Dave Staats

This might have been a bit more tolerable if I was doing on paper. I am happy to say I am writing this a few weeks after finishing this and can't remember specifics about why the narrator was so annoying but he was. The book itself reminded me of a stock-character-laden bad TV show...which I think this was based on. Not horrible but if you have time you should find the other 467 audio books I have bought. This might just barely make my Top 450. I have only rated 5 or 6 with one star and maybe 10 with 2. Kinda' like Wanbaugh without the humor.

This could easily hook someone on audio books AND John Sandford's series.

It was very cool to have Lucas, Virgil, Kidd and others all together.

Richard Ferrone IS Lucas Davenport AND as with George Guidall and a few others, I don't find myself thinking about who's doing it as much as I do the story...except when I pause to admire that aspect of the performance.

All of it...it was like watching a movie in my head while I was on a 1000 mile trip.

See also my "Prayer Review" on other titles. It applies here too.

No but only because I just don't. Anyone who does this will want to.

Scott, because he did what he thought was right, paid the price for his mistakes etc. I hope to see another one of these along with more from Joe Pike and Elvis. Maybe even a "SuperFriends" version with all three and even Det. Cowley (sp?)

All of them. One of my best narrator compliments after well over 500 titles is when I mostly don't think about who is talking. When I can't find new titles by favorite authors I may add MacLeod Andrews to the list of people I check out like King George (Guidall).

I did laugh a couple times, and yes, there were a couple damp eye moments.

If you are new to Crais you are in for a real treat.

I loved best that Kevin Pollak seems to be the guy he always seemed to be. He is amazingly talented. Incredibly funny, humble but at the same time not unaware that he is really good at what he does. He talks a lot about Tom Cruises' enthusiasm for everything. I'd similarly note Kevin's excitement at getting to meet as many of his heroes as he has and his seeming lack of awareness that he is right there with them as far as his fans are concerned.

I liked his writing style. It was effortless to listen to. I may get the book someday just to see the photos but if I had read the book I'd still do the audio just for the voices. I mean reading this book when audio is available would be like sending Stevie Wonder a painting for Christmas.

There were so many where I laughed out loud. I don't even want to pick one...but to honor the question I'll mention Alan Arkin calling to tell Kevin he had to stop leaving messages for himself (it makes sense when you hear it). Or Rip Torn maybe which can't be printed here.

I choked up several times when he said things I feel deeply. I didn't choke up over his comment about why he hates strip clubs but I did laugh. I have always felt the same.

God, I hope he writes another book. I am going to find his online show next.

Wonderful pacing,characterization.

I can think of 5 or 6, but to have one SO close to the end that was so unexpected, yet fitting was great.

I liked everything about Jim Frangione's performance. What I did not like was a review that complained about his performance. One of my key measures (of over 500 titles) is how much/often I simply don't notice someone is reading/performing and simply get lost in the story. If not for the cruel, stupid review I saw elsewhere, I'd never have noticed him at all. It was a masterful job considering the size and scope of the story and the myriad characters and accents involved. I may go listen to something else he did just to check him out more. As a first listen, I have to give him 4 out of 5 GuidallStars.

Many more than I expected. Probably 6 or 7 that would all be spoilers, I guess the first one was the near-opening scene of "feet in cement".

Dennis was close to having my "Prayer Review" One more like this and he gets it. (Yeah, I'm full of myself today but I have probably earned it.)

I had forgotten how good Mr. Turow's work was back when he did these regularly. This is a great story and Joe Mantegna was great, as always. It has been a while but I am once again wondering why Grisham got so much more attention that Mr. Turow.

A bunch of good authors (among them a few of my favorites) having fun and entertaining themselves. Alfred Molina did a great job with it. It was not more than "ok" though because it was just too obvious what was going on.

Glad I started with book one on this. I have around 15 or 20 authors I have to wait on to have new material. It is really fun to follow a recommendation and get at least 4 books to keep me going when the first one is this good. If you like this kind of thing in general you'll enjoy this new character. I especially enjoyed the way the whole thing started and was built out with respect to who Jonathan Grave is.
I see some of the series has a different performer. Jeremy Gage was fine but I am interested in hearing what Basil Sands brings to the series.

I usually post my "Prayer Review" for Ridley Pearson's work. The past couple novels have been maybe half a star off the usual 5 only because it just seemed like maybe Mr. Pearson himself was a bit bored with, or tired of writing about Idaho. This whole China thing was fresh and I could tell it was fresh for him as well. The characters have room for a sequel and I hope he will do another book with Grace and Knox...maybe even with some of the supporting cast in there as well. If you are familiar with his work, this is as good as, or better than the great Lou Boldt series. If you aren't familiar with Mr. Pearson you just got a whole lot of good listening.
Tom Haberkorn was a very good performer for this. I think one of my best measures is that I didn't find myself noticing him a lot...which for this kind of work ,I consider high praise.

This was an incredible first try for me. He'll probably get on my Prayer Review list if he keeps going.

This may appear again now and then.

Dear God: Please let this man write another book soon and please let me be here to listen to it. I can't say something like 'even his worst book is good' because I can't think of anything he's done that is worse than anything else.

Before I post this list I have to say that Sandford, Parker and MacDonald are EXTRA special. And Richard Ferrone as John Sandford's voice is an amazing match. Like George Guidall with Craig Johnson and pretty much anything George reads.

Robert B. Parker lived in this space for me as did John D. MacDonald. Currently, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, John Hart, Craig Johnson, John Lescroart, William Kent Krueger Ridley Pearson ,and Jonathan Kellerman. Some others are really good but these guys have something special. If you are into mystery-thrillers I just gave you a back catalog I wish I could have...but I HAVE had it and it is an incredible treasure. I stopped going to libraries and swap places just so I can encourage these guys by sending them money. Please enjoy.
P.S. Adding Brian Freeman and Michael Lister