The Authorities

By: Scott Meyer

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Sinclair Rutherford is a young Seattle cop with a taste for the finer things. Doing menial tasks and getting hassled by superiors he doesn't respect are definitely not "finer things". Good police work and bad luck lead him to crack a case that changes quickly from a career-making break into a high-profile humiliation when footage of his pursuit of the suspect - wildly inappropriate murder weapon in hand - becomes an Internet sensation.

But the very publicity that has made Rutherford a laughing stock in the department lands him what could be the job opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to work with a team of eccentric experts, at the direction of a demanding but distracted billionaire. Together, they must solve the murder of a psychologist who specialized in the treatment of patients who give people "the creeps".

There is no shortage of suspects.

©2015 Scott Meyer (P)2015 Scott Meyer

If you liked Magic 2.0, get this book

I devoured the Magic 2.0 books. I found them clever and at times laugh out loud funny. So I decided to pick this one up. I was not disappointed. The wit of the prior series was present and the characters were fun and well performed by the reader. The story is by no means earth shattering, but clever enough to hold my attention and definitely entertaining.

Not my kind of humor

I came to this book after getting through all of the current Magic 2.0 books (which I loved) and was exploring other works by Scott Meyer when I came across this one. I loved Program Run (or was it Run Program?) and thought I would love this one too.

Unfortunately, the humor in The Authorities is a bit different. In both Magic 2.0 and Program Run, the humor stems from two places: the sarcastic interactions between the characters, and the simple, stupid ways in which they act in what is supposed to be an otherwise serious situation. This book doesn’t lack either of those, but also seems to throw in some Office-like or Park-And-Rec-like awkwardness into the mix. I cannot stand cringe humor and I felt like the book had a lot of it. If you like that sort of thing, you will probably like this book.

Humor is pretty subjective and it could have been the delivery of the narrator, though. Or maybe I didn’t get deep enough into the story to fall in love the character interactions like I did with the other books. What really earns it three stars is that the story took a little too long to get started and the pacing was a bit off. I lost interest after awhile. Maybe it gets better later in the book, but from the other reviews I surmise that it probably doesn’t.

Overall, Scott Meyer is a damn good author, I will continue to read his books, but I’ll skip on this one.

Imaginorexia... An Imagination Disorder

Scott Meyer might have written this as a send-up of every procedural and detective novel written (or filmed) since Ian Fleming. OTH, Ian Fleming was a satirist, so the question here is, can satire be satirized?

You know what happens when you take a picture of a picture? Then photocopy the resulting picture? Then take a picture of the photocopy? Think of the result, then think of "The Authorities?. There is not an original thought in this book. NOT ONE! Meyer is like a mechanic at a fifth rate shop. When he finishes with your car, it'll probably run, but... not so good. Pity since Luke Daniels is a brilliant actor. His ability to clearly create youthful voices interacting with older men and women is stunning. He keeps every character and characterization note-perfect.

Here, Daniels is like a master violinist interpreting "I'm A Little Teapot."

All the Authorities They Just Stand Around & Boast

Scott Meyer is best known for his Magic 2.0 series, which just hit four entries in length, in which a computer file allows geeks who figure it out to travel through time. The Authorities was his first attempt at breaking out of that series. The good news is that the best elements of Magic 2.0 are applied here as well. The not so good news (but not too bad) is that the story doesn't quite measure up.

The story: A geeky Seattle cop is recruited by a famous gazillionaire to be part of a team of private investigators who use modern technology to solve cases (and social networking to self-promote). When a high profile psychoanalyst is murdered, the team has to investigate his group therapy patients to identify the killer, using their Bond-like tech and razor sharp wit to outwit the various and sundry crazies.

This idea of a super-wealthy tech guru getting involved in policing did not fly well in the recent Fox TV show APB, canceled after one partial season (although this book was written before the show). On the other hand, the idea of looking a members of a therapy group did work well in Gregg Hurwitz's Tell No Lies (although without the humorous element).

But the story is secondary for Meyer. His strength is creating a group of characters who banter back and forth as humorously as possible. As the title of my review says (a line from a Dylan song), The Authorities often just stand around and boast. This works especially well in audio with Luke Daniels narrating (not taking his voices too far over the top as in Magic 2.0). Still, a stronger story would've elevated the proceedings immeasurably.

Another fun book by Scott Meyer

Scott Meyer’s books are great true to form this book is whimsical with fun dynamics between character. Solid writing without getting too wordy. I jVe enjoyed many of his books most of which have been narrated by Luke Daniels who does a great job portraying the kinds of characters that tend to be in Scotts books

Good start, but becomes mired half way through

The Authorities started out fairly interestingly enough. Rutherford (the protagonist) starts off as a policeman, solves a case, & becomes a part of a special elite team. All of this is fun and moves along at a nice clip.

Once the primary mystery is introduced, things slow down. The story is basically the special elite team (the Authorities) going from one person to another and interviewing them. Well it gets boring and repetitive. The underlying mystery is not the focus of this story. Its more the group getting to know one another. Because the mystery is not that engaging, the story is not either.

meh.

After finishing this and the Masters of Formalities one I think.. Scott should stick to Magic 2.0... This wasn't a bad book, it's just... bland. Nothing really interesting happens, none of the characters felt important. I miss the relatable-ness and humor.

Laugh out loud awkward detective work.

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

Yes. If you like mysteries, but really like those with colorfully goofy characters and humorously awkward situations, then "The Authorities" is defiantly a book that you would want to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Authorities?

There was a scene where bees are first used as an bizarrely effective interrogation technique that was funny to listen to.

Which scene was your favorite?

