Dust to Dust

By: Tami Hoag

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sorry. The single word is written on a mirror. In front of it hangs a Minneapolis Internal Affairs cop. Was it suicide? Or a kinky act turned tragic?

Either way, it wasn't murder. At least not according to the powers that be. But veteran homicide detective Sam Kovac and his wisecracking, ambitious partner, Nikki Liska, think differently. Together they begin to dig at the too-neat edges of the young cop's death, uncovering one motive - and one suspect - after another. The cloud of suspicion falls not only on the city's elite, but over the very heart of the police department. Someone wants the case closed - quickly and forever. But even with their careers and their lives on the line, neither Kovac nor Liska will give up. As they unearth a connection between a two-month-old murder case and one that has been closed for twenty years, they find themselves chasing a killer who will stop at nothing to keep a dark and shattering secret.

©2000 Diva Hoag, Inc. (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Typical Tami - TERRIFIC!

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

I would definitely prefer the audio version but only because it's difficult anymore to slow down long enough to actually read. With the audio...I can have someone read it to me while I'm doing everything else I need to do.

What other book might you compare Dust to Dust to and why?

Any of the later Tami Hoag books. The earlier ones are more romantic suspense, which I prefer, but her books just get better and better.

What about David Colacci’s performance did you like?

Everything. He has specific voices for each character and he doesn't make the female voices sound cartoonish. He IS the voice of Kovak. I'll be hunting for more from him.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

Couldn't Hang With This One, Gave Up!!

I am super disappointed with this Tami Hoag novel. I quit after nearly four hours. The novel is over 14 hours long. I have read 3 or 4 of her novels so far and have loved! loved! loved! them. This one does not feel or sound like it was written by Tami Hoag. The wording was stilted and sounded forced maybe because there are a lot of clichés used. What I heard was repetitious, the story seemed to be going in circles and not moving forward.... too much fluff... I know that there are many positive reviews but this one was not for me.

I did not like the narrator at all.. In addition to his lack of performance abilities and limited voice tones, his nasal voice sounded whinny and was very annoying.... Couldn't take that voice. I am sorry to see that this narrator is used for a lot of this author's novels..... oh well.....

62 of 66 people found this review helpful

This May Be Her Best

This is a multi layered story; a who-dun-it skillfully woven with a mystery. The foreshadowing is sprinkled just right throughout the story, never too heavy handed. David Colacci did a masterful job of narrating and distinguishing each character quite well.

It contains one of the best written love scenes, both romantic and believable. I won't spoil it by telling which characters are involved.

This may be her best book yet. I was sad when it was finished.

34 of 37 people found this review helpful

Very disappointed..

What was most disappointing about Tami Hoag’s story?

I have been reading Tami Hoag books for years. This is the first audio book I've ever listened to and I'm not sure if that is what made it different or not.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

To start, this narrator has a very nasily voice so everything he says sounds like he's bored & whining at the same time. It was very annoying to listen to. Second, the story just felt like it was going around & around in circles. I made it less than 6 hours when I had to give up. I couldn't imagine another 8 hours of this.. the story just didn't have nearly enough substance to last much longer which lead me to believe it would just be more repetition. I found myself daydreaming while listening to the book & then realizing I'd missed 20 minutes or more & once I rewound it.. realizing I hadn't missed anything important at all. The dialog in this book was really forced too.. If you want this book, I suggest reading it yourself it might be the difference needed to enjoy it.

35 of 39 people found this review helpful

Don't bother with this one

This must be the first book by Tami Hoag that I've listened to. I thought she was supposed to be good. The text is banal, generic, "canned" cop speak. The plot is based on stereotypical gay men and the narrow minded cops that work with them. She doesn't use vocabulary that describes what she wants to say. Literally, every other sentence is, "like a.....". Do people actually say,"let's blow this joint"??? I don't like the reader either. An east coast, tough guy wanna be. NOTHING like a midwest accent. I listen to a lot of marginal books to pass the time as I work on daily jobs or working out. I couldn't get past the first 6 chapters. Save yourself the time.

