Tag: Thriller

The Lost Symphony: A Jack Rogan Mystery by Gabriel Farago

Review - Submitted

Jack Rogan doesn’t look for mysteries, they find him!  The Lost Symphony is a mystery involving an unknown musical masterpiece, the death of a Tsarina, and a missing holy icon.  Besieged by those with nefarious intentions, betrayal, and greed Jack travels deep into Russia to discover the truth behind this mystery.

This is a stand-alone novel but reading the previous ones gives the reader insight into Jack Rogan and what motivates him to solve mysteries.  I have read each Jack Rogan novel and this one is the best of the six!  Gabriel Farago improves with each novel on the intensity of the plot and intricate weaving of the mystery with historical facts. Rich in detail and vivid imagery, one becomes lost in the novel from beginning to end.

Each character is well developed and for those that return time and again, we witness their growth and value to the storyline. The main character, Jack Rogan, is down to earth and personable.  This is one of those rare created characters that I would love to meet.  The dialog between characters is genuine and meticulous.  Each storyline within the book moves forward at a steady pace.

The amount of research that went into this book is staggering.  Farago is extremely gifted at blending historical fact with fiction in a captivating manner.  Reading his books is a pleasure and an experience of intense excitement.  One cannot help but become immersed in the storyline.  This book is not just a thriller, but an action-packed adventure!

The Lost Symphony and author Gabriel Farago are the crème de la crème.

This is one of those don’t miss books!  A definite 7 Star book!

 

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Extinction Ashes (Extinction Cycle: Dark Age Book 3) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri

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The latest book in the Extinction Series continues to deliver a powerful and action-packed ten hours of suspense.  It is truly up to Timothy, Fitz, Team Ghost, Kate, Beckham, and Horn to defeat the “new gods” and crack the purpose of the variant webbing.    There is not a moment in which anyone is at peace, it is a consuming war in which trust is valuable and not easily given but life can be snuffed out in an instant.  So many different pieces to the story are moving at once but the authors, Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri keep everything flowing and consistent.

I would have to echo what many others have said about this series; the characters are so well developed that they are like one of the family.  As a listener one cannot help but groan out loud when Timothy, Fitz, Beckham or Horn are caught between a rock and a hard place.  Smith and Melchiorri have a talent for connecting the listeners to the characters in the book – there are some you can’t help but love and others … you hope Karma comes around in the form of a variant or bullet and takes care of the right ones!

This was an intense book, it took me several days to get through it only because I was so involved in the book.   I would find myself experiencing a wide range of emotions – relief, anger, fear, OMG moments and then the strong feelings of patriotism, dedication, and duty.  Those real feelings that not many of us experience throughout lives now except vicariously through books and movies but they are accurate feelings that I have seen throughout my family members who have served in Korea, Vietnam, WWII and more.  Smith and Melchiorri are very perceptive and talented storytellers to be able to invoke those feelings with words along.  Their words reveal the passion and dedication very strongly.

RC Bray, as a narrator, is the best!  His ability to speak in different tones and inflections helps move the book along as well as cement that connection to the characters for the listener.  His distinctive voices are strong and well-executed.  I cannot imagine listening to the Extinction Series without him present – he has become the voice of the characters!

There were no issues with the production quality of this book.

Star Rating:    * * * * *

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Hell Divers VI: Allegiance (The Hell Divers Series Book 6) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

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Hell Divers VI Allegiance by Nicholas Sansbury Smith is a non-stop action-adventure.  King X finds himself trying to maintain peace between his Sky People and the Cazadores.  The tenuous peace between the two peoples is in jeopardy.  There are things happening outside the islands that are sure to break the peace as the monsters and other humans add fuel to the impending fire.  To save humanity they must dive yet once again.

Smith has an amazing ability to tell a story.  One cannot help but visualize the story as it is being read, Smith uses words like an artist uses paint to tell a story.  Each character, no matter how small is realistic and plays a role in the story, in other words, he respects his readers enough to not “fill a word quota.”

Hell Divers VI continues the story of King X, once a Hell Diver himself, and his fight to keep humanity growing and safe.  It is X’s realization in the last few pages that speaks volumes and demonstrates just how poignant this series is from beginning to end.

It is truly difficult to put this book down once you start it. Smith has a knack for drawing in his readers and not letting up until the last word is read and even then, his words will stay with you until you understand the reason for … the Skinwalkers, Captain Santiago, and more.  So vivid is Smith in his descriptions that you might find yourself with some major scary characters in your nightmares!

As always, with Nicholas Sansbury Smith’s books, I loved it.  His characters are human, realistic and downright scary.  He is thorough in his writing.  If you love post-apocalyptic stories, this is one of several of his series you cannot help but become enmeshed in.  “We dive so humanity can survive!”

