Showing posts with label crime fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime fiction. Show all posts

Friday, 29 March 2024

BLIND RUN


Blind Run by Patricia Lewin
Book 1 in the Blind Run series
Narrated by Dick Hill
Genre: crime fiction
Format: paperback & audiobookAudiobook


About Blind Run:
Ethan Decker is a specialized 'hunter' for one of the most secretive agencies of the US government. His mission is to track down ruthless international fugitives.

But when a daring mission takes a lethal turn, he exiles himself to a remote desert in New Mexico to live in a jail of his own guilt and grief. Until a former member of his covert team arrives at his door, shepherding two children. She entrusts them to Decker’s protection and leaves without explanation.

Suddenly he's the hunted instead of the hunter and the race is on to unlock the mystery behind these two children — innocent pawns in a dark conspiracy so evil that even this former spy could not imagine the peril that lies directly in his path.
Source: Info in the "About Blind Run" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36291674-blind-run on 18/03/2024.


Buy Link(s):


My Thoughts:
This is my first Patricia Lewin read and I'm so glad that I found this author!

I like the way that the author built the tension. The plot has just enough twist in it to have a lovely resolution in the end!

At first I thought that this book is some kind of science fiction where we have super-humans running around as superheroes. But no, this book is crime fiction.

Why isn't there any more books in this series? I am hoping to read about the kids and what happened to them afterwards... Because Patricia Lewin is good at character building that I want to read more about them!

This is my first Dick Hill audiobook and I would listen to him again.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = 4.5
Plot = 4
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Blind Run Series:
Book 0.5: HIDE Book 0.75: AWAY Book 1: BLIND RUN


 
Meet The Author

About Patricia Lewin:
Patricia Lewin is the pseudonym for author, editor, and writing teacher, Pat Van Wie.

Pat’s published eleven novels for three major publishers, including: Ballantine, Bantam, and Harlequin. Her last three books were hardcover suspense novels.

Pat has also worked as an editor and taught writing workshops and classes in various formats and lengths around the country, including her local Community College.


The Narrator

About Dick Hill:
Voice actor, actor, playwright, author.

As a Golden Voice (so honored by Audiofile Magazine), winner of 3 Audies and dozens of Earphone Awards, Dick Hill brings his own personal touch of vocal creativity to every project.

He brings stories to life with a wide variety of characterizations, dialects, and accents... reviewers have compared his work to a full cast recording. His rich baritone and insightful interpretations have also earned him praise for his many non-fiction titles.

Publishers and authors speak highly of Dick's work, too. Best selling thrill-master LEE CHILD , whose award winning Jack Reacher novel ONE SHOT earned Dick an Audie nomination for best solo male narrator and is on its way to the big screen, says:

"While few audiobook fans become authors, plenty of authors become audiobook fans — especially if they're lucky enough to get Dick Hill as their voice."

You can read more reviews of Dick Hill's work and listen to audio samples. When you're ready, he'd love you to get in touch about your next project.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

GRIMM UP NORTH


Grimm Up North by David J. Gatward
Book 1 in the DCI Harry Grimm series
Narrated by Aubrey Parsons
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


Welcome to Wensleydale, where the cheese is famous, the scenery beautiful, and the locals have murder on their minds …

Detective Chief Inspector Harry Grimm is forced to take leave from Bristol’s Major Investigations Team when his boss, tired of Harry chasing the ghost of his murderous father, sends him north on secondment.

Used to city life and high stress, Harry fears his life will now be spent handing out speeding tickets, finding lost sheep, and directing tourists. But when a local teenager runs away, Harry finds himself pulled into an investigation much worse than anyone could have ever expected.

The nicer the place, the darker the secrets. Wensleydale is beautiful, everyone is friendly and welcoming, and people just don’t get murdered ... do they?

