WaterPea
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Widows of Medina
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 3
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Nestled on the water's edge near Seattle, Medina is the richest zip code in the Pacific Northwest. Luxurious beyond belief, this untouchably powerful enclave is home to many of the wealthiest men and women in America. But when a celebrity tech CEO is found dead at his fiftieth birthday party, suspicion begins to swirl through the community like a mist over Lake Washington.
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Overall decline from previous books & narrators still bad
- By WaterPea on 06-24-25
- Widows of Medina
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 3
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
Overall decline from previous books & narrators still bad
Reviewed: 06-24-25
I have listened to every DD Black book available on Audible up to this one, in order. I've consistently said the same things: his storylines are good, his writing gets lazy and becomes rife with obvious mistakes, and the narration suffers from a multitude of mispronunciations. Book after book, those same things were consistently true. I can only presume that he and/or his publishers are paying for low end editing, both of writing and of narration.
But I have continued to listen, because the storylines have captured my attention, as have the characters. Unfortunately, in this book the quality of both of those declined, while narration remained very faulty. The depth of the storyline was only somewhat better than that of a cranked out romance novel. And I could cite dozens of examples of mispronounced words.
If I had not gotten the next book in the series for free, I would not be listening to any more of this author's work. And that's a shame, because he really does have good story ideas and interesting characters. But it seems that the reason he is able to crank out so many books so quickly may be that corners are being cut, both in the writing process and in all aspects of the editing processes.
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We Forget Nothing
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 2
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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In the hushed corridors of the Evergreen Memory Care facility, a young nurse's obsession with true crime leads to a chilling discovery. An elderly patient—his memories fading—speaks of unthinkable acts. Is he the Interstate Reaper, a notorious serial killer who terrorized the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s and 1980s? Enter FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., fresh off their dangerous pursuit of The Color Killer.
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Good story & characters; bad editing
- By WaterPea on 06-22-25
- We Forget Nothing
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 2
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
Good story & characters; bad editing
Reviewed: 06-22-25
This is one of author's best, IMO. Story line & characters solid. Better & more intelligent than the Thomas Austin series. Unfortunately author's books still suffer from poor editing (wrong word usages), and particularly from poor audio editing. So many mispronounced words. It's really getting old.
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The Fifth Victim
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 1
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Across the Pacific Northwest, a twisted killer stalks victims representing ancient archetypes: The Ruler. The Warrior. The Scholar. The Priest. Four are dead, leaving FBI investigators puzzled by the macabre, color-coded shrines the killer left behind. And clues now point to a fifth victim.
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A good story with interesting characters.
- By Old Ford on 07-24-24
- The Fifth Victim
- FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 1
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel
Written/audio editing lacking; story good
Reviewed: 06-21-25
Started this as follow-on to author's Thomas Austin series. This is a more intelligent story, but in truth the author's storylines are always his best strength. The characters in this book are interesting, & I hope he continues with their development in the next ones. But again, HIRE DECENT EDITORS, please!
As in previous books, many lapses into uncorrected lazy writing, and obviously unchecked narration. Many mispronunciations.
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The Silence at Mystery Bay
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 8
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Private investigator Thomas Austin is enjoying a relaxing holiday vacation in picturesque Port Townsend, Washington, accompanied by an intriguing new friend. But his tranquility is shattered when the nearby community of Mystery Bay is rocked by the death of a revered musician at an infamous counterculture festival: The Rabbit Hole.
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Loved this series
- By jl on 04-23-24
- The Silence at Mystery Bay
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 8
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Engaging storyline, good main characters.
Reviewed: 06-18-25
Storyline line has some amateurish flaws, but it's engaging. I like the repeating characters in the series. Some of the story-specific characters are a little ridiculous. In listening to the series, I continue to be frustrated by narrator. Excellent voice, inflections, etc. But SO MANY words continue to be mispronounced. Don't they have an audio editor??!!!!!
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The Drowning at Dyes Inlet
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 6
- By: D. D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1979, a florist's lifeless body surfaced in the serene waters of Dyes Inlet, an enchanting estuary connected to the vast Puget Sound. Although the murder was never solved, a sinister heart carved into the victim's back made the case unforgettable. Forty-four years later, history repeats itself as not one, but two more victims are discovered within 48 hours, each bearing the exact same chilling carving in their flesh. The county's darkest mystery is about to be ripped wide open.
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Good plot
- By Goose Girl on 06-18-25
- The Drowning at Dyes Inlet
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 6
- By: D. D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Series improving again; with some issues
Reviewed: 06-17-25
I'm reading series in order. This is a step back in right direction - an actual mystery (compared to previous one). Interesting main story line again. A couple of secondary story lines; one is wearing thin. Introduction of a new major character - my jury was still out on her till very end, but she's ok.
