Secret of the Thorns

Donavan Chronicles, Book 1

By: Tom Haase

Narrated by: John M. Perry

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

We know what happened to the robe of Christ.

We think we know what happened to his cross.

What really happened to the Crown of Thorns?

A controversial thriller set in modern times solving an ancient mystery.

©2013 Tom Haase (P)2014 Tom Haase

Critic Reviews

"Secret of The Thorns is must read thriller - a winner!" (Lois Lavrisa, bestselling author of Liquid Lies)

"A true storyteller in every sense of the phrase." (Sean Adams, author of Coin of Indecision)

Tom Haase knows 'the secret to good writing'

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

Yes, it's a thrilling read from start to finish.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Secret of the Thorns?

A cross buried in St Augustine FL is the solitary clue that unraveled the mystery.

What does John M. Perry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A readers Voice is very important when listening to a book. I enjoy Perry's inflection and tone.

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

Truth or Fiction - could this really be What happened to the Crown of Thorns?

Enjoyable to listen to.

If you could sum up Secret of the Thorns in three words, what would they be?

unpredictable turns and twists

What did you like best about this story?

This book has great unpredictable turns and twists. It is enjoyable to listen to.

What does John M. Perry bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The reader, John Perry, has a great range of different voices to fit different personalities.

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

The discovery of the empty church cavern in Spain. Never expected that..

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to book two being available on audible.

Terrible Narrator!

The overall story wasn’t bad but the narrator was awful! Where did they find him?

Good

Compelling story were they the last document from Peter and The Holy Koran, makes a good adventure story with a good pair in the Donovan to search with danger and intrigue.
Given audio for my voluntary review. Though the audio was good. and added to the story

Secret of the Thorns

Narrator sounded like a robotic voice, speech was stilted. This was annoying and diminished my enjoyment of the book. I wish I had read it in print instead.

For fans of Dan Brown

This was an interesting book that would be great for fans of Dan Brown. I liked the blending of history, religion, mystery, and action. It was a little hard for me to stay focused during parts of it, but it was still very enjoyable. I listened to the Audible audio version narrated by John M. Perry. I was thrown off by some of his pronunciations of some words, but I can't recall any of them now. He also sounded slightly robotic somehow. I liked that he didn't use the high-pitched, frantic voice for his female characters, which seems to be so common for many male narrators doing female characters. Overall, an enjoyable book and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book of the series.

Just Bad

Would you try another book from Tom Haase and/or John M. Perry?

I don't know if the narrator just made the storry bad but i had to stop i couldn't listen anymore. The story may very well be good but i just could't take it anymore.

Would you ever listen to anything by Tom Haase again?

I may give it another go.

Would you be willing to try another one of John M. Perry’s performances?

Maybe and thats a big maybe

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes the history.

Horrible narration.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, the narration sounds computer generated.

Would you be willing to try another book from Tom Haase? Why or why not?

Yes, if the narrator was different.

What didn’t you like about John M. Perry’s performance?

It sounds forced and artificial.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't know

Really needs a new narrator.

Would you try another book from Tom Haase and/or John M. Perry?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The level of detail, suspense, and dynamics.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The best I can describe it is that he sounds as though he's out of breath and crying throughout the book. His voice constantly breaks - at many points the characters "sound" different that the what the events portray. The only reason I'm completing the book is because I'd like to know the outcome. This is the first in a series. I haven't checked yet, but I am hoping he doesn't narrate the books that follow; not sure I can take it.

Could you see Secret of the Thorns being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could watch it on TV... not sure who'd do the acting.

Helpful to study biblical history as well!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is not a great book per se, but it grows on you. I think developing the principal characters more at the beginning would be helpful, as this is clearly the start of what might be a long series.

If you’ve listened to books by Tom Haase before, how does this one compare?

My first. May not be my last, but I wasn't overly impressed.

What three words best describe John M. Perry’s performance?

Not bad. Did the best he could with some clunky scenes and sometimes maddeningly juvenile dialogue.

Could you see Secret of the Thorns being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Shouldn't be. Maybe on SyFy, with no stars.

Any additional comments?

This is the debut of a new series, and is well researched, but it never clicked totally for me. Yet, I did finish it, which says something. It is so so, but for fans of biblical history, it is likely better than my rating.

Dissapointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Less sentences like: "Sweat ran down her face and fell between her ample breasts."

Would you ever listen to anything by Tom Haase again?

I'd give him another try.

Would you be willing to try another one of John M. Perry’s performances?

I don't know why but his voice sounds computer generated.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Didn't get passed the third chapter, so I don't know.

Any additional comments?

I would have persevered with this story but the computerised sounding voice was difficult to listen to.