Bust

The Max and Angela Series, Book 1

By: Ken Bruen, Jason Starr

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

From award-winning authors Ken Bruen and Jason Starr comes Bust, an original new noir novel by two of the world's finest crime writers. Five valuable lessons you can learn by listening to Bust: When you hire someone to kill your wife, don't hire a psychopath. Don't use Drano to get rid of a dead body. Those locks on hotel room doors? They're not very secure. A curly blond wig isn't much of a disguise. Secrets can kill.

©2015 Ken Bruen and Jason Starr (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Another Plan Gone Awry

I wanted to like this more than I did. It moves along at a nice pace but I found it to be a middling crime-gone-wrong novel (I hesitate to call it noir) full of interesting characters, nearly all of whom are quite reprehensible. The plot isn't boring but for me, it never really took off either. By the time the book built to it's almost inevitable (ie: unsurprising) conclusion, I couldn't help feeling just a bit disappointed.

Peter Berkrot's performance was great.

Dark. Gritty. Perfect Noir

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yeah, I would recommend the book. It's slow moving, but the tension builds each step of the way as the story unfolds around the deceits and lies and actions of Max and Angela

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It wasn't the most gripping story out there, but it fit my mood for the week.

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

Peter Brings a grit to his voice and an edginess to his tone the draws you in. His voice alone tells you how dark this tale really is. His accents are wonderfully done and believable (but I'm not an expert so he could have sounded like the Lucky Charms guy and it would've worked for me).

I look forward to his portrayal through the rest of the series.

Any additional comments?

I'm in for the rest of the series. I liked the edginess, and I liked the darkness, and I liked that happily ever after doesn't always happen.

Just the Noir I was looking for

I love this book. It's full of noir goodness and Peter Berkrot did a fantastic job with all the characters. Well worth my credit

Neo-Noir that blasts with both barrels!

Would you consider the audio edition of Bust to be better than the print version?

That's a touch call to make. The impact of the story would be mightily felt, regardless. I enjoyed the narration very much -- the reader is able to convey a character's voice with great precision. Starr and Bruen seamlessly weave their talents together to create a noir masterpiece -- so hardboiled, you'll likely chip a tooth.

not much

You need to be able to like at least one charactor. Sadly there was none.

OVER THE TOP

Over the top story. Starts so slow that I almost abandoned it. The characters are cartoon-like extremes. They have no nuances. Once the action gets going it is breathless and entertaining but the ending is abrupt and unsatisfactory, hastily put together it aeems. The narrator was probably the best part of this audiobook.

Did not put it down!

One of those books you just cannot put down until you get to the end!

Brilliant, a hidden gem

I’ve read some of Jason Starr’s work before, always enjoying his gritty style and would have described him as a solid author. But this book went up that extra gear, twisting and turning and adding in some interesting characters along the way.

It could be argued that non of the characters have redeeming qualities, but having read books by this author before I’m used to that.... it seems Mar Starr loves to show humanity and its absolute worst and he does a great job here.

The length and pacing were spot on, I never felt bored and there was no filler that sometimes crops up in books with lots of violence. The only slight negative with the narrative was it was hard to believe all the heat just melted away as it did, but that’s a minor point.

The narration was mostly ok, but the “sexy Irish woman” voice was horrendous and really detracted from an otherwise top read. Don’t let that put you off though

READ THIS BOOK!

Pulp Fiction at its best

What about Peter Berkrot’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance from Berkrot - full of character, pace, but also tongue in cheek. Very entertaining despite some rather nasty incidents.

Any additional comments?

Terrible to say in view of the fact that there isn't a redeemable character among the main people, but it is entertaining with a good sense of suspense!