A Good and Useful Hurt

De: Aric Davis

Narrado por: Luke Daniels

Mike is a tattoo artist running his own shop, and Deb is the piercing artist he hires to round out his studio’s motley crew of four. The last either expects is romance, but that’s what they get as they follow their off-kilter careers and love lives into complete and total disaster. When Mike follows a growing trend and tattoos the ashes of deceased loved ones into several customers’ tattoos, he has no idea that it will one day provide the solution - and solace - he will sorely need. And when the life of a serial killer tragically collides with the lives in the tattoo shop, Mike and Deb will stop at nothing in their quest for revenge, even if it means stepping outside the known boundaries of life and death. Ink that is full of crematory ashes, a sociopathic killer, and pain in its rawest form…this is going to hurt.When the hope of redemption runs headlong into the dark side of life’s chaos, we are left with one of the most haunting thrillers in recent memory. A Good and Useful Hurt delivers the bittersweet essence of life with the sting of a needle in skin.

©2012 Aric Davis (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great story

I loved this story that revolved around a tattoo artist. The characters were likeable (except for the serial killer) and the tragedies were devastating. The story really pulled me in and the supernatural twist made it even better.

Good and Useful doesn't hurt a bit!

What made the experience of listening to A Good and Useful Hurt the most enjoyable?

This book is beautifully performed. The reader makes each character sound specific, without being campy. The writing is not the most powerful you've every read, but the book's message and story keep you drawn in and it doesn't leave you fast forwarding through anything.

What did you like best about this story?

The message of love about those that pass gets right into the heart. If you've ever lost someone close to you then it's hard not to be touched by this story. In fact if you've ever dreamed about a deceased love one then this story makes those moments very haunting.

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I actually started reading this book on my Kindle after receiving it discounted. I was fascinated by the topic and thought it would be a very quick read. Two years later I still hadn't finished it and had more or less completely abandoned the book. But listening to Luke's honest and even tone to the characters gave the piece and new life and I'm glad that I took a chance on this audio book.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this, and you won't regret it!

unique twist and awesome narrator

I checked with my best friend who’s an amazingly talented tattoo artist and apparently, it’s completely possible to mix ashes in with the ink. I thought using this idea as the starting point for the novel was one of the most unique ideas I've come across in a novel lately. I don't want to give anyway anything from the story but it's an awesome and realistic view of this unique subculture with a great paranormal twist. Memorial tattoos are bittersweet for the artist and client both. It truly is a good and useful hurt.

The narration was awesome as always with Luke Daniels. He's one of my favorite male narrators. He does very distinct voices for each character and the women actually sound like women. I highly recommend him as a narrator and this book in particular. Very credit worthy.

Stephen King Fans, Say Hello to the New Kid

I wasn't expecting much from this; I downloaded it based on a recommendation and then let it sit for awhile. And I just finished it. And...it's really, really, really good. It. blew. me. away. I wasn't expecting the supernatural angle, and Davis does it as King does - the focus is on the characters, and the characters are great. Wow.

Fascinating way to seek justice...

Two parallel stories collide forcing justice to be sought in a most interesting way.

Tatto shop has a staff with back stories that enrich their present day personnas.

Killer that loves the thrill of power over his victims.

What happens when they collide turns out to be a fascinating way to seek justice. The twists were plotted well, unexpected, and enhanced the story.