The Dawn Patrol Audiobook By Don Winslow cover art

The Dawn Patrol

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The Dawn Patrol

By: Don Winslow
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Every morning, Boone Daniels is out with the Dawn Patrol: four men and one woman as single-minded about surfing as he is, or nearly. They have real jobs; Boone works as a P.I. just enough to keep himself in fish tacos and in the water.

But Boone is also obsessed with the unsolved case of a young girl named Rain who was abducted while he was with the San Diego police. He blames himself, just as almost everyone in the department did, for not being able to save her.

Unexpectedly, he finds himself with the chance to make amends, and this new investigation gives him a wilder ride than any he's ever imagined.

©2008 Don Winslow (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Sports Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime Detective

Critic reviews

"[A] terrific thriller....Winslow keeps raising the stakes, as well as the waves, for all involved." ( Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks About Surfing

Massive waves, breathtaking beauty, precious wildlife, extreme athleticism, spiritual allure— these are just a few of the things that draw people from all over the world to the ocean. For some, surfing is about adrenaline and adventure; for others, it can be a way to heal and connect with nature. Surfing audiobooks, both fiction and nonfiction, reflect this variety of perspectives, experiences, and philosophies. Find a list of the best surfing audiobooks, perfect for surfers, diehard surfing fans, ocean lovers, and even avid audiobook listeners looking for an exciting beach listen or an engaging nonfiction title.

Featured Article The Best Audiobooks About Surfing
Engaging Mystery • Compelling Characters • Rich Setting Descriptions • Clever Plot Twists • Vivid Surfing Culture
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It is not a bad book, but has way too much surfing history and information etc. than I felt was necessary .... BUT Ray Porter did such a fantastic job of getting into the feel and spirit of the book you just have to love it.

Fantastic reader of an average mystery

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Great story, terrific characters, and an awesome performance. Loved the book. How it was set and how that contributed to the story, I found myself feeling many of the characters, and their relationships, which really made for a great listen.

Superb!

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Dawn Patrol to be better than the print version?

Don't have the printed version.

What did you like best about this story?

Having lived in SoCal for 40+ years, I could relate to the area that the book was set in.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The audio was well done.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dunno

Totally stoked!

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What did you love best about The Dawn Patrol?

The story arc and how the whole "wave" of the story all rolled together.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. I was never really sure what was going to happen next. The suspense was real.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Can't remember all of the character's names since it has been a while since I listened to this book but the blond female surfer who rode that big wave at the end was my favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The big wave, which was the climax of the story and fit in with the whole story arc.

Any additional comments?

At first, I was annoyed by all of the back stories and surfer lingo, but as the story progressed, I began to see how it all fit in and made the story what it was, which was more about how the world changes around people and they have to evolve with it. Friendships change, relationships change and people discover who is true and who is a sell out. The golden years are nice but time moves on and people learn, evolve and grow up. People also learn to move beyond their misgivings and regrets. The arc of the story with the metaphor of the big wave was an excellent story telling technique and made the book what it is, more than just a detective story and one detective story told in a very unique fashion.

Surprisingly good

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Only slightly entertaining, very predictable and they all lived happily ever after. I don't recommend it.

Predictable

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Don Winslow has made surfer noir, drug cartels and police dramas great again. In fact this piece made me ponder my purpose. I am focused now on being fully present with everyone and to increase their quality of life. But shaking the 70's as a white, male, Mormon has been tough. I was taught things like we were the only truth and above animals who we were given dominion over along with the land. I believe this (along with the entirety of their faith) they got wrong. I think we are the servants of the land and animals and have done a horrible job. I think we have gotten so far off the path that we eat these sacred animals and poison the land planting cement and GMO fruit and veg that all taste like iceberg lettuce and cardboard. Like Winslow, I too am trying daily on a much smaller scale to make America great again with all of those in my circle which includes cats, dogs, horses, St Stephen the Lamb, my family, friends, farm, colleagues and clients. But not the rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks attacking my micro farm. I'm going to war with those churlish predators.

At Midnight all the Agents and the Superhuman Crew

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Don Winslow has yet to let me down. I started with the phenomenal Power of the Dog and have read 5 since, this being the 5th. Ray Porter is one of the very best narrators in the game PERIOD. If you're into surfing you can't miss this one, if you're not into surfing you can't miss this one. A great detective thriller, a great friendship story and I never imagined a surfer detective book would have me crying at any point but in addition to plenty of laughs a few inspirations and a bit of deep thinking, I actually cried towards the ending. All around great book, like everything I've read by Winslow thus far. I will definitely be reading the next one in the Boone Daniels series, Gentleman's Hour.

Everything's better on a tortilla!

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Would you listen to The Dawn Patrol again? Why?

No but I will be checking our his other books. Ray Porter was excellent.

Any additional comments?

Two words...Betty Rubble!

Thoroughly Enjoyable

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What did you love best about The Dawn Patrol?

Dialog. Crazy characters. At times almost poetic, at others pure snark. Excellently read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Boone. Nexus. Although all the characters are interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't say. One of the meditations on the joy of the ocean and surfing.

Any additional comments?

I'll look for more by the same author & the same narrator.

Could be made into a good movie!

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I liked this book but particularly I loved the narrator. The more I listen to audiobooks the more I realize how much the narration impacts my enjoyment of the experience. In this case Ray Parter has taken a decent, if somewhat predictable, PI California noir book, and made it great. I just listened to it for the second time and it struck me again how good was the narration.

Tone of voice has a lot to do with it,lots of good narrators do that, Cassandra Cambell, Will Patton, but it was the timing and the rhythm of his reading that set this book apart.
I have listened to other books read by Mr. Porter and I have liked them but something about this book that was exceptional . The marriage of the characters, the plot and the reading that brings it above the sum of all three. On a par with my favorite narration; Patrick Tull , reading Aubrey/ Maturin which in my opinion is the best narration of all time.
Worth the credit.

Outstanding narration

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