Into the Blue

By: Robert Goddard

Narrated by: Paul Shelley

Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Harry Barnett, a middle-aged failure, leads a shabby existence. He is reduced to caretaking a friend's villa on the island of Rhodes and working in a bar to earn his keep. Then a guest at the villa - a young woman he had instantly warmed to - disappears on a mountain peak. Under suspicion of her murder, Harry becomes obsessed by the mystery that has changed his life and begins to trace back the movements and encounters that led to the moment where she vanished into the blue.

©1990 Robert and Vaunda Goddard (P)2012 Audible Ltd

The long and winding road to a conclusion.

The story f Harry and his many acquaintances was interesting thus my 4 stars. The authors telling of the story was longer than necessary…verbose often… thus my 4 stars.
I do plan to read book 2 and book 3 because I need to find out what could possibly remain to be revealed about Harry Barnett.
The narration was very good thus my 5 stars.

Excellent

Gripping if rather over-complex plot, competent characterisation, beautifully written, excellent narration - highly recommended.

Intriguing with multiple twists and turns

What made the experience of listening to Into the Blue the most enjoyable?

The story and the narration were both really enjoyable. Reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Eric Ambler, where a naive and romantic individual gets sucked into a situation he does not understand and, despite being duped and manipulated, finds his way through without losing his honor.

Which character – as performed by Paul Shelley – was your favorite?

Jack Cornelius

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

Cornelius' last appearance in the book.

Goddard never lets me down. Another great book.

I have to say, I have yet to pull a rock when choosing a Goddard title. They always have the best narrators. Even though you start to pick up a formula to his books, he is one of the few authors that can pull it off and make you want to come back for more. Everything about this book I enjoyed. The characters, scenes, plot and twists. Classic Goddard. Highly recommend to anyone.

kept you guessing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Into the Blue?

The're quite a few as it twisted and turned and filled with suspense.

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

The story make you feel for the lead character as he tried to figure but where she had vanished to

Favourite of his so far

I was all set to find the middle section long, based on the other reviews, but I didn't at all. Nor did I find any characters or storylines abandoned, but maybe I missed it! This is my third Robert Goddard book and it seemed perfectly paced. There is lots to keep one's interest along the way and much to reveal at the end.

I find that I can't listen to his books one right after another, because of the similar elements (revenge, betrayal, nothing is what it seems, etc.), but after a brief rest, I'll return for more. Clearly, it doesn't seem to matter what the external circumstance is in terms of plot and setting, because he makes it a good story in each case. I'm fond of plots with political overtones myself because it lifts things out of the merely personal into a wider sphere. I'll look forward to the next one soon! I'll have to remember to have a dictionary nearby next time for the occasional new word. That's the mark of a good novel for sure!

Thumping Good Listen

Won the 'W H Smith Thumping Good Read Award' in 1990 for this story
First of three books about Harry.

The second is 'Out of the Sun'
'Never go Back; is the third (not yet available through Audible)

And yes it is a good story. 22 years later it is still a good yarn. And well read by Paul Shelly.

This is a L-O-N-G book!

I was hooked by the audio narration early on, as well as Harry's likeable-schmuck-in-a-fix persona. Rhodes setting proved a strong start, with Inspector Melteades being a character I'd hoped to see more of (spoiler: we don't). I won't say the story gets "bogged down" in the middle, rather that so much happens that I had trouble keeping straight who was who; so, I paused partway through, coming back to the book after several days away. I'd say that helped as the tension escalates in the final third of the book. Strong finish with a surprise twist - at least I would never have seen it coming!

Definitely recommended, even with the complicated plotline making the story a bit of a chore to get through at times.

Convoluted plot with too many characters

It takes great concentration to keep up with all the characters in Harry’s life. The addition of gratuitous sex scenes just cheapened it more. I have rarely read many books with sixty plus chapters. I gave up after forty and the completely unnecessary graphic sex scene.

Elegant writer, solid plot

I like Robert Goddard. He's evidence of a solid liberal arts education. There's nothing showy in his writing. It's more like a glass you can see through than a decorative object to admire.

The plot works, with the hero having only a couple (one big) stupid moments that serve to propel the plot without being reasonable. That's the reason I didn't give 5 stars.