Mary C Bartel
- 42
- reviews
- 66
- helpful votes
- 409
- ratings
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Amongst Our Weapons
- Rivers of London, Book 9
- By: Ben Aaronovitch
- Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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The London Silver Vaults—for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a paparazzi convention. Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace—only that’s what happened. The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light, and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.
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Oh I wish I didn’t go through these so fast…
- By Amazon Kunde on 04-13-22
- Amongst Our Weapons
- Rivers of London, Book 9
- By: Ben Aaronovitch
- Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Another terrific Peter Grant mystery!
Reviewed: 01-01-25
I enjoy these so much that I reread the series to put off starting this book. The characters are fantastic and the world building is a unique place to get lost in. The writing is solid and really holds your attention. The narrator is absolutely wonderful.
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This Impossible Brightness
- A Novel
- By: Jessica Bryant Klagmann
- Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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After the mysterious disappearance of her fiancé, Alma Hughes moves to a remote island in the North Atlantic, where she hopes to weather her grief and nurture her ailing dog. But the strange town of Violette has mysteries as well. Townsfolk say that the radio tower overlooking their town broadcasts messages through their home appliances, their dreams, even the sea itself. When lightning strikes the tower, illuminating the sky in a brilliant flash, Alma finds herself caught in the unexplainable aftermath of one of Violette’s deadliest storms.
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Never Again
- By susan on 02-15-24
- This Impossible Brightness
- A Novel
- By: Jessica Bryant Klagmann
- Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt
Immersive and unexpected
Reviewed: 08-10-24
While I put this down once, I picked it up again and I’m really happy I did. The more I read, the more captivated I became with the world building and characters of The Impossible Brightness. As the town around them succumbs to the effects of climate change, a type of irreparable loss, the characters echo this struggle. By playing with magical realism, the reader is drawn into a fascinating and curious exploration or grief, love, friendship and what it means to be understood. Impeccable narrator. Excellent read, I’m still thinking about it days later.
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The Last Devil to Die
- A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, Book 4
- By: Richard Osman
- Narrated by: Fiona Shaw
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Shocking news reaches them—an old friend has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing. The gang's search leads them into the antiques business, where the tricks of the trade are as old as the objects themselves. As they encounter drug dealers, art forgers, and online fraudsters—as well as heartache close to home—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim have no idea whom to trust.
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Great story which needs the original narrator
- By Jane on 09-22-23
- The Last Devil to Die
- A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, Book 4
- By: Richard Osman
- Narrated by: Fiona Shaw
Another brilliant addition to a great series
Reviewed: 10-05-23
I knew I would want this visit to Coopers Chase to last, so I began by re-reading book three which was fantastic. I enjoyed book four even more, as we grow to know the club and other characters in more meaningful ways. Osman included some truly bittersweet moments which only added to my experience of the characters and their bonds. The mystery was of course action packed and hysterical. I hope we can revisit our friends here soon. I was so sad to hear the last chapter play out. Though Fiona Shaw’s narration was absolutely captivating.
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METAtropolis
- By: Jay Lake, Tobias Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, and others
- Narrated by: Michael Hogan, Scott Brick, Kandyse McClure, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Armed camps of eco-survivalists battle purveyors of technology in this exclusive, original production featuring five sci-fi masters and five all-star narrators.
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Not a wasted credit
- By james on 10-27-08
Cohesive Collaboration Is Very Entertaining!
Reviewed: 07-25-23
I loved how the authors created this peek into a potential future earth, and kept continuity while offering different perspectives. Each story was really interesting, and included wonderful tech and sci-fi elements. Solid performances.
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The Rising Tide
- A Vera Stanhope Novel (Vera Stanhope, Book 10)
- By: Ann Cleeves
- Narrated by: Janine Birkett
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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For fifty years a group of friends have been meeting regularly for reunions on Holy Island, celebrating the school trip where they met, and the friend that they lost to the rising causeway tide five years later. Now, when one of them is found hanged, Vera is called in. Learning that the dead man had recently been fired after misconduct allegations, Vera knows she must discover what the friends are hiding, and whether the events of many years before could have led to murder then, and now . . .
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Simply the best!!
- By wisconsinclark on 09-10-22
- The Rising Tide
- A Vera Stanhope Novel (Vera Stanhope, Book 10)
- By: Ann Cleeves
- Narrated by: Janine Birkett
Another terrific Vera mystery!
Reviewed: 06-21-23
I just read all 10 books back to back and it was very interesting to inhabit Vera’s world for the duration. This book was excellent, great characters, interesting plot and even deeper insights into our flawed inspector. The narrator is very strong, I did not experience any sound issues. Very surprising ending—I was quite stunne! Highly recommend the series the books are extremely well written.
