Flanagan's Dolls

By: Warren Adler

Narrated by: Kevin Scollin

Josh and Emily Flanagan return to their hometown in upper Michigan to open a funky antique shop, which they hope will provide a sane and comfortable retirement. Both have pursued successful careers in Manhattan: she as an appraiser of antiques for an auction house, and he as an insurance adjuster in the field of art and antiques.

A man seeking to purchase an antique doll for his ailing grandchild opens up a Pandora's Box of hidden family secrets and intrigue that results in bitter hostility and murder. Josh and Emily, through brilliant deduction and imaginative enterprise, discover the clues that lead to the solution that lies at the heart of this mystery. As characters they are similar in conception to the witty bantering loving couple, Nick and Nora Charles of the famed Thin Man series created by the mystery writer Dashiell Hammett.

©2010 Warren Adler (P)2016 Warren Adler

Puns of Fun

This cute Small Town mystery is hefted with interesting characters, relationships, collectors of curiosities, and a bursts of darkness. Author Warren Adler meticulously toggled between complete and sometimes lengthy passages that were light and fun and those that hefty with staid seriousness. He didn’t so much blend genres as he proficiently excises one from the other and often keeps them totally but seamlessly separated within the same body of work. Flanagan, the flawed main character does not take himself too seriously and loves to fill the air with puns, one-liners, and all sorts tete-a-tete wordplay on idioms. He most often employs this kind of humor with this point-counterpoint with his wife, Emily, with whom he has shared “years of intimacy and companionship.” On the other hand, as a result of having had years of insurance fraud experience, Flanagan instinctively sniffs out trouble and incongruence, and unconsciously gleans from lessons learned as an investigator to solve problems into which he cannot resist throwing himself. Sometimes he does this at the expense of rocking tenuous relationships, a tendency away from which he wife tries to gently steer him. The primary riddle in this mystery is not just who committed a murder and why, but whether or not a murder was indeed committed. The story is fresh and with a rather unique locale backdrop. Despite having some elements of predictability, the narrative overall was pretty much unpredictable. I must add that the role of Caesar, Flanagan and Emily’s engaging dog, added an especially enjoyable layer of fun and interest, and helped to highlight particulars of several other characters.

I really liked the narrator. He was crisp and clear without losing a feel for a natural, flowing conversational voice. Well done!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you Audiobook Boom.

haunting..

I was also able to read an advanced copy, and I loved it. Fast paced, witty, fun, touching, and tough all rolled into a story with a hero that you will want to come back to again and again. It made me see that 'wrong' isn't always as it seems, and I look forward to many more nights spent with Warren Adler..


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

ENJOYABLE, REFRESHING AND FUN!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The relationship between the Flanagans is refreshing and easy to love. The characters and story line are very well written and developed. Each character adds to the mystery making the book all that much more enjoyable. I was a fan of Warren Adler already but after listening to this book, I am a bigger fan than before.

Kevin Scollin is simply amazing with his narration of this story. He brings each character and the story to life better than if I was to read it for myself. He has a very pleasant tone to listen to, along with great pace and inflection.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

Baited Breath? I'm Hooked

What made the experience of listening to Flanagan's Dolls the most enjoyable?

Similarities to Nick and Nora Charles. The venerable detecting couple. Warren Adler gets it right, with both Josh and Emily Flanagan, playing straight man, er, person for each other's repartee. A fun romp. Not a deep serious murder whodunit, but with enough mystery to add something to the playful banter. Kevin Scollin was perfect. Good pace, that hint of sly wit as the dialogue moved quickly. He kept it under control for easy listening and comprehension by this listener.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flanagan's Dolls?

I found the discovery and description of collectibles that the Flannigans came across interesting. The exchanges between the couple kept my interest.

Which scene was your favorite?

The overall interplay throughout the work.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Lol Waiting with baited breath, I'm hooked...

Any additional comments?

Warren Adler is versatile. This is the fifth or sixth audio book I've listened to by Adler. Each one is different... Flanagan's Dolls is light fare. Very well written. Thank you for the opportunity to review it.This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Flanagan's Dolls

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

Husband and wife retire and move back to their hometown in upper Michigan. Their business of selling antique dolls brings them into a mystery. Was the much loved older woman murdered or did she die of natural causes or accidental. The couple investigates and reason out clues to solve the mystery. Twisty tale and intriguing listen.

The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.