barry’s wife when she gets accused of murder. Andy reluctantly agrees to the case because it means his love, Laurie, a former cop, will stay in town to help with the investigation. The team gathers: Laurie, Sam and his geriatric group of computer hackers, Hike, a cynical attorney who works with Andy, and Marcus, Andy’s massive bodyguard. The investigation sends Andy and Marcus to Maine for the first lead. They have a short meeting with their contact but before the next morning, the man and his friends are found dead. The team soon realize that Barry was involved in something more serious than some accounting problems. Soon the trouble comes hunting for Sam and Andy as they have to dodge bullets and then Barry’s wife fingers Sam for the murder.

There is a certain formula to the Andy Carpenter mysteries. Dogs play a part and before the mystery is solved, Andy and Laurie call in the FBI through their friend Cindy. I still enjoy the journey with the convoluted plots and the snarky characters. Each story can be read alone but I do think they are more fun if you read the early ones to learn the personalities of the characters.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner does his usual solid delivery for this series. He delivers the snark with a dry sense of humor that adds to the story for me. I totally enjoy listening to this series.

Source: November 2019 Audible Purchase $10.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Storm Cursed, Mercy Thompson Novel Series, Book 11 by Patricia Briggs

This continues the fun Mercy Thompson entertainment with werewolves, vampires and witches…Oh My!

Storm Cursed
Mercy Thompson Novel Series, Book 11
By: Patricia Briggs
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-07-19
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Werewolves
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
In this powerful entry in the number-one New York Times best-selling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves....
My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.
And a coyote shape-shifter.
And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.
Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn’t stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who live in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and interact with the fae.
The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming, and her name is Death.
But we are pack, and we have given our word.
We will die to keep it.
©2019 Patricia Briggs (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Review:
Mercy has declared the Tri-City area as a safe place for the fae. The government and the Grey Lords, fae leadership, are seeking to meet to work out some guidelines for normal humans and the fae creatures to live safely beside each other. The meeting is to take place in Mercy’s hometown with Mercy’s mate, Adam, and the werewolf pack members providing security. Considering her unique relationship with the fae, Mercy has been recruited (directed) to participate by arranging a safe location.

While the joint meeting is barely being discussed, Mercy is called upon to help deal with some strange community incidents. Mercy faces a rogue, killer goblin and next she has to deal with zombie miniature goats. Mercy gets help from appropriate allies, like Larry the Goblin King and a new pack member, Sherwood, who brings some surprising skills to bare when faced with black magic. The zombie goats are determined to be the work of an invading witch group.

Mercy and Sherwood go to check on the local witches and discover tragedy and horror. They find one survivor, a nearly dead kitten. Mercy and Ben save Adam and a small group of government officials from a bomb. When a curse attack against Mercy is accidentally discovered at her garage, it becomes clear that the enemy witches, including one called “death”, are not only trying to take control in the community, but they want to block Mercy and the joint meeting. Dangers escalate and Mercy seeks the aid of her fae friends, Zee and Tad, and even the wildly instable vampire, Wolfe, to take on the black witches and the minion zombie army they have created.

This is a series that keeps on providing strong entertainment through strong characters and engaging plots. The relationship between Mercy and the werewolf pack is always interesting. Of course, her bond with her mate Adam is particularly well done. The black magic in this story creates a dark tone with evil and death putting a bit of a damper on Mercy’s usual snappy humor. I enjoyed the cameo touch with Mercy’s family, Coyote and Mercy’s brother. I also liked the unique zombie creatures and the surprise connection that appears during the battle. I wasn’t overwhelmed with this episode, but it maintains the entertainment level of the series for me. I recommend the whole series and suggest starting at the beginning for full enjoyment.

Audio Notes: I’ve probably said it before, but Lorelei King is the gifted narrator for this series. She has unique voices for the characters and brings the right emotion and energy to the story. She even captures the darker mood of this story. It is a pleasure to listen to this series on audio.