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Rabbits
- A Novel
- By: Terry Miles
- Narrated by: Christine Lakin
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Rabbits is a mysterious alternate reality game so vast it uses the entire world as its canvas. Since the game started in 1959, 10 iterations have appeared and nine winners have been declared. The identities of these winners are unknown. So is their reward, which is whispered to be NSA or CIA recruitment, vast wealth, immortality, or perhaps even the key to the secrets of the universe itself. But the deeper you get, the more dangerous the game becomes. Players have died in the past - and the body count is rising. And now the 11th round is about to begin.
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No, just No
- By Jennifer on 07-14-21
- Rabbits
- A Novel
- By: Terry Miles
- Narrated by: Christine Lakin
Solid page turner, really great
Reviewed: 02-16-23
Yes, the plot winds its way through Seattle as gamers attempt to solve a seemingly impossible puzzle that may or may not have implications to the end of the world, but for me, that was the fun of it. The waffling between probability, the scenarios you expect to find in Legion or X-Files—sign me up. I found Rabbits a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved spending time in the world and the characters were quite likable. I really couldn’t put it down.
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The Terraformers
- By: Annalee Newitz
- Narrated by: Emily Lawrence
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Destry's life is dedicated to terraforming Sask-E. As part of the Environmental Rescue Team, she cares for the planet and its burgeoning eco-systems as her parents and their parents did before her. But the bright, clean future they're building comes under threat when Destry discovers a city full of people that shouldn’t exist, hidden inside a massive volcano. As she uncovers more about their past, Destry begins to question the mission she's devoted her life to, and must make a choice that will reverberate through Sask-E's future for generations to come.
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No no no no no
- By Jeff Reynolds on 03-12-23
- The Terraformers
- By: Annalee Newitz
- Narrated by: Emily Lawrence
Another Sublime Read from Newitz
Reviewed: 02-08-23
The Terraformers is excellent, really magical. I love reading speculative fiction and it typically has a darker edge but I found The Terraformers to be thought provoking while still being able to make me laugh. Keep in mind this covers millennia so while you do get great character development and a singular compelling plot, our interactions may seem fleeting.
It manages to be a thoroughly enjoyable read as well as a prescient social commentary on corporate greed without being preachy. There are many touching moments I found so uplifting without being sappy. And the imagination, the IMAGINATION! SO out there-yes. I am not sure how to pick a favorite character. I LOVED this book and highly recommend it. Great narrator as well.
A book is always an opportunity to enter a new world and leave your baggage behind. I got lost spending my time in this one and had a hard time saying goodbye. Thank you Annalee Newitz.
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3 people found this helpful
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The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
- By: Susanna Clarke
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble, Davina Porter
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Following the enormous success of 2004 bestseller and critics' favorite Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke delivers a delicious collection of ten stories set in the same fairy-crossed world of 19th-century England. With Clarke's characteristic historical detail and diction, these dark, enchanting tales unfold in a slightly distorted version of our own world, where people are bedeviled by mischievous interventions from the fairies.
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21st century 19th century lit
- By M. Morgan on 04-06-07
- The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories
- By: Susanna Clarke
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble, Davina Porter
Wonderful Grouping of Fairy Tales
Reviewed: 01-30-23
These reminded me of reading the tales of Malory. They are delightful trips though the magical side of England.
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1 person found this helpful
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The Chronicles of Narnia Complete Audio Collection
- By: C. S. Lewis
- Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh, Alex Jennings, Michael York, and others
- Length: 33 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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For over 60 years, readers of all ages have been enchanted by the magical realms, the epic battles between good and evil, and the unforgettable creatures of Narnia. This box set includes all seven titles in The Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle.
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Comes without book subdivisions - chapter key below
- By Daniel on 01-07-20
A classic of its time
Reviewed: 01-10-23
Wait for a rainy week and enjoy the fantastic performances of this classic. It’s definitely a book of it’s time but sweetly so.
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The Bullet That Missed
- A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, Book 3
- By: Richard Osman
- Narrated by: Fiona Shaw, Richard Osman, Steph McGovern
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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It is an ordinary Thursday, and things should finally be returning to normal. Except trouble is never far away where the Thursday Murder Club are concerned. A decade-old cold case—their favorite kind--leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers. Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill or be killed. Suddenly the cold case has become red hot.
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When the second book came out I was worried
- By Foralark on 09-20-22
- The Bullet That Missed
- A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, Book 3
- By: Richard Osman
- Narrated by: Fiona Shaw, Richard Osman, Steph McGovern
The Series That Hit!
Reviewed: 11-08-22
What a fantastic series! It’s engaging, has a terrific array of well developed characters, the plots are great and the humor is well timed and in point. I cannot recommend these books highly enough. They are not cozies. They’re just great fun, serious at the right times and extremely well written. The narrator is absolutely wonderful.
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1 person found this helpful