Audiobook Review: The Instructor by T.R. Hendricks

 

The Instructor (Derek Harrington #1) by T.R. Hendricks

Publication Date: April 11th 2023 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 320

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 45min

Narrator: Jay Snyder

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Former Marine, Derek Harrington, is getting by but at a low point in his life, separated from his wife and son after PTSD and anger issues came between them. Now he’s working on getting them back, seeing a therapist and teaching wilderness survival courses. He’s approached by what appears to be an extremist anti-government group to teach their men to deal with threats and aggression for a hefty amount of money. His alarm bells go off and so Derek initially refuses the offer. Just to be on the safe side Derek tells an FBI buddy his concerns and that buddy has a proposal of his own. Go back and agree to train this group and find out if they’re something the FBI needs to worry about.

The training methods Derek uses sounded harrowing, and if that’s what marines actually go through my heart goes out to them! I guess it would be necessary when going up against the monsters out there in the world.

The Instructor was action-packed, gripping and suspenseful! I was worried for Derek. He was up against some formidable foes, but he was clever, resourceful, and determined! Kind of like a Jason Bourne character! I’ve backpacked and camped in the past and found the survival techniques mentioned interesting and useful.  The story wraps up mostly, but there were threads left open for more stories to come. I look forward to the next one!

I listened to the audio version of the story. Jay Snyder had a deep, masculine voice that I thought was perfect for Derek. He performed the female voices well, too. I definitely recommend the story and the audio version! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Dive into The Instructor , former Army intelligence officer T. R. Hendricks' fast paced, action-packed debut thriller that's Jack Reacher meets Survivorman , the first novel in the Derek Harrington series!

“Packed with action, tension, and humanity, The Instructor delivers.”
—Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Burner , a Gray Man Novel

Derek Harrington, retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor, is barely scraping by teaching the basics of wilderness survival. His fledgling bushcraft school is on the cusp of going out of business and expenses are piling up fast. His only true mission these days? To get his ailing father into a full care facility and to support his ex-wife and their son.

When one of his students presents him with an opportunity too good to be true—$20,000 to instruct a private group for 30 days in upstate New York—Derek reluctantly takes the job, despite his reservations about the group's insistence on anonymity. But it isn't long before the training takes an unexpected turn—and a new offer is made.

Reaching out to an FBI contact to sound his concerns, Derek soon finds himself in deep cover, deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When what he wants becomes Derek's head, the teacher is pitted against his students as Derek races against time to stop what could very well be the first attack by the domestic terrorist cell.

Sunday Post #203

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

Spring has finally arrived and we've had some warmer days, but the temps will be dropping again this week with some rain. We took advantage of the nicer weather by exploring some of the local attractions. Went to gardens about 30 minutes from our house and we were a little early for all the spring tulips and wisteria, but we did see lots of pansies, hyacinths, and camellias which were very pretty. I'd like to go back in a few weeks because the tulips are supposed to be beautiful.  

We also went to Bridgeport Bridge, an old covered toll bridge built in 1862. We hiked around the river a bit and then went to lunch. It was gorgeous with so many poppies, wild iris, lupins and redbud all over the hills.

Bridgeport Bridge over the Yuba River

Inside the bridge

Yuba River

Next week is going to be busy. There's been some drama at work over the last couple of months with a co-worker, not with me personally, but in our department. Long story. She was supposed to work on Friday, but was canceled and they asked me to work an extra day next week to cover her shift. Not sure what's going on.  I also have two doctors appointments next week. I'll be happy when the week is over. 

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

I think I need to try another Lynn Painter story because while I enjoyed the humor, chemistry and banter I felt the conflict, why they couldn't be together, was weak. I went back and read reviews and quite a few other readers said this wasn't their favorite Painter story. I enjoyed Blind Spots, a sci-fi mystery with an original premise. I grabbed The Instructor after seeing it featured on Carole's Sunday Post. I listened to the story in a 24-hr period. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Acquired a library audio of The Hope of Azure Springs after seeing Lark's praise. Loved it!

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

I'm a fan of the Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber so I was thrilled to get a copy of the newest. Dead of Winter was a "read now" email from Netgalley so I quickly grabbed it up. Downloaded The Instructor and The Hope of Azure Springs this last week and read *listened* to them right away.

