Deep Blue

By: David Niall Wilson

Narrated by: Chris Patton

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Brandt is a down-and-out guitarist and vocalist who believes his life has hit rock bottom. He can't make the rent on his apartment, and he drinks so much he can barely make it to the crappy gig that keeps his band afloat, let alone play when he gets there. When he leaves the bar one dark night with a bottle of Jose Cuervo in one hand and his guitar case in the other, he finds he's locked out of his apartment with nowhere to go.

In an alley filled with trash can fires and vagrants, Brandt meets Wally, an old black man who can play the music that Brandt dreams of - the blues. In the ensuing encounter, Brandt is gifted - or cursed - with new abilities. He feels pain building up around him and inside him. Not his own pain but the pain of others, the pain of those who have passed away, the pain of those who died with no one to hear their stories. He becomes a conduit for the pain of the world.

What follows are a series of revelations, one for each member of the band and one for a young girl named Liz, drawing them together and ultimately reuniting them with Brandt. Together, Brandt, Sinthia, Shaver, Dexter, and Liz take off to the mountain town of Friendly, California, for a date with pain, destiny, and a silver-haired reverend who would like to see them dead. In the final showdown, they must meet the challenge of the music, the pain, and their mingled histories and stand, or fall, with the pain of the world in the balance.

©2004 David N. Wilson (P)2012 David N. Wilson

The Sin Eater!

This story is unlike any I've listened too. It had a unique plot and the characters were well developed.

After some strange events bring the band members back together, Liz tells them about her past and the disturbing story of the Sin Eater. During her story, she tells them what she witnessed one Sunday at church and who the Sin Eater is. After Liz's story they all decide to go back to her hometown to find out what has change and to set events right.

This story is full of suspense and would be a great fit for a true fan of horror stories. "I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast dot com.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Wild, weird and wonderful ....

This is a very strange book. It's a "Crossroads" meets "Ghost Whisperer" tale. The protagonist of the story is a guitarist that makes a deal with the devil ... or does he?
Brandt is the leader of the band, he meets up with Wally and is endowed with the ability to "play the pain" of those lost souls around him. Naturally, he has a band and each member of the band also has a unique, supernatural ability. The bassist can actually see the angels (or are they demons, or just lost souls?), the drummer the and the rhythm guitarist also have special abilities. However, more intriguing than their abilities are their back stories. Want to find out more? You'll have to purchase the audio book!

Chris Patton does an outstanding job with the narration on this title. He character voices are fine, but where he really excels is building drama and tension with his voice! A fantastic job!

This is a very wild, very weird, and quite wonderful tale that is well worth the listen!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Boom!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Soulful and Disturbing

I cannot remember how long ago I read this book but listening to it again was good! There is so much in this book which was good and weird but so deep. Worth the credit but need to listen closely. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com. Thank you!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Blues at the crossroad

I'm not much of a music lover and, according to my wife, I have terrible taste in music. However, I've always believed in the power of music and stories which use it as a supplement to magic are a great one. This is different from David Niall Wilson's urban fantasy series, though, like the Dechance Chronicles. Instead, this is Magical Realism. It is a place which the supernatural intrudes in on the "real" world in a way which is both beautiful and tragic.

The story is a variation on the myth of Robert Johnson, legendary blues man who supposedly made a deal with the Devil at the crossroads in order to play better than anyone else. It may or may not have happened depending on your beliefs (his son said his father's gift was from God) but it makes a hell of a story. David Wilson takes the premise and alludes to it many times while leaving our protagonist in the dark for much of it.

Brandt is a great character and feels utterly authentic. As a writer, I have sympathy for people who are passionate about their subject and the art form but haven't quite found the fame or fortune that might come with a better break. Truth be told, Brandt may not even be that good at what he does. He's perpetually drunk, lazy, and his devotion to his craft is spotty. He loves the music and feels impassioned by it but he has replaced the best of their band after his death while having a complete lack of respect for the other member (who he lusts after). They're going nowhere and he blames it on circumstance and bad luck than the reality.

Brandt isn't a bad guy, though. He's a man who deeply loves his craft even if it's questionable just how good he is at it. He's certainly capable of recognizing what is the best music, THE song if you will, and wanting it for its own sake rather than any desire for fame or fortune. He's a wholly believable in his relationships both failed and successful plus his friendships because I've known plenty of people who live in the moment like he and his friends.

Deep Blue is a novel more about experiencing music and it's power rather than explaining it, though. The prose is like a rhythm on page, getting us deep in the mind of its characters and explaining in epic flourishes what it means to be affected by the music. It's not going to be for everyone but is probably my favorite of David Niall Wilson's books.

The narrator does an amazing job too.

10/10

Deep Blue

I was not able to keep up with this one.It was confusing and I felt, boring.Not what I usually get from anything David N Wilson has written. Chris Patton was a fine narrator.I was given this book free by the author, narrator or publisher.

Couldn't finish it....

Wow.... Can't remember the last time I quit reading a book before 1/2 way through. But I couldn't make it through any more of this one.

Loved It!!

Any additional comments?

What a great psychological thriller!! I've listen to it twice so far. I love the way the aurthor intertwined music and horror. The characters are explained so well that you feel like your in the story with them. A very dark story. The narrator did an excellent job delivering each character with feeling and emotion. I will absolutely recommend.
I was given this book by the aurthor in exchange for an honest review.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Umm?

I really don't know what to make of this book. I can tell you it wasn't what I expected - in a good way. It took some time to get going but stick with it as it does ramp up. Although I don't think it's for everyone it was still an interesting listen and think I would recommend it. I must say Deep Blue was provided by the publisher at no charge for an unbiased review.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bluesy Fun

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the ride. I like how each character's background added to the story. It's just like how each instrument compliments and add to sound. I received this audiobook for free from Audiobook Blast for my unbiased review.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful

Strange!

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Got this book for free, so I really can't complain, but this book is very difficult to critique. There are some really good parts and really good stories within the story, but so much of this book is simply boring. Battling demons and some sort of devil by playing the blues!? Lots of WTF moments and tons of overly descriptive music muddied up this one.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful