Block 10

By: Stacy Childs, David Niall Wilson

Narrated by: Corey M. Snow

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Luke Cooper dreamed of flying. He was an Olympic-caliber skier with a bright future, when a freak accident ruined his knee and sent him into suicidal depression. A stranger, Dr. Henri de Salvo, gave him a reason to live and a new set of "wings" thanks to an experimental medical treatment. With new focus, Luke turned to a career in medicine, a career that led him to accept an invitation to a secluded clinic in France, where de Salvo continued his cutting edge - if morally questionable - work.

Lured by the chance to help other athletes recover their lives and intoxicated by a world of smooth cognac, beautiful women, and dark intrigue, Luke finds himself drawn into another world. De Salvo has a shadowed past and powerful enemies, and the French city of Toulon has its dark side. Through amazing medical breakthroughs, run-ins with the Corsican mob, and clubs where men fight for big money - and women - Luke searches for his own path. The question is, will he survive the journey, and can he live up to the age-old medical adage, "First, do no harm" while following the message of his own heart: "First, do something...."

©2014 Stacy Childs (P)2015 David N. Wilson

Critic reviews

" Block 10 is an engrossing, intelligent medical thriller on par with the best of Robin Cook. I was hooked from the opening chapter and stayed up late turning the pages." (Robert Dugoni, author of The Jury Master)

Too much strong language!!!!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, too much unnecessary swearing.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stacy Childs and David Niall Wilson ? Why or why not?

No, too much unnecessary swearing.

What about Corey M. Snow’s performance did you like?

OK

Could you see Block 10 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

would be R rated

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free & I must write a review.

Somewhat Philosophical Sports Medical Thriller

Where does Block 10 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Block 10 ranks up near the top, mostly because of the great job that the narrator does in performing such a wide array of characters at a good level. His accents are a welcome addition adding to the realism of the story and giving the international players more to differentiate them from one another. The story itself does not lag too far behind providing a thriller with an interesting and original premise and leading us through a number of twists and interesting revelations. Interestingly enough, being a fan of several major sports, the surgical techniques and questions that are brought up during the story were almost as interesting at the story itself. With the advent of increasingly powerful medical treatments what was impossible is becoming commonplace. The addition of 'hacking' the repairs adds another level of very real fears to the overall setting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Luke, not just because he was the main character around whom nearly all the action occurred, but also because he gave an interesting perspective throughout. When he relived his injury I could really feel his emotions bleeding through the pages. The same was true during the times where he faced philosophical, moral, and ethical questions. The listener can see into his head while he performs the first operation, while he fights, while he enjoys the company of his victory spoils, all the way to when he flies away from all of it and the complexity of his character allows us to see his decision making process and empathize. Knowing how he really is makes it easier to get past some of the actions he takes as I was already in his shoes and could see what would drive a man to do such things.

What about Corey M. Snow’s performance did you like?

There really wasn't a part of his performance that I didn't like. As I mentioned in the first question I appreciated the efforts done on performing those characters with distinctly European accents. He also did an admirable job with the women in the story, providing them with voices and tones that were respectable and didn't take anything away from their presence. His emotive work was also strong as at times when tension was high he was providing vocals to match the excitement inherent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not especially, though I don't know if that's a fair statement because I don't listen to audiobooks to be moved, especially of thrillers and whatnot. What it did make me do however was think, and not really about the book but about the fact that some of the technical and medical advances that were shown throughout the story are possible in today's world. Stuff in the book that originally would be impossible is shown to be possible and with unorthodox medical treatments perpetually trying to outrace rules in major sporting events it seems like a reasonable conclusion that eventually it would be there. Greed is another thing that is shown throughout the story focusing around some sort of enterprise for the gaining of significant sums of money and the lengths to which that organization goes for making money don't seem all that outside the realms of possibility.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review, and that fact did not have any effect on my enjoyment of the story. As anyone can likely tell from my blurb at the top, it wasn't the easiest story to write a blurb about, and categorizing it as a thriller of sorts is my attempt to give it to an overarching genre but what's most important to get across from my perspective is that it was unique and I recommend it to someone looking to view a protagonist from a rather interesting position. All the way to the end the main characters past provides an interesting lens to shine the present through.

Hoped for more

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have added more medical related things and put the fighting into the back. It was a medical thriller yet it seemed like I was always hearing about a fighting match.

If you’ve listened to books by Stacy Childs and David Niall Wilson before, how does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other books by these authors.

Which character – as performed by Corey M. Snow – was your favorite?

I would have to say that I enjoyed Fiona the most. She was simple yet complex enough to be enjoyable.

Did Block 10 inspire you to do anything?

No, I can not say that it did.

Any additional comments?

I received an audio copy of this courtesy of audioblast and the publisher for a honest, unbiased review all opinions are my own.

Captivating

This book is captivating it is a great story but so many dark twists it made me feel uneasy during parts of it! The darkness and the treatment of women was what lost a star for me. But it was part of the story so I have to give it a good rating despite the parts that made me squirm!

Ok

Too dark and gritty to enjoy nor the subject of the plot. Narration was good.

Sorry

I’m sorry I could not follow the story too confusing. It written from one thing to another and back again, just lost interest.

A very good and entertaining thriller

Any additional comments?

Block 10 from Stacy Childs and David Niall Wilson is a very good medical thriller that centers around Luke Cooper, a professional downhill skier turned doctor, who finds himself in hot water after moving to France to practice in an experimental clinic. Luke is a brilliant Diagnostician whose only aim is to help other athletes to recover from debilitating injuries. Unfortunately, there are others with more sinister motives that want Luke all for themselves and are willing to go to any lengths to get what they want.

A fast paced and expertly narrated thriller that has multiple layers to the story and more than a few colorful characters. Overall, a very good and entertaining thriller.

*I was provided a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and this is it.

Great Story!

This is a very well written story that is told by a talented narrator. Very enjoyable.