Samyann's Blog, page 44

Company Man by Joseph Finder – Audiobook Review

Company Man has been around for quite a while. This audiobook version, read by Scott Brick, was released over ten years ago. Unabridged, approximately eighteen hours of listening. The story centers on a Michigan manufacturer, the CEO burdened with unprecedented layoffs. It’s often overlooked how dreadfully difficult it is for the decision maker in layoffs situations. Believe it, the guy that must lay off you or a loved one will likely puke his guts out that night. The boss hates the job as much as anybody, and he has a boss too.

Anyway, to Company Man. Once an admired member of the community and now a despised pariah that has idled a large percentage of the town is caught in a spider web of murder and a relentless female cop. Harboring all the ramifications of the recent death of his wife, dealing with an obnoxious teenaged son and an innocent, trusting daughter, a budding romance, office skulduggery, Nick Conover makes for a likable character. This is a fun story because the people are real, your neighbors, relatives; the events could all happen.

Scott Brick’s performance is, as usual, stellar. Just the right tempo, pacing. Nicely done. Creative story telling. Enjoy!

The Tegen Cave by Inge-Lise Goss – eBook Review

The Tegen Cave, a novel by Inge-Lise Goss, is just under 270 pages in length and available in paperback, Kindle, ebook.

The story opens with a murder. Not some boring gun shot or knife slash … but a murder via spider bite. Now that the author has your attention, she executes an adrenaline filled escape. Sara Jones, an independent twenty-something, escapes from a crime family involved in child trafficking, drugs, all nasty stuff Sara just doesn’t want to be part of her life. With no particular destination in mind, and on the advice of seemingly innocuous fellow bus passengers met along her journey, Sara settles in Montana, hoping to leave the horrid world behind. Shortly, while ensconced in a hotel and getting ready to apartment hunt, Sara is befriended by a handsome, nice guy.

Enter more spiders. Lots of spiders.

At this point, the reader, and Sara, are forced into suspecting everybody. Who can Sara trust? Who is out to get her? Is the crime family killing people with spiders? Is the crime family the good guys and Sara is being sucked into a ‘spider cult’? Why is she immune to the spider bite that will paralyze and kill someone else? Why is she having a different physical reaction? As the pages are quickly turned in this story, you’ll be artfully swayed, completely convinced you know where Goss is headed, then boom … wrong turn. What fun!!

Not recommended as a young adult book. Although tastefully done, and most detail left to the reader imagination, there is considerable sex some may consider gratuitous, but it is all part of the story of the Tegen species and the character development of Sara.

The Tegen Cave has is all: horror … spiders, lots and lots of spiders, science fiction, mystery, romance, thriller, paranormal … and best of all … magic!

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The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kierman – Audiobook Review

Read by Cassandra Campbell (The Help narrator) and almost thirteen hours of listening. The Girls of Atomic City is a compilation of experiences. The author interviewed several women involved in secretive jobs of WWII in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, ultimately resulting in the ‘gadget’ that would end the war: the bomb or ‘Manhattan Project’. These women, all in their late teens or early twenties in the early 40s, related their experiences living and working in a government constructed town of new factories, dorms, cafeterias, and muddy streets. No one knew the purpose of their work, but they all diligently monitored gauges, took dictation, dated, fell in love, kept their heads down and did their jobs … and created ‘product’ by the tablespoon that disappeared via couriers to places unknown (like Los Alamos).

A most interesting aspect for me was this completely unknown purpose. The girls had absolutely no idea what they were doing, only that their work was critical to war efforts. Also interesting is the fact that the women were better at their jobs because they didn’t know enough about the work to ask questions; they just did what they were trained to do, like soldiers. Many had brothers, or lovers, in Germany or the Pacific, many had never been away from home before. ‘Loose lips sink ships’ wasn’t just a saying; silence might save a life, and secrecy was a requirement of all Americans.

A very educational book, an insight into the mindset of the American people, ’the greatest generation’. Failure was not an option. It is apparent that the author admired The Girls of Atomic City; the book is a testament to them and their work. Worth the credits, enjoy!

 

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – Audiobook Review

Read by Zach Appelman and just over sixteen hours of listening. All the Light We Cannot See is a story of WWII, the lead character a blind girl. If you have read The Book Thief, you’ll find this story similar. The story covers 1939 through the mid 40s. In parallel stories, there is also the tale of a Hitler youth boy with a talent for radio repair. Lives cross.

