Paula

I had no idea what this book was. . . bought it on sale on a whim. . . and it turned out to be quite a nice experience. The story line draws you in quickly and because it is a short listen, a book you'll want to finish in one sitting if you can. No complaints here on the performance; but full disclosure is merited: after the first 30 minutes, I used Audible's 1.5 speed -- the narration was just as good a little faster in my view.

I LOVE Craig Johnson's "Walt Longmire" mysteries. . . or maybe I am in love with Walt. . . either way, this is yet another great story in the series. This time, Walt attempts to go undercover in a backwater Wyoming town to resolve a murder. He and his pal "the Indian Nation" do their best and the story offers great excitement, many twists and turns, a little romantic speculation and lots of humor.

If you haven't started the series, do! Cold Dish will introduce you and from there, it is a sure bet that you'll want all eight of Walt's stories in your library.

I stumbled on this book via a genre list on Goodreads. . . and was happy to find it available on Audible.

This is not just "another" story of the Jewish experience during Hitler's reign; it is a GREAT true story of one woman's experience that has been written as novel.

Anya Brodman died in 1996. This novel relieves her years-long nightmare as a young Russian Jew who moved to Poland with her family prior to the outbreak of WWII. Her wonderful family was slowly but surely decimated; their upper middle-class station ripped from under them as her father, brothers and husband were slaughtered. Anya, her daughter and mother suffered in a Jewish Ghetto and just before Anya and her mother were forced to board the train to the labor camps, where Anya and her mother were parted, Anya made the wrenching decision to give her young 3-year old daughter to a Gentile, in hopes that the child's life would be spared.

This is a wrenching story. Part I is a narrative of Anya's family and life before the war. It was idyllic. From there the story follows her decisions, deceptions and horrendous life; sometimes in gory detail; as she prevails. Anya's story reveals her fallibility, her wounds and pain, some of from which she was never able to recover.

I was immediately engaged with this story because of the superb narration. Kathe Mazur did a marvelous job throughout. It is a long story, but one that is brilliantly written and told. Anya's story is one of a heroic struggle just to survive and reveals her character and determination.

There is little to criticize, however I would offer this note: There were elements of the story that provided so much detail that I wished for less; and there were elements of the story presented with little detail and I wished for more. This minor fault does not diminish its value nor my recommendation to consider putting this one in your library.

This is the fourth book I have listened to in the "Walt Longmire" series and the fourth time I have given author and narrator five stars. Not only are these contemporary westerns great stories filled with complex, well developed characters and mystifying cases to solve; but the narration brings Walt and those he encounters to life in a fantastic manner.

The setting is Wyoming, the time period now, although recountings of Walt's tour of duty in Viet Nam in the late '60's, influenced by the discovery of the body of a Vietnamese women are a central element of the plot of this book.

Start with the first in the series, and you'll want to read them all. They are that good.

Adrian McKinty has done it again. This story is simply wonderful even though I must admit it has numerous grisly accountings of murder and mayhem. What I liked is the way McKinty wove so much history, human interest and mystery into a grand plot that kept moving. I found myself finding it hard to turn it off because I couldn't wait to hear what happened next.

Loved the inclusion of history and myth in relation to the bands of "travelers" or Irish "tinkers.". I loved even more the incomparable narration of Gerard Doyle. No one could possibly do it better.

As a mystery/thriller, this one is stellar!

I chose this book based on reviews that described it as a stellar, moving story about men who survived the horrors of war. For some, perhaps it was. For me, it was less of a story about the survivors than it was a detailed accounting of both American and Japanese strategy and battles in the Pacific.

Sorry, but that isn't my cup of tea. There were brief overlays that were compelling collages from the life of the boy/man from Montana who was catapulted unto an awful circumstance, but not enough to create a story line that kept my attention.

Likely this is a great war story, just not one that I could thoroughly enjoy.

I can vaguely recall "reading" this book as a sophomore or junior in high school and preparing a book report as a class assignment. However since that was several decades ago, before listening to this Audible book, I had no recollection of the substance of the book, so I enjoyed rediscovering it.

The Good Earth is a simplistic story -- almost like a fable or analogy -- that remains applicable and can be instructive, even in this modern day and age. Wealth as a destroyer of traditional values, the cycle of nature ,and the oppression of women are three of the major themes of the book.

There are lots of take aways, but one seems paramount and timely: when we are without wealth, we can be critical of the lifestyles, morality and culture of the wealthy; but when we become wealthy, it is easy to adopt those same lifestyles, moral codes and cultures. Interesting, the outcomes we observe for the wealthy are parallelled in our own experiences, and happiness is not among them.

The narration of this audio-book is superb! Anthony Heald is simply wonderful. Pearl S. Buck's writing, somewhat barebones in terms of background and description, stands the test of time and warrants accolades.

This is a great book!

Jack Reacher is some kind of guy! His moral code is a little hard to grasp (maybe he hasn't one) but he's so likable that you can't help root for him as he mows down one villain after the next and has one sexual conquest after the next. One thing is for certain -- never ever get on his bad side! Jack Reacher takes no prisoners.

I liked this book a great deal. The narration is superb. Dick Hill is amazing and it is through his inflections and voices that the story truly comes alive. But it is also a very good story with gripping issues that end each chapter and compel you to keep listening. The events may seem crazy and implausible, but you will find yourself believing it is all possible in the blink of an eye.

If you like thrillers with lots of action (and some rather repugnant gore-filled descriptions of murders and slayings here and there) you won't want to miss this one.

It has been a while since I've enjoyed a crime/mystery story as much as this one. Told through the narrative of a Denver-based newspaper reporter who became a central figure in a compelling criminal investigation, this is one you don't want to miss. If you have an interest in plausible, highly engaging crime/mystery books, this story will capture you from the very first words.

I can't reveal more of the gist of the story, because practically anything I offer would give away some element of the plot. Just know that it is an intellectually satisfying book with twists and turns that make you want to keep listening all night. Every chapter has a mini-cliffhanger that requires you to keep listening -- or you'll lie awake thinking about for hours! I was eager to get back to ithisone every time I had to put it down. Best of all, there are no gimmicky endings here! Connelly has ended the story in a way that answers questions, resolves mysteries and leaves the reader believing that this one. . .just might be true.

Add to that the fact that Buck Schirner's performance is masterful and you have a book that is very much worth the price of admission. I highly recommend it.

Leo and Bruno, Alma and Isaac -- will forever be memorable characters. They capture your imagination within a wonderful story. Listening to this can't help but increase your capacity for empathy.

This is a very engaging story that will take you on an emotional ride as experienced by an aging man who has had joys, regrets, pain, sorrow, laughter, family and friendship throughout his life. It is well worth your time.

The story plot (two female senior citizens as killers-for-hire) had great potential. The characterization of lesbian women as "real" people was well done. Bernadette Dunne's performance was quite good.

That said, this book was a less-than-average listen. . . it just never got very interesting. Too easy to put this one down and go on to other things.

And the ending? Fiction for sure, given that what the (I-think-I'm-a-lesbian) detective does would get her in big trouble, since her colleagues knew what was in her possession. (Trying not to give it all away here!)

Not a bad listen. . .but far from the best. Average.