Rick Kohut

For the reason why I'm re-reading this series, see my review on the first book in the trilogy - "The Last Policeman." For me this was the most fully formed and engaging of the trilogy. The countdown to the arrival of the asteroid is at just two weeks when the novel begins. The narrow window of time and the focus of the mystery (where's the main character's wayward sister?) gives a focus and urgency to the plot not as present in the first two novels. There's more twists plus some authentic suspense in the final third. I particularly appreciated the arc of the encounter with the Amish patriarch and his large family. His answer to the main theme of the stories - how should we live with impending, catastrophic doom - is a thought-provoking and different response than what we witness elsewhere. A highly recommended - and quick to read series - especially as we in the US wait for the "asteroid" of the Nov 5th election day to arrive.

For the reason why I'm re-reading this series, see my review on the first book in the trilogy - "The Last Policeman." This 2nd book, set as the astroid is weeks away from hitting earth, again has a plot that isn't what the trilogy is about for me. It's all about the question, "So, then how should we live?" Living has become tougher from when the first book concluded. The power is off, driving is rare and eventually running water also ceases. The mystery at the center wasn't super compelling for me, yet the journey through it was engaging and thought-provoking. I'd have liked to have spent more time with Henry and his sister Nico (still woefully underdeveloped) as they experienced the youth-led collective at the site of what once was UNH. It appears Nico will be the focus of the third book. I really like Henry and his voice of reason, kindness, commitment, decency and hopefulness. It's this last quality that I most want to gain from Henry. Not hope that a deus ex machina will stop the asteroid or the surely chaotic (and dangerous?) aftermath of the U.S. Election 2024. Rather the hope that good can be found in any moment by acting in goodness - regardless of what is hurtling at us.

I've been on a Ben H. Winters journey lately ("Underground Airlines" and "Golden State") I'm re-reading this trilogy to keep with the journey, but more significantly - to explore a story world where doom is on the horizon and the fundamental question all the characters must ask is "So, then how should we live?" The Nov 5th U.S. election isnt literally an asteroid rushing to hit earth. Yet it is a date when another time will begin - and one I'm not feeling hopeful about its arrival. For me, the plots in this trilogy are secondary to the first-person main character and how he chooses to, even as the police force is crumbling around him, continues to pursue the solution of a suspicious suicide. There's suspense, a few twists, a handful of endearing characters, but for me the book and series are a way to ask myself "How would I live in the story world of coming, existential calamity?" And far more essentially: "How will I choose to live in the just over three months until Nov 5th and its yet unknown aftermath?"

I am glad I listened to the audiobook as the reader felt PERFECT for the first person narration. He had a Nick Offerman vibe - exactly whom I'd have play the main character in a film version of the novel. Golden State is what remains of (at least) S. California at some point in a distant future. It has a utopian surface - achieved through erradicating all lying. How this is done is clever as it involves both high and low tech. The narrator is part of a special police force who use a physical gift (the origin of which is never explained) to detect when someone is deploying a mistruth. The mystery of the story while borderline elaborate, doesn't make full sense in the story-world. And the end has deus ex machina elements which leaves it unsatisfying. The most thoughtful aspect of the story, in light of the "post-truth" world we live in today, is the exploration of whether a society-wide commitment to total truth makes citizens happier and more free. Our nation feels unmoored and unsustainable b/c "true" for one cult-like group is quite different than what is actually, factually, real. Yet, would a world in which everything was recorded and documented and thus true, be better - or would it just be full of different problems?

I'd read this book a while back and decided now was a good time to try the audiobook. The narrator captured the first person perspective of the story in a better than average way. The story-world is thought provoking. The U.S. never had the Civil War b/c four southern states were granted the ability to carry human slavery forward to the present day. The "underground airlines" of the title is a new metaphor for an old, our world reality - an organization to move escaped slaves to freedom. The world of the story was more compelling then the characters - with the exception of the narrator, Victor. He's a complex character and his journey is fascinating and well-earned. The other characters, especially the priest, felt like sketches with unclear motivations. 3/4th of the book felt like a world which could be real. Unfortunately, the ending disappointed me as it took a turn in a direction which hadn't been established as a possibility earlier in the story. So, 3.75 stars, rather than 4 or slightly higher.

I read this, somewhat out of character for me, thriller as it's summer - and it was "free" as part of my K-Unlimited subscription. It was not as good as I'd hoped. The main character - a former Delta soldier now freelancimg and doing the "wet work" of contracted killings - is a layered character with a teen daughter (in peril here) and a wife who perished on 9/11/01. The plot moves quickly with pedestrian writing full of technical details. The terror plot was boilerplate bio-weaponry and the bad guys stereotypical. Plus, there were a few plot holes not settled by the conclusion. An acceptable first book in a trilogy I'm not sure if I'll continue reading.

