Stanley

This is an extremely interesting book. Lots of fascinating nuts and bolts background about how to become and remain a Navy SEAL, and the bin Laden section is riveting. Don't expect any secrets, though. Just a good, true story of how they got bin Laden. It's a joke that the administration is pursuing this poor guy, an American hero, so that they can preserve their own narrative to leak to Hollywood friends. The reader is fantastic -- perfect for the material and to convey the perspective of a young soldier.

This is a terrible book, the first real stinker in the Reacher series. The plot is convoluted and absurd — when you learn what's really going on, you no longer care. There is literally no action until 90% of the way through the book. I get that Reacher's OCD-like obsession with trivia, such as numbers and time, are part of Reacher's "shtick", but the hyper-focus on meaningless detail in this book occasionally makes you wonder if Child has lost his mind — or wehther his publisher employs an editor. Finally, the low quality of the writing is excelled only by the terrible performance of Dick Hill. In some books he's OK; here, he ruins the book by making tough female FBI agents sound like simpering wimps, and his insistence on incorporating Reacher's broken nose into his speech is unintentionally hilarious. I've enjoyed the other Reacher books, but this is a total waste of money and a LOT of time.

Burke writes the same book over and over with the same characters, the same kind of dialogue, and the same stock evil-doers (oppressive and moneyed big business/politician types), with only the names changed. His protagonists are identical, poor tortured recovered-alcoholic war veterans who amusingly won't tolerate profanity, whether they live in Montana, Texas or Louisiana. His political diatribes have the depth and sophistication of an 18 year old Occupy Wall Sreeter. The fact remains, however, that he is such a superb writer that he keeps making this material entertaining in novel after novel. His plots are riveting, if slightly predictable by now, and no writer in any genre is more beautifully descriptive and evocative of his settings (although must every signal event happen under lightning clouds, regardless of the location or season in which they occur?). As long as he keeps churning them out I'll keep reading (or listening to) them, because he is such a gifted writer. This book is his best in a long time because he emphasizes the story and limits his tiresome anti-Bush rants of the past several years. Will Patton whispers his way through this one in the same hushed, portentous monotone he has used for every Burke book. There are no surprises here but if you enjoyed other Burke books read by Patton, you'll love this one.

One of the two or three best Bosch books yet, which is saying a lot; and as always, Len Cariou is the perfect narrator for Bosch. You will really enjoy it.

These terrific stories will hold Harry Bosch fans until the next full-length novel is released. I was delighted to see that Len Cariou had returned as narrator. This is a perfect match of material and narrator. Cariou is a little rough, and for those who like the smooth, effete banality of a Scott Brick, this won't be for you. But Cariou sounds exactly what I've always imagined Bosch would sound like — gruff and tough, no BS. The stories are of course only hors d"oeuvres but they're fun. And the best news is that Cariou reads a preview of the first couple of chapters of the next Harry Bosch book, meaning, I assume, that he will read the full novel. Can't wait. Bosch is the best continuing character ever.

As always, McKinty's gritty story of Northern Irish mobsters gets the ideal voice in Gerard Doyle. I've both read and listened to McKinty's books, and there is no question that it is a richer experience when you get to hear it in Doyle's lilting Irish brogue. The story has lots of twists and turns and the main character is a worthy successor to Michael Forsythe of the earlier trilogy, who makes a couple of cameo appearances. Really fun to listen to.

I liked the first Gray Man book but this was even better. The set up takes a little while, but the second half is non-stop action. Maybe not for the squeamish, who probably won't be downloading it anyway, but as exciting a listen as I've had recently. Vince Flynn has been my favorite but his books have gotten very preachy and "talky." If I want that, I'll turn on cable news. This guy has guns blasting most of the time, and it's a lot more fun.

This was a terrific listen. As a long-time Harry Bosch fan, I think the best plots are those in which Harry has a personal, emotional stake, as he does here. There are a fair number of coincidences and dubious plot devices that allow Harry to keep going, but they are easy to overlook as the story carries you along. And for my money, the grizzled, slightly stiff narration of Len Cariou makes for the best Bosch. To me, he really sounds like Harry would.

One of the most enjoyable books i've ever downloaded. As usual with books this much fun to listen to, it combines a terrific plot with a narrator who is perfect for the book. I could listen to Roger Allam all day. The book is long but the plot is never dull, and features great courtroom scenes at the beginning and end. You won't be disappointed.