Alex

Few authors can hook you quicker than Lee Child, the opening scene usually has Reacher observing something that's not quite right, something with huge implications. Then Reacher uses his powers of observation to solve the mystery as the story unfolds. While there are a couple of big action scenes, and some surprises, this book is more about the mystery and the characters, and it kept me listening intently all the way through. I enjoyed this one a lot more than the last one "The Affair".

I've never been crazy about Sci-Fi or Fantasy, but this book (and series) is excellent. It reminds me a bit of a well-written TV sitcom like 'Frasier', in that it's all about the characters and the funny situations. You find yourself rooting for the main character. Pratchett writing style is best described as whimsical. The narration by Stephen Briggs is amazingly good. I can't imagine it being done any better. He has a wide range of voices, with great interpretation that adds to the experience, especially the voice of the Golem.

This is one of only a few books out of hundreds that I felt compelled to read more than once. Lee Child should have won an award for the opening scene alone; it's brilliant! The tension starts on page one and the author slowly teases the reader on. This is not a book to listen to in the background, but one that is best enjoyed without any distractions. In fact, I listened to the book the first time a year ago, then read the kindle version recently and it was better the second time around ... deceivingly complex. As another reviewer mentioned, this is not a book full of B-movie scenes and big explosions... it is more grounded in reality and has a well researched background. Loved it!

Unlike in many of his other books, Sanford uncharacteristically telegraphs some of the events in the book. I could listen to Sanford + Ferrone all day, so it was still an entertaining listen. The author knows how to pull you along for a great ride, sprinkled with funny cop humor. While he plays only a small part in this book, recurring bad guy character Randy Whitcomb leaves a mark.

The old-style writing and dialogue makes this book a little dry and stiff. It may be one of the few cases where the movie is better than the book.

Few authors can create such life-like dialogue, and throw in a few over-the-top characters for comedy relief (I laughed aloud a couple of times). This may be the best book in the series. Sanford keeps you guessing throughout the book, as Virgil chips away at the multilayered mystery.

This one is over the line with graphic details, even by Sanford standards. They could have left some details to the imagination, but instead detailed graphic scenes (with minors) over and over throughout the book. My least favorite of the Flowers novels. Only use your credit on this one if you're desperate... because it's not one you'll recommend to anyone close to you.

While the concepts and ideas are interesting, the dialogue and impossible scenarios make it tough to stay engrossed in many of Baldacci's books... this one included. If you like thrillers with military/political intrigue, you also may like 'Dead Watch' by Sanford, "Zero Option" and "Firefly" by Deutermann, "Executive Privilege" by Margolin, and "The Enemy" by Child.

Are all the mystery/thriller books starting to sound the same? This well written book has some novel ideas that make it stand out from the rest! My one complaint was that the book bounces back and forth between different time frames, and although it does eventually add to the story, each jump into the past seems to steal a little of the momentum away. You've gotta read this one.

The first thing that bothered me was that the author spent way too much time reviewing things that happened in previous books. There are some really neat characters and happenings in this book to make it worthwhile, but it's not a very tidy work. The enigmatic assassin Alexei and his bone gun were the best part. James always adds a dialogue about a moral issue in each of his books, using Tessa as the devil's advocate. This one was about forgiveness, and there was a little too much focus on it, distracting from the story.