PatriciaG

Surprising Disappointment...

Reviewed: 05-31-20

I would like to start by saying I am a fan of R.S. Belcher’s writing. I really enjoyed the Nightwise, and Galgotha series. And was awed by Brotherhood of the Wheel series.

Another reviewer said The Queen’s Road this book has the feel of an YA “coming of age” book and I agree with that. The characters don’t have much depth and I just can’t care for any of them. I think a younger reader would enjoy this book; I know I would have liked it had I read it when I was a teenager. But as an adult it is just tedious.

Kaleo Griffith did the best he could as narrator.

I guess any writer, no matter how talented can have a dud or two. I’m over 1/2 way through the book and it is a struggle. I will stick it out until the finish, but don’t hold much hope it will get any better at this point.

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A full length MurderBot book! What a treat!

Reviewed: 05-11-20

I thoroughly enjoyed all the books in the MurderBot series, and honestly thought they couldn't get any better. I was wrong, this book was over the top, I couldn't stop listening. I was sorry to reach the end of the book. A great series!

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Interesting premise spoiled.

Reviewed: 03-13-20

I liked the previous books in this series. I wish I could say the same for this book.

Many of the characters seemed wooden. I did not engage and didn't care what happened to them. Most of these characters were on the police officer staff. Problems and outcomes you could see coming a mile away. Very annoying, it was like there is some sort of checklist...

Police staff crippled by budget cuts........................Check!
Self-serving politician attacking PD........................Check!
Media enflaming situation.........................................Check!
Young hardworking officer.........................................Check!
Inspector's marriage suffers due to long hours....Check!

The characters surrounding the actual crime were great. I liked or disliked them, and was engaged with their stories. The subject matter was timely. There were interesting twists up to the end.

Even so, this book seemed to drag on forever for me, it was a real chore to make it to the end. I think this will be my last DCI Warren Jones book.

This book has good reviews, so I know I'm in the minority here.

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I just can't.

Reviewed: 12-29-19

I've listened for 3 hours, and just can't go on. I kept listening because of all the good reviews, hoping it would get better, and have some humor.

I didn't care about any of the characters, The narration was monotonous. A lot of time was spent on fighting scenes that went on and on. ( I don't mind violent scenes if they progress the story.)

The one thing I am thankful for is that I only paid 1.99 for this book.

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1 person found this helpful

Glad I took a chance on this

Reviewed: 07-22-19

I was hesitant to try this book. To my way of thinking Nero Wolfe was a Rex Stout creation, and any other attempts would be just weak imitations of the original. I am happy to say I was wrong - I had no trouble believing this was the same Nero Wolfe and Archie that I'd become accustomed to in the original books. I am looking forward to listening to the rest of this New Nero Wolfe series.

The narration was very good - as good as the original books.

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It could have been so good...

Reviewed: 07-16-19

I wanted to like this book, I really did. The story concept had such potential.

I didn't like the sound effects at first, but later I grew to like them. Too bad I can't say the same for the narration or the book itself.

The writing was way too detailed on things that really didn't play a part in the story. As another reviewer pointed out, the many mentions of Marion Berry pie was a bit much. Also did I really need to know the main character drove a 1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer? Or that it has worn out struts, shocks, U-joints and tires? That he was using a Tom Tom Global Positioning System device? (Don't most of us just say GPS?) Did I need to know that he wears Transitional Lenses? It just went on, and on like that.

I wondered why all the over detailing, I thought this might actually be a book intended for young teenagers. But nope, it was not in that category. Then I thought maybe it was written a LONG time ago, but nope.

The narration did not help the book at all. The overall narration was stiff and robotic. The different character voices were pretty good and varied. BUT the narrator mispronounced many places, and gave all the Northwest locals a southern accent.

I just couldn't get past all this. I tried, I really tried. I stuck with it for 33 chapters then just gave up.

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I was prepared to not like this book...

Reviewed: 07-06-19

Unfortunately I've purchased a string of books that sounded good, started good, but then fell apart and disappointed. I had pretty much prepared myself that this book would probably be the same. But nope! I enjoyed the entire book. It had an absurdity that I loved. In a way it reminded me of Yahtzee Crowshaw books. It held my interest and made me laugh out loud several times.

I will definitely purchase the follow on book, and hope there will be more to come.

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23 people found this helpful

Almost returned this...

Reviewed: 06-25-19

I came close to returning this book. It started off slow, then the pace picked up and it held my interest...until the last (2nd) part, which I found very extremely boring. In the end I figure if I enjoyed 7 hours of an 11 hour book it is worth keeping.

I thought the main character's family life was presented in an overly sentimental fashion, and they seem to barely be able to run their household without drama and hand wringing. That annoyed me.

But I got over all that once the story finally picked up, and with the exception of the last 3+ hours the book was pretty good.

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Story had potential but disappoints

Reviewed: 11-06-18

The basic story was predictable but interesting, and I was ok with the supernatural elements. But then it just dragged on and on, blathering about Jack's ex girlfriend and her daughter both of who were unlikeable. I got this book on sale, but if I had paid a full credit for it I would return it. That being said, I will probably try another book in the series to see if it improves.

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Enjoyable but...

Reviewed: 08-13-18

Not as good as the first book, but it was ok. This story became a bit too Romantic for my tastes. Although I preferred the narrator from the first book in the series, this new narrator was fine once I became adjusted to her voice.

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