Ash: Prequel to Psychopaths and Sinners

Don't...,Book 4.5

By: Jack L. Pyke

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

“You up for that, hm, Ash? A lesson from an old soul to youth? From me...to you?” (Raif)

Ash Thomas and his gameplay with other men is vicious, cruel. Better to f--k someone over than be the one who’s on the floor, f--ked up, right? But his latest cruelties are about to catch the eye of the Wraith, someone who’s been brought up to play professionally in the shadows. For Ash, beauty and rage aren’t the kind of sins to win him any favours anymore. Life lessons never did come easy, especially when they’re about to walk in off the darkened streets, bringing a hangman with bloodied footprints in its wake.

Ash: Prequel to Psychopaths and Sinners - Don't...,Book 4.5

©2019 Jack L. Pyke (P)2019 Jack L. Pyke

Huh?

Gotta be honest. I don’t really know what this was about. Allegedly part of the Don’t series. Probably a prelude to continuation in #5. Frankly I didn’t need 5 plus hours to create that bridge. Also, plot and characters weren’t all that compelling. Had a hard time understanding Dan Calley. I know I missed details and just decided to keep going. I’ll definitely go onto #5 as the overall series deserves it. I’m sure it will all come together.

a good introduction

Ash Is prequel to Psychopaths and Sinners. It began a lot like the first story of Don’t with a set of different characters at work. We met Ash, Johnnie and a few others and a dark figure that seems to hide in Ash’s shadows. Ash is not an angel lie our guys from the previous books and there is a hint of a secret. There is a couple of murder’s in the book and then the story kinda suddenly ends.
I was a bit surprised that I didn’t get any more of Gray, Jack and Jan but I think we do in the actual next book. This was just a set up of new characters. I am happy to get another book in this dark world.

Brilliant

As always, incredible writing, incredible story telling, and incredible narration (Dan Calley has quickly become one of my all-time faves)!

interesting

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes

Story comment: reasonable pace and the plot was good, Not part of the Don't storyline at the moment, but introduces a new set of characters and it will be interesting to see how they tie into the rest of the Don't series.

Narrator comment: I enjoyed Dan Calley's narration and think he's done a good job narrating Ash. I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the characters to life.

great book

I read this in such a short time. I couldn’t stop reading it. I did felt a bit underwhelmed by some characters I wanted to show up a little more but overall it was a very interesting book. It kind of feel like a standalone, if not for some references and connections to the rest of the series.

The plot was good and the characters were so interesting. I was fascinated by Ash and trying to guess some mysteries about him. I can’t wait to see how he will get introduce to the rest of the series. I’m a bit scared about that.

I, again, alternate between reading and listening to the audiobook. The narration, as good as it has being the whole series. There is something about the narrator voice that makes me unable to stop listening. He might be the only to blame if I get late to works, since I drive slower to listen to the book a little longer. Such a good narration and such a good book.

Excellent story. Excellent narration.

This is part of the Don't series, but it does not focus on the main characters of the series. Instead, we are introduced to a new cast the will showcase the Don't series from a different perspective.

This book is a set-up for the rest of the series, and it does a wonderful job of holding the attention of the reader even if you are anxious to find out what is I with Jack, Jan, and Gray.

As in the previous audiobooks, Dan Calley does a magnificent job of giving each of the characters a voice.

Confused

Jack and Dan are awesome storytelling both in writing and narrating since I have listen to the previous audiobooks of this series that why I am confused with audiobook. This audible does not follow the storyline of BDSM club set as with Jack and Grey. This one is totally vanilla with all new characters and no tie into the previous audiobooks of the Don't series. Not saying it not good just saying it not what expected.
Hope that make sense!!

The Cuckoo train has left the station!

4.5 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames

Narrator Dan Calley caught the proverbial psychopath characteristic ball and ran with it. OMG, I can not decide if I’m mental or moonstruck! We are back onto the cuckoo train and the f@#ker has left the station!

Reviewing this book without spoiling the fun and tension. Let’s just say I was sad, horrified, unhinged, touched, bonkers and finally left frustrated and mentally drained. I have the inclination to tap my heals and fly away.

This audiobook was nominated for audiobook of the month. (Jan 2020)
This series is a must listen, in small amounts to preserve your sanity!
Happy Listening

interesting

good and interesting.. narrator did a good job with the personalities and emotions.. the author did a good job with writing this story. i liked it

Wow

Ash and Raif are such an unlikely pair, but have a real connection. I liked them as a couple because they fit. This tale leaves more questions than answers. I had empathy for Ash, because he's a young man who has to grow up the hard way and his dad- ??!! wth? His dad made me sick. Murders continue and tragedy strikes close to home and leaves a sad ending. Looking forward to more answers. I voluntarily listened to this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job.

Fantastic addition

I know some people don’t tend to read prequels but this book I think is a must. It gives a fantastic insight into the upcoming characters that wouldn’t have been possible if they were just dumped into the next novel. I love how in depth the characters are and that the author is not afraid to show the dark and dirty side of real life.

Powerful

I know this is a prequel but it’s a great story in its own right. We are introduced to new characters and the start of a new twist in the Don’t series. Nothing is hidden or glossed over and we certainly get to see the full psychopath terrorising the area.
Dan has a terrific way of pulling the characters up and making them come alive.

From the Ashes...

Wow.. Just no other word, I make no secret of the fact I am a HUGE Jack L Pyke fan, so hearing her books come to life is beyond amazing. Ash might be shorter than the others in the Don't universe, but it slots in perfectly.

Juggling multiple accents from the West Midlands is not an easy task, but Dan Calley nailed it. There was no confusion about who was who,as they all had their own distinctive traits which made it easy to follow and for someone not native to that area, it's a challenge and one he rose to.

I can't wait for all these to be out so I can have a massive Don't audio marathon!

as good as the ebook

The story is always 4 or 5 stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

Dark, gritty and powerful

The whole Don’t series is amazing, a complex and convoluted thriller with a very dirty side (in every sense of the word).

It can be hard to read in parts, Jack L Pyke doesn’t gloss over gore, torture or mental and physical impacts, but the graphic nature, and the protagonist’s reactions, are what bring the characters so vividly to life. I am in love with Gray, Jack and Jan, and my heart soars and breaks for them as their stories are revealed. Their world can be a brutal place, but with flashes of light, humour and tough love, the relationships between them and with the other characters are carefully and skilfully created, built and moulded by the oh-so-talented author.

They’re not in this book, though. This is a prequel to book 5 in the Don’t series and introduces some new characters with their back stories. It is as dark, gritty and powerful as the earlier books, and just as painful in places - especially the cliffhanger ending. Despite the new characters, it’s not a stand-alone, I strongly recommend you read the first part of the series first so you can go straight into book 5.

‘Ash’ happens to be based in the area of the UK where I was brought up, The accents are spot on, and Ash supports what used to be my local football team (lol).

Which brings me neatly to Dan Calley. That voice ❤️. Dan’s narration of each of the books brings the characters to life. His ability to differentiate the characters through their various voices and accents is simply first class, and he is entirely consistent, even across books.

If you’re into light and fluffy, low angst and pretty love making - this series isn’t for you. But if you want to be challenged, educated, informed, have your emotions dragged over a rollercoaster and feel as though you are almost in the room with these characters, give Jack L Pyke, Dan Calley and the Don’t series some serious time (and effort) - you won’t be sorry.