Memory Man - April 2017

[Chava]

This is the discussion for Memory Man by David Baldacci. Your moderator is Britney

[Robert]

Starting it now!

[Mara]

I listen to it a while ago and enjoyed it.

[M.K.]

An entertaining read, and a promising start to the Amos Decker series. Interesting story line, and my prediction on #whodunit’ about 50% of the way in was almost right, although I didn’t have the why. A good read but not a real page turner for me, in as much as I dipped in and out when time allowed instead of making the time to finish it. I will however look out for others in the series

[Marion]

I'm going to pick it up at my local library. I always enjoy his books.

[Britney]

I have been wanting to read this for awhile. So excited to read thus and hear everyone's thoughts.

[Robert]

I am 50% in and enjoying the plot. I was a little hesitant when starting because I thought the hook of the 'savant memory' would be a little gimmicky, but I've bought into it.

[Mara]

I will be listening to for the 2nd time. Listened to it about a year ago. Maybe will pick up on things I did hear the first time.

[Icewineanne]

Robert wrote: "I am 50% in and enjoying the plot. I was a little hesitant when starting because I thought the hook of the 'savant memory' would be a little gimmicky, but I've bought into it."

Like you Robert, the savant storyline put me off. So i'm taking a pass on this. Enjoy :)

[Britney]

What is drawing you to the book? What is turning you away from it?

[Mara]

David Baldacci is a good storyteller. I love thrillers, and his thrillers a pretty good and I know a bit over the top.

Loved the THE MEMORY MAN. I don't like his new narrator for his books since Ron McClarty retired.

[Robert]

I skipped between reading the hardback and listening to the Audio book (narrated by Ron McClarty and Orlagh Cassiday) I finished the book a couple days ago and have been mulling it over. I liked it,

I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did because I thought the hook of the detective with the 'infallible memory' might be a little too gimmicky. After all, most of fictions great detectives all had remarkable memories. So why the need for a memory gimmick? But it actually works here and is not a distraction at all. The plot was intriguing and fun to watch play out, but although I did have some early predictions that turned out to be correct, the reader isn't given enough information to correctly identify the killer. Names are just thrown out without any prior or cursory discussion. That was annoying, but the story and characters were strong enough to keep me reading to the finish line.

[Robert]

Mara wrote, "Loved the THE MEMORY MAN. I don't like his new narrator for his books since Ron McClarty retired...."

Mara, I have to agree with you. Listening to Ron McClarty, he definitely had the rough and grumbly voice you could associate with Decker.

Having finished Memory Man, I have just started listening/reading it's sequel, The Last Mile read by Kyf Brewer. His voice for Decker is much too soft and shallow. I do not like it. But the story is as intriguing as the first book.

[Veronica]

I read this last year and enjoyed it. As I recall, some of the tricks the killer managed to pull off seemed a little implausible but overall I thought it was a good read and I plan to read the second book this year. The only character that bugged me was the female reporter. She just seemed shoved in there for no good reason.

[Shannon]

i really enjoy this book i am hoping i can read the whole series and enjoy them all

[Mara]

Robert,

The new narrator for the MEMORY MAN series makes Decker sound as though he's a immature 18 yr old teenager.

I do no like Kfy's narrating.

[Robert]

Mara wrote: "Robert,

The new narrator for the MEMORY MAN series makes Decker sound as though he's a immature 18 yr old teenager.

I do no like Kfy's narrating."

Yes, exactly Mara. He didn't sound like a 40+ year old tough man.

[Britney]

I hate when the narrator is not great then it takes away from the story. It can turn a great story into a mediocre one.