Click here to purchase your copy.

Don’t forget to try out the audiobook as well!

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Extinction Inferno Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 2 By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Anthony J. Melchiorri

Review - Submitted

 

OMG!  Not only have I chewed my gorgeously long nails down to their quick, but while driving into work listening to this book, I missed my turn not once but twice this morning!  Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri deliver powerful twists one after another in such shocking and powerful ways that one is completely blindsided!

 

Captain Beck and Master Sergeant Horn are once again fighting the variants along with a new, smarter and deadlier foe – human collaborators.  Determined to save the Allied States, President Ringgold and her political opponent must join forces to change the tide of the variant war they believed was over.  Team Ghost must recover vital electronic equipment that Kate Lovato needs to decipher a new and highly disturbing development.  In true Sansbury Smith fashion, this is a story that will have you holding your breath and leave your head reeling with revelations and surprises.

 

Sansbury Smith and Melchiorri continue to captivate listeners with his masterful storytelling and powerfully vivid details and dialog.  Although it could be listened to as a standalone, you will want to hear the entire series!

 

R.C. Bray is amazing as a narrator!  He has assumed the characters in this series and projects them vividly and without hesitation.  His narration skills are outstanding.  His voice and ability to surprise the listener with an upcoming twist in the storyline is potent.  His voice reflects the personality and character traits of each character with authority.  I can’t imagine an Extinction book without him!

 

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

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Unfinished Business by Justin Fulkerson

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Unfinished Business is an amazingly terrifying tale with a bizarre twist that leaves one pondering whether to cheer or not.  The tale begins with eighty-two-year-old Eugene and young Laura, two people who unintentionally meet and share secrets of their past.

Justin Fulkerson has taken two people and demonstrated just how small the world can be and what secrets do.  The story moves slowly at first, building each character fully.  When he hits the climax of their story, all I can say is “what a ride!”  Fifty-six minutes short yet it packs a wallop!

The narrator, Alexander James, performs the novel expertly.  His voice is smooth and deep, with just the right amount of inflection to show deep thought, memories, and fear.  I have not heard Alexander James perform before, so I was very pleased to hear him.

This is my first experience with Justin Fulkerson, the author.  I found his ability to take a short story and build on it so smoothly and quietly, that the listener does not even realize the shortness of the audiobook. I loved the twist! I was so NOT expecting it!

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

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Net Impact by DOnald J. Bingle

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Net Impact by Donald J. Bingle is a thriller plays on emotions and connections of Dick Thornby.  Thornby is a spy and works for the Subsidiary, a secret agency. The book is action-packed, full of unexpected twists and turns, humor and an ending that is surprising.

Bingle gives his listeners a look into the man, he has a family, everyday issues and a life.  While Thornby comes off at times as hardened and cunning, Bingle allows the listeners to witness a deeper depth to the spy.  We see him struggle with moral issues, his relationships and his fears as a parent.  Most spy novels do not allow the main character to have any distractions.  That is what I like about this audiobook.

Bruce Pilkenton, the narrator, did a very good job.  In the beginning, he sounded like he struggled to find the rhythm to the story but quickly caught on.  I thought he did a fine job of narration.  His voice was solid and his characters’ voices were noticeable and strong.  I would enjoy hearing another read by him.

The production and quality of this audiobook were excellent.

 

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Extinction Shadow, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age, Book 1 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri

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When I learned that Nicholas Sansbury Smith was going to pick up the Extinction Series again, I was elated!  I love Team Ghost, Beckham and Horn.   I loved the way the variants took center stage and continued to be the truly horrifying creatures that they have always been.  Then there are the human monsters which also continue to amaze me.

Beckham, Horn and Team Ghost investigate the missing residents of several outposts.  What they discover is truly gut-wrenching. Then there are the difficult decisions and situations that Beckham and Horn find themselves; one cannot help but become a slight bit weepy.  This book has politics and monsters (yes, sometimes they are hard to distinguish between) and so much more! Non-stop, fast-paced action.

Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony Melchiorri, authors, blended their writing skills successfully making their writing transitions seamless. The plot, character development, and a few developments that leave the listener biting their nails takes this series into new terrifying heights.

The narrator, R.C. Bray does a fantastic job of narration.  He moves the story along with his talented voice and narration skills.  With a talented set of authors and a truly skilled narrator such as Bray, one can visualize the characters and the action.

I had the honor of reading the ARC, the written version is very good as well, however, the audiobook is the pièce de résistance.

There were no issues with the production quality of this audiobook.

Click here to purchase your copy at Amazon.