VERY Annoying issue: Narrator's voice is good, BUT I'm getting frustrated with lack of audio editing. It's getting worse.
Some examples:
1. Spokane is pronounced Spo-CAN, not Spo-CANE. Narrator should know that.
2. "Nurse" misread as "muse".
3. "Palpable" misread as "palatable".
4. Guy gets in car and reads using "overheated light". (It's overhead light).
5. Wenatchee mispronounced as "Winatachee".
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The Terror in the Emerald City
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 5
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Former NYPD detective Thomas Austin is enjoying a rare date at a monday night football game in Seattle when the evening takes a horrifying turn. A team of merciless terrorists has taken over the stadium by force, blocking cellphone signals and sealing the exits. The terrorists have a single demand: release a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative from a US supermax prison. And they have a simple threat: do so in the next 24 hours or they will blow up the stadium, killing themselves along with tens of thousands of innocent victims.
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Not my favorite
- By WaterPea on 06-16-25
- The Terror in the Emerald City
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 5
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Not my favorite
Reviewed: 06-16-25
This would have made an ok action movie (although it's a lot like many others). But it's not really a mystery story in keeping with the series. It was disappointing - kind of boring. And some parts of it are utterly ridiculous. Narrator's voice is good, but he continues to mispronounce words he should not.
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The Horror at Murden Cove
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 4
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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The fourth book in this twisty, fast-paced mystery series, The Horror at Murden Cove locks you on a storm-battered island with a killer whose motive is so deranged, you'll have to listen to this audiobook twice to believe it.
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I just finished the last book in the series
- By Debbie Crader, Life Coach on 08-26-23
- The Horror at Murden Cove
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 4
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Fewer stars compared to prior books in series
Reviewed: 06-16-25
I continue to enjoy this series, but this was my least favorite so far. Many important repeating characters introduced have little or no part in this book - and they are missed. Additionally, story line feels pretty contrived. Also there are too many glitches in this one. Examples: 1. A main character is blind, but is able to do some things not possible for a blind person. 2. People with life threatening injuries are taken to urgent care, not emergency rooms. 3. Many mispronounced words - needed better audio-editing. I will continue with series, though.
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The Fallen of Foulweather Bluff
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 3
- By: D. D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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On Memorial Day, 1992, three decorated navy officers disappeared in the sleepy beach town of Hansville, Washington. Thirty years later, their medals were found in the marshlands of Foulweather Bluff. So were their bones. For private investigator Thomas Austin, this case hits close to home. The son of a JAG lawyer, Austin grew up around the navy. To solve the case, he must piece together clues buried in the marshlands and dark secrets hidden in navy history.
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Another Review in the Series
- By Melody T on 06-22-25
- The Fallen of Foulweather Bluff
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 3
- By: D. D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Series remains solid - this is #3
Reviewed: 06-15-25
Very likable characters. Development of relationships continues well. Interesting premise. Story does not drag. Very good narrator. BTW you can listen out of order. Stories stand alone. But there are references in each book to the story lines in previous ones. Heading on to the 4th!
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The Shadows of Pike Place
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 2
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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When the matriarch of a rich Seattle family dies under suspicious circumstances, private investigator Thomas Austin is on the case. This time, the suspect list is easy.
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Review
- By Melody T on 06-22-25
- The Shadows of Pike Place
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 2
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Like an Agatha Christie!
Reviewed: 06-14-25
Second in series, and while not quite as good or intense as the first one, it was still enjoyable. I'll definitely continue with the series. The aspect of this book I liked best was how much it reminded me of an Agatha Christie book in terms of story line. Characters are likable and realistic. Very good narrator.
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The Bones at Point No Point
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 1
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Thomas Austin was once a prominent NYPD detective, known for locking up a psychopathic serial killer dubbed "The Holiday Baby Butcher". Now retired in a small beach town in the Pacific Northwest, Austin runs a little café, trying to overcome the loss of his wife, a DA who was gunned down only one year ago.
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Awesome book
- By Domesticgoddesstx on 10-23-22
- The Bones at Point No Point
- A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller, Book 1
- By: D.D. Black
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
Great find!
Reviewed: 06-13-25
I am so happy to have found this series! This is the first book, and I already really like the author's handling of characters, setting, and plot development. This story, while intriguing, did get a little bit far fetched, but I still enjoyed it, and was satisfied with the ending. Narrator is very good. Looking forward to listening to all the rest of the books in the series!
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