Many will be enchanted by this story. It’s pretty easy to be sympathetic regarding a blind child, seemingly abandoned by her father in WWII France. Heartbreaking to think about. The story begins in 1944, jumps back to 1939, then jumps forward again, jumps back. The events are well known to anyone schooled in WWII history, the French Resistance, Nazi aggression, and the overall terror of a war ravaged Europe. All is conveyed in fictional generalities that spin around a girl who experiences the war through every sense other than sight.

Narration by Appelman is adequate, not extraordinary. The writer is talented, prose often poetic. In my opinion, the story is longer than required, some scenes do not add to the story. Although I had no trouble finishing All the Light We Cannot See, I never did a re-wind if I missed a segment. Just kept moving forward. Given the fact that this story is a Best Seller, and has a few thousand 5 star reviews, I’m in the minority with my opinion that 1) the book is too long, 2) the story is chronologically difficult to follow, 3) the situations are sympathetic, but the characters unmoving and dry.

If you’re interested in WWII history, I’d skip the character driven novel and get into non-fiction, like Churchill.

 

Encryption by Bill Ward – eBook Review

An exciting read. At just over two hundred pages, Encryption contains a gripping story of murder, high-tech, infidelity. No spoilers, this is included in the author summary: A startling event at the end of chapter one had me on the edge of my seat because the author killed off what I assumed to be the main character … wow, now what! I started to like the guy, and boom! Bill Ward is a master at end-of-chapter intrigue. You must turn the page. Lean back and comfortably absorb backstory and detail that fills out the story masterfully.

Encryption simply soars. A small high-tech firm develops an encryption product that protects data from prying eyes. An accountant discovers discrepancies, is murdered. Enter the true protagonist, Peter Hammond, the accountant’s brother. Thus begins a journey of intelligent, creative writing. Rich characters and a plot from today’s headlines traverse the pages of a story that ends too quickly.

If you’re a fan of Ludlum, and love descriptive prose like that of Michener, you’ll be right at home. Enjoy!

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The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman by Elizabeth Letts – Audiobook Review

Read by Bronson Pinchot and just over ten hours of listening, Snowman is a feel good story about a homely plow horse headed for slaughter that is rescued by a riding lesson teacher, at a cost of eighty dollars, in the late 50s. In a rags to riches true story, Snowman’s gentle, even temperament is his ticket to a life of leisure in an elite girls school in New York state. Hidden in the amazing animal’s skill set is an astounding ability to jump. The United States is in need of a hero, and Snowman fills the bill by winning one horse show after another.

There is considerable superfluous historical information that is not relevant to the story, but I suppose of interest so some. There is a good deal of information regarding the history of the horse in general throughout time, wars, etc. The role played by horses in the creation of the ASPCA is intriguing.

Pinchot’s reading is adequate, pacing and tempo acceptable, but not extraordinary. In my opinion, Elizabeth Letts did a much better job with the tale of Seabiscuit, maybe because that horse had a more interesting story. Her knowledge of horses, training, stables, and all things equine shines throughout.

If you are a horse person, you’ll be enchanted. If you’re not, the story is educational. Worth the listen.

The President’s Pilot by Robert Gandt – Audiobook Review

At just over eight hours of listening, The President’s Pilot is a bit shorter than my usual preference. I like ‘m long. The story is, however, a page turner; you’ll be caught up immediately in the story and something is happening all the time.

I’d have preferred a different take on the opening. The Vice President of the United States is getting a blow job while on the telephone with the President. A silly, trashy, and gratuitous attempt at shock and awe by the author, in my opinion; it served no other purpose and nearly had me stop the recording and delete the book. But, since I purchased this story as part of Audible’s Daily Deals, I persevered and was ultimately rewarded.

A second criticism is the persona of the President of the United States. The President is a woman, and I’ll give some points for that, however the author infused the character with his chauvinistic attitude. The character is wimpy, often uncertain, frequently frightened, and dependent upon decisions of others, men of course. This President even considered her philandering Vice President as her ‘rock’, somehow accomplishing this even being fully cognizant of his kinky proclivities. The pilot, a man, is our stoic, handsome hero, the President a damsel in distress. Stereotypical. Kudos to the author’s knowledge and or research of airplanes, flying, the military. Some nice, tense moments.

