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Years ago I sat next to an actual private detective on an airplane and he recommended Robert Crais. I have devoured all of his books and enjoyed every one of them. Chasing Darkness is no exception. James Daniels does a respectable job with the narration and my only complaint is that the book is finished so quickly.

I will start by giving narrator John Shea kudos - he is the only enjoyable part of this waste of a legacy credit. I will look for more John Shea reading other authors.

Alex Hawke - think Doc Savage without the bronze and excitement. His eclectic "inner circle" is composed of the most banal and stereotypical sidekicks. Hawke appears to be "dear old friends" with every leader and major figure in the free world. Bell kills off Hawke's wife as the book begins but, fear not, the book ends with Hawke shacking up with his old lover, the U.S. Secretary of State!

His yacht is a warship, he defeats sumos bare-handed and he has lots and lots of money. The story is a pile-on of every hackneyed cliche you ever read in an adventure novel. All at a pace to put you to sleep. Nighty-night!

With this first (of hopefully many) Mitch Rapp back story, Flynn continues to deliver. I have enjoyed several of his books in paper, but narrator George Guidall makes them come alive. Now if only we can get these read unabridged by Guidall:
• Memorial Day
• Separation of Power
• Term Limits
• The Third Option
• Transfer of Power

Lacking the breakneck pacing and/or humor of Koontz's other offerings, this is a long, drawn-out, predictable and ultimately uninteresting book. Others have criticized the narrator but I feel he had no chance with this one. I am a long-time Koontz fan but I cared not a whit for any of these characters. Pass on this one, but I will look forward to the next Odd Thomas or Christopher Snow.

There are many versions, both audio and video, of Dickens' classic story of redemption. This one is my favorite. Jim Dale brings his extraordinary talents to this timeless story. Check this out and his work on the Harry Potter series as well.

This title has potential and builds on the Easy Rawlins saga; a chapter from his middle-age. Easy's 8 to 5 job (and how he got it), his reluctant return to the streets, Mouse's transformation are all elements to keep your interest. Unfortunately, if you have enjoyed the distinctive narration of Stanley Bennett Clay in the three earlier titles, this audiobook will be a big disappointment.