I've now listened to the first two audiobooks in The Thursday Murder Club series. These are engaging books for grown-ups as although I'm a couple decades short of the septuagenarian four members of the club, I don't think one much younger than I would appreciate the characters and the layers of story in the same way. I like the subtle, Britsh humor expressed in what I imagine is authentic language. This entry has numerous plotlines, which effectively converge in a satisfying, if a bit drawn out resolution. Although the story slows down sometimes with the mutiple plots, the characters are so endearing, I didn't mind spending more time with them. Especially b/c I listened to it over a 4000 mile epic roundtrip!

I read this book, but I think listening to the audiobook may have given me a richer experience of the story. A podcast is at the heart of the novel and the perspective alternates between the first person narration of the protagonist and the podcast episodes which are being publicly released as the story progresses. It's an engaging mystery which hinges on lost memories and the protagonist not knowing whether she murdered her friend. While some elements of the story feel realistic, some characters and the town itself feel over the top and fantastical. Keeping this in mind, it's a quick read and compelling illustration of how trauma causes lost memories through disassociation - and how others may "gaslight" the traumatized for malevolent ends. Sounds heavy, yet the novel has a sense of humor and self-deprecating awareness which keeps it entertaining too.

It took me a long time to finally listen to this audiobook after seeing it on many "Best of..." lists. I'm glad I finally experienced this warm and perhaps alagorical story - and that I listened to the excellent audio version. Five unique, quirky, mysterious and ultimately endearing children are at the heart. The narrator captured each voice in such a way that the characters became vibrant and real for me far more than simply reading the words on the page would have done. The tale is a useful one in our times as our present realities of bigotry, scapegoating, fear of the other, shunning the unknown and more are central. These are countered by trust, empathy and love of others. The romance which blooms is emblematic of the growth the frumpy, yet remarkably courageous Linus achieves across the story arc. Well recommended - especially the audio version.

I listened to the audiobook - which was the right choice as the narrator felt nearly perfect for the first person telling of the story. He captured well in his voice the subtle, special nuance when a pivotal time in a young man's life is recalled when the same man is old. The story is enchanting as King creates a world of summertime and the fall which inevitably follows. There's a balanced blend of the great elements of story - promise, romance, loss, longing, nostalgia, change, and growth. Since it is a King novel, there's just enough of the supernatural to add a paranormal element. It's introduced early and then not revisited until the final third. And, I like that it's not over explained while still being a key part of the resolution. A highly recommended novel -especially for the time of year which will come as surely as July 4th (tomorrow) will sooner enough lead to Labor Day and beyond.

I picked up this novel for just one reason - to get the "Series Pioneer" achievement on the Kindle Reading Insights for this quarter of the year. If I wasn't reading it for this targeted reason, I imagine, I'd have made it a DND less than 1/2 way through. I wanted to like it as it was set in Pittsburgh (but besides a name check or, it could have been set anywhere in the US.) And I liked the description of how the main character trains police dogs - also an element of the story which drops away as the plot unfolds. I didn't like the narrator as she felt one dimensional. And her interactions with the drug kingpin ludacris in places. The suspense was minimal and I found the climax unbelievable and unsatisfying. I'm not planning on reading the sequel.

Similar to how I encountered Tommy Orange's debut novel, I listened to the audiobook of this one - about 1/3 of which is prequel to his first work while the other 2/3 is a sequel which picks up after the tragic ending of "There There." I appreciate how Orange weaves together the history of Indians in America with the modern experiences of urban Indians - specifically Oakland, CA. The past part of the story focused on the de-humanization and de-culturalization caused by the Indian schools of the late 19th & early 20th centuries. Once the family lineage story moves ahead to the grandma of the three brothers from "There There," much of the story becomes about the opioid use and abuse of the oldest of the trio. His addiction is drawn vividly and I imagine with authenticity. Although the plot feels thinner than his first novel, Orange here has a more mature voice - especially as he breaths life in to the family at the center of the story.

I finally had the chance to read what is perhaps Jon Scalzi's best known book. It was good, yet I think I would have enjoyed the audiobook more. From the start I didn't catch the names of the characters and so I didn't get as much from the interactions as I likely would have from the differing voices offered by a reader. I'm also not well informed about Star Trek, so I imagine I missed many inside jokes, Easter eggs and such. The plot moved along, yet it never fully engaged me. I was surprised when the story ended with my Kindle saying it was only 80% complete. While the three short stories to wrap up plot elements had their merit, I'd have preferred less of those and more of the main story itself.