Story: A seedy group of Washington insiders, in a misguided act of patriotism, effect a coupe that includes sabotage of Air Force One. It is up to the plane’s pilot to save the day, and the President. Thus is the thrust of The President’s Pilot.

It will take a while for you to get into the rhythm and tempo of the reading by Thomas Block. There is just something off, but I can’t put my finger on the problem. You be the judge, but he’s no Dick Hill or Scott Brick, in my opinion.

 

Without Fail by Lee Child – Audiobook Review

About fourteen hours, read by Dick Hill. This story was released in 2008, so it’s been around a while, but it is deep into the series created by Child surrounding the exploits of Jack Reacher.

Story: A Secret Service agent, once the lover of Jack Reacher’s deceased brother Joe, asks him to penetrate her circle of defense around the Vice President. She wants Reacher to attempt assassination. Is her coverage of the VP sufficient to keep the man alive? Reacher gets to work and thus is the thrust of Without Fail.

Reading by Dick Hill, always the voice of Jack Reacher, is predictable. He’s a pleasure to listen to, pacing and tempo nice. But, as usual, you’ll get a dose of the breathless female character, Hill’s standard modus operandi.

Jack Reacher adventures are also predictable, part of the fun. He’s type A, hard nosed, a loner, always seeming to get into circumstances of peril. Of course, he saves the day, usually the country, bloodying up a few in the process. Although Reacher fulfills these roles in Without Fail, Child plays around a bit with character personality and vulnerability. In this story, Reacher maintains his stoicism, but a couple of love interests are intertwined more than usual. The federal agent who once loved Reacher’s brother winds up in bed with him; Reacher puts on his dead brother’s clothes from her closet, plus Reacher has a beautiful sidekick helping him out with the case. Very strange behavior for the Reacher character. I suppose some fans will find this a pleasurable twist from the expected, but it was a bit distracting, at least for this listener.

If you’re a fan of Jack Reacher, have at it. I think you’ll find it a bit different, however. You’ll enjoy.

 

Dawn of Rebellion by Michelle Lynn – eBook Review

Put simply, this is a ‘wow’ book. Such a fun read! Do you know a youngster you’d like to get hooked on reading? Give Dawn of Rebellion by Michelle Lynn a shot and you’ll create a book convert! The story is of sisterly love and determined devotion, which is a wonderful thing. It’s also one of thrilling adventure. America was originally a dumping ground for Europe to rid itself of degenerates, really…read some history of our very early days following discovery of our sea-to-shining-sea land. Well, in Dawn of Rebellion, in the dystopian future world created by Lynn, the colonies are again where the perceived evil-doers of Europe are condemned.

As a girl in London, Gabby is condemned to the penal world of the colonies as punishment for a shoplifting event. In a bold rescue attempt, Gabby’s sister Dawn, journeys to the colonies as a stowaway with a handsome companion in tow. Thus begins this trek of exciting adventure. The story is told from multiple perspectives, divergent points of view. You’ll see through the eyes of Gabby and her perilous situation, through the eyes of Dawn and her quest. A unique approach.

Personally, I don’t usually enjoy YA stories because I have a difficult time getting through the angst usually pervading the pages. Not so with Dawn of Rebellion. It’s simply a good, page turning story of young people with goals. Not great literature … it’s not intended to be. It’s simply a well written, young adult mystery to enjoy. Don’t hesitate with this one, you’ll find it a pleasure … and it would make a terrific gift for a young reader. You might just get a kid hooked on books.

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The Quantum Fall of Thaddeus Archibald DuBois by Daniel Rodrigues-Martin – eBook Review

At just over fifty pages, The Quantum Fall of Thaddeus Archibald DuBois is easily read in one sitting, but not easily read only once. This short story is one to savor  again and again; there are many nuances you may miss in the first pass. A terrific command of language, sparkling dialogue, setting, etc., all pour forth in a delightfully quirky story. The characters are fun to imagine, i.e., a time-traveling body builder with a knuckle dragging ape in tow. Need I say more?

Don’t be deceived by the brevity, this is very creative and intelligent writing.

This story is book one in a series, I’m looking forward to the continuation. Wish it was available in paperback, though! I’d just like to have it on my coffee table … or maybe in the bathroom . Hilarious. Enjoy!!!