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.

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.

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.

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.

I am enjoying this series

Book 6 didn't disappoint, will continue reading the series, happy there are so many left.

Joe the Good Cop

I am not sure how I first found this series, but I am delighted that I did. A cop and a police department that cares and works hard to fix what is wrong.
They are the kind of books that it does not matter who might be listening, they cannot be offended.
A lovely quiet read for a long ride, or a back-drop for housework, and especially for that last listen before sleep.
As long as Tom Taylorson - the "real" Joe - is reading everything flows.

Still a fan

Mayor seems to always come up with an interesting and believable story in his small Vermont town. I’m always intrigued by the many emotions he brings out in me through his stories.

Just seems like a lack of police knowledge

Amazing, rape victims who are back having sex in 6 months and that guys can shoot at the cops with a sub machine gun and not get charged. I should move to Vermont.

Great audio for this police procedural

I love Archer Mayor’s Joe Gunther series because they are well written and well researched police procedurals taking place in my very favorite state of Vermont !
The narrators voice was perfect for this book - I had the feeling Joe Gunther himself was talking to me !