Concrete Jungle

Jack Sloan Mystery Series Book 1

By: Gerald Darnell

Narrated by: Leander David Flathers

Jack Sloan, an ex-Miami cop turned private detective, is in serious trouble. Down on his luck with a gambling addiction that threatens to shred the new leaf he's turned over, his debts to drug dealers are about to get him the beating of his life, or worse. Life in the concrete jungle isn't easy, and Jack contemplates taking drastic action until a knock on his office door makes all his troubles disappear. He suddenly has a new client with a simple problem and loads of money to resolve it - or that's how it seems.

As the nightmare escalates, Jack Sloan finds trouble around every corner of Miami and South Beach. Too late he discovers his client's lies have dug a very deep hole, a hole deep enough to bury them both, and there's only one way out.

Somebody has to die.

©2015 Gerald W. Darnel (P)2015 Gerald W. Darnell

Terrific Narration and Story...Fun!

Great story with lots of surprises. Always a fun twist. It really keeps you on your toes. The narration is so gripping and exciting. So dramatic. He reminds me of the narrator on Frontline! Sexy voice too. The guy should be a sex phone operator...LOL! Make the ladies happy!

Also, he does a host of character voices that all stand out and he's very funny sometimes too! Really a very professional, well-done job and a really great, fun listen!

Great performance!

Excellent voice acting by Mr. Flathers! His voice brings this story to life quite easily!

Exciting Gripping and fun!

Where does Concrete Jungle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my audiobook favorite so far. The story is good old clean and dirty gumshoe detective mystery about a wise-guy private eye who always ends up on top. He's so cocky. I love it. Overall a fun narrative. And, the narration is amazing! The narrator really draws you in!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tony Andujar is my favorite character because he always gets so worked up and excited and loses his temper. It's really funny when that happens!

What about Leander David Flathers’s performance did you like?

Yes! Absolutely! Where did he come from? Definitely one of the best narration performances I have ever heard. He is extremely talented. I lost count at about 20-25 different voices characterizations he did in this. Very lively and gripping delivery. Has he done any other audiobooks because I want to find some and listen to them. Pure genius!

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

Yeah, the dead body on the beach scene...Whoops! Spoiler alert, I won't tell any more.

Any additional comments?

Truly one of the best audiobooks of the year. Gerald Darnell writes some really great stuff. His Carson Reno books are amazing too. Any chance they'll be a sequel to Concrete Jungle? This can't be the last of Jack Sloan I hope!

An enjoyable listening experience.

What made the experience of listening to Concrete Jungle the most enjoyable?

I like listening to old radio show private detective stories and this performance was in that vein. The narrator tapped into the down and out private detective and many other characters in the Miami underworld of the authors story.

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

I loved all of the characters that the narrator gave a voice to, he made listening to the story easy. I actually found myself listening to the characters as individuals and no longer heard the narrator. The best performances are the ones I am drawn into, seeing the world as described by the story tellers, and this one drew me in. The only downside was the lengthy introduction however as soon as the characters came on the scene it became a fun listen.

Have you listened to any of Leander David Flathers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was the first audio book I have listened to and couldn't wait to listen to another one! I am already well into it and I am hooked on audio books.

Great Book!

This was my first audio book and it wasn't a mistake! I loved the characters and the narration was so real it made me feel like I was there. The narrator, Mr. Flathers, did an excellent job and is a natural. The story, by Mr. Darnell, was clear and easy to follow. I am sold on audio books and will be listening to more going forward (as I can do other things while enjoying books).

Georgia F. Halifax, MA