Review: Hot Spur

Hot Spur by Philip McCormac
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book: **
Performance: **

A Short, Almost Typical Western

I really do like westerns … both there seems to be at least two types. I prefer the wholesome stories of Zane Grey, Louis L’Amour and Max Brand as opposed to the course, gritty (almost adult themed) where there seems to be a need to highlight the darker side of human misconduct to emphasize just how evil the bad guys are. While not completely in the later camp, this story trends in that direction and was less enjoyable as a result. The story is on the shorter side, and we follow Harry Grant in what appears at first blush to be a hallmark style love triangle that was pretty clumsy all things considered. Still, some of the typical western tropes are there and it would have scored a little better except for the narration, which was told in an halting manner that adds an unnatural feel to often awkward dialog despite very good tone and timber (with good character differentiation). At only 3.5 hours, the action does move along nicely though and it was nice predictable enough to have in the background while I was working.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Review: Viva McHugh!

Viva McHugh! by Jay M. Flynn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Book: **

Performance: **

A Short, Silly, and Sometimes Fun Spy Story

Super Spook McHugh is on a mission … on an unnamed island with an hispanic despot looking to extract a missing asset. I would go as far as naming Cuba is the inspiration … giving the authoritarian bend (with inquisitors to test/enforce compliance and “loyalty” … sort of like communist political kommissars). The story itself is pretty basic and predictable, even a bit unrealistic at times as the MC and his buddy careen through the countryside with the occasional help of local rebels and a lot of bluster and gun play. If you are looking for any finesse … you won’t find it here. The narration was choppy and often unnatural, which made it hard to get into what is arguably a simple and very basic thriller that was not all that interesting for much of the story (it is hard to enjoy a thriller that doesn’t generate much suspense).

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Review: Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune by Theodore Jerome Cohen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book: ***
Performance: ****

An Ole Timey Mystery for Today

Another mystery in the Martelli NYPD series that should appeal to folks that like the noir style and police procedurals (think of a 60’s style in today’s NYC). The book itself is pretty standard for the genre (so take it all with a grain of salt) with little to raise it above the pack, but that still leaves it as decent entertainment, especially with the solid narration performance. Standard tropes and stereotypes apply … As mentioned, we get the standard murder mystery with a grizzled, veteran police detective with a Jane Doe and a mysterious connection to an archrival in the FBI who has his own case dealing with the “Boy Scouts” (ref Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School) that run NYC trash hauling business. To solve the case, they both play fast and loose with the rules to collar the bad guy(s) which might prompt an eye roll to two, but nothing that was out of place considering what is typical. The End comes up a little quick. but the Epilogue gives an okay summary to wrap everything up.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Review: Danger Beneath The Surface

Danger Beneath The Surface by Jon Sniderman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book: ***
Performance: ***

A Short Trip Down Memory Lane

I wanted to give this a listen based almost entirely on a bit of nostalgia … and on that point it delivers. Of all the places I have lived, AK was the best experience that I have had. It is a short vignette that, as near as I can recall, is more or less solid on location and science, so props for that. However, the story itself was pretty slow … a simple mystery plot that might have been a science thriller in a longer format, but there was not really a lot of suspense (most of this was just confirming details on why animals were getting sick and dying … and given the science theme was reasonably predictable). Still … the narration was decent and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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