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Kirk

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One word ... WHAT

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-01-25

In these short stories from Audible by Jeffery Dever, he has given pure gold that are well written, fun, and time and time again I find myself somewhere in the story (usually near the end) thinking ...WHAT!!!!?????

Awesome.

And this one is excellent.

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One of the best, completely held me

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-16-25

Confession. I do not particularly like any of the main characters. Some I don't care. A few I actively dislike. (I know that reflects on me.)

This is one of the few series I really enjoy because the stories carry me. I listen to Audible on trips. When I got home I listened on headphones while unpacking and doing regular stuff.

Generally speaking, If i don't like at least some of the main characters, I just don't listen. The plot was so well written I wanted few breaks and to stay with the story. It was that good.

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Hold Back the Dark Audiobook By Kay Hooper cover art

I was heading toward 5 stars ...

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-24-24

I was listening, not aware of the time countdown on the book. There was a dramatic scene and suddenly I was listening to the closing comments. I was enjoying the story and journey a lot. The end felt like an end to a middle of a chapter with much to go. I even backed up some to see the book had skipped chapters.

Kay Hooper is a great storyteller. This was a incomplete story.

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From quiet little book to oh? OH! Wow!!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-04-24

As I started the next chapter with Russell/Holmes I quickly concluded this would be a cozy little story. (My apologies Ms. King)

But as it went on, from a side story to revelation, And more revelation. To give just enough information to make you suspect...

What a story. Did I say wow? Wow.

And wow, people will debate if this explains many things about Mr. Holmes; or if it is "Holmes Heresy".

As the story came together it made me think of a word I have never used in a review. Perfection.

Thank you, Laurie King.

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Baldacci has a high bar

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-25-24

Baldacci's books always grab me. I consider him a great modern author. I like his different characters and series. Atlee Pine is intersting. It's a good plotline that is well-written. It was fun to see John Puller (and his brother) become a big part of the story.

Why only 4 stars for the story?

Baldacci is among the best of the best. The expectation is that he has set a very high bar.

While the characters are great, Atlee just seemed to be facing too many issues to be considered a top-flight FBI agent. Almost every time she interviewed someone (especially people she knew) she was aggressive and adversarial. If someone came to me wanting helpful information and attacked in asking questions I would invite them to leave. I did not like that from a smart person wanting information.

The last great scene of the book left me with two impressions. (I am NOT going to describe the scene and stop here if you don't want any thoughts about it.)

It left two impressions -- It made me think she needed to be released from the FBI and sent to counseling for a year. There was nothing good about being that out of control. Second, it left me wondering if the editor wanted to be sure there was some big climax for an ending. It was implausible.

When someone is a great writer there have to be some times when everything is not their greatest. Perhaps this reflects more on me than him. I look forward to his next book.

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An old guy reading a yound story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-25-24

Yep, I am an old male guy. I know this is written for teens or younger adults. As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I was interested and this hits the mark.

Narration 'feels' like Enola. Perfect.

This story has Enola growing up a bit and facing significantly more danger.

Storyline -- it's just fun to follow. The historical setting is interesting. Nancy Springer created a character that is intelligent with a free spirit for the time she lives, and she has just enough of "Holmes" brilliance mixed with youthful impetuousness.

I like the portrayal of both Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. "Watson" has the view of someone overwhelmed by the brilliance of Sherlock. But here we see the view of a youngish sister discovering her brother. In other words, she sees faults and irritations along with brilliance. Well done.

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It is a 5-Star story, except...

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-04-24

So why is it a 3-star book?

The plot is definitely 5-star. Mr. King developed the plot and had interesting side stories. And I don’t trust him! I am never quite sure that Mr. King will not kill off someone he has led us to care about. I enjoyed the trip and felt for some characters deeply. It was clearly 5-star. And Holly! Some dark sides of her came out! Holly is a great character.

So why the 3 star? Anyone who knows that Mr. King has been very clear about some political positions. I write this as someone who has never voted for Mr. Trump and has had every COVID shot. He has every right to create his books as he wishes. The plot was unending with condensing judgments about those inferior human beings who would support Mr. Trump and were not getting COVID shots. Those characters were backward, uneducated, or evil. I know people I disagree with who are fine people, and friends, and have their reasons (some good, some I don’t follow well) for not agreeing. This is not the place to debate, I am simply saying the constant flow about COVID and Trump was vicious and contemptuous. It took away from the story. I heard Mr. King's comments at the end. I just did not hear this issue as he describes it.

There were times I had to stop listening. It wore me out.

I enjoy Mr. King's books. This one was different. Holly is great. This one is different because its never-ending stream of political comments was very distracting. I have followed Mr. King through most of his books. I still want to. He is a great writer. I am just going to start researching his books to see if this is a new trend.

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I wanted to give 5 stars, and I do for ...

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-10-23

I think there are things I don't know about the business of writing. The last half of the book was Stephen King quality. The first half of the book felt like he could have developed the problem very well in about half the words. (Or less.) It dragged. Then when the plot starts addressing the answer it had new life. It felt to me as if there was a mandate to reach a certain length.

Once the 'team' came together to act, 5 stars!

Most of us know some of Mr. King's politics and views. He got some little shots in that did nothing to add to the plot. He got little shots in about the church that seemed unnecessary. I admit that I go to church, but my experience has been of a sincerely loving caring people who accept people with issues. My church would have helped a widow, not isolate. Mr. King can cast the story as he thinks best.

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I DID NOT LIKE IT UNTIL I DID

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-21-23

Let's start at the end - It is an incredibly unusual and interesting story and the biggest surprise was how often I was surprised.

At the start, I was put off, thought it a little goofy. I thought I'd return it. But then I thought, I'd give it 10 more minutes. 10 minutes later, I gave it 15 more minutes. The longer I stayed with it the more I liked it. It was like someone turning on the light slowly. But it shined.

Don't expect a traditional story or traditional style. I think if you take it immediately as 'different' the light will shine from the start.

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Cozy, easy listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-01-23

This defines a cozy mystery to me. It was a nice-paced storyline, and well-written. I had a 10-hour trip and this book made the trip easy. It kept me interested but did not demand a high emotional connection.

I thought that when the story ended it came together fast.

Just what I wanted, a cozy mystery.

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