Source: March 2019 Audible credit (pre-order). This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

This is a good addition moving the series along toward the conclusion.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 11
Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-24-17
Language: English
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Series narrator Lorelei King returns to narrate Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, the latest installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series.
My entire life can be summed up in one sentence: "Well, that didn't go as planned." (T-shirt)
A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, errant wives, missing people, philandering business owners, and, oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people.
As a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. Now Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, will Charley be able to defeat the ultimate evil and find a way to have her happily ever after after all?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley has her memory again and is happy to be back with Reyes. She is trying to help Cookie who is worried about Ubie (Uncle Bob) who keeps getting grumpier. They are keeping an eye on him until finally a conflict brings his issues out in the open.

Meanwhile, Reyes half-brother, Shaun, has sought help from Charley. She and Cookie track down the foster parents who kidnapped Reyes and then turned him over to the monster man who abused him. Reyes keeps telling Charley to drop the investigation but she now suspects that a missing young girl is the latest kidnap victim and she isn't willing to back down.

Charley is slowly starting to accept her powers as a god with the training help – and challenge -- of  Reyes. When Cookie's daughter, Angel, develops problems, Charley seeks the help of demon Osh to go undercover at school to trap a stalker.

There is plenty of strong, snarky humor to go along with the suspense of the several investigations. There are also several rather sexy encounters between Charley and Reyes. I like how Charley is maturing as this moves along. I can't help but chuckle at the fun, sardonic sayings that start each chapter. There is additional backstory divulged in this volume and it helps as the author prepares for the next story. I wasn’t so taken with book 10, but this one is engaging and moves the story forward. I recommend this series to those who enjoy snarky fantasy, but I do suggest beginning at the beginning.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King has this series down pat with wonderful narration. She conveys the full range of emotion and snark and trepidation of the characters. I truly enjoy this series in audio.

Source: Audible Credit November 2018. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.

My Reviews for Books 1 through 10 can be found through THIS LINK.

Audible Review: Blood in the Water: Destroyermen Series, Book 11, by Taylor Anderson

I really enjoy this Alternate History Series with its strong character, lots of action and adventure.
Blood in the Water: Destroyermen Series
Book 11
Written by: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Destroyermen, Book 11
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-07-16
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Ever since the USS Walker came from another world war to defy the terrifying Grik and diabolical Dominion, Matt Reddy and his crew have given their all to protect the oppressed Lemurians. But with the Walker in desperate need of repairs just as the Grik's first general is poised to strike, Reddy is desperate.
With more enemies than ever before arrayed against them, the crew of the Walker needs new allies. That means combing the lethal wilds of Madagascar to find the Lemurians' fabled ancestors as well as the enigmatic dwellers east of the Pass of Fire. But what Reddy's crew unearths may be more than they can handle - discoveries so shattering that they could tilt the balance of the war in either direction.
But Reddy's greatest adversary is from his past: a madman named Kurokawa whose single-minded mission of revenge will shake the Alliance to its core and raise the stakes to the most personal and terrifying levels Reddy has ever faced.
©2016 Taylor Anderson (P)2016 Tantor

Review:
This is book 11 of this engaging alternate history series. The story follows the adventures, and continued battles, of WWII destroyer, the USS Walker, and its enemy, the Japanese battlecruiser Amagi. Both ships were pulled by a storm into a different Pacific Ocean. In this alternate Earth, the continents are populated by giant lemur-like beings known as Lemurians, and their brutal, cannibalistic enemy, the lizard (or dinosaur)-like Grik.

The Americans, led by Captain Reddy, have trained the peaceful Lemurians so they can defend themselves against the Grik. The Lemurians are now busy building new ships, planes and weapons for the upcoming battles.

During the battles and explorations of their new surroundings, they have discovered that various ships from other countries and years of our history have been pulled into this alternate world. There are British, Spanish, German, French and more.

At this point Captain Reddy and the Alliance are spread out on numerous fronts. There is a group pursuing the wicked Dominions, while other groups are out seeking aid from ancient Lemurian tribes. Some ships are moving into position for the next battle and one ship has been sent out to explore beyond the explored lands. A new player has entered the local field, a coalition known as the League of Tripoli. The Alliance members don’t know if the League are friend or foe, but their actions in this episode will set them at odds with Captain Reddy.

The previously barbaric and drone-like armies of the Grik have begun to change and learn with the help of the Japanese and from the battles they have been engaged in. This is creating dangers for the Alliance but also creating interesting tension within the Grik forces. Meanwhile, the mad Japanese commander, Kurokawa, has a ship to replace the Amagi, and he is making his own plans for revenge.

