The First Wave

A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery

By: James R. Benn

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Billy's task is to help arrange the surrender of the Vichy French forces in Algeria. But dissension among the regular army, the militia, and DeGaulle's Free French allows blackmarketeers in league with the enemy to divert medical supplies to the Casbah, leading to multiple murders. Billy must find the killers while trying to rescue the girl he loves - a British spy.

©2008 James R. Benn (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Part Indiana Jones derring-do and part grown-up adventure novel with spies, black marketers, loyal and dastardly French, and the reliably evil Nazis. If you like World War II historical crime novels, you’ll love this one.” (Mystery Scene)

This series is so very good

The characters, the research, the tense situations, the incredible dialogue — every bit is well crafted and so very good. Start with book 1 — BILLY BOYLE — and just keep going. You won’t be disappointed. I read this book when it came out a few years back and was happily reminded how wonderfully written it is. The narrator made Billy, Kaz, Harding, and all the characters really come alive. This series is one of my very favorites!

Good, but not great.

I read and listened to the first book of this series and completely indulged myself into the story. I loved it. I struggled to keep the same connection with this one though. I, however, decided to listen to the entire book this time and I'm not sure if that obscured the same imagination I had with the first book, or perhaps the story wasn't as captivating. I can't say this was a bad book, but it just didn't grab me like the last one. I'm off to listen to book 3, hopefully that one rekindles the connection I had with the first book.

A captivating read for sure.

The narrator for this series is brilliant. Another fine story with twists and turns aplenty.

Compelling. Recreates the disorder of landing.

If you could sum up The First Wave in three words, what would they be?

Confusion of landing troops.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy Boyle, the main character of the book. His integrity and growing sense of honor.

Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great

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

Evil of war

Any additional comments?

no

Another great one

This is the toughest of the books to get through due to the graphic nature of some events. Reviewing these after listening to many more gives some perspective. While all the books feature a gripping story and the same lovable characters - with each story making you more invested in them - the publishers inexplicably change narrators after book 5 and the new one is terrible. Absolutely terrible. It will make you want to listen to the first five again - as I have - instead of continuing the series. It is truly a shame.