#Fraterfest Audible Book Review: Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2 by John Scalzi

This is a good, short mystery series.
Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto

Series: The Dispatcher, Book 2
Length 3h 33m
Release date: 09-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Mystery, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
From Hugo and Audie Award-winning author John Scalzi comes an exciting sequel to The New York Times best-selling, number one Audible hit The Dispatcher, performed by the incomparable Zachary Quinto.
Welcome to the new world, in which murder is all but a thing of the past. Because when someone kills you, 999 times out of 1,000, you instantly come back to life. In this world, there are dispatchers—licensed killers who step in when you’re at risk of a natural or unintentional death. They kill you—so you can live.
Tony Valdez is used to working his job as a dispatcher within the rules of the law and the state. But times are tough, and more and more Tony finds himself riding the line between what’s legal and what will pay his bills. After one of these shady gigs and after being a witness to a crime gone horribly wrong, Tony discovers that people around him are dying, for reasons that make no sense...and which just may implicate him.
Tony is running out of time: to solve the mystery of these deaths, to keep others from dying, and to keep himself from being a victim of what looks like murder, by other means.
©2020 John Scalzi (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tony is a dispatcher who is accustomed to killing … as long as it is within the rules which allow him to kill, or “dispatch” people whose lives may be saved when they come back to life. Tony agrees to take a job that isn’t quite on the up and up, but he needs the money. He doesn’t expect the situation to cause trouble as it isn’t in the interest of any of the participants to reveal the job.

As Tony is in the bank to deposit his fees, he becomes a witness to a bank robbery. The head of the gang turns to shoot the others, with that apparently being their get-away plan. The problem is, the first man shot stays down instead of disappearing. The dead man is the one in a thousand who stays dead. That means the cops can trace the identity of at least one of the robbers who turns out to be another dispatcher. As the investigation moves forward clues begin to point to Tony as part of the gang, if not its leader.

The lead detective is soon found dead, supposedly of a suicide. Then others associated with the robbery. Tony is in a race to uncover the true villains before others around him die of murder ‘by other means’ while the authorities focus only on him.

I like Tony’s character as he uses his assassin skills to help others even if it isn’t always comfortable. I enjoyed this mystery and the twists that Tony has to untangle. I also like that this is a quick listen. I recommend this to fans of mystery with a twist.

Audio Notes: Zachary Quinto’s narration fits this series nicely. His voice captures Tony’s personality and character and keeps the edgy nature of the mystery. I liked listening to this mystery.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goals and #FraterfestRat #5.

Audible Book Review: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi 4.5

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance by Tommy Krappweis

This is a fun listen with some minor issues.

Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance
By: Tommy Krappweis
Narrated by: Michael Braun, Marc Vietor, Jay Snyder, Dina Pearlman, Cynthia Darlow, Stephen Bel Davies, James Fouhey, Jeena Yi, Jessie Cannizzaro, Kevin T. Collins, Mateo D'Amato

Series: Ghostsitter, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
A whole-family listen for fans of Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family.
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money...and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time "ghostsitter".
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
©2015 Tommy Krappweis (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tom is a young teen who has been raised by his lively grandmother. Tom is surprised to learn that he has inherited ten million dollars from an uncle he never met. Another stranger, Welf, arrives to take Tom and his grandmother to meet with a strange lawyer. The lawyer explains that Tom has to run his uncle’s antique travelling carnival ghost train in order to receive the inheritance. Before Tom has a chance to register everything a man in a cape with a red clad female companion push into the room. He offers Tom a significant cash price for the tour train. As Tom hesitates, a brawl ensues.

In another day, Welf takes Tom off to see the train. Tom is a bit dismayed when he sees what appears to be a dilapidated train which he thinks wouldn’t attract anyone. Tom soon learns there is more involved in the ride when he meets the unique team of unusual characters that work together to make the ride successful. This group includes a vampire, a zombie, a mummy, a ghost girl and of course werewolf Welf.

Tom is a little uncomfortable moving into his uncle’s very dusty caravan home and he worries he will not be able to fulfill his job as a “ghostsitter”. When the group is attacked by demon killing angels, Tom quickly learns that each member of the team, and that includes him, contributes to protect each other and keep the train going.

This is a fun story that has a little "Scooby Doo" vibe to it. The creatures are fun, rather than scary. It is an issue that the enemy are a type of angel but I don't think that has to ruin the story as Tom shows by pushing them to show mercy and love to other creatures. There are sound effects that add to the story and there is a quirky little song between sections that is surely designed for the kids to enjoy. I found it cute but after a couple of times I did fast forward to the next section. I plan to share this with my grandchildren because I do think they will enjoy it, but adults can enjoy it too.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast whose energetic delivery enhances the entertaining story. I would like to listen to more in the series.

