The Gentlemen's Hour: A Novel

If you like Don Winslow, grab one of his early works, or this one. If you like gratuitous violence that attracts likes of Oliver Stone, try his book, Savages. There's nothing especially groundbreaking here. Just a nice listen in Southern California setting. Likable characters, nice story. For Winslow's best, see the Winter of Frankie Machine.

Good character development, great story.

The ending. I hope Winslow will continue this series.

This was a serious error. Don't fix what ain't broke. Ray Parker is a master vocalist. I can't say the same thing for this Narrator.

Hang Twelve to the MAX.

Winslow is a terrific writer, whose characters are interesting and quirky. His plots build tension, involve complex interweaving of seemingly distinct story lines, and provide insightful commentary on different subcultures of America. His hero here, Boone Daniels (get it?) is the rare honest man, a kind of modern philosopher encased in a jock's body. Like Neal Carey in "A Cool Breeze on the Underground," he is far more intelligent and well-read than his lifestyle would suggest. He has the ability to get inside people's heads and figure out what drives them, leading to analyses and insights that others miss, especially the police. Yet he acts totally irrationally at times and, were he not Superman, would have been killed long ago. This clashes with his oft-referenced sophisticated experience as a surfer, both in his interactions with other surfers and his respect for the ocean and its fickle waves and currents. Such a person isn't likely to survive as a P.I. Like "Cool Breeze," this story has an unbelievable ending. It is as if Wyatt Earp went to the O.K. Corral without first arranging for his two brothers and Doc Halliday to accompany him.
As for the narrator, he did well, especially with the difficult challenge of imitating a British woman.

Liked the story but not as much as the first with this character in "The Dawn Patrol". Nice reading.

A fun mystery with a La Jolla/surf vibe. Very light. I liked the Narrator.

After listening to The Dawn Patrol narrated by Ray Porter (THE GREATEST NARRATOR EVER) what a let-down to have this flat narration for The Gentlemen's Hour. Please Oh Please Mr. Winslow, only let Ray do justice to your great writing!

This 'surfer as Renaissance Man' is charming and well constructed and more than a tad goofy, but a fun read. Can this be the same author that penned Isle of Joy?? Isle is linked to the non-fictive world of the Kennedy's and the politics and intrigues of the time. A novel that inspires thought and more than a hint of recognition. G's Hour, on the other hand, is a playful romp laced with inane surfer linguistics that had me chuckling throughout. Both these books are prime starting points for a compelling series. Winslow's writing skills continue to improve exponentially and I guess there's more $ in surfer quest than historical sleuthing. In either event, the writing skill is present in abundance. More, Mr Winslow (sic), MORE!