Mercury Falls

Mercury, Book 1

By: Robert Kroese

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Christine Temetri is at her wits’ end. For years she’s covered the increasingly bizarre activities of End Times cults for the Banner, a religious news magazine. Yet Christine, who once dreamed of being a "real" writer, has nothing to show for the gig other than a regular paycheck and serious doubt that Armageddon will occur in time for her next deadline. But after a mysterious man entrusts her with a locked briefcase and orders to "take it to Mercury", Christine finds herself face-to-face with a ping-pong-playing angel by the name of Galileo Mercury.

It seems Mercury was sent from heaven to make preparations for Armageddon, yet became sidetracked by the earthly delights he discovered: Rice Krispy treats, table tennis, and beer, to name just a few. Mercury’s concern for the fate of mankind is middling at best, but he is happy to educate Christine on the details of the elaborate, if poorly organized, calamity to come. When Christine inadvertently saves the Antichrist - an obnoxious, thirtysomething gamer who still lives with his mother - from celestial assassination, she begins an ambitious battle to stop the Apocalypse and save the world. But the heavenly host is nothing if not persistent, and Christine, aided only by an apathetic angel and a reluctant Antichrist, has her work cut out for her.

Packed with outrageous characters, Mercury Falls is a viciously funny (and occasionally absurd) morality tale for the 21st century.

©2010 Robert Kroese (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Highly recommended!

Love this book! I would have never guessed that a book about the Apocalypse could be so enjoyable! If you enjoy the writing style of Douglas Adams, you will really enjoy this book. It is witty and has a great plot, and the characters are interesting and funny. I laughed out loud quite often. The narrator is also excellent, he does a great job distinguishing the voices too. Highly recommnended! Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series!

Irreverent, inventive, witty.

It's time for the apocalypse, isn't it? All the signs are lining up: wars in the mid-east, the anti-christ has been selected, and six of the seven books about that boy sorcerer and his friends have been published.

So why is Christine always in the right place, at the right time, to do what? Is she supposed to help or hinder? In fact, it's not really clear who is in charge and what they are trying to accomplish. Angels seem to be operating at cross purposes.

As Christine bounces around the world to interview the general for Israel, her house is being vandalized. Why would anyone use ketchup to draw a backwards swastika on her carpet? And, because it's backwards it doesn't count as a hate crime? Oh, well, now she has a new linoleum floor in her breakfast nook, thanks to the premature death of a neighbor. At least it is a "welcoming" pattern ...

Don't miss the apocalyse vs flooring theory of history. Countless times flooring issues are ignored because of the expectation that it won't matter anymore soon, only to have to deal with it after all because the Apocalypse fails to appear on schedule. Again.

The book has a great assortment of characters, acting rationally and irrationally. Humor abounds and it even all makes sense, in the end, mostly. Don't miss the cherubim who works for tips - tips he insists on giving out such as "ants walking single file means rain".

The story flows well without slow spots. The reader is well matched to the material to bring the whole squirrely thing to life. It does for the apocalypse what "Caddyshack" did for golf.

So much fun

This book is probably my favorite in the series, though I loved the whole series and was sad when it ended.

Mercury is a great character. His take on "being a prawn" as opposed to a pawn is hilarious. I want to say that from now on.

Very funny, very entertaining and worth reading the whole series.

It is okay

The premise of the story is great. The writing is good, if overwrought. The performance is superb. It's just that it goes on and on and it could have used some clever editing to move the story more smoothly.

I realize I am in a minority, but: no!

I loved this author's Aye, Robot and Starship Grifters, so it's not that I'm averse to crazy plot lines, absurd word play, bizarre characters and general silliness. I was delighted to discover an entire series by the same author, but - there's no polite way to say this - I could not stand this book. I found it preachy, with lengthy rambling hectoring passages about religion and human nature. To me, it also crossed the tipping point and in many places was just wince-producing silly. Could not listen to this.

An entertaining lighthearted listen

What did you love best about Mercury Falls?

This is a book that translates very well to an audiobook. It was a fast paced entertaining tale that kept me both amused and interested throughout.

What did you like best about this story?

It's just so amusing and irreverent.

What about Kevin Stillwell’s performance did you like?

Very smoothly told with great character portrayal.

If you could take any character from Mercury Falls out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Mercury for being just so blase about the entire situation.

Great complex humorous story nicely wrapped up

Great complex humorous story nicely wrapped up at the end and keeps you wondering. Would recommend if you like humor and a complex well rounded story.

Spoiled by narrator, but not that good anyway

Would you try another book from Robert Kroese and/or Kevin Stillwell?

Not from Kevin Stillwell :o I'd maybe give Robert Kroese another chance, but not likely

What was most disappointing about Robert Kroese’s story?

If this is funny, it must be in an American sense of the word, I dont get..? I found it boring and with only a few funny moments.

Would you be willing to try another one of Kevin Stillwell’s performances?

Not even if I got money for listening.. When he talks normally its fine, but he has zero talent for foreign accents (or any other accent), he just sound stupid when he tries.

Any additional comments?

If you consider buying this because of the recommendations - beware its NOTHING like Douglas Adams as someone wrote, no dry wit, intelligent humor or subtle jokes - its like Donald Duck funny..

Great story

Where does Mercury Falls rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Awesome story, almost believable. If you enjoy stories on the supernatural or spiritual books you will enjoy this one. I hope he writes more.

Meh

What did you like best about Mercury Falls? What did you like least?

I did really enjoy the sense of humour throughout the book, but it had the potential for so much more

Did Kevin Stillwell do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, although Christine's voice was a bit annoying by the end

Any additional comments?

I expected a lot more from a book with such great reviews, but I found it to be completely underwhelming. It felt like it was on the edge of getting really good for so much of the book, and then it was just over.
While it wasn't by any means bad, I can't see myself recommending it to anyone.

intresting

not my usual fair but it's quite an interesting listen. compelling characters and hard to stop.