Source: 6/20/2020 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat goals.

#FraterfestRat #NetGalley Book Review: The Secret Halloween Costume by Sophie Vaillancourt

This is a nice Halloween story promoting fun rather than scary costumes.
The Secret Halloween Costume
by Sophie Vaillancourt

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CrackBoom! Books; New edition (September 21, 2021)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 24 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 2898022454
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2
Genre: Children, Halloween, Holiday
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

A Halloween story for little ones!
Charlotte is a young witch. For Halloween, her family insists she must wear her darkest clothes and scariest makeup. After all, a witch must be spooky! But Charlotte doesn't want to follow tradition - she wants to wear something that reflects who she is. She asks her grandmother to sew her a secret costume... But what will it be?
An adorable Halloween story about an enthusiastic little witch who follows her heart and inspires others to do the same!

Review:
Charlotte has been told that it is tradition for a young witch to wear a scary witch costume at Halloween. Charlotte just doesn’t want to be scary. She asks her friends but when they search the costumes in the attic, they find scary costumes. Fortunately, Charlotte has a Granny who is a bit of free thinker and helps her create a costume she is happy with.

I found the illustrations delightful. The story is okay and nice for the halloween holiday. However, I think it could be made clearer that Charlotte wasn’t going behind her mother’s back to be disrespectful. A parent might have to explain the choices between tradition and new ideas and consider better ways to handle the situation than possibly setting one family member against another. I recommend this to families where parents help their children understand tradition, while allowing them creativity.

Source: NetGalley 2021. #FraterfestRat #4. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goal.

Sunday Post October 24, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 25, 2021

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I continue to work away at my desk. I had a case settle in mediation this week. I have two other cases pending Judge rulings. I am currently spending extra time on two commercial closings to take place in the next few weeks. I plan to do some will signings this week.

I don't have plans for Halloween but I helped our GFWC Marianna Woman's Club with the pumpkin painting tables at the community local Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday. The tent to the far right in this picture was the painting station. There were food vendors to the left and under the pavilion some local market vendors with lovely gift items.

It was fun and those kids were very creative painters!

Several of us had cold weather change sniffles and sneezes early in the week.
Temperatures should be nice this week ranging from 67 to 79 during the day and 47 to 65 at night.

I had a lot of good listening this week! Plus a couple of shorter ebooks. All #FraterfestRat books. I finished five audiobooks and two ebooks. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Two Girls & Their Bookish Life. Ro and Tee are hosting an online Book Club. Check it out.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 17, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 18, 2021.

• A2020- Audible Book Report: End Time: The End Time Saga, Book 1 by Daniel Greene; Genre: Horror, Military, Zombie; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• A2020- #FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Black Virus: Black Rust, Book 1 by Bobby Adair; Genre: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 22, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/28/2021.

• A2020- #FraterfestRat Audible Review: Dead Acre by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle; Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 24, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance
By: Tommy Krappweis
Narrated by: Michael Braun, Marc Vietor, Jay Snyder, Dina Pearlman, Cynthia Darlow, Stephen Bel Davies, James Fouhey, Jeena Yi, Jessie Cannizzaro, Kevin T. Collins, Mateo D'Amato
Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
#FraterfestRat #3. This is great fun - good for adults and children! Source: 6/20/2020 Free Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
A whole-family listen for fans of Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family.
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money...and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time "ghostsitter".
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
©2015 Tommy Krappweis (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

2. ebook/NetGalley App (NG2021)

The Secret Halloween Costume
by Sophie Vaillancourt
#FraterfestRat #4. This is a nice Halloween story promoting fun rather than scary costumes.
Source: NetGalley 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
Series: The Dispatcher, Book 2
Length 3h 33m
#FraterfestRat #5. This is a good, short mystery series.
Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
From Hugo and Audie Award-winning author John Scalzi comes an exciting sequel to The New York Times best-selling, number one Audible hit The Dispatcher, performed by the incomparable Zachary Quinto.
Welcome to the new world, in which murder is all but a thing of the past. Because when someone kills you, 999 times out of 1,000, you instantly come back to life. In this world, there are dispatchers—licensed killers who step in when you’re at risk of a natural or unintentional death. They kill you—so you can live.
Tony Valdez is used to working his job as a dispatcher within the rules of the law and the state. But times are tough, and more and more Tony finds himself riding the line between what’s legal and what will pay his bills. After one of these shady gigs and after being a witness to a crime gone horribly wrong, Tony discovers that people around him are dying, for reasons that make no sense...and which just may implicate him.
Tony is running out of time: to solve the mystery of these deaths, to keep others from dying, and to keep himself from being a victim of what looks like murder, by other means.
©2020 John Scalzi (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

