Deadly Straits

I have just completed "The Eye of the Tiger" and I consider "Deadly Straits" to be far more engaging.Deadly Straits is right at the top of our list of audiobooks. I am legally blind and audiobooks are necessary, therefore and needless to say, I have listened to quite a few. My wife enjoys soaking in the bathtub, listening to audiobooks and she, also, thoroughly enjoyed "Deadly Straits".

The plot is never bogged down and keeps moving. It also keeps one guessing and has surprising twists and turns. I was pleasantly surprised as I usually surmise what will happen long before it does happen.

One of my favorite parts was when they figured out who the true culprit was on the ship

For the first time since reading the first couple of novels of W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy, I actually enjoyed every aspect of this book and waited for the next sentence. For me personally, it is the first time in over 10 years that my interest was keep totally captivated until the end of the novel.

I am a person who stays very busy on complex issues of crime, deception and skulduggery. I was not prepared for the final scene but I was thoroughly captivated and impressed by the final scene. It has been a long time coming that we find a writer capable of challenging the likes of Clancy or Griffin. I am impatiently waiting for Mr. McDermott's other books to become available on audiobooks. And, to all suspense/thriller novelists and enthusiasts - Beware! R.E. McDermott HAS arrived.

I received this audiobook from the author, R.E. McDermott, as I have begun participating in a GoodReads group - AudioBooks. I read/listen constantly, so a new book from an author new to me is truly a treat.

This book did not disappoint, not one bit. I've read/listen to the entire Patrick O'Brian series so I am familiar to a small degree with the intricacies of mystery-thrillers cast upon a sea. The technical exposition McDermott uses brings what might be mundane to some, alive and exciting to the reader/listener. I was enthralled. Having the time, I read the book almost non-stop. (Using the Audible.com iPhone app you can set a book to play for x minutes and stop. At 4 am, I simply had to stop resetting the timer and get some sleep.)

McDermott's characters are drawn richly. The plots are multiple and multi-layered. The author draws from current day geo-political themes much in the same way as a Clancy techno-military thriller does. Tom Dugan, the main protagonist, is compelling in his knowledge of shipping and ships; and how to use that knowledge as a weapon. Dugan's many antagonists are portrayed as heinous, uncaring beings, easy to despise.

I cannot wait to read the next in the series - Deadly Coast.

One caution, this is my first listen of Todd Haberkorn as Narrator. I was unfamiliar with his style and pacing. As the book progressed, I appreciated his initial low-key delivery, which became increasingly passionate as the plot developed. Don't be put off by his initial, under-played characterizations. He helps build tension adroitly as the plot develops and has a nice range of voices with which to paint McDermott's vivid characters.

What a treat.

This was a new author and a new book. And also a new narrator. It has been years since I read Ian Flemming - mid to late 60s. When I did I read all the books as a teen. This reminded me a lot of that.

There are plenty of twist and turns and a fair amount of action. The characters are likable and sympathetic ... or as dispicable as Dr. No. I especially liked Anna Walsh; maybe because in my minds eye I had Christina Hendricks (AKA Joan Holloway) playing the part.

Good first effort by R.E. McDermott. And great effort by the narrator Todd Haberkorn in doing the multitude of voices.

Caveat - don't judge this book till you get past chapter 3. There is lots to set up and the plot structure is complex.

As a self-published author, McDermott did a superb job putting together a thriller that can be best be described as following Clive Cussler - a bit over the top. He has imagined a "what if" scenario of horrific proportion and written a solid thriller. I listened to the audiobook version that was splendidly narrated by Todd Haberkorn who deftly handled the many characters. The characterizations are very well done and the plot and suspense are jigsawed together very nicely. Just when I thought reality had really been suspended beyond belief McDermott had an explanation that was spot on and answered my niggling little questions as I listened. The plot and the suspense were crafted in a wonderful jigsaw that fit together. Unfortunately we live in a world of have and havenots and McDermott's premise is not that far-fetched. If any one of the scenarios happened in the future it would topple governments and shift the balance of power. Under the Freedom of Information Act, some day in the future I wouldn't be surprised if any one of the events in the book had actually been a terrorist plot that had been thwarted. I'm looking forward to Deadly Coast.

The story was predictable and the characters were cardboard cutouts, The good guys were extremely good and the bad guys were extremely bad.

I'm undecided but it will definitely not be a story by this author.

The performance was OK except for the Cassie character. Irritating doesn't even come close.

Boring and disappointing. A credit and numerous hours I'll never get back. However, I do think I learned something by listening to the bloody end. That being, just because you purchased a bad story don't hang-on to the end to get your money's worth,

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a little bit of everything: espionage, intrigue, comedy, , likable characters, insane freaking terrorists and best of all, heart pounding action. Can audio books be described as page turners?

I loved the narration too. I listen to A LOT of audio books and the narration can break a book. Todd did a fantastic job with all the dialogue and all the accents he had to do.

This is my first review on Audible even though I've been a member for well over a year. McDermott is self published so I wanted to be sure and give my support. I can't wait to start "Deadly Coast" today!

I haven't listened to too many books in this genre, the only other one I can think of being "The Hunt for Red October" and I enjoyed "Deadly Straits" much much more. The narration especially was a thousand times better.

The volume fluctuated quite a bit at times I noticed in the production of this audio book so if you're using headphones, just be careful. Aside from that, this book is well worth the credit! Go get it! Oh and stay tuned after the book is over for a special treat.

I don't consider it better but enjoyed through a different medium and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The narration was well done in bringing the great story, plot and character development to life. It is highly recommended and a very pleasurable story to be absorbed in!

No this is my first but I would gladly listen to other narrations by him.

By the time I listened to the first few chapters I dearly wanted to continue, however, I did not have the time so I enjoyed it over a few days. Each time I was left itching to listen to more.

Do yourself a favour and don't just read it but listen to the story as well, it is a fantastic experience to be taken in by a great writer and his very accomplished narrator. Can't wait for the next instalments by both parties! Thanks for the enjoyable time.