41 of 46 people found this review helpful

Outstanding police procedural!

The Minneapolis based police detectives Sam Kovac and Nikki Liaka series has six novels and one short story to date. This is only the second one I have listened to. DUST TO DUST is superb in every way. The publisher's summary sets it up perfectly so I will not add to it. David Colacci's narration also earns 5 stars.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Intrigue? Not much. Slow, you betcha!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Another author perhaps

What was most disappointing about Tami Hoag’s story?

S L O W . . .

Would you be willing to try another one of David Colacci’s performances?

Not right now.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Dust to Dust?

less wordy descriptive narration. It seemed to go on and on.

Any additional comments?

Disappointing.

20 of 23 people found this review helpful

Exceptional

Great plot and characters. Recommend this book to anyone who loves a good police thriller.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Great in every way.

Great plot, interesting characters, one of my favourite narrators. I hope there are more of the same to come. John

17 of 20 people found this review helpful

Twisted

Great book! I had a hard time turning it off. So many twists, had me guessing all the way to the end.

15 of 19 people found this review helpful

Another brilliant book

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

I enjoyed listening to the reader.

What did you like best about this story?

It is hard to say what I liked best as it is a good story from start to finnish.

What does David Colacci bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

David Colacci brings the characters to life.

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

It is a good book bits could make you laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed every one.

22 of 26 people found this review helpful

Another Great Tami Hoag Novel

If you could sum up Dust to Dust in three words, what would they be?

Kept me listening.

Which character – as performed by David Colacci – was your favourite?

Sam Kovac keeps everything real.

Any additional comments?

A great story that keeps you guessing and makes you change your mind over and over. The unexpected twists make for a fabulous story that keeps you listening. The whole tale is put together really well and the plot is solid.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hard going!

This was my first experience of a Tami Hoag novel. I thought that her best seller status and what sounded like a promising plot warranted a try, but despite several attempts I just couldn't get into this story. Unfortunately, my irritation at the author's over the top attempts to make the writing hard-boiled, presumably in the styles of Hammett and Chandler, got in the way too much. The interplay between the cops was annoying, and I kept wishing we could just get into the plot. I also found the narration to be grating. This one's being returned, and I doubt I'll try any more by this author.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Classic thriller, with curve balls all the way

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

If you like thrillers that move at pace, a plot that as you on the edge and with characters full of depth and colour this is the book for you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nikki Liska. A woman trying to balance her family responsibilities and her chaotic detective job. So many worlds apart and almost impossible to separate but you feel for her has she battles against so many challenges.

What about David Colacci’s performance did you like?

Loved him. He gave every character life and personality that each one was loved and hated accordingly

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

Sam Kovac's relationship with the Head of Internal Affairs.

Any additional comments?

If scripted for cinema, it'll make a classic film noir with Clive Owen playing Kovac and Emily Blunt as Liska

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

superb

An excellent novel. Tami has a great ability to draw you in, identify and relate to the key characters. Great read

great gramphics great grameplay

What can I say? Does exactly what it says on the tin. need more words

Excellent performance of a great story

I read the book in paperback long enough ago to have not remembered all the details clearly, so was happy to make this one of my monthly Audible choices. David Colacci's performance was excellent, making the characters come alive, and has made several car journeys go much quicker as I listened. I would definitely recommend this as a great book for a long flight or train journey too.

I've enjoyed several of Tami Hoag's novels, a good level of believable characters, well devised plots, and stories you can get involved in. I will definitely look for more Audible versions of her work in future.

Loved this book

Tami Hoag is the most talented writer in this genre
Absolutely fantastic can't wait to start the next one in the series x

Great stuff

A great find. Rugged US crime cop drama with a noir feel. Think of an expanded Ed Mcbain at his best. Well written, well constructed with interesting characters and an appropriate narration.
Yup, easily listening but quality easy listening. I will be looking for more by this author.

Good read

enjoyed the story, did get frustrated at a few points as I thought some things were obvious. the story is well written with good characters.