Unbalanced

The Jake Longly Series, Book 7

De: D. P. Lyle

Narrado por: Marcus Barton

Jake Longly is never saying yes to his father again

It was a simple task. Five minutes tops.

Ex-pro baseball player Jake Longly and his girlfriend, Nicole, are asked by Jake's father, Ray, a private investigator, to pick up some papers from a realtor for his business. Jake would rather be lying on the beach outside of his Gulf Shores restaurant, but he begrudgingly agrees. It'll only take a few minutes.

But somehow, things are never simple in Ray' s world. When Jake and Nicole reach the office, they find it empty except for the dead body of the realtor lying on the floor, a single gunshot wound to his head. Who could've wanted him dead? The long suspect list and the numerous possible motives make untying the knot difficult.

Working with the police department, Jake, Nicole, Ray, and their friend Pancake dive into the deceivingly simple investigation, which grows more complex by the minute. With millions of dollars at stake, weeding through the realtor' s entanglements requires all hands on deck, and yet again, Jake is dragged into the PI business he can' t seem to escape.

Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich

While all of the novels in the Jake Longly Thriller Series stand on their own and can be listened to in any order, the publication sequence is:

Deep Six
A-List
Sunshine State
Rigged
The OC
Cultured
Unbalanced

©2024 D. P. Lyle (P)2024 D. P. Lyle

Dead Ends and Twists

Jake Longly reluctantly agrees to a quick errand for his private investigator father, expecting to be in and out in minutes—but instead finds a realtor dead at the office. What should have been simple quickly spirals into a tangled investigation filled with suspects, secrets, and high-stakes motives. Pulled deeper into the chaos alongside his girlfriend Nicole and an unlikely team, Jake once again finds himself trapped in a world he can’t seem to escape.

The author, D. P. Lyle, has a clear strength when it comes to storytelling, creating characters that feel real and fit naturally into the flow of the narrative. Jake, Ray, and Nicole are well developed and interesting. Their actions and motivations make sense within the story, which makes each one feel both believable and meaningful. The dialogue flows easily and feels authentic, helping each character stand out while adding to the overall realism.

The story itself is layered with suspense, supported by well-placed twists that keep things interesting and keep you guessing. The level of detail is impressive, with thoughtful touches that bring each scene into sharp focus. Altogether, the balance of realism, tension, and detail makes for an engaging and immersive read.

The narrator, Marcus Barton, delivers another strong performance, speaking clearly and with a natural ease that makes the story effortless to follow. Each character is given a distinct and consistent voice, which makes it easy to tell them apart and adds depth to the overall listening experience.

The cadence is smooth and well-paced, allowing the story to unfold without feeling rushed or dragging. Thoughtful pauses and subtle tonal inflections are used effectively to highlight moments of suspense, humor, and emotion, pulling the listener further into the narrative. Altogether, the narration enhances the story, making it both engaging and immersive from beginning to end.

This is a well-crafted and thoroughly engaging audiobook that is as enjoyable to listen to as it is compelling to experience.

There were no issues with the sound or quality of this audiobook.

It was like listening to a movie, great narrator

If you’re in the mood for a mystery that’s equal parts funny and intriguing, Unbalanced by D.P. Lyle is a delightful pick. This witty, fast-paced mystery gets a big boost from Marcus Barton’s charming narration, which adds an extra layer of entertainment to a story that’s as quirky as it is suspenseful.

Marcus Barton delivers the perfect performance for this humorous mystery. His voice is crisp, clear, and just the right amount of lighthearted. He knows exactly when to infuse a touch of humor into the dialogue, ensuring that the more absurd moments land with just the right comedic timing. Barton’s ability to switch between different characters with subtle shifts in tone and personality helps keep the plot both lively and engaging. Whether he’s voicing the hero or the witty sidekick, his performance brings the book's colorful characters to life in a way that makes them feel like real, albeit quirky, people.

His pacing is another highlight—he’s able to seamlessly glide between suspense and humor, making the transitions between tense moments and laugh-out-loud exchanges feel natural. If there’s one thing that Barton does brilliantly, it’s making sure that the humor never feels forced, and the mystery never gets overshadowed by the jokes.

In Unbalanced, Lyle crafts a mystery full of unexpected twists, colorful characters, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The plot revolves around an unlikely detective trying to solve a murder he walked into while helping his father—yet the story never loses sight of the mystery itself. While the protagonist might be a bit hapless and surrounded by eccentric characters, the stakes are high enough to keep things from tipping too far into slapstick territory.

The humor in the book is largely situational, driven by Lyle’s sharp writing. There are plenty of moments that will leave you chuckling, but the story still holds its own as a solid mystery. The characters are fun, if not always the most competent, but that’s part of the charm. Their missteps, awkward moments, and strange discoveries only add to the entertainment.

There’s a fair bit of absurdity woven into the narrative, which could leave some listeners rolling their eyes at times, but it fits perfectly with the tone of the book. It’s not a mystery that takes itself too seriously, and that’s what makes it so fun.

Unbalanced is a hilarious and unpredictable mystery that’s perfect for anyone looking for something light-hearted yet intriguing. D.P. Lyle’s storytelling combined with Marcus Barton’s lively narration makes this audiobook an absolute treat. If you love mysteries with a side of comedy, you’ll enjoy the quirky characters and unexpected twists that Unbalanced offers.

While the plot can sometimes be a little over-the-top, it’s all in good fun, and Barton’s narration ensures the humor never feels forced. It’s a delightful listen that doesn’t require too much thought but delivers plenty of entertainment. If you want a break from more serious thrillers, Unbalanced will leave you laughing and guessing until the very end.

Great mystery with Jake and Nicole

This was a fast paced exciting mystery with numerous interesting characters. Good results at the end. The narration by Marcus Barton was excellent. He did a wonderful job portraying all characters. I received this audiobook for free upon my request. I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased review.

I love Pancake so much!

I love Pancake so much! Jake & Nicole are great, but Pancake is the best ever! A guy that big who’s very agile and fast with a great work ethic and a brain for math, computers and financial analysis to boot? What a combo! And he’s so witty and never backs away from danger! What more could a client want?