John’s Comments (group member since Aug 19, 2007)

John’s comments from the Audiobooks group.

Just finished An English Garden Murder that I picked up cheap at the last sale. Honestly, meh, wouldn't drop a credit on it. Intended for readers obsessed with English village settings.

Starting the month with two listens ...

Finishing up The Middle Kingdoms: A New History of Central Europe, which has proved denser than I'd like, but at a chapter a day it's manageable.

Partway through Juvenalia: A Valerius Mystery, second in an ancient Rome series. I liked the first, but this one ... jury's still out. Valerius is a closeted, married noble who's wife knows, and is fine with it for reasons of her own; the cop with whom he solves crimes is his ... main interest (reciprocated). My issue would be that the narrator's delivery makes this seem one of Rome's open secrets. That aside, I'll probably get the next one.

I liked Three Bags Full as well, though the sequel not so mucb. Twenty books a month is incredibly ambitious!

Much of my wishlist was on slashed prices, so spent $30 on eight titles. To the point where I'm going to have to scramble to use my eight credits expiring in October!

Working on the Victorian mystery Murder on Platform Four at the start of the month.

Discussion of offers from Audible only, not individual publishers, authors, etc.

Kristie wrote: "I finished I See You've Called in Dead and was very disappointed in it. I know several people who read it and thought it was excellent and funny. I thought it was sad, even depress..."

I bailed on the print book early on.

Robin P wrote: "John wrote: "Robin P wrote: "One Death at a Time never really grabbed me. The narration was excellent but the story was just ok.

I've also started listening to the long classic, [..."

He's awesome!

Robin P wrote: "One Death at a Time never really grabbed me. The narration was excellent but the story was just ok.

I've also started listening to the long classic, [book:The Way We Live Now|1497..."


Who reads it? The video starring David Suchet (Poirot) was amazing!

A couple of hours into There Will Be Bodies, latest in the Flavia Albia (Falco's daughter) series; I'm tempted to give up. Takes place outside Rome, no extended family present, just her bewailing the fate of animals and slaves who died at Pompeii.

Starting off the month with a mystery: A Death in the Parish. Second in the trilogy as the first isn't available as an audiobook. I suspect reading that one would help me understand the characters more for backstory. The third one (largely) takes place elsewhere, not sure about it in future. Some reviewers hate the author's narration, but it's okay with me.

Kristie wrote: "I finished Murder at Gulls Nest. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't a favorite. I figured out the who-done-it a little early, but there was still a surprise or two. 3.5★

I also finished ..."

There were aspects of Gulls Nest that didn't resonate with me, though I'm a fanboy.

Missclimpson wrote: "I just started listening to Silas Marner, read by Margaret Hilton. It was issued by Recorded Books in 1987. The Reader is terrific. I immediately thought I recognized the voice of Lisette Lecat, wh..."

I probably listened to that Silas Marner not long after it was released!

A bit of an audio slump for me right now, but yesterday I started the final book in a five-part historical mystery series: Agony in Amethyst. Western characters in a colonial setting doesn't really count much as multicultural to me.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I love Wanda McCaddon’s narration, but unfortunately even she can’t make me enjoy Jane Eyre (sacrilege, yes, burn the witch, etc etc).

Moving right along with Rob Wilkins’s thoughtful..."

I love her as a narrator, too. However, years ago I listened to a book feeling, "She really should've passed on this job offer."

I listened to it, but hey ... I've been disappointed by so many books raved over by others (example: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) that I appreciate seeing dissent.

Jan Mc wrote: "John wrote: "Jan Mc wrote: "I finished Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel and loved i..."

Which Kidd book was the dud?..."

Oh, I should have said... The Night Ship was a real downer fo..."

Thanks! Loved Mr. Flood's Last Resort, undecided about Things in Jars.

Jan Mc wrote: "Doug, sorry to hear about your illness! Glad you are recovering and I hope you have plenty of time to get back into the swing.

I finished Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel and loved i..."

Which Kidd book was the dud?

Sounds rough. Doug! Glad you're back. Anyone used a book instead of music during an MRI (in the tube)?

Audiophile Archives wrote: "Started the year strong...group reading challenges speak to my competitive soul. Finished:

[bookcover:Tel..."

Interesting about Hilderbrand ... there was a loooooong queue down the block for a signing on Nantucket when I was there last.