4. Chirp Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Gustav Gloom and the People Taker
Written by Adam-Troy Castro
Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky
Run Time 4h 42min
#FraterfestRat #6. I enjoyed this story that combines darkness with sweet friendship.
Source: November 2020 Chirp Purchase $0.99.
Publisher Description
Enter an exciting new world of shadows from Hugo Award nominee Adam-Troy Castro. Meet Gustav Gloom.
Fernie What finds herself lost in the Gloom mansion after her cat appears to have been chased there by its own shadow. Fernie discovers a library full of every book that was never written, a gallery of statues that are just plain awkward, and finds herself at dinner watching her own shadow take part in the feast!
Along the way Fernie is chased by the People Taker who is determined to take her to the Shadow Country. It’s up to Fernie and Gustav to stop the People Taker before he takes Fernie’s family.

5. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Once Upon a Haunted Moor: The Tyack & Frayne Mysteries, Book 1
By: Harper Fox Narrated by: Tim Gilbert
Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins
#FraterfestRat #7. This is a good, short mystery series.
Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Gideon Frayne has spent his whole working life as a policeman in the village of Dark on Bodmin Moor. It's not life in the fast lane, but he takes it very seriously, and his first missing-child case is eating him alive. When his own boss sends in a psychic to help with the case, he's gutted - he's a level-headed copper who doesn't believe in such things, and he can't help but think that the arrival of clairvoyant Lee Tyack is a comment on his failure to find the little girl.
But Lee is hard to hate, no matter how Gideon tries. At first Lee's insights into the case make no sense, but he seems to have a window straight into Gideon's heart. Son of a Methodist minister, raised in a tiny Cornish village, Gideon has hidden his sexuality for years. It's cost him one lover, and he can't believe it when this green-eyed newcomer stirs up old feelings and starts to exert a powerful force of attraction.
Gideon and Lee begin to work together on the case. But there are malignant forces at work in the sleepy little village of Dark, and not only human ones - Gideon is starting to wonder, against all common sense, if there might be some truth in the terrifying legend of the Bodmin Beast after all. As a misty Halloween night consumes the moor, Gideon must race against time to save not only the lost child but the man who's begun to restore his faith in his own heart.
©2013 Harper Fox (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

6. eBook/Kindle App (e2021)

Witches and Poppets: Steampunk Vasilisa the Fair:
A Steampunk Fairy Tale Short Story
by Melanie Karsak
#FraterfestRat #8. This is a quick, charming story.
Source: October 2021 Author notice free.
Just in time for Halloween! From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak comes a spooky retelling of the fairy tale Vasilia the Fair.

7. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Countdown: A Prequel Story to Patient Zero
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Series: Joe Ledger, Book 0.5
Length 19m
#FraterfestRat #9. I have been eyeing this zombie series and I liked the Prequel and the Joe Ledger character.
Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
“I didn’t plan to kill anyone. I wasn’t totally against the idea, either. Sometimes things just fall that way, and either you roll with it or it rolls over you. Letting the bad guys win isn’t how I roll.”
Meet Joe Ledger, Baltimore PD, attached to a Homeland task force … who’s about to get a serious promotion.
©2008 Jonathan Maberry (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. Chirp Audio/Smartphone (A2021)

America Falls Episodes 1-2
Written by Scott Medbury
Read by Adam Barr
Run Time 11h 12min
#FraterfestRat #10. I finished Episode 1 of this post-apocalyptic on 10/24. I will continue with Episode 2 after Vampire Knitting Club.
Source: 2/21/21 Purchase at Chirp $1.99.
Publisher Description
No Maze. No Zombies. No games.
After a surprise biological attack, America, the most powerful nation on Earth, quickly succumbs, with over 99.5% of the adult population killed. As society unravels and a ground invasion of his country begins, loner Isaac Race must form a connection with a ragtag group of survivors and elude not only the invaders, but other dangers and chaos unleashed in Post-America.
These are the first two action packed episodes of the bestselling AMERICA FALLS, a compelling series about who we are and who we have to become in order to survive.
This audio duet includes: Hell Week and On The Run

