Preview
  • You Only Live Once

  • A James Flynn Escapade, Book 1
  • By: Haris Orkin
  • Narrated by: Chris Ciulla
  • Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (329 ratings)

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You Only Live Once

By: Haris Orkin
Narrated by: Chris Ciulla
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Publisher's summary

From zero to hero....

James Flynn is an expert shot, a black belt in karate, fluent in four languages, and irresistible to women. He’s also a heavily medicated patient in a Los Angeles psychiatric hospital. Flynn believes his locked ward is the headquarters of Her Majesty’s Secret Service and that he is a secret agent with a license to kill.

When the hospital is acquired by a new HMO, Flynn is convinced that the Secret Service has been infiltrated by the enemy. He escapes to save the day, and in the process, Flynn kidnaps a young Hispanic orderly named Sancho.

This crazy day trip turns into a very real adventure when Flynn is mistaken for an actual secret agent. Paranoid delusions have suddenly become reality, and now it’s up to a mental patient and a terrified orderly to bring down an insecure, evil genius bent on world domination.

Includes a special bonus note from the author.

©2020 Haris Orkin (P)2020 Podium Publishing
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What listeners say about You Only Live Once

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Modern Day Don Quixote

James Flynn is a psychiatric patient who thinks he is a spy for Her Majesty's Secret Service. He escapes the hospital and picks up some side kicks to help him with his mission. Is he crazy or is he really a spy? He seems to know quite a lot about fighting, wine, the finer things and he seems to make several correct predictions about the bad guys. This story pays homage to Don Quixote with both character names (Dulcinea and Sanchos) and the story line (mad man takes on the world). But like Don Quixote, the reader often must question if he is really crazy. The story is hilarious and well written. It is a great mix of Don Quixote and James Bond. Absolutely fabulous. Great performance by the narrator. I'm definitely going to listen to the next one in the series as well.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So much fun!!!!

I downloaded this book out of pure boredom and I am so glad I did. I love a book that makes me feel and can submerge me into the story and this book most definitely did. It made me laugh and cry and yell and gasp and so much more. Chris, the narrator, did an AMAZING job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fun read

Fun entertaining and funny read. An original twist on the subject everyone loves. Worth a listen

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting and funny

Excellent except the "graphic" reading of the beginning, which almost turned me away. Glad that I didn't.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

I loved everything about this book the acting in it the fantasy of being James Bond and a super villain was fantastic. I highly recommend it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely Entertaining

I could not put this down. The opening grabbed your attention. Story line is suspenseful from start to finish.

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3 people found this helpful

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That was Awesome!

One of the best Audible Plus audiobooks out there. Smart, funny and action packed. Highly recommended!

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1 person found this helpful

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A must listen

Wow! Not what i expected but loved every second of it.

Give yourself a treat and give this book a chance.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun listen.

Pretty fun parody of conventional spy novels, with modern action and slight social commentary.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn't stop listening!

I loved, loved, loved this audiobook! Orkin’s clever framing device for James Flynn’s adventures (JF is a patient in a mental hospital believing himself in Her Majesty’s Secret Service); the not-too-subtle homage to Cervantes' Don Quixote with naming a reluctant, pudgy sidekick Sancho and the beautiful but troubled damsel-in-distress Dulci(nea); action-packed getaway and fight scenes peppered with James Bond panache and Punch-and-Judy humor; tender, heart-felt moments that highlight Flynn’s empathy: all are brought to sharp relief in Ciulla’s deftly-crafted, multi-accented and stunning performance. I may just have to listen to this again!

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