His Name Is John

Elliott Smith Mystery, Book 1

De: Dorien Grey

Narrado por: Jim Hickey

Elliott Smith wakes up in the hospital with a head injury - and an invisible companion. At first, he's convinced "John" is just a figment of a damaged brain, but when he's fully recovered John is still around and desperate to find out who he is. Reluctantly, Elliott agrees to help, and discovers Chicago PD has a John Doe on their hands with six bullets in him - who died in the ER at the same time Elliott was there.

As Elliott digs deeper into the mystery of John, he stumbles on a body hidden behind a wall for 80 years, meets a sexy artist who could become more than just a one-night stand, and uncovers a deadly secret that has haunted a nun for two decades.

©2008 F. Roger Margason (P)2013 F. Roger Margason

too much repetition; did not enjoy narration

What did you like best about His Name Is John? What did you like least?

story line was original and interesting

did not like narration of book

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

less repetitive statements like "I don't know".

Would you be willing to try another one of Jim Hickey’s performances?

no

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

The written book would probably be more more interesting than the recorded version. I definitely did not enjoy the performance of the narrator, even though at times, he did well. I did not like the way he kept trying unsuccessfully to change his voice to reflect different characters.

Will Definitely Read the Series

Would you consider the audio edition of His Name Is John to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure that the audio edition could be considered a better experience. The narrator had a unique rhythm to his reading that was somewhat distracting at times. After 30 minutes or so I'd grown used to it and was able to follow the story. Honestly, I liked the story so much I will probably buy the print versions of the others just to finish the series!

What did you like best about this story?

I'm a sucker for ghost stories, but I also loved that the romance developed seamlessly without taking away from the plot of the mystery. Elliot and Steve didn't fall madly in love at first sight. Elliot questioned his sanity when he heard John's voice, who wouldn't?

Dorien Grey has a plays with language in a way that most writers only attempt and usually awkwardly. The remarkable descriptions of physical locations and the characters emotions will definitely have me buying another Eliot Smith mystery.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jim Hickey?

I would not seek out a book narrated by Jim Hickey, but I would not avoid a book that he narrated either. I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks and there have been some that I have not finished because of the narration. That was definitely not the case here, but the rhythm was somewhat unusual.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really enjoyed the way John's identity was slowly revealed not only to the reader, but also to John.

Any additional comments?

I listened to the audio version of His Name is John. I have to say that I really enjoyed the story a great deal and that I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the series! Not many people can use language as well as Dorien Grey and I found the characters engaging.

I loved the manner in which Elliot's relationship with Steve developed as it didn't take away from the focus of the story which was figuring out John's actual identity. My only issue was that the narrator took some getting used to. I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks and there have been some that I have not finished because of the narration. That was definitely not the case here, but the rhythm was somewhat unusual. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and will listen to it again!

Good but not Great

Dorien Grey generally writes a good mystery (see Dick Hardesty series) but this first book has fallen short. Unlike his other series I figured out who, both ghost & killer, early on in the book and spent the rest of the time waiting for the writing to catch up to me.
I'm not real fond of Jim Hickey as the narrator, his style seems to be that of someone telling a story to a child, but the voice effects were good. So while I was put off, it was not enough to stop me from getting the next book in the series.
I am hoping that the next book won't be so transparent, and that they might decide on a different narrator in the future.

A good listen, but characterization seems sketchy

Would you listen to His Name Is John again? Why?

Yes, an interesting story approach, but characters need to be fleshed out more.

What did you like best about this story?

The evolution of John as an individual, almost like an infant learning to walk and talk.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Jim Hickey?

Probably, not a particularly dynamic reader but liked the way the audio was changed when addressing telephone calls.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The very end, when John's voice came across as his own rather than a conversation in Elliott's mind.

Any additional comments?

Normally, I do not care for explicit "sex scenes" in books; however, Elliot's relationship with Steve comes across very flat and not very believable. I think the book would have benefited greatly from more detail on the relationship.

Enjoyable story but...

I truly loved the story but was lost by the somewhat automated voice overs when it wasn't needed. Also the story being told through the the eyes of a 38 year old but the narrator resembles a grandfather reading to his young grandchildren. Although I loved the book, I probably will not purchase another book read by this narrator.