Heart of Stone: The Negotiator Trilogy, Book 1

Being a fan of the Anita Blake series, I thought I would give this book a try... It took me a little listening, but I started to enjoy the reader after a little bit... Yes, there's a lot of repetition in the writing but the story moved along enough to keep me interested... I recommend this for anyone who enjoys a lighter fantasy novel - one that is incorporated with a familiar environment (i.e. the US, New York, modern day, etc)... I've ordered the second book so you know it's entertaining enough to inspire caring in the characters.

While I liked both of C E Murphy's previous books quite a bit, they pale in comparison. Heart of Stone is a great addition to the urban legend genre. This book is fast paced and captures your attention from the very beginning. A lawyer and a gargoyle, what a great twist!!

Lorna Harper
Dallas Tx

I love a bit of mystery with an unusual twist -- and abit of romance. The key being "abit" of romance --- no overt throbbing manhoods with heaving breasts!! I prefer romance, some sex and characters that think (as much as sci-fi//harlequin can)!! This book met my criteria-- I will follow through on the series.
Entertaining!

For the most part I would say that it was worth the listen, and the credit. I enjoyed the Characters, the overall story and the narrator.

That being said some of the parts in this book made me cringe the way the author describes things such as facial expressions is terrible, at times it felt like a bad TV movie with horrible actors. On top of that is the "romance" it seemed a bit forced and I actually thought at one point that the author is turned on by the idea of a massive gargoyle member... Crass I know but that's how I felt. I should state that the topic of the Gargoyles manliness is handled as tastefully as it possibly could be.

I liked the story it was enjoyable, its characters engaging, and the narrator is superb. If you like fun supernatural stories then give it a shot as I said its worth the listen. Its not quite as good as the Dresden files by Jim Butcher, but until Audible gets all of that series its a fun alternative!

There's a nice compliment sandwich.

I enjoy this genre, but this was not an easy listen. It seems the heroine is the only one with brains. How can she know more than the "old races". It reminded me of the Gargoyle cartoon I watched as a child.

This is the first audio book I have not finished. The characters do things that are unrealistic which makes me drop any connection I might have felt with them. Yet somehow the story also manages to be incredibly boring. I am glad I got it when it was on the $5 list. I can't imagine paying full price or using a credit

It started out interesting...then it just dragged on and on and I was not interested. I only finished it when I was waiting for my other credits to come in. Don't waste your time.

This is the lamest, slowest story ever. Things pop up that you've never heard of. Stupidity is rampant. Instead of just doing what a normal person would do the heroine just talks and talks and talks and eats a lot of yogurt. I counted at least three scenes already where she eats yogurt???? ARGH Don't torture yourself. Choose something else. Patricia Briggs maybe?

I really enjoyed this series! Had to get used to hearing 3rd person b/c most of the books I've been listening to (Southern Vampire Series, Anita Blake, The Hollows Series) were in 1st person. Book was kind of slow at first, but it definitely grew on me! I've recommended it to all my friends that like urban fantasy type books.

Margrit (Grit) Knight's habit of taking nightly jogs through central park had always been dangerous, but she'd had no idea that there was someone, or something, watching her. With a rash of murders, young women killed in and around the park who all look a little like Margrit, that watcher steps fully into her life.

But Alban Korund isn't human; he's a gargoyle. One of the five old races that still inhabit the planet, though one (the Selkies) are believed to have died out.

Margrit is thrust into the midst of an investigation, torn between protecting Alban - who has been described/named as a suspect - and continuing her work as a public defender. Work that also puts her in a head to head situation with Daisani, a powerful man within the city of New York - who just happens to be a vampire, in order to prevent the destruction of a building where numerous squatters live.

Her every day world is now filled with beings no one else apparently knows about. Gargoyles, Vampires, Selkies, Jinn, and Dragons - and with the murders continuing Grit must find the killer and protect Alban before she ends up in the morgue herself.

A lovely twist on the urban fantasy/paranormal setting. I have to admit the narrator did a wonderful job, pulling me into the story each night.