Crash & Burn

By: Abigail Roux

Narrated by: J. F. Harding

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's been five years since Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett first worked together to solve the Tri-State murders, and time has been both harsh and kind. Engaged now, they face the challenge of planning a deeply uncertain future together.

Zane is at the pinnacle of his career with one last mystery to solve while Ty is at sea in a world where he's no longer the tip of a spear. There's just one more hurdle in the way of their happy ever after: a traitor from their inner circle who threatens to burn their world to the ground. Squeezed between the Vega cartel, an unknown mole, and too many alphabet agencies to count, Ty and Zane must gather all their strength and resources to beat the longest odds they've ever faced. To make it out alive, they'll need help from every friend they've got. Even the friends who might betray their trust.

©2015 Abigail Roux (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Bittersweet but Fantastic!

Would you consider the audio edition of Crash & Burn to be better than the print version?

I've only listened to this series, but I can't imagine the print copies not being good.

What other book might you compare Crash & Burn to and why?

Any other book in this series, or the Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes. Both are very well written, narrated and emotionally intense.

Which scene was your favorite?

The wedding. It was so blissfully boring and I loved that Roux gave Ty and Zane that small reprieve.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All of the above!

Any additional comments?

Ty and Zane have survived so much, fought so hard for the right to love each other. Their life will never be boring, but a little bit of sunshine is always appreciated, even for half psycho FBI agents that like to shoot things. Ball & Chain ended with Zane finally accepting Ty's proposal, and this book starts with their wedding. I was sitting on my head in the few minutes leading up to the ceremony, fearing Roux would pull out some sort of ninja on a wave runner with an AK47 to destroy the nuptials. I was so very pleased, and even in tears, as Ty and Zane had probably their first ever day of peace to have a quick civil ceremony on the water with Livvy and Deuce by their side. The wedding night was full of passion and love we've come to expect from these two. When the bell tolls one, all bets are off and the madness begins by way of a battered, bruised and bloody Nick landing on their doorstep with a gunshot wound.

From this moment on the action was non-stop, the suspense insane and the body count climbing as Ty, Zane, Sidewinder, the Cia and Nia set out to take down the Vega cartel that won't stop until Ty and Zane are dead, buried and burned to the ground. It just so happens that the afore mentioned list of crazy people and agencies with nothing but alphabets in their name feel the same way about the cartel. Now the race is on to see who can take down whom first.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the characters and their story, but I'm sad that this is the last HooRah for Ty and Zane. Five years after that first tryst in a hotel room while investing the death of one of Sidewinders team members, Elias Sanchez, Ty and Zane are moderately healthy, mostly happy and ready for the next chapter. Too bad their pasts didn't get that memo, because everything is about to come to a gnarly head and not everyone makes it out with their life.

What I have thoroughly enjoyed about this series is that nine books in, and I'm still intrigued, sad in fact that it's the last one. Every installment has brought something new to the table, more madness and chaos for Ty and Zane and everyone they care about. These two men have literally been to hell and back, and back again, a side trip to New Orleans where the devil himself was knocking on their door, and now they find themselves facing down those demons, praying they will make it out alive. These books are action packed, emotional, dramatic, passionate and intense.

Narrated by JF Harding and it's amazing how he pulled off so many different voices and never, not once, mixed them up. Everyone has their own distinct voice that wavers occasionally depending on the characters mood or the circumstance at that time in the story. As I said, this is probably the most intense, emotional book of the series and Harding captured every ounce of the pain, fear, love, elation and desperation with tones and nuances as he voiced the characters. I hadn't listened to anything from him prior to this series, but I will probably seek him out for his voice chops alone in the future.

If you are a fan of this series you are going to love this final climax for this multitude of characters you've come to know and love. Everyone that is anyone in the Cut & Run universe, that is still breathing that is, is back for their 5 minutes of page time. As I said, it's very bittersweet. Sad to say goodbye, but the boys definitely went out with a bang and a smile.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Grandest of Grand Finales

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

Not only would I, I have. It is one of my top romantic suspense series, detectives, and book in a series that I look for reasons to push on others.

As to the audio aspect, oh yes, the narration is an enhancement that I have shared about with my audio book loving pals.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the author made me feel the heights of love, ecstasy, and camaraderie and also the depths of loss and despair all in one book. Both the fact that it was emotionally engaging and intense thriller action all rolled into one make it nearly unputdownable.

Which scene was your favorite?

Um, there are a half-dozen at least and most would bring spoilers if I listed them. But there is one where there is a case of mistaken identity and Ty and Zane nearly kill each other before they work it out. I found it humorous and horrifying at the same time.
And another deadly scene involving Chester and his shovel kicked in my twisted sense of humor.
But there are others that are ones I can't describe that left me wrung out and were the best.

If you could rename Crash & Burn, what would you call it?

