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Hugh

Inverell, Australia | Member Since 2012

HELPFUL VOTES

9 reviews
14 ratings
50 titles in library
6 purchased in 2013

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Guilty Wives

UNABRIDGED
- by James Patterson , David Ellis
- Narrated by January Lavoy
Guilty Wives

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 20 mins)

By James Patterson, David Ellis

Narrated By January Lavoy

Overall
(24)
Performance
(22)
Story
(21)

Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off of a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential suite overlooks Monte Carlo, and they surrender: to the sun and pool, to the sashimi and sake, to the Bruno Paillard champagne. For four days they're free to live someone else's life. But In the morning's harsh light, Abbie awakens on a yacht, surrounded by police....
Vicki says: "More entertaining than 50 Shades"
"Well Done! Excellent, exciting story!"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely! Couldn't stop listening. Great story. Great mystery. The reader does the change of accents very well.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the reader changed into the first person whenever she was in the part of the main character. The story was fascinating and easy to follow.

What does January Lavoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The change of accents, American to French to British.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! Unfortunately this was not possible but I loved every minute of it.

Any additional comments?

Great story! Great author! Great reader! Well done!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Batavia

UNABRIDGED
- by Peter FitzSimons
- Narrated by Richard Aspel
Batavia

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs)

By Peter FitzSimons

Narrated By Richard Aspel

Overall
(15)
Performance
(15)
Story
(15)

The story begins in 1629, when the pride of the Dutch East India Company, the Batavia, is on its maiden voyage en route from Amsterdam to the Dutch East Indies, laden down with the greatest treasure to leave Holland. The magnificent ship is already boiling over with a mutinous plot that is just about to break into the open when, just off the coast of Western Australia, it strikes an unseen reef in the middle of the night. While Commandeur Francisco Pelsaert decides to take the longboat across 2,000 miles of open sea for help, his second-in-command Jeronimus Cornelisz takes over....
Marc says: "Great"
"Great Australian History"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about Batavia?

It was unbelievable! However it was true! This story just proves that fact is stranger than fiction.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Dutch soldier who rescued many of the passengers and crew from the depravity of Jeronemus and the mutineers.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the executions of the mutineers including the summing up in the epilogue. Justice was crude and rough in the 17th century!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was amazed by the events that took place.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Angels Fall

UNABRIDGED
- by Nora Roberts
- Narrated by Joyce Bean
Angels Fall

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 50 mins)

By Nora Roberts

Narrated By Joyce Bean

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(232)
Performance
(151)
Story
(153)

Enjoying the view from the mountain she has just climbed, Reece Gilmore sees a woman being attacked. But when authorities comb the area, they find nothing - no signs of struggle. No freshly turned earth. Not even a tire track. No one in town seems to believe Reece, except Brody, a gruff loner.
Lia says: "Classic Nora Roberts"
"A Great Read"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does Angels Fall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right up with the best. Nora Roberts has a great style.

What did you like best about this story?

The mystery of why Reece was in Angel's Fist and what dis she see in the canyon?

What does Joyce Bean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings the characters to life

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Reece is running from something. What is she afraid of?

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Private

UNABRIDGED
- by James Patterson
- Narrated by Peter Hermann
Private

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 3 mins)

By James Patterson

Narrated By Peter Hermann

Overall
(23)
Performance
(6)
Story
(6)

Jack Morgan is a war hero. Returning home from Afghanistan after being wounded, Jack is called into California State Prison to visit his father, Tom, who is serving a life sentence for extortion and murder. Before being incarcerated, Tom ran a private investigation firm called ‘Private’. Tom wants Jack to re-start the company, to make it great again, and gives him access to a $15 million dollar account in the Cayman Islands to do it with.
Hugh says: "Great Entertainment"
"Great Entertainment"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Private to be better than the print version?

Having not read the print version, it is not possible to say. However, since I really enjoy audiobooks. I really enjoyed this one.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The multiple story lines.

What about Peter Hermann’s performance did you like?

