A Murder of Manatees

The Further Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent

By: Larry Correia

Narrated by: Adam Baldwin

Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

When half your galaxy is unexpectedly sucked into a black hole - when a hitherto-unknown species of space aliens lays waste to your home planet - when disaster rears its ugly head (or heads) - who can you call for faster-than-light appraisals and best-in-the-multiverse customer service? Just one man - Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent. 

In this latest chapter of his interstellar exploits, Tom is about to deliver a crushing performance evaluation to Jimmy the Intern when the unimaginable happens: The beloved Wendell the Manatee has been kidnapped! Armed with his battle mechs and his elite corps of junior associates, can Tom find Wendell before he's canned in oil? And can Jimmy, at long last, channel his inner agent? 

Performed by Adam Baldwin, the sci-fi Audible Original A Murder of Manatees will make you quiver with fear, laugh uncontrollably, and wonder whether your deductibles are too high. 

©2017 Larry Correia (P)2017 Audible Originals, LLC.

like a lonely teenager wrote it.

this book reads like an edgy teenage wanna be comedian wrote it. while a few of the jokes hit...and hit hard, most of the jokes feel like they are coming from an incel. At one point he mentions that a group of manatees are able to hide amongst human women at a science march by just wearing pink hats. implying that the women at the march look like manatees. He openly refers to people who gave his book 1 star as "triggered" and uses other Alt Right power words. The book's premise could be funny, but I read it years ago in junior high, when I wrote it.

Over Referential Satire

Tom Stranger, and his little crew go on very small adventures with very little consequence. Sure, war between worlds is threatened, and enacted for about 10 minutes, but eh. It's all in a day's work, right? So this book strays into the weird world of sci-fi wish fulfillment where the author just kind of says things he has a problem with, and in his book, those are heavily ridiculed by all participants (in hopes of lampooning their extreme behaviors). This makes the book go between bad political commentary, and poor wish fulfilment fantasy as the book settles into it's jaunty little rhythm. Things happen, a take is expressed, and then we move on. Trying to be fast paced, so we don't care about all the details being dropped, is not really an effective strategy to writing a book. It's audience confuses me. The book is cartoonish. It's simple plot and very straight forward characters, indicate a children's book. The constant references, and dismissive attitude towards any group that is not in agreement with Tom Stranger points to a more adult audience. I don't think this was effective. I don't even think this could be considered political satire, because Tom Stranger, himself, is holding a lampshade. I'm not sure the author has a point beyond "everything is stupid." I dunno. It's "everything is on the table, and I'm just going to make shit up" storytelling is choppy. Sure, the plot moves. The characters have unique voices and objective. But dude, what's the point? Who is this for? And do you really think they'll like it? My guess, it's for Larry Correia, and he got a kick out of taking your money for it.

Libertarian twaddle

I tried to listen, setting politics aside, but without the Libertarian twaddle, there is no story at all.

Insulting, couldn't finish

While the premise is entertaining and promised a fun, upbeat sci fi jaunt the book is ultimately defeated by the self aggrandizing of the author. Using your writing as a platform to lash out at those you don't like is petty and unbefitting of a professional. Based on the first chapter wherein the author writes a press conference to deal with feedback of the last book, it seems that the author is rather obsessed with reading one star reviews so have fun with this one. Strange seems to be the nobler person you wish you were but are too petty to bring yourself to be.

Adolescent

Rather than being funny, this book was needlessly mean spirited. In the 1st chapter or so there's acknowledgement of people who lean left disliking his books, saying they are "triggered" and belittling them. I'm actually on the conservative side, and find the book to be more adolescent and taunting, than amusing and witty. He is no Douglas Adams.

no thanks

I couldn't get past the first chapter. Not for me. Moving on to something else.

Worst Audible Selection to Date

This story is awful. It was free and I am completely out of other things to read or listen to as I continue to home quarantine. But I should not have wasted my time... nothing about it was fun or interesting or amusing. I hated it.

Ok, we get it! You hate liberals

This had a lot of potential because the author can be quite funny and snarky, but it quickly devolved into a not-so-thinly veiled political diatribe. While I love that comedy is the great equalizer, the author’s obvious distain for liberals was a major distraction. The story just awkwardly stops while he harps on the same few complaints over and over. Excellent performance by the narrator and I was initially intrigued by the story, but I couldn’t get past the excessive ranting.

Unfunny Neocon Claptrap

Only a few genuinely funny lines. The rest a mishmash of political BS. Very skippable.

BEWARE May cause excessive laughter while driving!

Where does A Murder of Manatees rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is a cherished part of my collection!
Adam Baldwin knocks it out of the park!
His narration is excellent and his rendition of the Manatee language is outstanding! So Nuanced! It is another very amusing installment of Tom Stranger, and the bumbullings of Jimmy the Intern, who is an idiot with is heart in the right place.

What did you like best about this story?

I really do love the storyline of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent. I loved it back it was just random snippets on Larry Correia's blog. As a coherent narrative it is an excellent light hearted escape from the cares of the world.

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

Adam Baldwin nails the delivery of the main viewpoint, Tom Stranger, magnificently. When I read him now, I hear it in Adam's voice. He really captures the spirit of it all.

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

If I could, I would!

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next installment!

10/10 for customer satisfaction

A great story with excellent narration, 10/10 would recommend Stranger and Stranger insurance to a friend.

Brilliant

I loved this. The story was funny as hell and Adam Baldwin is the king of narration. My only gripe is that I wish it had been a proper length novel.

Great book

Love jimmy the intern manatees are bad ass Really enjoyed the book nice to see that the series is carrying on😉💥💥💥

Hilarius

a a a a a a a a a ass an app add are and