The story follows at least seven threads of characters. There are battle scenes but also there are scenes of preparation, exploration and confrontation. I was glued to my earplugs to learn what would happen with each team. I enjoy the character interactions and am finding the growth of the Griks, especially General Halick, interesting. Once again I am impressed with Mr. Anderson’s wonderful imagination. I am glad I already have book 12 in my Audible library. I highly recommend the series, and the audios, to readers who enjoy alternate history and battle stories with well-developed characters.

Audio Notes: William Dufris does his usual great job of narration. He manages all the numerous character voices, accents and nuances, so the story becomes alive. I love listening to this series on audio.

Check out the artwork, plane models, maps and ship silhouettes at the author's new Website. (The website was down when I checked but hopefully will be back soon.)

Also check out my prior reviews:

Into the Storm -- guess I didn't write a review.

Crusade 4.5 

Maelstrom 4.5

Distant Thunders  4.75

Rising Tides 5.0

Firestorm 4.25

Iron Gray Sea  4.25

Storm Surge 4.5

Deadly Shores  4.75
Straits of Hell: Destroyermen, Book 10 5.0

If you like the reviews, please follow this link to Audible and click the yes button on the “was this review helpful”.

I had this title in my own Audible library (credit purchase in 2016). It qualifies for Audio Challenge and Mount TBR Challenge.

Audible Book Review plus Giveaway: Judgment in Death by J.D.Robb

This is a gripping installment in this series.
Judgment in Death
by J.D.Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

• Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins 
• • Series: In Death, Book 11
• Format: Unabridged




Release Date:05-20-08
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Program Type: Audiobook

Publisher's Summary
In an uptown strip joint, a cop is found bludgeoned to death. The weapon's a baseball bat. The motive's a mystery. It's a case of serious overkill that pushes Eve Dallas straight into overdrive. Her investigation uncovers a private club that's more than a hot spot. Purgatory's a last chance for atonement where everyone is judged. Where your most intimate fate depends on your most intimate sins. And where one cop's hidden secrets are about to plunge innocent souls into vice-ridden damnation.
Crack another case with Eve Dallas.
©2007 J. D. Robb; (P)2007 Brilliance Audio

Review:
Eve Dallas is called in to investigate another murder in her jurisdiction. She discovers that the murder victim is a cop who was apparently working a second job as club security. Under his body Eve finds thirty silver credit chips. The club, Purgatory, is owned by Eve’s business magnate husband, Roarke.

Eve presses into the details uncovering facts that make it look like the cop was on the take, receiving monies from a criminal boss, Max Ricker. Ricker had escaped arrest recently in circumstances that looked like police information had been leaked. As Eve pushes her investigation into which cops were involved with the failed arrest she bumps into IAB (Internal Affairs Bureau) Lieutenant Webster who unofficially warns her off the case.

Ricker was once a partner with Roarke before Roarke decided Ricker was bad business as Roarke was in the process of cleaning up all his business affairs to legitimate interests. Ricker hates Roarke and isn’t beyond using Eve to get to Roarke. As the book moves along Eve has a childhood memory that reveals a surprising connection to her own past as well. Ricker’s threats against Eve set Roarke on edge and create a tension at home between Eve and Roarke.

The plot clearly involves a killer who is angry by “betrayal”in the system and seeks his own justice. Eve is her usual determined and gutsy self in doggedly pursuing the leads. The tension between Eve and Roarke creates a good emotional interest to add to the mystery. As usual the regular characters, Peabody, Dr. Mira, Mavis and more, add great personality to the story.

I listened to this audio book every chance I got as it was so engrossing. It is one of my favorite in the series so far.

Audio Notes: I love Susan Ericksen as the narrator of this series. She never fails to surprise me at the versatile voices and emotional intensity she nails with her narration. This is a great series to listen to in audio!

I purchased this through my Audible subscription and will continue the series.

Giveaway:

I happened to pick up this Audio Cassette recently with several other In Death titles at a thrift shop.
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a used Audio Cassette - appears to be in good working condition.

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for cassette audio book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) July 12, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after July 12, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.