His voice impersonations

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you need help. Call Private!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Kill Me If You Can

UNABRIDGED
- by James Patterson
- Narrated by Jeff Woodman , Jason Culp
Kill Me If You Can

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 48 mins)

By James Patterson

Narrated By Jeff Woodman, Jason Culp

Overall
(7)
Performance
(6)
Story
(5)

Matthew Bannon, a poor art student living in New York City, finds a duffel bag filled with diamonds during a chaotic attack at Grand Central Station. Plans for a worry-free life with his gorgeous girlfriend Katherine fill his thoughts – until he realises that he is being hunted, and that whoever is after him won’t stop until they have reclaimed the diamonds and exacted maximum revenge. Trailing him is the Ghost, the world’s greatest assassin, who has just pulled off his most high-profile hit: killing Walter Zelvas, a top member of the international Diamond Syndicate. There’s only one small problem....
Anne says: "I listen to this twice!"
"Not One of James Pattersons Better Stories"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe. This story doesn't quite ring true. It is a bit far fetched and the romantic scenes seem forced and "over acted"

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably James Pattersons Private

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman and Jason Culp ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I do like their performances though.

Could you see Kill Me If You Can being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

As I said. Not one of his better stories but it is OK.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED
- by Jess Walter
- Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 53 mins)

By Jess Walter

Narrated By Edoardo Ballerini

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3800)
Performance
(3271)
Story
(3251)

The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper, chest-deep in daydreams, looks out over the incandescent waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an actress, he soon learns, an American starlet, and she is dying. And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot - searching for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier.
Cindy says: "Best Mistake I Ever Made On Audible..."
"A Pleasant Story. Not exactly my favourite."

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you like best about Beautiful Ruins? What did you like least?

The overall concept was good. The story was a bit long winded but reasonably enjoyable.

What could Jess Walter have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It was a bit long winded and convoluted. It all made sense in the end but, I have to say that if I was reading the book myself, I probably would not have finished it.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was good. The story was too long.

Could you see Beautiful Ruins being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes. Rees Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Johnny Depp

Any additional comments?

The overall story was very good. However I wouldn't say it was a story that I would want to listen to in a single sitting.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A Game of Thrones (Part One): Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED
- by George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by Roy Dotrice
A Game of Thrones (Part One): Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 39 mins)

By George R. R. Martin

Narrated By Roy Dotrice

Overall
(356)
Performance
(303)
Story
(307)

This is Part One of Book 1 of the A Song of Ice and Fire Series. This first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is unabridged and split into two parts. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
Karenza says: "A feast of a tale faithfully narrated"
"Not my cup of tea"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you try another book from George R. R. Martin and/or Roy Dotrice?

No

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something by James Patterson or Norah Roberts

Would you be willing to try another one of Roy Dotrice’s performances?

No

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

The story was too vague to follow. Listened to the first couple of hours but just couldn't get into it at all.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age: Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen

UNABRIDGED
- by Peter FitzSimons
- Narrated by Paul English
Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age: Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen

UNABRIDGED (23 hrs and 59 mins)

By Peter FitzSimons

Narrated By Paul English

Overall
(29)
Performance
(22)
Story
(21)

Australia's best-selling nonfiction author of all time. Douglas Mawson, born in 1882 and knighted in 1914, was Australia's greatest Antarctic explorer. On 2 December 1911, he led an expedition from Hobart to explore the virgin frozen coastline below, 2000 miles of which had never felt the tread of a human foot. After setting up Main Base at Cape Denision and Western Base on Queen Mary Land, he headed east on an extraordinary sledging trek with his companions, Belgrave Ninnis and Dr Xavier Mertz.
R. Wagner says: "A Real Life "Boys Own" Adventure Story"
"Wonderful History"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high. Peter Fitzsimons is an amazing researcher and he does more than just recite historical facts. A must for history buffs!

What other book might you compare Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age to and why?

This book is typical of Fitzsimons best stories.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Secrets of a Summer Night: The Wallflowers, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Lisa Kleypas
- Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Secrets of a Summer Night: The Wallflowers, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs)

By Lisa Kleypas

Narrated By Rosalyn Landor

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1284)
Performance
(669)
Story
(675)

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle’s most intriguing — and persistent — admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition…but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.
Mandy says: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!"
"A Male Perspective"

Overall
Performance
Story

What made the experience of listening to Secrets of a Summer Night the most enjoyable?

The way in which is was performed was excellent. The story was perhaps a bit drawn out.

If you’ve listened to books by Lisa Kleypas before, how does this one compare?

First time with this author

What about Rosalyn Landor’s performance did you like?

The way in which her voice portrayed the various characters was extremely well done

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I like the way that the story built to a climax. The scene in the music room where Annabelle and Simon have to quietly wait while the musicians practice. The sexual tension and the anticipation is amazing

Any additional comments?

As a male, I don't usually read or listen to this kind of story. I must say it was very well written and the whole thing was very tastefully written.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful