Shane

As fascinating as the world created by the author is...I became bored with the endless detail and lack of a gripping storyline. A disappointing read/listen after "The City and the City".

A solid police/mystery with the added benefit of reliving 20th century life in a small southern US town. The three "chiefs" are well written characters and the mystery that extends across their respective tenures is gripping. I thought the narration was well-suited to the story and an added bonus.

I enjoyed the writing, the story and the performance in almost equal measure. A section of the book dragged somewhat and seemed out of place (I won't say which to avoid a spoiler) but the book was well worth the listen. I thought the author did an excellent job of teasing out the story of Harold's relationships and portraying how we all suppress "unpleasantness" in our lives. It was also genuinely touching without being maudlin.

I found the author's multiplicity and overuse of adverbs and adjectives draining and felt like his editor has stretched a good short story or novella into a "book". I also don't agree with the high ratings if this book is compared to some of the true classics of both fiction and non-fiction in this genre. (War by Sebastian Junger, Blackhawk Down, Matterhorn, The Things They Carried, Unbroken, The Thin Red Line, Das Boot)

Even with help, the author is simply not a good writer. Its an interesting story, and I acknowledge that good non-fiction, first person war books are relatively rare, but The Forever War, Blackhawk Down, War (Sebastian Junger) show that it can be done. I almost stopped listening after the author states "I am not a political person"...after canonizing Donald Rumsfeld and GWB...using the word "liberal" like a Fox News Anchor...and concluding that empty truck boxes equal evidence of WMD's. I wish the author had left out the politics and told the story which I did find interesting and worthy of being told. Brave men doing an amazing job. Have to say however that, despite the author's views, I still concluded that we shouldn't simply eliminate the Rules of Engagement and trust in the judgment of 18-24 year olds in knowing the good guys from the bad guys and the best way to deal with them. History (including the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan) is replete with examples of that thinking causing the death of far more innocents than it saved, and I would have thought a student of military history (which the author seems to be) would acknowledge that fact.

I was an early fan of Vince Flynn's American Assassin series, and I enjoyed the development of his characters, particularly Mitch Rapp. But like virtually all writers who enjoy success, particularly in the sic-fi/fantasy and mystery/thriller genres, Mr. Flynn has been tempted to beat this horse beyond death and is turning a great idea into an increasingly average series as it drags on.

If history were taught via stories like this...it would be every student's favourite subject. I flew through this book. What an epic adventure story, and a fascinating snapshot of a period of history that I was not all that familiar with. The insight into Teddy Roosevelt's character was enlightening - his honour, thirst for adventure, stubbornness and genuine interest in the natural world--all rolled into one dynamic package. Also, the description of his travel companions and the way men of various characters responded when placed in mortal danger was gripping. One of my favourite Audible books so far.

A very clever premise - dedicated detective pursuing a murder case during the last days of life on earth. The murder mystery could have been better constructed...for me it was the protagonist's interaction with others as the society crumbles around him that elevated this book beyond average.

I've read many of his books, and will certainly read more, but this is certainly one of my least favourite

I just could not get engaged by the characters or the story...the "mysticism" seemed only to get in the way of what might have been a good story

Disappointment - I know the book has had good reviews from others, but I think it is overrated.

Save your credit for the Green Mile or Under the Dome or It

I'm on the fence...a good fast paced plot with a strong protagonist who could rival Mitch Rapp as the key character in an ongoing series of books - but for readers (like me) outside the US, maybe tone down the flag waving a little. Yes, Dewey is proud to be an American and a veteran, but it seemed a little over the top to me at times. And I could have done without the Mitt Romney interview at the end.

The lead up to the destruction of the Savage Island Dam and the oil rig were riveting.

Channelling Clint Eastwood

A good summer read...great plot and story line...but the writer's "craft" needs some work.

A worthy addition to the time travel genre, and I enjoyed the history aspect of 1960's Dallas,Tx. The narration was good and did not detract from the story, which I like. And it was clever for King to suggest a less than happy ending if JFK had not been assassinated....but I found the "alternate history" if JFK survived to be too dark to be believable, and the story started to lose me at that point.

The main character was a classic "everyman" who King often puts to good use in his story telling.

Yes to a TV series or movie, with a young Tom Hanks (as per The Green Mile) as the main character.