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Review: Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen

 

Blind Spots by Thomas Mullen

Publication Date: April 4th 2023 by Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 320

Audiobook Length: 10hrs 23min

Narrator: Gary Tiedemann

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Mark Owens lives in a futuristic world where the world’s population went blind in the span of 75 days, a nightmarish situation that is now the new norm. Science came up with a way to see through “vidders” a mechanical appendage that interacts with our brains to let humans “see” again, but that wasn’t before the world suffered so much turmoil.

Mark Owens has been a cop/detective before and after the event that nearly ended the world and he’s had to live with the memories of policing through the darkness and chaos before sight was “restored”. Now, there’s a new threat when a murder witness claims that her colleague was murdered by a dark spot, a void in the vision of the vidders. Mark and his partner have serious doubts over the validity of her story, but when Mark witnesses the phenomenon with his own “eyes” he starts a dangerous investigation. His teammates and partner doubt his sanity, but Mark knows what he saw.

On the personal side of things, Mark is still reeling from his wife’s suicide two years earlier while navigating a romantic entanglement with a newer officer, Amira. She feels his grief and regret, and wonders if they have a future. Amira also becomes embroiled in the investigation and isn’t quite sure who to believe.

Blind Spots was part science fiction/end-of-the-world-scenario, part mystery with just a little bit of romance. It was an original concept, one that was easy to picture and settle into even with all the futuristic elements. Having the whole world succumb to blindless within the span of 75 days was an unsettling prospect, but not one that felt totally out of the realm of possibility after the pandemic we’ve lived through. I was rooting for Mark as he searched for the truth as he battled the doubt and suspicion.

It was an engrossing mystery, one that kept me guessing. It all comes together in a satisfying conclusion, but it left me thinking of the real-life possibilities. The what ifs…

I alternately listened to and read an e-copy and can recommend either version. Gary Tiedemann is a new-to-me-narrator and I thought he did a wonderful job performing all characters, male and female. A definite recommend! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

4 Stars

Book Description:

A riveting crime novel with a speculative edge about the ways our perceptions of reality can be manipulated.

Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of months. Technology helped people adjust to the new normal, creating a device that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people’s brains. But what happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what people see?

Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blinding. When a scientist is murdered, and the only witness insists the killer was blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn’t believe her―until a similar murder happens in front of him. With suspects ranging from tech billionaires to anti-modernity cultists―and with the bodies piling up―Owens must conduct an investigation in which he can’t even trust his own eyes.

Thomas Mullen, the acclaimed author of Darktown and The Last Town on Earth , delivers an unputdownable crime novel about one man's search for truth in a world of surveillance and disinformation that’s all too recognizable.

About the author:

Thomas Mullen, the acclaimed author of The Last Town on Earth and Darktown, delivers an unputdownable crime novel that could only happen during this particular moment in time, perhaps just a few years into the future.

Connect with Thomas Mullen:

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters

 

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters

Publication Date: March 28th 2023 by Berkley

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Countess Amelia Amesbury has taken many changes in her life in stride, from becoming countess, mother and then widower. Her secret occupation answering letters as Lady Agony for a London newspaper has been a welcome distraction. She finds giving frank, useful advice, with a little bit of cheek and fun to be fulfilling.  However, one of her writers claims to know of a murder, her mistress, and when Amelia goes to meet her to find out how to help, she finds the poor woman dead.  Amelia’s determined to find out who murdered the lady’s maid and her mistress.

With the help of a family friend, the Marquis Simon Bainbridge, Amelia sets out to find the murderer, hunting down clues and asking questions. Her investigation does not go unnoticed and soon she finds herself facing danger and threats to unmask her identity as Lady Agony, something that risks the reputation of her young stepdaughter and the family name.

I enjoyed Murder in Postscript overall. The letters were fun, the plot was entertaining, and I liked the relationship between Amelia and Simon that hints at a romance to come. I did struggle with the writing style with a lot of telling instead of showing. It made it hard to feel fully immersed in the story, being told of things instead of “experiencing” them through the characters. Also, the dialogue didn’t feel natural in spots. Still, with these issues I did like the story overall and I look forward to the next one.

3.5 Stars

Book Description:

When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.

Amelia Amesbury—widow, mother, and countess—has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady’s maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered—and then ends up a victim herself—Amelia is determined to solve the case.

With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London’s docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation—and her life—on the line.

Sunday Post #202

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

This week was busy but not as stressful as last week. Work was less of a nightmare. We had several days of rain but also a few days of higher temps and glorious sunshine. Today it was in the upper 60s and we did a bunch of yardwork. I listened to an audiobook ARC I forgot I downloaded in February and loved it!

