Saucer

Saucer, Book 1

By: Stephen Coonts

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When Rip Cantrell, a seismic survey worker in the Sahara, spots a glint of reflected light in the distance - he investigates and finds a piece of metal apparently entombed in the sandstone. Before long, Rip and his colleagues uncover a flying saucer that has been resting there for 140,000 years.

Their discovery doesn't remain a secret for long. The U.S. Air Force sends a UFO investigation team, which arrives just minutes before a team sent by an Australian billionaire to steal the saucer's secrets. Before either side can outwit the other, the Libyan military arrives.

Meanwhile, Rip has been checking out the saucer. With the help of a beautiful ex-Air Force test pilot, Charley Pine, Rip flies the saucer away, embarking on a fantastic journey into space and around the world, keeping just ahead of those who want the saucer for themselves.

©2004 Stephen Coonts (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A comic, feel-good sf adventure." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Dick Hill, who is a well-respected narrator, does a superb job....Hill's commendable performance illustrates well the saying that it often is not what one says but how one says it." ( Library Journal)

A Fun Read

I really enjoyed this book. I don't know why I hadn't heard of or read it before now but am glad I found it. I usually like very suspenseful thrillers and spy books. This has some government intrigue but is not your typical thriller. I actually laughed out loud more than a few times.
It was a thoroughly great read. I highly recommend it.

A really nice listen

Aside from the bad character accents by the narrator (which make smart character sound dumb), I enjoyed listening to this book. If you are looking for something overly complicated and deep, keep looking. It's just a fun ride.

Riveting

Would you listen to Saucer again? Why?

Yes, it was very riveting and the story kept you intrigued

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Well, let's say I stayed up most of the night just to listen to this story line.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

This performance was great. Maybe his voice was wore out by the time the third book came out.

Any additional comments?

I have been listening to audio books for about 5 years. The same ones over and over again. I like stories that get me off this planet or in a fantasy world. I don't much care for fiction or non-fiction that sticks to this world or current events. That being said, I enjoyed this book very much. Not much romance and a lot of intrigue.

Reader misses the mark

Reader Dick Hill takes the wrong approach to this book, almost (but not quite) ruining it. True, Saucer could be for "young adult" readers - there's no real sex or profanity - but Hill reads it like it is a comic book. I practically expected the hero to shout, "Gee whiz, Ma... It's a real flying saucer!" If Hill had read it straight, it would have been a good adventure story without the phony Batman comic overtones.

Entertaining

A bit simplistic plot but good for a few hours of diversion. Not to be taken seriously.

Wonderful! Simply wonderful!

I have loved much of the work of CDR Coonts, ever since Jake Grafton said, "I see YOU!" in his Intruder. I had no idea what to expect of this, and still it was not what I expected (inasmuch as I thought I might have some idea of what it would be). A terribly fun story! I am going straight into book two! YAY! Thank you, Sir! I definitely need some good, intelligent, entertainment to get through this isolation. X-planes helps, but simply is not "cutting it" in place of actual flying, and online class is definitely not giving me what I need, in place of being physically in front of my students. Of course, it is emotionally the same thing is getting old as a poor substitute for being young and invincible and anticipating Pensacola. ;-)
- Prof. Cascaddan

A fun adventure!

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

This is a fun, believable and well written story.

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Thank goodness Dick Hill knows how to read personality into characters! His voice helps you visualize each character down to the expression on their faces as they speak.

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

This book was pretty steady and rather predictable, but a fun listen.

Solar powered... REALLY??

I love audio books about flying saucers and fantasy realms. I struggled with this one. I will not give to much away because we are all in this for the journey. When you make a flying saucer powered (kind of) by solar power then you have major issues. I get the story line and in parts I really like it. However, some parts are stretched so far out of realism that it was hard to listen to.

Look, if you can disconnect the side of your brain that tells you about physics and the way things SHOULD work then you will have fun with this one. It was a fun ride as long as you don't hold on to tight.

Thanks Stephen Coonts the the journey

All time favorite

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

I had to think long and hard on this question but the answer is YES

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

And how! This story has so many twists and turns in it, it was non stop adventure.

Which character – as performed by Dick Hill – was your favorite?

it was a toss up, either Rip or Uncle Egg

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

It hardly seems like the book that could make you laugh but there are so many parts that just make you bust out laughing.

Any additional comments?

I was already a huge Stephen Coonts fan- Jake Grafton rules! but this series was just so original.

Sophmoric story

This is a story which I would imagine was written for teens and early 20's people. Not a great deal of depth, stimulating dialogue or reasonably believable characters. and that is to be kind.