Cold City

Repairman Jack: Early Years Trilogy, Book 1

By: F. Paul Wilson

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

If you've never read a Repairman Jack novel, this is the place to begin.

It's 1990. A twenty-one-year-old named Jack has dropped out of college, leaving his old life behind to build a new one in New York City. Manhattan's rough edges are jagged enough to shred any unwary newcomer, but perhaps not one who is determined to stay off the grid, at any cost, in the busiest metropolis on earth. And to do so, he'll have to take jobs of a less than legal nature.

An interstate smuggling operation seems to fit the bill perfectly. But Jack's initial foray into the trafficking of illicit goods carries greater risk than he bargained for, putting him afoul of a preteen slavery ring, a group of jihadists, and a pair of vigilante brothers. As if those problems weren't enough, Jack is hunted by some machete-wielding maniacs, and his bartender Julio is harassed by the mob. How these things are linked, and what they have to do with the murder of Rabbi Meir Kahane in Manhattan's East Side Marriott, is a mystery Jack cannot let go of.

Cold City is the first of three new novels revealing the early years of one of the most popular characters in contemporary fiction: a self-styled "fix-it" man who is no stranger to the macabre or the bizarre, hired by victimized people who have nowhere else to turn. This is where he begins the metamorphosis from a naïve New Jersey refugee into the urban mercenary known as Repairman Jack.

©2012 F. Paul Wilson (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Jack's Early Years, Book 1

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

Having bought the limited edition from Gauntlet Press, and the issue with the second running of Thanksgiving day, Chapter 3 in the Audio Version, I did prefer the print version. Alexander Cendese the new man doing the read has exceptional flexability in the voices. Each is distinctive and easily identifiable. Jack is my favorite character in print, by far; and this beginning shows how he started in his final chosen field. The introduction of many characters that will show up again and again and how he came to be associated with them was eye opening.I have already reserved the limited print of the second book and sincerely hope Paul will continue to have the books made available to Audible. The Print version is best, but I drive for 2 - 2 and a half hours each weekday. The Audible versions are my choice for travel listening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abe Grossman, He adds a bit of humor to the entire story.

Which character – as performed by Alexander Cendese – was your favorite?

Abe Grossman, as done by Alexander Cendese. The switch from Jewish when he is in normal conversation, to the dropping of it when he is questioning Jack's comments was superb. Mr. Cendese does RJ and the associated characters outstanding. I'm looking for forward to the rest of the series by Mr. Cendese.

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

Every Repairman Jack book I have wanted to either read or listen to in one sitting. This one was no different. As the new Urban Mercenary, RJ is THE MAN! He has been since the publication of the Tomb.

Any additional comments?

I just finished the first four books and thought Christopher Price was exceptional. Mr. Cendese in the first Pre-RJ book is outstanding!!! The difference in age for the characters in the books makes the case for both readers. Both are exceptional! Read them all!! Keep Mr. Cendese for the three book series. I'll buy them all, print and Audible!

Could have wrapped it up in this book, but no.

Would you try another book from F. Paul Wilson and/or Alexander Cendese?

Perhaps, interested in the The Adversary Cycle. The narrator was good.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Could have wrapped it up in this book, but no.

What three words best describe Alexander Cendese’s performance?

Slightly stilted but he shows his skill at characterization and grew on me.

Did Cold City inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

The writing is very good and vivid, no confusion about what is happening, but a bit less commonplace detail and a little more action would have made this a great book instead of a good to almost very good book for me.

Lots of fun!

Years ago I read several of the Repairman Jack series. It was fun to meet young Jack. Narration was excellent. Plan to start reading series again on audio.

Meh

The ending was hurried. Too many subplots left on finished.

I'll listen to one more, just to be sure the series is in the complete wash.

Surprising

I bought this book on sale and wasn't sure what I was getting into. I was surprised that I became so involved and put this down to the main character, Jack, who you cannot dislike. I was disappointed when it finished and definitely want to hear more about Jack. The narration was perfect.

Unexpectedly Brilliant and Gripping

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

Great story that builds and builds. Cendese reading never falters and all the roles and dialects are spot on.

When I finished ... I had to immediately start the second in the series.

Enjoyable

For some reason I played is book before I went to sleep and always lost my place. T I found the voice of the narrator somewhat snarky and sarcastic.

Did I start in the right place?

Would you try another book from F. Paul Wilson and/or Alexander Cendese?

Sure. I just felt like I started in the wrong place ... I seem to have missed all of the previous Repairman Jack stories.

If you’ve listened to books by F. Paul Wilson before, how does this one compare?

This was my first. It was okay.

What three words best describe Alexander Cendese’s performance?

Clean, simple, effective. I did have a difficult time telling some of the characters apart.

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

No, not really, because I don't think this is the first Repairman Jack book that would be made into a movie.

Any additional comments?

I will admit to being a bit confused. I liked the story idea, but it wasn't until I got into it that I found this was a "prequel" that went back to the start of the books. I just felt like I missed so much of the character. I will go back and listen to the first Repairman Jack book and see if this makes more sense.

ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOL YARD

NEVER TRUST A MAN WHO WON'T HAVE A BEER WITH YOU
I very much enjoyed this book. The miles went by very quickly as I listened. It is not great literature, the story ain't that complicated and there are not a whole lot of twists or turns. It was the characters that made this book. Every character in this book is that, a character, not your everyday Tom, Dick and Harry. Often they make you laugh. This was written in 2012, but it takes place in 1990 and has men with mullets, bag phones, etc.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS BREAKFAST, BUT IT'S A ROUGH DAY FOR THE WORM
This is about how the other half lives, no not that half, the underground half, the off the grid half. Some may have trouble with what these people do for a living. These are criminals, but they are criminals with morals. There are certain things they won't do and they police there own. I don't agree with how they live and I would never live such a life, but it was fun watching them do it. Fun is the best way to describe this book. So, put your BEER GOGGLES on and have fun.

I don't think I have ever heard this narrator before, but he was great. Alexander Cendese, I must remember that name.

Excellent Narration

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

Yes. I enjoyed the plot and the narration. (As a matter of fact, the valet at a local restaurant told me he hated to give me my car back because he was so intrigued by the narrator.)
I thought the plot was interesting, although, I'm not really sure what the plot was other than Jack getting caught up in events and his efforts to untangle them. Some of these entanglements he does not wind up. The book ends screaming sequel.
Now that I think about it, the plot was ok, and I was interested in Jack, but I liked the narration the best. Candese truly made the book for me. He slipped from character to character with ease. He didn't go over the top; each character seemed to have the appropriate accent or tone or delivery that made it easy to discern which character was speaking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Can't remember the character's name, but the guy who owned the sporting goods store--Abe?

Which character – as performed by Alexander Cendese – was your favorite?

The sporting goods store owner.

Any additional comments?

I will eagerly listen to any book read by Alexander Cendese.