J. Hasley

This installment isn't the best of the Andy Carpenter series, but it is still wonderful. It is a tad different because it "resolves" some things (no hints) for some characters I have come to "care" about. I think Grover Gardner is one of the best narrators out there. This story doesn't solve the world's problems, but it is an interesting and entertaining yarn. I love the humor and familiarity of the characters. I've read them all and look forward to the next one by Mr. Rosenfelt.

Nine Dragons isn't a strong entry for Connelly. The story goes along well enough, but not great. I found myself less than absorbed. At the end--the who done it and why left me disappointed. Good writing couldn't convince me this this ending was plausible. I don't believe the characters would have acted as they did. One can't just pick a murderer when writing a mystery. The psychology has to be there. And in 9 Dragons, it's missing.

The only thing that got in the way of listening to this book was stopping to look up the news articles and youtube videos I had never paid attention to at the time of the tragedy. Bullies in high school, road rage on the highway--these are things in our world, but not things I want to focus on. Then I read review about this book--about how the media had tried to drive our interpretations of this event. How the real stories was quite different. That got my attention. This is one compelling story. We are often curious about the reason for crimes. The media fed this frenzy. The finger pointing didn't point to the truth. The writing and the narration were both excellent. Anyone reading this book will imagine what it would have been like to be huddled under one of the library tables--and be moved....maybe even changed by it.

I would have bet against liking a book about video games...and I would have lost the bet.
This book didn't draw me in with the history of the games, but with the current knowledge of what happens when our world is regulated. I read it because I like after Amergeddon-type chaos books. For me those stories are about survivors. It does not come across as a fantasy as much as a what could happen. It is not whiney about it. It's just the way it is. After that comes survival.
This book was one of my best reads of the year...in fact I voted it my best read.

I've heard so much about the Outlander for so long, I thought this was a sure thing.
I've listened to Davina Porter's narrations in the past, and enjoyed every one. I like the idea of time travel. Maybe I was expecting too much---but this book just didn't come together for me. I didn't find the heroine likable...and the further into I went, the more annoying she became. Jamie was interesting, but Claire's compass was too selfish. I see the numbers of people who just adore this book. All I can say is I tried, but could not get lost in the story.

Agatha Christie is one of the best....if not the best "Who Done It" writers who uses the common village and neighbors as both the background and foreground of her mysteries. I enjoy mysteries set in places with a cast of characters that all have a familiarity about them. Some place we could go...someone we might know---and yet throw a murder into the mix...and its actually wonderful to curl up in a chair with low lights and listen the story unfold.

This is an amazing story. The fact that it is true...never quite reaches believable. But it is. I was only 9 when the murders happened. I remember the pervasive fear. This book doesn't explain it all---How could it? Not even a book by Manson himself would accomplish that. But this book is as close the mark as we can get. It adds to the horror if one has actually heard Manson speak and realize how charismatic he could be. The authors turn the array of clues and facts into a compelling story. I think it's one of the best True Crime books out there and the audiobook is a job well done.

I love Agatha Christie and I'm very fond of David Suchet---He is Poirot! However in this book, and this book alone, I felt like he was doing a caricature. I know that's a fine line-because one even gets the sense that Dame Christie meant him to be over the top--but the voice grated as well as the similar voice of the Railroad Director. On the other hand, I laughed every time I heard Mrs. Humphries voice. He outdid himself. Excellent. This isn't a bad book by any means...but nor was it one of the best.

Anne Perry writes a good murder mystery. I love all of the William Monk and Hester stories.
There is a kind of progression, but each can stand alone. If you don't like the first four, you won't like the next four. This book is one of the best of the series. Great characters. Compelling story.

I like Charlotte and Thomas--but I love William Monk and Hester Laterly books. Well done Anne Perry. I like their banter and reluctant respect.

I downloaded this book as part of promotion for first books of new writers. By the end of chapter two, I was downloading all of the available Louise Penny books and subscribing to her newsletter. She is amazing. You can't have murder without humor and to use French to further create an intimacy of location for this fictional village is a genius touch. I am fond of many audiobooks, but Louise Penny's books are all favorites.