There was a scene where the suspect was unsuccessfully trying to run, yet couldn't, so "The Authorities" had to sort of nonchalantly help the suspect out a little so they could get good video of themselves chasing him. It was read as so hilariously awkward and ponderous with narrator Luke Daniels' voice work that it became one of many favorite scenes.

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

Oh there was much laughter. A healthy down to earth moment or two to round out the story and flesh out the characters, but mostly laughter.

Any additional comments?

Author Scott Meyers and narrator Luke Daniels are quickly becoming one of my favorite audio book team. Scott Meyer's sense of ironically awkward and humorous character interaction situations only multiplies with the amazingly detailed and voice work of Luke Daniels. "Off to be the wizard" and "Master of Formalities" are also suggested if you enjoy Scott Meyer's sense of humor.

FanFreakinTastic

An awesome read and what promises to be a wonderful new series... This band of misfit detectives is utterly unique and enjoyable... The characters are all exceptionally rich and vibrant, especially Rutherford, Max, and Sloan... The quirkiness and humor could not be done w/ more pinache and vim, while remaining rooted... The pace and flow of the story are conducive to binge reading;) You'll find yourself laughing regularly, and chuckling even more... The whodunit and howdunit is fun, but not complicated... Most will figure it out quickly, but this is a story of characters more than anything and they will suck you in immediately, and take you on one helluva fun read... The narration is excellent and accomplishes changing tones and viewpoints beautifully... Worth the credit w/o a doubt.... Hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this delicious piece of ear candy;).

Daniels sold it!

What did you love best about The Authorities?

Normally Meyers is great. In fact, he's one of my favorite authors for comedy. This fell sort of flat. It had its moments but they are few and far between. If not for Daniels this one probably wouldn't have been finished. If there's another in the series I'll get it if Daniels is reading but even so here's to hoping the story is better.

Would you be willing to try another book from Scott Meyer? Why or why not?

Yes. He has an incredible sense of humor that translates well into everyday "human speak".

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

All of it. If you haven't heard him try "Off to be the Wizard"-simply incredible!

If you could rename The Authorities, what would you call it?

Not sure anything else fits.

Any additional comments?

nah.

An entertaining, humorous police procedural

The Authorities is an entertaining, lighthearted police procedural, full of eccentric characters and gentle humour. In many ways, it is similar to the author's Magic 2.0 books - a simple, amusing story featuring endearingly socially inept characters. Luke Daniels' narration is excellent. His character voices really add to the humour.

A good read

This book is so easy to listen to. It's well read and written. I was walking the dog with a smile on my face

A fun distraction

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It's probably a 4.5 star rating. 5 stars for the fun factor, 4 stars because it's a bit unlikely / random.

It's a "who-dunnit" with a difference. Socially awkward rookie cop not who wasn't quite fitting in with the local force, finds himself in an interesting new crime-investigating team.

Eccentricity meets technology....what could possibly go wrong?!

Similar light tone to the wizard books, but a very different theme. The humour is fun, the narration perfectly suited. Ideal when light relief is required between the more heavy-duty or emotional listens.

One swallow doesn't make a summer

The start of this book is great. For about the first hour or hour and a half a big comedy moment is built up and executed perfectly. The blurb refers to it when it talks about a rookie cop arresting a suspect with an inappropriate weapon. I've read a few Scott Mayer books and I love his childish, prankish humour and with this one it was the same. I was walking along the street listening to the book and I couldn't control my burst of laughter, I thought that this was going to be his best book yet. I was disappointed, the initial arrest was not only the highlight of the book it was the only truly funny scene in the book. After the initial arrest I am pretty sure that I did not laugh for the rest of the novel - that's at least 8 hours of listening to a comedy with no humour. The Authorities does not work as a straight story and yet again with Audible I cannot account for how anybody can give this book a 5 star rating. Off to Be the Wizard is an example of what a 5 star comedy should be, funny from beginning to end - this is not.

Not quite on the level of Magic 2.0

I love Scott Meyer and Luke Daniels, but for me this story wasn’t quite on the same level as the Magic 2.0 books. I enjoyed it and will listen again (this was actually my second listen after a gap of several years, I believe, and I think I preferred it on the repeat), but it just didn’t quite hit the same mark. I did laugh out loud several times, but the characters weren’t quite as memorable or endearing. Excellent performance from Daniels, of course. In summary, interesting concept, easy listen and something fun for a Sunday afternoon.

Good but not as good as his others

Took a while to get started. I think I would like more books in the series as it took a long time for the characters to warm up, and I seemed I only got to know them just before the end, felt more like a really long introduction, and the story was only just getting started. Easy listen though, and was good.... just not as good as magic 2.0

Not as good as his other books

I normally love Scott Meyer’s quirky, funny books but I found this one to be a bit thin and disappointing. It took a huge amount of time to really get going and never really caught my attention. None of the characters are particularly sympathetic and the mystery story is so simple that it was fairly easy to work out who had done it. That being said it was read really well by Luke Daniels who I will forever associate with Scott Meyer’s work.

If this is the first time you have come across this author, don’t go with this book rather read or listen to the Magic 2.0 series or the brilliantly quirky Master if formalities. This one isn’t his best work and is not a true reflection of how funny, clever and imaginative his other stories are.

Excellent and original story, well told.

This really deserves to be a series. The lead character does a fair job of giving the reader an ordinary perspective on the story without being bland.

good

good book the whole thing feel like a big intro to what should be a big serise hope theres more to come

Great story, brilliant reader

I loved all the Magic 2.0 stories which I thought were imaginative, well-written and witty. Like those books, The Authorities is a great yarn. But, for me, the voice of Luke Daniels is the cherry on top of the cake - the guy is brilliant at interpreting the author’s intent and bringing each character to life. Fun from start to finish - 5 stars!