Pain Has a Permanent Address

The John Handful Mystery Series, Book 4

By: Andrew Hixson

Narrated by: Michael Sharp

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Private investigator John Handful specializes in solving the impossible cases that the Suffolk Constabulary cannot, and when local businessman Charles 'Buster' Bill is found mutilated in the local forest, it is believed there is a maniac on the loose.  

John Handful thinks differently. His own investigation soon reveals that at the heart of the man's death lies a devastating secret and by the time Handful realizes what it is he has just made himself the next target....

©2017 Andrew Hixson (P)2018 Andrew Hixson

Good Murder Mystery

This is my first book in the series, but it won’t be my last. I thought this was a great mystery with a good story and a great protagonist. Even though this is a series, this book was standalone, and I didn’t feel like there was any history from the earlier books that I missed. Series are always best read in order, however I had no real notion that there was some big event before this book that would have changed my understanding.

The plot and setting was good, although my favorite part was the characters. I liked John Handful a lot and think his name is quite fitting, he definitely is a handful. His ability to take a beating and keep on going was impressive. I’m interested to see where his relationship goes with Kera.

Michael Sharp did a good job with the narration. For some reason I felt his voice and tone made John sound a bit older then he may actually be. Not sure either way, but I felt it was fitting. Disappointed to see that each book in the series has a different narrator.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Pain has a permanent address

I had a hard time with this book.The story was good,but the volume went up and down at will.As soon as I would turn it up,I would be blasted with loud volume then it would be nearly inaudible! Michael Sharp seemed to be a good narrator,aside from the afore mentioned issue.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Stranger things have happened...

This quick story follows Handful, as a consultant PI to the Constabulary, investigating a case that puts John at odds with the Constable. Another enjoyable mystery.

Interesting piece

I had a bit of a rough time getting into the story at first. Once it got going, couldn’t put it down.

Well done.

An okay mystery after a great book 3

I had higher hopes after the amazing book 3, but this one was a bit of a letdown because of yet another change in narrator for this series. Book 3 was the best narration by far. It looks like the narrator changes again for book 5 so I will give it a try.

This book was provided free for review, however, the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Riveting

As a disclaimer, I have been offered a copy of this book for the sake of an honest review.

I have listened to a few of Andrew Hixson's John Handful mysteries before tackling this episode, and I must say that this one is my favourite.

Both the writing and the tone of the narration by Michael Sharp are spot on. The character development of John can be felt throughout this harrowing thriller, and the chapters end in a number of clear, if sometimes small, cliffhangers that keep you wanting more.

I really recommend this book, as I feel it is pivotal to the John Handful Mysteries serie.

How many times can a character get beat up

And that should be the title of the book. The PI Handful seems to lurch from one beating to another. Then in the end there is a reveal but I don’t get it. The quality of the recording is tinny.

so so

Received a bonus code for an honest review. Narrator did an excellent job. The story rather dragged. I will not be looking for others in the series.

Excellent detective story

All of the books I've listened to in this series are fantastic and this one is no exception.

Pain IS a permanent address.

The narrator Michael Sharp ruined this book for me. I found his voice irritating. The story was somewhat interesting but was hard to hold my attention. The PI who is helping on a police case is taken off the case. He continues even though he is taken off the case.



This book
was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Don’t go into the woods!

Format: audiobook
Narrator: Michael Sharp
John Handful’s life is on the line in this book, there’s a touch of the hound of the Baskervilles about it, a good story but the ending left a few questions unanswered.
The narrator did a reasonable job and the story was sufficiently interesting as to keep the reader/listener engaged.

☺

This is a very good audio book got to give it 5 out of 5

amazing book

Private investigator John Handful specializes in solving the impossible cases that the Suffolk Constabulary cannot, and when local businessman Charles 'Buster' Bill is found mutilated in the local forest, it is believed there is a maniac on the loose.
fab book got me hocked straight away

Book 4

This audio book has a several parts that is full of suspense. I keep guessing while listening until the end of the audio book.

very good listen

I honestly struggled to put this book down, the story was incredibly captivating however i did find the narration a little lacking,not for performance but i feel the narrator could do with pop filter as the p's are a touch hard on the ear overall however this is a brilliant book.

Enjoyable

Overall the journey of John Handful in this book is enjoyable although somewhat unbelievable at times. He both seems incredibly capable and yet so misfortunate that he attracts the worst of luck. Yet despite that, the author does a great job of setting the pace and keeping you engaged as a reader, or listener rather.

The story itself is full of intrigue and turns. I especially liked that despite his misfortune, John is very much human and does display a fragile side as well - which is often overlooked in our heroes. The intimate scenes between John and his partner seemed somewhat clunky but part of that may have been the narration.

The narration itself sounds somewhat rushed. Sentences ran on, there was little in the way of dramatic pauses to set the tone of the story and I feel as though the story itself suffered because of the narration. Michael’s voice itself is fine and perfectly matched to narrate but his pacing felt rushed. In turn that made key moments in the story have less impact. I think the book suffered mainly because the narrator didn’t slow down. He didn’t pace himself and he didn’t speak with passion in the scenes where it matters - therefore a lot of feeling was lost in the authors words.

Ouch

Not sure about this book as it left a few unanswered questions at the end and a rather big one how is the main character still alive? I did enjoy it but after being caught in a fire, a car crash, a bomb explosion, swept down a river and attacked by a dog the main character seems tougher than Bruce Willis character John McClane. The story had a touch of spookness to it as you wonder how the victims died and it had me checking which genre it was in. It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here as there was some very significant plot twist in this book.
John Handful is called in to help on a brutal murder investigation, when a man's body is found in the woods. Just what or who is in the woods? The suspects don't like the way he is leading the direction of the case and get his consulting job with the police terminated. Unable to let it go he keeps investigating and in doing so makes himself a target for a ruthless killer.
I didn't really like the narrator. He seemed to much In a rush to get to the end of the book and you could even hear his In take of breath.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Mystery

I loved listening to this book.

I found this novel will keep you in suspense right up to the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Very enjoyable book

I really enjoyed this book. Another investigation by PI John Handful filled with action and suspense. The story is captivating the whole way through. Enjoyed the narrating by Michael Sharp.

A good story.

I've listened to a few Andrew Hixson books lately and this one was the best so far. I enjoyed the way the story developed slowly and then the constant changes in pace between action and investigation as it developed.