• The Two Gentlemen of Altona

  • Playing the Fool, Book 1
  • By: Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock
  • Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
  • Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (271 ratings)

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The Two Gentlemen of Altona  By  cover art

The Two Gentlemen of Altona

By: Lisa Henry,J.A. Rock
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
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Publisher's summary

Mischief, thou art afoot.

Special Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness is having a rough week. Not only is he on a new diet, but he's also been tasked with keeping Henry Page - the world's most irritating witness - alive. Which is tough when Mac's a breath away from killing the Shakespeare-quoting, ethically-challenged, egg-obsessed Henry himself. Unless killing isn't really what Mac wants to do to him.

Con man Henry Page prefers to keep his distance from the law... though he wouldn't mind getting a little closer to uptight, handsome Agent McGuinness. As the sole witness to a mob hit, Henry's a valuable asset to the FBI. But he's got his own agenda, and it doesn't involve testifying.

When evidence surfaces of a mole in the FBI office, Mac and Henry are forced to go into hiding. Holed up in a fishing cabin, they're surprised to discover that their feelings run more than skin deep. But as the mob closes in, Henry has to make his escape. And Mac has to decide how far he's willing to go to keep Henry by his side.

©2014 Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock (P)2016 Riptide Publishing

What listeners say about The Two Gentlemen of Altona

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    137
  • 4 Stars
    95
  • 3 Stars
    27
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    172
  • 4 Stars
    68
  • 3 Stars
    9
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    2
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    119
  • 4 Stars
    89
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A fun, funny, smart, and suspenseful read!

Any additional comments?

Con man meets G-man in this fun, funny, smart, and suspenseful read!

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Nick J. Russo's narration of this mystery!

As the sole witness to a murder by a mob boss, Henry Page is now the FBI's best shot at putting the bad guy away. But it's a little tricky here because Henry isn't that good a guy himself. Henry isn't even his real name. See, Henry is a con man who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and though he calls in the murder (because hey, he's not a "bad" guy), he doesn't intend to stick around for the fall out.

Special Agent Ryan "Mac" McGuinness is the one who has to find Henry, protect him, and ultimately get him to testify, which means getting him to stick around. Which is not Henry's strong suit. This occurs with hilarious results.

The writing is sharp, smart, funny, and very engaging. The narration is spot on and fantastic with terrific timing and great character voices. My only complaint is the (what I would call a) "Quantum Leap" ending. The initial story told is finished, but the end jumps to the beginning of a new story thread before coming to a cliffhanger-type ending.

That's all right, it just makes me hungry for the next story in the series! Now I just have to wait patiently for the audio to come out. *cough, cough* GIVE IT TO ME NOW, PLEASE!

Highly recommended!

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Awesome narration. Lame, c**k tease story.

I highly recommend the narrator but don't waste a credit listening to him on this audiobook. Truly a waste of time. Build up after build up and never a payoff. Life is too short for this crap.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun action-filled story

What did you like best about The Two Gentlemen of Altona? What did you like least?

The book is a fun, action-based story with a believable sexual chemistry between the main characters, somewhat reminiscent of the Cut and Run series, though with less angst and sexual violence. It's light entertainment, witty and fun for the most part, despite the context.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Two Gentlemen of Altona?

The Shakespeare re-enactment.

What does Nick J. Russo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

For me, the narration is only noticeable when it is bad. Russo's narration is great. The pacing is right, the tone is right. I can't comment other than to say it didn't take me out of the story, which is ideal,.

Did The Two Gentlemen of Altona inspire you to do anything?

Run a con, witness a murder or join the FBI? Dumb question.

Any additional comments?

I did feel rather cheated at the end, as it doesn't feel like a complete story, but rather half of the story. It's not even a natural conclusion, but rather feels like the last couple of chapters are missing.

At around 5 hours it seems like a bit of a rip-off to be charged the same for half a book when comparable quality of writing and narration at double the length, and completed stories, are the same price. For that reason, I would wait for a special or a whisper sync to get the others in the series, even though I enjoyed it.

This abrupt ending to an incomplete story is the reason that I gave a 3 star overall rating. It would better to combine the books to make a decent audio edition, I think. Then it would be a fair offering at full price and they wouldn't need to get into discounting.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Witty, Light Romantic Suspense

What did you love best about The Two Gentlemen of Altona?

