Monday, October 28, 2024

Scum of the Earth

 Audible Original Fiction by Alexander Kane


If alien oppressors took over the Earth and forced all humans to slavery (or death), would you work for them? Or would you try to fight against them?

This is an interesting philosophical question; but for our fictional hero Ezra Barker, it's a real choice when the Merg invade the planet. And he chooses the safe route: he collaborates with the Merg and works at a nice office job instead of being killed or sent to the work camps. But deep inside, Ezra wishes he had joined the Resistance instead.

This was a really exciting adventure story with great characters. It had funny moments but wasn't necessarily as humorous as the other books I've listened to by this author. It's an imaginative and engrossing story!


I also read by this author: Dragon Heist

I also listened to from Audible Originals: The Forever Part 2

Friday, October 25, 2024

Worthy

 Fiction by Catherine Ryan Hyde


At the beginning of this book, a widower named Aaron and his young son Buddy are heading to the local diner. They're going to have dinner, of course, but they are also going because Aaron has developed a tendresse for Virginia, who is a waitress there, and he's thinking of finally asking her out. But Aaron and Virginia's happy ending together will get derailed by what is coming next...

This was a sweet character story that didn't go the way I expected. It was a little sad.


I also read recently by this author: The Wake Up

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Backseat Saints

 Fiction by Joshilyn Jackson

Ro Grandee has decided to kill her abusive husband Thom, sure that if she doesn't, then he will kill her. She saw a gypsy woman who told her, "It's him or you." But will she be able to actually do it?

This was an interesting story with several surprises.

I also read recently by this author: Between, Georgia

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Beyond Reach

 Fiction by Karin Slaughter


This is book number six in the Grant County mystery series, in which detective Lena Adams goes to the rural town of Reese, Georgia, to check on her Uncle Hank and gets accused of murder. Soon her boss, Police Chief Jeffery Tolliver, and his wife Sara Linton show up, but can they help? Or is Lena a lost cause this time?

This was an exciting story but very dark. The ending was a surprise.


I also read recently by this author: Faithless

Monday, October 21, 2024

All the Lost Things

 Fiction by Michelle Sacks


Seven year-old Dolly is "going on an adventure" with her dad, but in the back of her mind she realizes something is wrong about this unexpected road trip. Why did Dad forget to pack any of her things? Why doesn't he let her call and talk to Mom? And where are they going anyways?

It's obvious to the reader that Dad has abducted Dolly and Mom doesn't know where they are. But the telling of the story through the child's eyes makes the book really unique. This was a really good book, although it was also sad.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

The Forever Part 2

Audible Original Fiction by Craig Robertson 


This is the sequel to The Forever, Part 1, unsurprisingly. It was a fun continuation of the first audiobooks, which was actually two novels just as this one is.

In this part of the story, immortal android space pilot John Ryan tries his hardest to save humanity from extinction. This is particularly difficult because Earth has already been destroyed and the remaining population of humans is travelling through space to a new home world.

As long as you're willing to go along with the premise behind these stories, they are great fun.


I also listened to recently by Audible Originals: Head On

Friday, October 11, 2024

The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side

 Fiction by Agatha Christie 


I've been re-visiting the classic Agatha Christie stories in sequential order, listening to them on audiobook. I have read them all before; however, much of the time I can't remember what the final solution to the mystery was until I get to the end of the book. 

In this book, though, I remembered the end almost immediately for some reason. I still kept listening, of course, and it gave me the opportunity to watch for the real clues in a way that I'm not usually able to do. It's amazing how the author weaves in both important and unimportant information to both obscure and also hint at the killer's true identity. 

This was a really good mystery, as usual.


I also read by this author: Dumb Witness