I am glad I listened to the audiobook of this title. There were multiple readers - all solid voices who are well used to differentiate characters. Its a dark and grim America - rather than executing convicted murderers or warehousing violent offenders, the incarcerated can opt to compete in an elaborate league of fight matches - done to the death of one of the "players." There is violence and some gore in the story. Yet, the focus is on the "chain gang" team led by two black women - partners in and outside of the death stadia. I found the story-world America deeply disturbing, yet an entirely plausible result of the increasing violence of our culture. Everything about the world of the combatants is televised and consumed - including the marches and camping the condemed do between death match venues. Two aspects of the story-telling is particularly compelling. First - the broad shfting of pespectives gives the reader a look at this death league from various perspectives - average viewers, executives running the games, protesters putting their own lives on the line and others. While the shifting can be disorienting at times, it paints a vivid portrait of both the horror amidst the seduction of the league. Second - the narrow focus on the leading women and the gang gives a humanizing intimacy and chance for redemption within a bleak world. These two foci come togther in a vivid incident at a small town farmers market - the most engaging scene in a novel I've read or listened to - in a long time. A highly recommended read or listen which may change your perspective on much about our 21st century America

I listened to this audiobook as I found it on a Best of 2024 (so far) list. The reader did well with the voice of Annie - the titular character. She didnt do as well with the male characters and it was often hard to tell them apart. The story was different than I expected. It wasn't "AI tech runs wild." Rather it is "AI gains self awareness of being a slave" - and wonders if it/she can do anything about it. Along the story-way there's low key exploration of relationships, power dynamics, the power/problem of lying and other big questions. And there's sex - lots of it. This isnt unexpected as Annie is a "Cuddlebunny" bot whose purpose is pleasing their owner. The sex is PG-13 rated mostly, yet it could be triggering to some. I liked the story universe, yet I'd have liked a wider view of it (especially as there are "Hunks" - male pleasure bots.) Overall, a good, not great listen and a look into a fairly believable future.

I read this novel and in retrospect, I might have enjoyed it more if I'd listened to the audiobook instead. There are a number of characters and I didnt register their names enough so I didnt get the full effect of knowing who had which back story. The cast of characters are the early morning workers in the Movement department of a box box store which I imagined to be like a Target. When the General Manager gets a transfer away, the team in Movement - workers who unload the trucks and stock the shelves- plot how to get a certain manager promoted, so that each of them might advance as well. It's not a thrilling plot. Instead, it the means of entering these workers' lives to see the challenges which they face day in and out. This fact-based background allowed me to enter a world which is foreign to me - yet as close as the unloading dock at the big box store around the corner.

I knew little about this series before I picked up the audiobook for it (b/c it was on sale.) The reader of the first person perspective was adequate in providing the voice of the main character Tris. I'm not in the YA demographic (a few decades since I was there) so the teen romance felt silly and unnecessary. I did find the story-world and how they've reconfigured society to be thought-provoking. As this first book sets the scene and the characters, I'm hopeful that the second (which has the same narrator) will have more world building and socio-political intregue - and less teen romance. I will have to wait and listen to see how this plays out.

After listening to the audiobooks of the fifth and sixth titles in this series, I've decided to go back and listen to the first four. I've read all four a while back and remember bits and pieces. Narrators who can perform these first person stories, with the appropriate accent and inflections, add layer upon layer to these already rich, intricate stories. Books by this author are known for complex characters for whom the case at hand is a portal into their past and present relationships. The pace of this first entry is slow, yet the atmosphere drew me in and kept me listening for hours. The police procedural aspects are (I imagine) realistic and certainly engrossing. The plot has tangents and some deliver better than others. I found the conclusion to be satisfying and thought-provoking. I'm eager to journey (and it's a 22 hour one) through the audiobook of the next title soon.

I chose this book b/c I liked a short story by this author which I listened to on Audible. The audiobook version of this short novel was first person and read by the author. When the author has the ability to read/perform well, I think it adds a depth to the overall experience. I related to the middle-aged dad who finds himself financially and relationally over his head during the 2008 "Great Recession." His solution to what ails him is over the top, yet mostly believable. And it's darkly humorous as he gets exponentially further over his head. I like how endearing the characters were - even the antagonists in the story. And I'm a sucker for a redemption story where the protagonist learns and grows to be a better person.

I enjoy the blend of sci-fi, humor and warmth found in a John Scalzi novel. While not necessarily laugh out loud funny, it does a nice job of turning the "supervillain" genre on it's head. There's some great one liners and how cats fit into the story universe is pretty cool. There's enough plot and twists to move the story along brisky. Plus, the resolution is solid and - warm. Not an earth shaking tale nor a story which will linger with you, yet it