The Dark Root

Joe Gunther Mysteries, Book 6

By: Archer Mayor

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

A brutal home invasion shocks Brattleboro's small Asian community, but no one is talking. Undeterred, Joe Gunther digs deeper and discovers a cross-border smuggling route carrying drugs, contraband, and illegal aliens into and out of Canada. Operating below the radar for years, competition between underworld rivals is bringing it into the light with deadly consequences.

International jurisdiction is a complicated matter, and in the pursuit of justice, Gunther will have to collaborate with the FBI, the Border Patrol, and the Mounties.

©2013 Archer Mayor (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good mystery

Mayor continues to deepen and expand the characters in this book. I now feel like I know these people and care about their well-being.

A VERY INTERESTING SUBJECT

Would you listen to The Dark Root again? Why?

No. The subject matter was very interesting, but the story told dragged on.

What other book might you compare The Dark Root to and why?

It might be compared to other detective or cop novels but not favorably.

Which character – as performed by Tom Taylorson – was your favorite?

Is guess it would be Joe Gunther although he wasn't much of a hero

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. There were parts that dragged on.

Offensive Stereotypes of Asian People

The single star is not for Archer Mayor’s writing, which I admire and enjoy. I stopped listening early in the book because the plethora of shallow stereotypes of Asian people became too offensive.

Just too long

I wanted to love Dark Root as I have the previous books. However, much like Asian crime, this book was so long and convoluted that I lost will to live. I only finished listening with half an ear. Taylorson's narration is excellent, but he seemed to know he was droning on. The only upside was that Gail has gone to law school, and I didn't have to listen to her "insights."

Maybe an abridged version would be better

I gave The Dark Root two tries and eventually passed the midway point before giving up. The story just develops too slowly allowing boredom to take over. The story is mildly interesting, but is not worth the time it takes to listen to it.

Not his best book.

Not his best book, but it was next in the series so I listened.

Joe Gunther Bk 6

I was new to Joe Gunther mysteries //Archer Mayor and began listening with book 1. I was captivated by the character building of all the individuals in the series. I almost feel like I know each of their doppelgangers in my own life. As I was saying I began with book 1 and became so entrenched in the Joe Gunther mysteries I binged listened to all 32 books with fascination, escape, and enjoyment. I love the less than perfect characters, the thought processes each character manipulates and how each struggle with mental demons (some more than others) that make them real and come to life. I am also really impressed that not one of Mr Mayor’s stories (of all 32 books) repeat themselves in story line which is a impressive feat. My only disappointment is the next book isn’t out until Sept 2022.

love this series

I have laughed, and have cried and have enjoyed every single Joe Gunther book for it holds my interest and very real. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Good…

If you can get past the use of the word “oriental” to describe a person. Not my favorite in the series but still a good story. Always a fan of Tom Taylorson’s performance.

pu

i have loved all the books in the series so car even though they are super dated the stories were solid then we get to this one and its just garbage. could have been good started out right but just fell apart. yuck skip it. the performance is great though.

not as engaging as others in the series

I love these characters Jo and Gail, the townsfolk and selectmen... this book is minutely researched as they all are but this story line although deeply important to society just did not catch my attention. Nonetheless I listened to the end and there were some beautiful scenes and observations of people.

Another good story

Main character still a disappointment. Arrogant, bad communicator. Selfish, always loses his gun,his flashlight, his radio. Always clumsy falling over, never catches his suspects no matter how many of his team are there to support him. He is morose, depressed, self absorbed.
Good stories, good plot, spoilt by him. In each book he loses witnesses and puts others in danger with his reckless attitude and thoughtless comments. Get a new hero please.