#theotheremily #deankoontz #macleodandrews #risingsun #michaelcrichton  #macleodandrews #bloodlust #sandrabrown #kyfbrewer Â
Don’t be surprised as you listen to March’s Best if you have to break out the tissues. I’m not saying the stories are tear-jerkers. I’m just saying spring has sprung in Florida, and, if you’re like me and listen to your audiobooks while you walk outside, you maybe be overtaken by the yellow stuff which is both a blessing and a curse this time of year. I’ll let you be the judge of which of these listens was my favorite. Two of them are narrated by one of my preferred voice actors, and one of them is written by an author whose work I’ve followed for so many years, she seems like family. A couple of them are a little scary when you ponder the “what ifs” should they ever became reality. As always, the psychos run amok and frankly, I could have used at least one adorable dog or cat to offset the chaos. There is a cute little boy in the third book, so I’ll call that one my palate cleanser.
By Dean KoontzÂ
Narrated by MacLeod Andrews
Because it’s Dean Koontz, you’re already expecting a well-written book and you won’t be disappointed; however, if you are expecting a neat and tidy ending, gaily wrapped and tied with a bow, you need to choose another author. As you would expect, The Other Emily has that other worldly quality that Mr. Koontz’s books have even when the characters seem like ordinary folks you might see walking around in WalMart or on the beach. I’ve never been able to put my finger on exactly what he does to create that air of something hidden and ethereal, but he is very good at it. Tragedy has befallen author David Thorne. The love of his life, Emily Carlino, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. She is presumed to be the victim of a recently convicted serial killer. Because he is a writer, David arranges to interview Ronny Lee Jessup in prison on the pretext of writing his story when he is actually hoping to learn something that will bring closure for Emily’s death. Enter Maddison Sutton who is Emily’s double right down to an unusual birthmark. From there, the storyline winds back to the past, ahead to the future (remember it’s Dean Koontz) and settles into one of those endings that closes out the book, but doesn’t finish the story. Mr. Koontz is the GOAT at these types of endings. MacLeod Andrews gives an expert performance, and while I rarely comment on love scenes in a book, I think many current authors who pride themselves on their hot and steamy novels, could take a lesson from Dean Koontz in the subtle art of conveying passion without all the graphic details.
By Michael CrichtonÂ
Narrated by MacLeod Andrews
If you love a step-by-step police procedural, Michael Crichton will give you exactly what you’re looking for in Rising Sun. The crime that is being investigated takes place in Los
Angeles and involves the inconvenient discovery of a young prostitute’s body during a grand celebration being sponsored by Japanese businessmen. The splashy affair is being attended by many prominent locals and celebrities making it difficult to keep the grisly discovery a secret even though it takes place on a different floor and away from the party. Who is the woman and how did this happen? Part of the mystery is the question of whether the death is actually a murder or kinky sex gone wrong. LAPD Detective Web Smith is called upon to investigate along with Japanese expert John Conner. From the outset, there are more questions than answers, and there are more crimes to be solved than a murder. Our heroes will find a solution as to whether the death was a murder or an accident and the answer (no spoilers) is “yes.” Listeners will be intrigued by the cultural aspects explored in dealing with foreign businesses and the potential these businesses might have for going beyond what we find acceptable in our country. Notably, this book was made into a movie featuring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes, so if you find the book to be enough of a teaser, you may want to watch the film. MacLeod Andrews’ performance is excellent and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators.
By Sandra Brown
Narrated by Kyf Brewer
I’ve loved Sandra Brown’s books since I first discovered her back in the ’90s. She knows how to tell a story, and her thrillers include likable characters as well as the requisite psychos. Bloodlust is no exception, and it also brings back some characters from a previous book which is a feature I like because it’s as if I’m having one of those visits with old friends where I get to catch up with what’s been going on with them. The old friends in this book are John and Beth Bowie from Blood Moon. The protagonist is Mitch Haskel, John’s best friend, who has made it his life’s mission to bring down the mysterious drug kingpin known as “Oz” … the man he holds responsible for the death of his wife. John, who also happens to be Mitch’s boss, has given Mitch an ultimatum: see a therapist and sort out the issues related to his wife’s death which are threatening his ability to function not just as a police officer, but as a father, or leave the Auclair PD. Mitch shows up for his first appointment with the psychologist, reluctantly prepared to comply in order to save his job. He is, however, not prepared for the psychologist to be a beautiful woman. Enter Dr. Dylan Reede and let the games begin. You’ll be hanging out at fancy restaurants, hiding in a cabin deep in the bayou, and falling in love with a little boy named Andrew. The storyline features sleazy underworld characters, an obnoxious fast-talking TV salesman, and grisly murders softened by an attraction that tests the doctor-patient relationship as well as Mitch’s adorable son. Kyf Brewer seems to be Ms. Brown’s current narrator of choice, and his performance is good although I really would like to hear him put a bit more of the Cajun into the character’s voices.
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