Wild Daffodils in the garden

I'm on Brenda Novak's mailing list and follow her on Instagram and so I've seen her plans for a across country book release tour for The Seaside Library and noticed on Wednesday that she'd be having her launch party in Loomis, California the next day, which is only about 35 minutes from my house, so my husband and I decided to go. I binge read The Seaside Library (sooo good!) the next day before the launch party and off we went. She and her husband refurbished an old Airstream trailer into a bookmobile for the tour and had it there for the party. It was fun and I got a few signed copies of her books!

Brenda Novak's book mobile

Brenda recounting publishing milestones

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

I'll have my review for I Have Some Questions For You, The Seaside Library and Murder in Postscript up this week. I posted my review of The Soulmate (loved) last week.

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Was reminded to grab this one up after seeing Anne's review. Looking forward to it!

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Audiobook Review: The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

 

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Publication Date: April 4th 2023 by Macmillan Audio

Pages: 336

Audio Book Length: 7hrs 44min

Narrators: Barrie Kreinik & Jessica Douglas-Henry

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Gabe and Pippa Gerard bought the seaside house overlooking the ocean without realizing that it was a popular spot for suicide jumpers. Gabe has since talked several out of jumping. He’s good looking, and charismatic, so it wasn’t surprising he’d be good at changing their mind. However, now a woman succeeds despite Gabe’s efforts, and this opens a whole can of worms, because Gabe knew the woman.

The story is told through Pippa Gerard, Gabe’s wife, and Amanda the dead woman, both in before and after chapters. I liked both women, which was nice because lately thrillers seem to be filled with unlikeable characters making it hard for me to completely enjoy. While neither were perfect, I felt for them and could understand their motivations, even when I didn’t always agree with their actions. I think Pippa’s story touched me just a little more.

The Soulmate was riveting from the first page! I listened to the entire book in one day, not able to stop because I had to know how it all turned out! There are several twists, and most I didn’t guess correctly, but had me thinking back on scenes and thinking “ah, that’s why…” I’m still thinking about the story making think I need to look up more by Sally Hepworth!

I listened to the audio version narrated by Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry. I’ve enjoyed Barrie Kreinik’s narration in the past and loved her performance of Pippa’s POV! Her Australian accent is lovely to listen to. Jessica Douglas-Henry’s performance of Amanda was also well done. I highly recommend the audio version! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Get ready for a thrilling, addictive novel about marriage, betrayal, and the secrets that push us to the edge in Sally Hepworth's The Soulmate.

There’s a cottage on a cliff. Gabe and Pippa’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Night after night Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge. Until he doesn’t.

When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral...Did the victim jump? Was she pushed?

And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate...lie? As the perfect facade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel.

Sunday Post #201

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week. I'm also linking up to The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance @Readerbuzz.

This last week was tiring. Work was crazy. Tuesday I was overtime waiting for the cardiologist to supervise two outpatient tests. Can't run them without a Dr. present. He was talking and talking in the other room to a higher up, making us all wait!!  All the while snow was piling up outside! I didn't have the car with chains, because snow wasn't forecasted and my husband drove it down south. We had over a foot of snow fall. Thankfully, they plowed the hospital parking lot right before I left and I was able to get out of there. I couldn't get to my house because the roads were so bad so I went to my sister's (about 20 miles south of me) because the highway was all downhill and I had a better chance of making it to her house. I made it there, spent the night, and the snow melted enough the next day that I was able to get home by the afternoon. 

Snow piling up outside the hospital

Most of the snow has melted so I was able to get out and walked 3 miles. Everything is green! We did yard work planting several boxwood in front of the garage. I want to plant star jasmine there as well, but didn't have room in the car for all the plants and dirt. Will have to make another trip. 

Spring buds on my walk

Strange napping positions, lol.

Read:

(Click on cover for Goodreads link)

Skin and Bones was a novella in the Mike Bowditch series. I'm catching up after grabbing a "read now" for the latest installment. I listened to The Shop on Royal Street (book one of the series) after receiving an invite or book two. I wanted to make sure I liked the series before accepting. The story was really good and I'm looking forward to the next one. I do recommend reading book one first as there's an ongoing story arc. Hexed is a re-read for me for the read-along hosted by Anne @Books of My Heart. Such a fun series! I recommend the audios. Luke Daniels makes the series come to life!

Received/Purchased/Library Lend:

Yep, I downloaded a bunch, but I'm excited about every one of these stories! I better start reading fast.

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