Short Answer: Everything

But, to elaborate, I was taken by the characters, the banter, and the tone of the story while getting a side dish of suspense to keep things interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

Probably the characters of Mac and Henry. Such opposites and yet they appreciated each other and had great chemistry.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, this is my third time listening to his narration. This one ties Christmas Kitsch as my favorite. He did great making me hear both Mac and Henry's voices and made the humorous aspect shine while doing well with Henry's complexities.

If you could rename The Two Gentlemen of Altona, what would you call it?

The Cop and the Con Artist Take to the Road

Any additional comments?

This book has an abrupt ending because it is the first installment of a trilogy so the reader needs to go in knowing that this isn't really a standalone though the main conflict does tie up.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This book was so great. I loved it so much.

If you could sum up The Two Gentlemen of Altona in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, fun, entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry, Because i couldn't stop laughing everytime he said something. And yet, as fun as he was, he had some tender and beatiful moments. He kept me guessing all the book about him and about the things he might do, it was a great character.

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to count. Perhaps the one with the storm, because he was less of an act and more of him self at that moment, and he was so vulnerable that was great to see him in that possition, the same in a scene when Mac find him and he is scared of the previous events.I loved that scene too.

Who was the most memorable character of The Two Gentlemen of Altona and why?

Well Henry, he was great and i think is omre complex that is shown on the book, which is amazing because i know there are more books after this one and maybe i'll get to know him better.

Any additional comments?

It had a great plot, and some nice twists. I really enjoy listen to it.
I found the narrator great too. i have few to compare, but so far, he is the best i've listen to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

characters with chemistry!

I really grew to love the two main characters. the chemistry was natural and didn't feel forced at all. can't wait for part two!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Funny Smart Characters

The only reason I got this book was because of the narrator (He's the best) and if you are reading this Nick thank you soo much for your preformance. Just Personally not a big fan of m/m romance or any kind of romance novels didn't know what i was getting into at first. Big fan of good stories though, fantasy urban stuff lots of action like the knight chronicles, my best series yet made up there because of Nicks performance like I said only reason I got this and that it was supposed to be funny, after listening to great stories back to back this story was ok just the back and forth between characters was awesome, story itself could have been one of the episodes in any of the countless detective tv series should tell you I hate cliff hangers and this one has one that's why you get 3 stars not cool when tv shows do it not cool when authors do it too. My 2 cents. Still worth listening at least once you ow yourself that much.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny story great narration

This is a funny first book of a three book series. In book one we are given the set up. Why Mac and Henry are together: Mac is keeping Henry “safe” for his trial against the mob, Henry wants to run away.

Giving us the two MCs basic characters: Mac, somewhat overweight, FBI agent on a diet, grumpy because of diet, not your typical MC but still very masculine. Henry: conman, chatty, sly, eager to push Mac’s buttons.

Setting up the beginning of their romance: These are early days, there isn’t a lot of hot and heavy sexy times, but we can hope in the next installment there will be more to come!
I love the “imperfect” MC and in this book we get two!

Be warned- cliff hanger – This is a super funny book and I am eager to move on to book 2!

Audio

Nick J Russo is the PERFECT choice of narrators for this book. He’s got a naturally gritty tone that really suits this PI book with a tongue in cheek feel. Nick is always easy to listen to and he does a nice job differentiating all the different voices – including the ladies ☺ Henry and Mac’s voices are perfect and exactly as I’d imagined.

I highly recommend this book and the audiobook and I look forward to the next in the series!

4.5 of 5 stars



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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

enjoyed it

Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Were there any parts I found annoying: had an abrupt ending (because it is the first instalment of a trilogy).
Did I feel an emotional connection to the characters: yes
Would I listen to it again: yes

• Light entertainment, witty and fun for the most part.
• Book 1 introduces the characters and starts a slow build romance, there's plenty of action and it has a good pace.
• Nick J. Russo does a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life, his narration is spot on with terrific timing and great character voices.

I'm diving straight into Book 2.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hilarious

Laugh out loud funny, slow build romance, plenty of action and Nick J Russo narrating makes The 2 Gents of Altona a must for your library. Henry and Max are very much the odd couple that fit together.

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