Hard Spell

Occult Crimes Unit Investigations, Book 1

By: Justin Gustainis

Narrated by: Peter Brook

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Scranton, the strangest city on earth has an uneasy “live and let unlive” relationship with the supernatural. But when a vamp puts the bite on an unwilling victim, or some witch casts the wrong kind of spell, that’s when they call me.

"My name’s Markowski, a Detective Sergeant on the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit. I carry a badge. Also, a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets."

Justin Gustainis was born in Northeast Pennsylvania in 1951. He attended college at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit university that figures prominently in several of his writings. He is currently a Professor of Communication at Plattsburgh State University. His popular series of urban fantasy novels featuring investigator Quincey Morris include Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman, and the forthcoming Sympathy for the Devil.

©2011 Justin Gustainis (P)2014 Audible Ltd

Horrible narration

The story was good, a little predictable, but overall a pretty good plot line. As for the narration, things were constantly mispronounced, and the emotions of the character at the moment didn't match with the way it was narrated.

Great story, well read (but LOADS of swearing)

I love this author and was really pleased to have his books on Audio, having read all of them.

Really well thought out story and good world-building. Narration was top notch too. But the swearing.... What a potty mouth Mr Gustainis has! (I never really noticed it in the print version somehow).

He needs to wash his mouth out with soap! Seriously, it's a good listen and I'm going to download the others in the series.

OK Story, terrible narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Much better stories out there on the subject

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hard Spell?

Overall setting was interesting

How could the performance have been better?

Peter Brook's character voices go from normal to daffy duck. He should probably find another line of work.

Any additional comments?

Probably like this book a lot more if someone else was the narrator.

Narrator issues

When the narrator reads the description of how the character’s voice was supposed to sound and his voice doesn’t even come close to it you know you have a poorly narrated story.

Better as a novel

I enjoyed this book back when I read it. I thought it was a pretty solid occult mystery & enjoyed the characters. The story was a bit predictable, but then again so was the Anita Blake series that several of my friends have read & tried to get me into. When I saw it on Audible I didn't even hesitate in putting it in my cart, but then I listened it & the whole story was ruined for me. With whom was the Peter Brook related to that allowed him a opportunity in narrating books? Holy crap, I'm not sure what was worse his lame attempt at a Bella Lugosi voice for the vampire wizard or the fact that it was difficult to tell the difference between the rest of the characters.

This is about cops who work in the paranormal unit

I'm gonna be real I was not impressed by this book I'm not sure what the Author was going for but it didn't work for me . And the only character that I did like Carol got turned at the end so yeah .

Ugh

A waste of time. The writing was mediocre and the performance was ridiculous. I don’t understand how this has four stars

good listen

I really enjoyed the book. it felt a bit rushed at the end. but overall really great.

Good book

I have written at least 3 reviews recently because I have decided to try a book despite numerous negative reviews. Then I finish the book and think "that wasn't a bad book". Then I think "man, this author doesn't deserve this" and I want to leave a review (which I hate doing). Maybe I've just read some really crappy books or maybe I have lower standards. I don't know but I hate that some books will be skipped over because of reviews. I typically consult the reviews before downloading the book. And I assume others do too. I just want to say maybe you should just try them. Audible has added many books that are "included" in membership. When you don't have to spend a credit or any cash, give them a try!

Great story, not so great narrator

I really liked this book. A new voice in urban fantasy with all the requisites! But Peter Brooks pronounces werewolf we'arwolf and coven co-ven. Grr! And a coupleof his voice choices don't jibe with the written characteristics. Like Prescott isn't a 13 year old boy.