The Last Ride of Sidewinder (this whole thing felt like one of those backs against the walls odds against you westerns)

Any additional comments?

This is the final book in a series that must be read in order. It was sheer adrenaline and raw nerves and left me depressed that it was all over. I will definitely re-read the entire series and listening to the last four books by this narrator only make it a better experience.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

hate to see the end

its hard when you fall in love with a series and it ends. how about a few more please?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing end to an amazing series

I'm really sad that this series is over. I loved every second of it. This book, though. Wow. I almost had a heart attack a few times. I cried a few times, too. It was amazing. I like how it all came together and how it ended. I highly recommend.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Omg! What a fabulous journey!

I am not a fan of police/CIA/NIA dramas, but so many people love this series that I finally gave in and listened. I have fallen in love with these characters, the story lines and don’t believe I can ever go back to “normal” romance novels. The excitement, anticipation and emotional upheaval in this series has kept me entertained for weeks! So good! So good! ❤️❤️ I will miss Tye and Zane! They are such amazing characters! Way to go Abigail Roux!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

i will miss my boys

crazy finale to a much loved series. ty has changed so much. sad to see it end.

Fabulous End to a Series

I don't usually do reviews but this series is too good to not comment. FABULOUS.

Oh no!

I hate it when I catch up with the writer on a series.
I so hope there is more coming. I’m in love with Ty and Zane!!!

Fantastic series!

Thank you Abigail for creating these real and dreamy characters - funny, endearing, lovable and hot! Loved the way their love developed over the series and culminated in a very satisfied reader base!!

Amazing

I cannot believe how much I will miss 2 fictional individuals. This story of romance and danger is so amazing. The characters development is astounding, and you root for love th entire way through. I have read each book in this series and I can tell you that I have never seen a better love story than this. thank you for showing people that all types of love exist in this world.

Wow!

I don't usually write reviews but oh... my... god! This book and the one before it (Ball & Chain) were for sure my favourites out of the whole series. This book had me crying! I never cry at books! The characters are all wonderfully written and each have their own set of unique personalities.
I wasn't sure about the narrator in previous books, but in the last two he does them perfectly and I wouldn't want anyone else reading them!
I'm so emotionally invested in them all by now and so sad that's it's over :(
Thank you for a wonderful book series, I'm sure I'll be reading them all again pretty soon!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

no, it's the end!!

best one. I probarly put that down in each review but this is my fave by far. gutted it is over.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Love these guys, re-reading the series

I read this series in the past year, rather late to the party in a lot of ways, but making up for it now with a complete re-read. I loved these guys right from the start, even though the first narrators were rubbish with accents, and I really didn't hear how Ty and Zane actually sounded in my head, until JF took over the series from book 6. In fact his name on the later titles encouraged me to start it in the first place, as his voice from the Like Us books is one of my favourites.

I had to purchase books 3 and 4 in paperback and they were really expensive, so not sure what happened with continuity/ publication of this series, as mostly authors stick with Kindle and/or Audio/narrator throughout. Either way I'd recommend reading them in order, as you do miss important things about the growing relationship if you skip some of the titles due to their accessibility. Fish and Chips for the jumping scene, and Divide and Conquer for the arrival at the Aquarium scene. Ty's love of crazy t-shirts, and Zane's battle with all his vices, great banter and caring between the two as their relationship develops makes this one of my favourite series. Suspense, kick-ass action, humour, romance, tragedy and family hang-ups - all boxes ticked for me!

The spin off Sidewinder series is not so good in my opinion, but is mentioned in the main Cut and Run books. In hindsight I should probably have stuck with Kindle for them as the narrator is different and not as good again, and established voices for Nick and Doc got jumbled for me. I also found it hard to believe that they had been just friends for so many years and then suddenly it was all serious.

Ty and Zane are more rounded and believable characters, and I love that they don't fall for each other straight away, but build their relationship/trust through many difficult situations, some really terrible and others hilarious. I particularly enjoyed books 5 and 6, and would have liked to read Cam and Julian's story, but again paperback only and really expensive.

I get that this author seems to have stopped writing much recently, so I guess her catalogue is rare, but surely Kindle could cover these titles to help with access to all the connecting stories. Luckily for me I have most of them on Audio now so can revisit whenever I wish! So now back to the woods with Zane and the Grady family...

J.F. nails it again....

Another brilliant narration from J.F. This time around we also had an Irish accent for Julian, and a deep and grizzly voice for Jack Tanner, 'Tricky Dicky' Burns traitorous partner in greed and death. Yes, it was pretty unbelievable that the guys could take down a heavily guarded compound to get at the remaining de la Vega and his thugs so easily, but hey, it is fiction after all 😉. Have to say though, I really loved these little visits with T & Z again, miss them loads 💜💛💙.