2. Audiobooks App/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Vampire Knitting Club
By Nancy Warren
Duration: 6 h 7 min
I realized I still have another day for 2021 #FraterfestRat list. I decided to try to finish this as a "V" in my audio alphabet challenge.
Source: November 2020 VIP pick from Audiobooks.com.
Summary:
At a crossroads between a cringe-worthy past (Todd the Toad) and an uncertain future (she's not exactly homeless, but it's close), Lucy Swift travels to Oxford to visit her grandmother. With Gran's undying love to count on and Cardinal Woolsey's, Gran's knitting shop, to keep her busy, Lucy can catch her breath and figure out what she's going to do.
Except it turns out that Gran is the undying. Or at least, the undead. But there's a death certificate. And a will, leaving the knitting shop to Lucy. And a lot of people going in and out who never use the door-including Gran, who is just as loving as ever, and prone to knitting sweaters at warp speed, late at night. What exactly is going on?
When Lucy discovers that Gran did not die peacefully in her sleep, but was murdered, she has to bring the killer to justice without tipping off the law that there's no body in the grave. Between a hot 500-year-old vampire and a dishy detective inspector, both of whom always seem to be there for her, Lucy finds her life getting more complicated than a triple cable cardigan. The only one who seems to know what's going on is her cat . . . or is it . . . her familiar?

3. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

The Duke and the Spoiled Wallflower
by Tessa Brookman
I will pick this back up when #FraterfestRat is finished. I've decided I like the primary characters. 

Now this is on old for the week while I read for #FraterfestRat.
Source: Received from author team for review.
Click on book title for full description.

I'm sure there will be another audio which I will pick when I am ready.

October 24, 2021 - I am on track. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
No new study yet.

I completed seven books so I will be busy with reviews this coming week.
My NetGalley shelf now has 3 old ebooks titles, one of which I still plan to read start this month. 
I have two author titles remaining in queue. I'm still working on reading these.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I requested/received no new review titles this week.
I selected my VIP pick at Audiobooks.com for October.
I picked up three Audible Plus books.
I again resisted purchasing audios this week.
I picked up two free Kindle titles.
(Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

One Audible Plus Catalog titles:

Northern Wolf
By: Daniel Greene
Narrated by: Bradford Hastings
Series: The Northern Wolf, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

The Nine, A Novel
By: Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg
Narrated by: Ari Flihaakos, Marnye Young
Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
(I saw this at Two Girls & Their Bookish Life)

Distress Signals
By: Catherine Ryan Howard
Narrated by: Alan Smyth, Bronson Pinchot, Suzanne Toren
Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins




I choose my Audiobooks.com Free October VIP book.

Nine
Author Rachelle Dekker
Narrator: Sandy Rustin
Duration: 10 h 4 min



Two Kindle Titles - from Facebook links.
Framed: A Charlie Hardwick Police Detective Thriller (Hardwick #1)
Tom Meitner

The Rancher takes his Convenient Bride: a Sweet Marriage of Convenience Western Romance (The Rangers of Purple Heart Ranch Book 1)
Shanae Johnson

Other Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 24, 2021

We enjoyed Sunday School again today with a really good video message by Dutch Sheets.
We then shared in praise and worship before Pastor introduced a missionary to speak to us.
The missionary told us about his wife and five children, and shared that his wife is a leader in a new-to-me ministry: M.E.N.D Mommies enduring neonatal death.

The missionary explained that he was concerned about reaching Roma gypsies. One person might get to hear about the gospel but how will they share the right messages within the unique traditions of their culture? Assemblies of God have a ministry named “oli” which is oral learning initiatives. They have developed olBi or the Oral Learning Bible Initiative. The goal is to remove barriers of illiteracy, poverty, and smaller, hard to reach communities.

Evangelizing villages can be challenging. The OLI provides training through cell phones and online lessons.

The missionary explained: How everyone can advance the great commission.
Think small...

85 percent of faithful believers are reached before the age of 18. It is important to stress training with children and youth.

Give up…

What are you willing to give up in order to show the love of God to others? John 15:12-13. God’s word tells us that we prosper when we give freely. Proverbs 11:24-25. Also when a person has a closed hand it is not available to receive more. You need an open hand to receive a new opportunity.

Go have a cup of coffee…

Sharing time with others provides the opportunity to share the Gospel even by the way you live your life. Hebrews 13:7. Seek to establish a focused mentoring arrangement between a mature believer and a newer believer who needs one on one assistance.

By using these steps the church could experience exponential growth in making believers, disciples, and leaders.

I had a different song but wasn’t settled.
So my search brought me to this which fits better than my first choice. 😊
Love God, Love People

A Verse For Today:
Hebrews 13:7 NIV
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.


Lord, I come to you again asking for Your help to share Your love with others.