Cool Blue Tomb

By: Paul Kemprecos

Narrated by: Barry Campbell

New York Times best-selling author Paul Kemprecos' first mystery novel, Cool Blue Tomb, introduces Aristotle "Soc" Socarides - part-time fisherman, part-time private eye, full-time philosopher.

In his inaugural outing, Soc is swimming with the sharks - only problem is, he's the bait. Mix a 50-million dollar salvage operation, an expert diver dead at the bottom of the sea, and an elegant mermaid in a black Porsche and you have an open invitation to dip into troubled waters. Cool Blue Tomb - a crackling deep-water suspense novel of violence, passion, and betrayal.

©1991 Paul Kemprecos (P)2011 Paul Kemprecos

Critic reviews

"Absolutely the best private-eye mystery I've read. I can't wait for the next one." (Clive Cussler)

Great Story ... Great Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Cool Blue Tomb to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aristotle

Have you listened to any of Barry Campbell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have listened to his work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to the book during a cross-country drive.

Any additional comments?

Nope.

You will love this. It's that simple.

Paul Kemprecos is in his element as quirky alter ego "Soc" in this series. I have previously read all of Paul's work, and enjoyed all of it, and eagerly anticipate more. When I heard that Barry Campbell's deep resonant voice would bring the very human first-person character to life in this Audible offering, I was pleased, but having heard Soc's voice in my head through the entire series, I wondered. Some narrators simply seem poorly matched with the voice of the writing. No worries here, Barry is nearly perfect, effortlessly believable.

I have to admit a preference for 1.5 speed listening, and Barry's style here is well suited for that compression.

For me, one of the most endearing qualities of Paul's writing is that he eases us into the easy pace of his comfortably flawed fisherman-private eye's world. If you are ready for this, it's fun and the complex texturing of Soc's world just settles in around him. So many of today's books fall into the "make the first two chapters lean and attention-getting" mold. For me, that can result in a shallowness that misses the deep textures found here.

One more thing... Paul's female characterizations are delicious, sensual and respectful. He and Soc clearly love and understand women.

Just Average

The story was passable. I feel like the narration destroyed the story. Audiobooks seem better when narrated by actors. I don't want to nitpick, but I'm definitely avoiding any further books in the series if narrated by the same guy.