Charles

This is one of the few mysteries that kept me guessing till the end. It is a tragic tale of a wealthy, unforgiving family. I found myself lost in it, but not pleasantly, there is nothing pleasant about this family. That is my only reason for giving it 4stars rather than 5. I admit i like to fall in love with the characters and this story feels too much like real family.

One surprise is that i did fall in love with the setting. It is set in the small town of Salisbury, NC which most travelers on I 85 know because it has the only Starbucks between Greensboro and Charlotte. Yet Salisbury is the home of one the largest grocery chains, Food Lion, and Cheerwine, a hugely popular soft drink in the Carolinas. I believe the author is the stepson of one of the wealthier families there. I say all this because I am guilty of knowing little or nothing about this historical gem not 45 miles from my door. Having read this novel, I plan to learn more and experience more of Salisbury.

The author obviously has a great deal of knowledge of the local police and sheriff departments procedures as well as the politics and geography of the city. This gives the story a reality I've rarely experienced.

A final note regarding the author's talent of building characters. He does a masterful job of having each character actually act his or her age. For example, the hero is a tough, smart 28 year old, but totally as self absorbed and immature as most are today. His mentor is in his early 60's, not as smart, but wise and forgiving. It's a great contrast revealed in multiple characters throughout the story.

So it's a yes! Well worth your time.

Deaver is known for extraordinary procedural detail, twists and character development. I loved this book, particularly because it surprised me at several points. The suspense is also first rate.

The heroine, Katherine Dance is an investigator for the California Buereau of Investigations specializing inbinterrogation and kinesics (or body language). Deaver does a great job revealing her expertise without becoming tedious. In fact I found it fascinating.

The reader is Anne Twomy who does an excellent job.

Mr. Archer is just a great teller of tales. His heroes and heroines, in this case autobiographical, are so engaging and charismatic I became hopelessly addicted to the series.

The same can be said of the villain. he a tragically bad seed from a family of outstanding good character, nobility and wealth. He reminds me of several of Follet's villains in Pillars of the Earth and Dangerous Fortune.

The intricate British cast system is brilliantly exposed as it provides much of the series' theme.

The performance is, in a word, brilliant.

I'm writing this on my iPhone with one eye dilated, so forgive me if I don't make sense.
This is an Irish story read by an Irishman. Perhaps it's just my ear, but I find the reading bland and morose, rather than engaging. That said, it's a fascinating story of a hunter who begins to find himself.

I still give it 4 star for originality and suspense.

In the forward, DeMille names this his best and favorite work. I heartily agree. He also predicts it will still be relevant long after his death. I don't think there is any question.

John Sutter, a Gold Coast native, tax attorney, clever and cynical socialite and foremost a devoted family man is the hero and narrator of the tale. No one is better suited to describe the culture of living in the country's wealthiest neighborhood. His wife, Susan Stanhope Sutter, is from one of the wealthiest Gold Coast families. Her father's manipulation of her through his wealth play an important role in the tale. DeMille said she's in large part the ultimate male fantasy. Just listen to the story and you'll find out why that is true, if not understated.

But what attracted me to the story some 20 years ago and what has led to several subsequent readings, (and now listening!), is the premise of a mafia don moving into such a community. DeMille uses the obvious contrasts of two old American cultures, both with their own sets of etiquette, manners and unwritten rules to produce what I believe is one of best, (certainly the most fun), 20th century novels.

Christian Rummell far exceeds the great Scott Brick as the voice of John Sutter. That should be enough to impress any DeMille fan.

After listening to this book I did some research and found the threats represented in the story are not only credible but probable. At least now we have been warned!

The narration is excellent, he nails the southern accents of North Carolina and small town NC as well.

The story is riveting, gut wrenching and frightening. It's not a feel good story, but don't let that turn you away. It is an important book to read!

All throughout the adventure I tried to imagine how I would act under the circumstances laid out by Fortschen. Perhaps this is why I am so moved by his work. I'd love to think I'd survive, but I simply can't imagine that would be the case.

First, Deaver is an excellent writer who understands and writes in the genre with the best of them. I think we are lucky a writer of his caliber would take on Bond at all. Bond movies are so anticipated and loved, they tend to be judged more by how few times you are forced to suspend belief than by how good the story really is. I must confess I carried the same anticipation into the reading of Carte Blanche. In this case, Deaver delivers in a very big way with a complex mystery that is as entertaining as it is realistic.Best of all, he gives Bond the sophistication and complexity he deserves.

I loved how Deaver used the contrast of proper police work to expose how Bond's 00 status allows him far more leeway than most law enforcement.

Bond, James Bond.

If you love good writing, excellent mystery, and believable suspense and of course James Bond, you'll love Carte Blanche!

Perhaps the better question is will I listen to the sequel, noble house again. I listened to and loved Noble House, but now I'm going back through it after reading Taipan. Both novels expose Clavell's masterful story telling and excellent research of Hong Kong culture. This combined with John Lee's performance makes for one of the best experiences Audible has offered.

No question it would be the sequel, Noble House. These books remind of Ken Follet's historical fiction as well. Great characters, the colorful and unforgettable culture of the Chinese...

This is set in NY shortly after WWII. It has all the flair of poetry, beatnicks, cigarettes in cases, martinis, black tie affairs and bohemian lifestyles in the Village. Winslow does such a great job with this the story became secondary. But this isn't to say its not a great story.

I liked the jazz scenes and the NY high society atmosphere. I enjoyed a documentary on Charles Mingus and the Duchess recently, a real person Winslow uses in this novel. This duchess really did patrol the late night jazz scene to help out stoned or drunk musicians during the 50s and 60s. Its scenes and characters like this that never fails to fascinate.

It has the feel of a darker version of Breakfast at Tiffany's, darker due to the intrigue.

Here is a masterpiece and maybe the best book I have found on Audible, yet it deals with perhaps the hardest subject matter there is in modern literature. There are so many reasons I love this book, its hard to rank them.

But let me start with Ray Porter's narration.I have listed him before in my top 3 performers, but there is no question this one makes him the top narrator on Audible. And that is from a library of over 800 titles. There are alot of emotions and even deadpan dialect within this book and Porter captures it all perfectly.

The story revolves around mental illness, a very sensitive and often tragic subject matter. It does not burden us with diagnosis, yet it blesses us with the healing power of excellent therapy. And there is the perfect amount of humor to keep us interested.

Perhaps what I loved most was Quick's use of classic American literature to provide clever and penetrating metaphors to tell us what the hero is actually facing and/or running from.

The Help. Its groundbreaking literature exmaning mental illness as opposed to race to reveal true human experience.

I couldn't stand the sound effects and music. It takes away from the book.

Silver Linings Playbook

He's mediocre, but the production was just bad.