A classic fish-out-of-water crime mystery set in the stunning and evocative scenery of Wensleydale in North Yorkshire.
Source: Info in the "About Grimm Up North" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54453585-grimm-up-north on 10/08/2023.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
I love dour and forbidding heroes in crime fighting stories! Also love the humour that this author peppers the story with!

I reckon that the reason DSI Firbank sent Harry up north is not because of the photograph but because of the condition his prisoners came in with. British police just frown on battered prisoners in your custody.

Hopefully, the author will reveal where Richard Askew got his source from in subsequent books in the series. Who is the leak?

There is an element of "stupid" here which I am wilfully ignoring for the reading enjoyment that I got out of this book. Hopefully this will not repeat in subsequent books.

Aubrey Parsons did a very good job indeed in narrating this book. Not only did he made the story come to life, but, he also drove home the humour in it! I also liked the way he gave our hero the gruff and gravely voice. It fits the character to the T!


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3
Pace = (6 hrs and 40 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries


Books In The DCI Harry Grimm Series:
Book 1: GRIMM UP NORTH Book 2: BEST SERVED COLD Book 3: CORPSE ROAD Book 4: SHOOTING SEASON Book 5: RESTLESS DEAD Book 6: DEATH'S REQUIEM Book 7: BLOOD SPORT Book 8: COLD SANCTUARY Book 9: ONE BAD TURN Book 10: BLOOD TRAIL Book 11: FAIR GAME Book 12: UNQUIET BONES Book 13: THE DARK HOURS Book 14: SILENT RUIN Book 15: DEAD MAN'S HANDS Book 16: DARK HARVEST Book 17: SEE NO EVIL Book 18: (NO TITLE YET)


 
Meet The Author

About David J. Gatward:
David J. Gatward grew up in Wensleydale and is the award-winning author of the DCI Harry Grimm crime novels. He has also written numerous books for children, teenagers and young adults.


The Narrator

About Aubrey Parsons:
Professional voice over artist and singer for over 20 years. Based in the UK, I have a very neutral British accent. However, I can mimic most UK & Irish accents along with General American and various U.S. regional accents. In addition to voiceover work I am a professional singer.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Friday, 2 February 2024


Westward by JD Kirk
Book 3 in the Robert Hoon Thriller series
Narrated by Angus King
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


About Westward:
All good men must come to an end....

Disgraced ex-cop Robert Hoon has crossed the wrong people for the last time.

Having struck a humiliating blow against the criminal network known as the Loop, Hoon has been targeted by the Alphas, an elite squad of assassins who will not stop until he is dead.

Outnumbered, outgunned, and on unfamiliar territory, Hoon's only chance of survival lies several hundred miles north, in a place he knows better than anyone else on Earth.

He swore he'd never set foot there again, but almost four decades after he left, Bob Hoon is finally going home.
Source: Info in the "About Westward" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60858212-westward on 19/09/2023.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
I read with horror and fascination as Hoon tried to escape from the hospital!

This book made me laugh and made me cry!

I don't like plot holes, though. However, I will willingly overlook it for the reading enjoyment that this book brought.

You know that war is coming your way. You do not know if you are going to survive it. And you let two little girls stay to babysit them... WTF?!?

Angus King looked like a decent man and not the kind who swears a lot like a sailor, going by his picture alone. If he is, I bet the air in his studio turned blue when he was reading this book! Especially when he screamed Hoon's curses in the shower at the farm. :)


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (10 hrs and 48 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Robert Hoon Thriller Series:
Book 1: NORTHWIND Book 2: SOUTHPAW Book 3: WESTWARD Book 4: EASTGATE Book 5: (No Title Yet)


 
Meet The Author

About JD Kirk:
JD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.


The Narrator

About Angus King:
#Actor #Audiobook narrator including Booker Prize Winner 2020 #Shuggiebain.

Angus King is a Scottish actor based in London & Glasgow. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and works regularly on television, Motion Capture and the West End and his voice can be heard in audiobooks, political campaigns, radio drama, corporate videos, computer games, ADR and much more.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.