Click here to purchase through Audible.com

 

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The Enigma Broker by Charles Breakfield and Roxanne Burkey

Review - Submitted

Another outstanding book by Charles Breakfield and Roxanne Burkey! The R-Group is faced with puzzling out the unexplainable drops in the commodities markets which, if continued unchecked, will create chaos and havoc financially around the world. Petra and Jacob join forces once again to determine the culprit. While Petra and Jacob are busy, Breakfield and Burkey keep us on the edge of our chairs with Juan, Carlos and Quip’s adventures!

Breakfield and Burkey have built a winning team of characters that keep their readers entertained and hooked! This 8th book in the series has pushed the characters into different roles and given even more background into the growth of the R-Group and how Quip came to be a major player.

With many series, after several books the author(s) fall into a comfort zone and do not take chances in their storylines; not so for Breakfield and Burkey – they push their storyline to the max and makes their listeners realize they are intense, fully committed authors with mad writing skills!

This is an audiobook (and series) that is amazing! I would not have seen myself as a “techno-thriller” listener but with this set of authors and series, I am undoubtedly hooked!

The narrator, Derek Shoales is AMAZING! He has the skill level to keep the voices consistent throughout the series and recognizable! He helps the story move along with his tone and inflection; truly a narrator virtuoso!

There were no issues with the quality of this production. The audiobook was clear and crisp.

This is one of those rare books that deserves a much higher rating than 5 stars.

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The Day of the Martians: The Martian Diaries, Volume 1 by HE Wilberson

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The Martians are returning to Earth, chaos, and fear run high as many remember their first invasion. Now the stakes are higher. Set in Wales in 1913, astronomer Ogilvy is one of the first to recognize the comet racing toward Earth for what it is and its deadly inhabitants, the Martian tripods.

A sequel to The War of the Worlds story, H.E. Wilberson has delivered on what could have happened after The War of the Worlds in a vivid style. The storyline flows well, and character development is strong. Vivid descriptions are used allowing the listener to connect with the story even more.

As I listened to the story, I noticed three things that stood out. The first was the informal use of language, it did not reflect the era of the time; the second was the societal practice of protecting the female gender from anything bad; and finally, the interaction between the astronomer and the military personnel was very much what one would expect from that era. I think the research that went into this book was good and it was written in the informal style to enhance its relatability to its audience.

Like War of the Worlds, there were sound effects and music which presented a realistic touch to the sequel. H.E. Wilburson captured the fear and drama of the original and seamlessly moved it into the sequel. Action packed and full of twists, listeners are treated to the suspense that will have them on the edge of their seats.
The narrators, Terry Thompson, and Harry Preston performed the audiobook smoothly, moving the story along at a solid pace. Their voices were steady but not monotonous as they added just the correct amount of emotion.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook published by Author’s Republic.

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The Extinction Series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

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I have had the pleasure of both listening to and reading the entire Extinction Series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith.  I received these books as gifts from friends and some I have purchased.

First, let me say that this author is amazing!  He has real-life experience in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, so his stories are based on what could happen should mankind take things a bit too far.  Each book is about survival in a post-apocalyptic world where decisions are being made without the full story.

Master Sergeant Reed Beckham and his GHOST team (Delta Force) have been faced with almost every imaginable mission and had never lost a single member until they ran smack dab into the Variants.  Once human the Variants devolved into vicious killing animals only to redevelop into the most vicious, deadly and intelligent killing machines!

The series covers the United States and parts of Europe where the Variants took different forms and their strength varied depending upon the environment.  Throughout the series, until the end, Smith keeps his readers and listeners riveted to the story.  Smith fully develops each character, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant – each one plays an important role in the series.

Smith’s audience will cheer for victories, cry over the deaths of characters and will gasp at the plot twists he successfully completes.  By the end, Master Sergeant Reed Beckham and Dr. Kate Lavato and their friends find themselves in a gut-twisting ending that no one foresaw.

With each book, I found myself growing more and more connected to the characters, more so when I was listening to the audiobook (see audiobookreviewer.com for individual reviews of each book in the series) because Smith built a fantastic storyline and the narrator, Bronson Pinchot performed the books as if he too were immersed in the storyline.  Pinchot gives a stellar performance that leaves the listener on the edge of their chairs.  Pinchot becomes the story, he moves it along with his voice and skill.  Putting both Smith and Pinchot together was perfect!

This series is much more than a zombie book, it is about what could happen if things don’t change.  It is about survival, humanity, choices, relationships, secrets and duty.  Nicholas Sansbury Smith provides a series that will haunt you days after you finish, you cannot help but think back and wonder.

I can only give this series a 5-star rating, but in my mind, it deserves a dozen more!

The Extinction Cycle Book Series:
Extinction Horizon
Extinction Edge
Extinction Age
Extinction Evolution
Extinction End
Extinction Aftermath
Extinction Lost
Extinction War

 

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