The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters #1) - January 2022

[Jonetta]

After a near-fatal head injury, Navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the Navy dismisses the sighting as injury-induced imaginings. In a last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorism team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton. As the town’s infamous bad boy, Tom was always in love with Kelly, a sweet “girl next door” who has grown into a remarkable woman. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day.

Book Discussion

[Sandra]

Doing the audio this time around! Can't wait!

[Anita]

I'm audio this time too!

[Jonetta]

Me three!

[Meg]

Four! (I'm second on the waiting list; if it doesn't come through soon enough I'll hop over to Audible.)

[Charlene]

Well, I'm actually going to borrow the paperback copy (few remaining) from the library. I imagine it will be a well-worn copy, but I can skim if I recall most of the story.

[Judy]

Five on the audio. I’ve heard them before and they are excellent. I seem to remember that I thought it took a little while for the reader to get the rhythm so if you feel that, don’t give up.

[Charlene]

Six...I'm doing audios too!

[Lauren]

I'll also be doing the audio.
I've read books #1 and #2 but never continued. I'm hoping this audio and the group read will get me going.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Lauren wrote: "I'll also be doing the audio.
I've read books #1 and #2 but never continued. I'm hoping this audio and the group read will get me going."

Lauren wait till you read no 3. That's the one that really hooked me. The first couple set the scene but then by Book 3 it really gets into the characters which we follow through many fantastic books.

[Jonetta]

I agree with Lisa. That third book had me binge the rest of the series.

Lauren, it was this series that led me to Shelfari😏 I bought the kindle version and at the end, there was a link to the character lists on Shelfari. Thought I’d gone to Heaven!

[Lauren]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: " Lauren wait till you read no 3. That's the..."

Thanks Lisa!
I'm looking forward to it and to the group discussions.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "Lauren, it was this series that led me to Shelfari😏 I bought the kindle version and at the end, there was a link to the cha..."

Getting a Kindle was what led me to Shelfari too. I can't believe its been so many years since we were there.

[Jonetta]

Still miss it…

[Charlene]

I started the audio a couple of days ago when my library loan came up. I hadn't heard great things about the female narrator on these first few but so far I'm enjoying it...maybe I set my bar low based on the reviews!

[Jonetta]

My library version is the original recording with just the male narrator. He's not bad, though.

[Sandra]

Jonetta wrote: "My library version is the original recording with just the male narrator. He's not bad, though."

Same here. Not bad.

[Anita]

My library has two editions of the audio, one released in 2006 with William Dufris as narrator and one in 2014 with Patrick Lawlor as narrator. Which one???

[Charlene]

Anita wrote: "My library has two editions of the audio, one released in 2006 with William Dufris as narrator and one in 2014 with Patrick Lawlor as narrator. Which one???"

I’ve got the 2014 ...it has Lawlor and a female narrator and is pretty good. I think they are the ones who continue to narrate through the series.

[Lauren]

My library has the one with Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank. So far I've only heard his POV (I'm not that far in).

I unfortunately, don't have much time for the next 2-3 weeks as the semester is coming to an end and I'm swamped with test writing and paper marking.

Ah well, the break will enable me to read more once all the grades are in :)

[Jonetta]

In 2014, Brockmann re-recorded the series using Lawlor as the constant male narrator. I’ll be listening to those later in the series as my library didn’t replace the old ones. Must admit I’m enjoying my older version.

[Jonetta]

Anita, I’d listen to the samples and judge. Also, the newer ones have Brockmann’s choices. I’m enjoying the older version enough to not invest $7.49 in the newer Audible version (I bought every kindle book in the series!).

[Sharon]

I'm going to reread/listen this time to the first few books. I loved them all, and look forward to the discussion.

[Jonetta]

Sharon, I read this series 10 years ago and I am so hooked on this first book. I’ve forgotten so many details it doesn’t feel like a reread and I’m loving the audio version. I hope you have the same experience.

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

This was a quick read and I liked it but I must say that I really enjoyed the Mallory/David story better than Tom/Kelly.

[Sharon]

Jonetta wrote: "Sharon, I read this series 10 years ago and I am so hooked on this first book. I’ve forgotten so many details it doesn’t feel like a reread and I’m loving the audio version. I hope you have the sam..."

Jonetta, I loved the first book too. I was surprised to see so many people didn't like the flashbacks in the reviews. I thought that was some of the best parts of the story.

[Jonetta]

I’m loving everything!

[Anita]

Suzanne Brockmann uses the flashback very well throughout the series, as I recall.

[Sandra]

Sharon wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Sharon, I read this series 10 years ago and I am so hooked on this first book. I’ve forgotten so many details it doesn’t feel like a reread and I’m loving the audio version. I hope ..."

I love the flashbacks! They add so much to the stories. It's one of my favorite things about the series.

[Sharon]

Sandra wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Sharon, I read this series 10 years ago and I am so hooked on this first book. I’ve forgotten so many details it doesn’t feel like a reread and I’m loving the audio v..."

Me too Sandra. I've only read the first 4 books, but the flashbacks are my favorite. I love how they highlight the female heroes of WWII.

[Christine]

I finished the book and I really liked it

[Sandra]

Sharon wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "Sharon, I read this series 10 years ago and I am so hooked on this first book. I’ve forgotten so many details it doesn’t feel like a reread and I’m lov..."

Ditto! I find them fascinating and they're always from the memory of someone who survived or whatever and tied into the story in the present.

[Robin]

Started this one last night. It's been a while since I read this series. It's surprising how much I forgot and I'm only a couple chapters in.

[Jonetta]

I felt the same way Robin. It was almost like reading it for the first time.

[Joanne Farley]

I just finished listening to the audio book. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks.

[Jonetta]

Discussion questions are now posted!

[Sharon]

I'm having technical difficulties. I hope my new laptop will be here next week. I can read comments on my phone but responding is a challenge.