Think about this

Read this series in order. They seem to end with each installment, but you need the background to really enjoy the story.
Rachel is as interesting as ever. She has one problem after another pop up, and they all seem to be life threatening, and heart threatening. Something seems to be starting with Rachel and Trent, then it also takes a turn, when a tragic event happens. This brings old characters back into the picture, sure to cause havoc in episodes to follow. That also plays a part in the frustrating ending.
Ivy doesn't make an appearance til halfway through the saga, which I have to say didn't disturb me one bit. With Ivy comes the vampire politics, setting the stage for the next book very clearly.
We get new views of Al and Trent in this book. (maybe everyone will find out they have a heart and soul) Characters are becoming more independent of each other, with the series starting to wrap up. All and all it was a good story, with a couple of heart wrenching shockers. It was a little slow in a few spots with too much descriptive dialog going on, but I did listen to it in 2 days, so that says something for it.

A great narrator adds to this story, but reading it would not have taken anything away from this heart gripping tale. It's a story of a good man, that has lost most everything of his way of life; his job, his wife, his home and is trying to hang on to his children. It's a suspenseful thriller/mystery that explains the circumstances of each character as you try to figure out, just who can be trusted. With lots of twists and turns along the way,
you can see the perspective of each person as the story unfolds, with greed, murder, deception, and love, all entangled in this complex mystery.
With a justifiable ending, it leaves you glad you listened to it, but not feeling warm and fuzzy... mainly thankful there's another in the series to go to.....cause you won't want to leave Iron Lake just yet.

This is my first listen from James Lee Burke, and definitely not the last. It's one of those stories that keeps you listening when you know you should be doing other things.
The characters are a colorful lot, with bits of humor, and lots of deception. Billy Bob finds himself defending his illegitimate son, which leads to learning a whole lot of dirty little secrets from many of the town's residents. It's a suspenseful who done it, with a side monologue from Billy Bob's Grandfather telling his own story straight out of the old west.The narrator does an excellent job, capturing the feel of a small town in Texas.

This is a very unique type of story, that even listeners not in to sci-fi will enjoy. Our main character moves into an apartment building that seems to have little quirky things wrong with it, that he can not ignore. He soon meets other tenants with similar concerns, and they start out on a fact finding mission about their complex.
What makes this story so enjoyable are the characters. They are all so totally different, each having a small talent that helps in this quest. And the dry humor, keeps you chuckling one minute, and cringing the next from the scary things happening.
It's a listen that will keep you engrossed, and the narration is excellent. Ray Porter definitely knows how to deliver a punch line.

This book is based around the character Terry McCaleb an ex FBI agent recovering from a heart transplant. He is approached by the sister of his heart's donor to find her murderer. Up until now, he didn't know anything about his donor, and especially that it was from a murder victim. Thus, the whole story really starts getting interesting, as he gets help from a lot of unlikely allies. He also, has his problems with cops that are resentful for him trying to help with the case. It may be somewhat predictable, but still has a few surprises, and doesn't disappoint in the long run. Of course, Dick Hill, does his usual outstanding narration.

Almost didn't listen to the whole of this book, because it started out from the viewpoint of a wife, whose husband was cheating on her. She was telling her story, and I just didn't know if I wanted to hear about a cheating husband,even in a humorous way. I stuck it out though, and did end up enjoying the book. Amanda Ronconi had something to do with that, I'm sure. She just knows how to tell a good tale, putting the punch lines right where they belong. I didn't like this book as much as the vampire and werewolf stories, but it will give you a good chuckle now and then.

I really wish Ms Harris would have ended this series with 8 books instead of dragging it out. It steadily got worse, as the books went on. (kinda like Anita Blake). Some of these authors need to learn when to end a series, before they get totally burned out, and write crap in order to pick up their paycheck. Where are the editors anyway?
I know I'm not writing the books, but I do think when an author has created a huge following, those readers should be considered and listened to. Someone needs to look where their paycheck came from.
That being said......this book was rushed, with stupid cameos all the way through it from just about every character ever introduced. Things that made Sookie, Sookie in other books, all of a sudden are different in this book. Doesn't the author use cliff notes to remind herself what abilities and history her characters have?
Spoiler Alert====

Spolier Alert!!!
I really feel the whole series should have been Sookie's dream (Like Bobby in Dallas) cause Sookie didn't achieve anything in the end. She ended up right where she started out, working in a diner with Sam, not really sold on wanting Sam, so she'll have to think about it for awhile. (oh yes, that's cause Ms Harris wants to sell us another book in a few months.Fat chance on me buying that one.) Sookie went through all kinds of horrible experiences, only to be jilted by the one man that she truly ever loved. All these books, making Eric always being there to rescue her, and he becomes a slave to another vampire in the end. (Oh yes, that's how he started out too)
So basically, Ms Harris sees ones life going full circle, ending up just where you started and no HEA for her main characters. She should have killed them off, dying in each others arms. I think it would have been easier to deal with, than to totally alter their characters. Neither one of them would have just given up and settled, in earlier books, but that's what Ms Harris seemed to forget again. Shame on her.

Have to say that I almost didn't listen to this installment, thinking that I was kinda let down with the last book. I did enjoy this book however, as it brought in more of the old characters, Stephan being one of my favorites.
It's a non-stop story of kidnapping, finding bad guys, and dealing with the problem. Brings in group efforts from the werewolves and the vampires.
Was kinda disappointed with all the political views in the story, but seems that's what celebrities do these days, is to speak their peace, and Hollywood is notorious for it. I really doubt Ms. Briggs could foresee just how either political party would react to the real discovery of werewolves. But, it's her book and she can write whatever she fancies.
Love this narrator for the Mercy voice, and glad I didn't bypass the book.

What a great series, and with James Marsters' narration, you can't go wrong.
This book was right up there with one of the best. A great cast of characters, hearing more from Susan, and that Thomas is a hoot. It had some surprise allies,( if only for awhile), adding to the book's charm.
Harry didn't have a chance to get bored, as bad guys kept popping up everywhere, in his quest to find the stolen shroud.
If you follow the series, don't miss this one.

This is a good book to read before Killing Floor, as it gives the background for the whole series, and why Reacher is wondering around the country.
Reacher is in the Army now, on an assignment that will end his career.
It's full of passion, intrigue, action, with twists and turns that leaves you wondering who the murderer is, right up til the end. Well, worth listening to.
It's topped off with a short story, that takes place when Reacher was 13 years old, traveling with his Marine family. It's short, but a good story.

I listened to another of the Reacher novels, and decided to start from the beginning. No disappointments with this novel either. I can easily see why this series has the highest reviews. It's loaded with interesting characters, with a suspenseful action/ crime thriller that keeps you guessing up til the end. It's fast paced, and the character development is excellent. Dick Hill's narration can't be beat.