A Face to Die For

By: Michael Bussa

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

Length: 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 2051, and The MedMoore Group is the largest pharmaceutical and medical device producer in the world. The introduction of a new device, The Electric Mask, was revolutionary for Denise, a reclusive burn victim. But when a visit from her estranged sister opens the floodgates, the horror of childhood memories rush in, demanding resolution and the mask is the perfect tool. Some dark memories cannot be forgotten or forgiven.

©2018 Michael Bussa (P)2018 Michael Bussa

Futuristic Reconstruction

I did enjoy listening to this short story but wished was longer. It is like something out of the Twilight Zone which I liked. I really felt sorry for both Denise and Ivy (who comes to the rescue) and wonder what shenanigans the 2 will come up with,? may be a serial or next short . This short has murder/revenge and supernatural travel. Recommend to anyone who enjoys short sci-fi thriller. I was given this free audiobook by author and have voluntarily left this review. THANK YOU

Compelling

This short story is more complicated than I was expecting. Michael managed to pack in a lot, there are several twists and the characters are remarkably well crafted for a book this length.

I was hooked from beginning to end.

It's an interesting look at human nature and how we react to change and what drives our behavior all while being entertaining.

The narration was excellent, the characters personalities came through and the delivery matched the moods in the story.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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Reminds me of Black Mirror

This short story is immediately engaging. Michael Bussa does an excellent job of introducing characters with minimal backstories. The main character is written with a robust confidence that had me feeling a little for her. Then...the ending. I just sat still for a few minutes contemplating what just happened! Simply fabulous writing Michael!

Janina Edwards plays the characters with absolute perfection. I cannot imagine anyone else narrating this story. Great job!

Lastly, this story could easily be turned into an excellent episodic screenplay. I would certainly enjoy it as it has all the aspects of a Black Mirror episode.

Short but great

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a short, cool, sci fi story of revenge. Although it is only 42 minutes, it was well written and narrated. All in all, I really liked it.

Futuristic thriller keeps wonder at new twists

Under 45 minutes, Bussa draws the listener into his eerie narrative and keeps you spell-bound to know how the twists will turn out. Jenina Edwards clearly distinguishes the Robo drivers and the other characters’ voices. A worthwhile listen to keep you wondering. My only criticism is the ringing tone with crackling sound as it fades out between each chapter. Eventually, I supposed the crackling was the sound of fire, but throughout the audiobook, I found it distracting, though reminiscent of the phrase, “For whom the bell tolls.”

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Very interesting

I liked this story. As stated in my title it was interesting and very different from what I usually read.

Questions/Comments:

Denise states she’s old-fashioned and wants to bring a chaperone along on her date. Yes, I know she wants to kill both of the male coworkers who made her life hell, but wouldn’t it have made more sense for her to bring a girl friend with her? Obviously that wouldn’t have worked with her planned though. Just not sure how the guy didn’t question this.

The narrator did an okay job. I don’t know whose idea it was to use bells instead of saying the chapters. In the beginning up until the mid point of the story, I didn’t mind the bell sound. Once the narrator got to the part titled “The Solution,” the bell sound lasted a lot longer and it sounded like it or whatever was used was rolling around, plus there was something that sounded like boiling water. I don’t know what it was, but it was annoying. Either way, it wasn’t just a bell being used.

Besides the bell, there wasn’t much variety between the voices of the characters. For example, the beginning when Denise and her sister are arguing, I got confused as to who was talking.

Great Quick Read

A Face to Die For by Michael Bussa was a good quick read. This book is set in the year 2051. There is a new medical device that can completely change someone's life. This was a great read about just how much revenge can ruin everything. I enjoyed this quick read.

Revenge is a cold cold mistress

Wow I did not not see that coming. I am loving these short stories since you get all the story with all the depths, twist and turns without all of the excess dribble. I don't need an author to go into detail how a person got disfigured for four chapters, just a few sentences and you know what happened to Denise. You understand her pain, insecurities, anger and everything else in a neat concise package. Michael Bussa did a wonderful job of telling a unique take on the ugly duckling revenge story. Cant go into detail without spoilers but at 42 minutes you get everything you could want in an engaging and wonderful story all in a commute to work or a quick walk around the neighborhood. At the end of some short stories you are left with a feeling of wanting more or more character depth but here its all packed down to a neat little package with an ending of resolution. Kudos to Janina Edwards for doing a wonderful narration. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

A Face to Die For

This is the story of a woman who was badly disfigured in a car accident . Along with the physical scars Denise has a bad attitude about her predicament. She is bitter r and hates everyone. When she is given the opportunity to try out a new mask to hide her scars she jumps for it.

Its what's on the inside that counts

And in this case what's on the inside is pretty nasty. This had some interesting twists, which I found enjoyable. The main character, Denise, is wholly unlikeable and petulant throughout, blaming everyone around her for her misery. Since the story is largely from her point of view, her attitude made it a bit unpleasant. I mean her being a horrible person is the point, but still, she was annoying. Janina Edwards's narration was good, and I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the way she read for Denise really added to her self-absorbed petulance.

Overall it was an interesting read, although I can't say its one of my favorites. I liked the near future setting and the way technology was used to create and fix problems.


I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.