Mindstar Rising - Peter F Hamilton (Audiobook)

OK, so I am a virgin. Well no more. This was my very first audio-book, and I managed to steer clear of the behemoth that is audible. At least for now anyway, to my rescue, my local library does audio books available for loan via an app.

Enough of that anyway, here's what I came here to do.

Mindstar Rising. I realise, that Hamilton at times can be very heavy, and hard to read. However, that to me is acceptable, due to the fact that his stories are compelling. I found myself listening more, and more often. At breaks at work, in the car (on my own only!) at various times during the day, when I should have been doing other things instead.

I think that shows dedication.

The narrator, well voices aren't really his thing. Most sounded like a bad impression of a West Indian, and I'm sure that all of the characters weren't all of the same ethnicity.

Apart from that small thing. It was well written, and on the most part well said.

Backdrop, was, from what I can remember was based on actual possibilities. If the polar ice caps were due to melt because of global warming. Peterborough, a coastal town.

Status: Completed.

Rating: 3.75

The Taking of annie thorne - CJ Tudor

Well, there is no easy way to put this. This, is one of the best books that I have read recently (last 12/18 months). Completed in two sittings, I lost the best part of a full day. As page after page kept turning. Engrossed in the story, like all greats, it pulls you in and refuses to let you go.

I can not recommend this book enough. It is an easy five stars.

Status: Completed.

Book Review: The Axeman's Jazz - Ray Celestin

OK, so we have the first book in the City Blues Quartet. I have recently reviewed book three.

So, based on a true crime that happened in New Orleans, over a period covering 1918/19.

There is a jazz montage of some of the most famous and well known names of the era. The 'mob' is ever present. Along with a whole host of both corrupt and normal policemen.

It covers the main protagonists, of the books, although they haven't as such met.

This reads as easily as other works, by this author.

I would give this book a strong 4.8 out of 5.

Status: Completed

Book Review: Cthulhu Casebook, Sherlock Holmes and the Sussex Sea Devils

i seem to be making a habit of falling into a series either at the end or penultimate edition. there is no change with this book. it is the last of the cthulhu casebooks trilogy.

i can state, that it works perfectly well as a stand alone. there are references to the other books, but you need no knowledge of them as they don't detract from the story line.

a conglomerate of lovecraft and conan doyle. might sound a little much. but it is perfectly narrated, and logged by holmes's sidekick watson.

whether or not the ending was acceptable. i can not question. it does seem a massive leap taken

status: completed

Book Review: The Mobster's Lament - Ray Celestin

I'd like to say that I brought  this on it's merits. However, I stumbled over it quite by chance. That chance turned into a love affair. Jazz, the Mob and 40's New York. There's nothing not to like.

The pages turned very, very easily, slipping into the story, well lets just say I sort of fell. The character's developed with the plot. The original basis of it, got lost in the surroundings with such powerful people and the unforgiving back drop. Like the city itself, it left you in awe.

I could not recommend this book enough. It draws you in and keeps you there, often against your own will.

Status: Completed.