February 2003 Audiobook Reviews

Reversible Errors
by Scott Turow, David Birney

Random House Audio

ISBN# 0-7393-0115-2
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 or as low as $1.99 from Amazon.com!

You will enjoy this work much more by listening to the audiobook than by reading it in a hardcover book or paperback. The story got real draggy right off the bat. In this abridged format it is much easier to follow. You can also purchase it in unabridged form on cassette.

The main character is named Rommy "Squirriel" Gandolph. He is on death row for a 1991 triple homicide. He has written to Muriel Whynn, who is a chief deputy in the county. Although the D.A's office believes that he was guilty, the only problem they see is that the judge in the case, Gillian Sullivan, has been in jail and just recently gotten out. She has served her time for taking bribes. Arthur Raven is a corporate lawyer. He has been appointed as Squirrel's attorney. Gillian and Arthur turn over rocks and find politics, crooks and airline executive and a few different types of lawyers crawling out from under them. There is a lot going on here as many people are determined that the Squirrel is going to be executed. Errors are what the lawyers are finding, and there are more than a couple of them.

Turrow's previous books have all been major bestsellers. He knows his law because he a leading Chicago lawyer himself. Turrow has been involved with death penalty cases many times. The turns and twists are expertly described in this complex novel.

Reader David Birney has won awards for his television and film productions. You may remember him from the ill-conceived "Bridget Loves Bernie" from the early 1970's.

Hollywood Tough
by Stephen J. Cannell, Paul Michael

Audio Renaissance

ISBN# 1-55927-868-4
Suggested Retail Price: $25.95 or as low as $1.04 from Amazon.com!

Cannell is one of my favorite authors. I always admired the good scripts that he wrote for the great television show, "The Rockford Files," although there were many other good books and shows, too. Many critics consider his stuff to be pure fluff, but I think he creates great characters, and good yarns.

Shane Sculy is one of the great favorite characters that Cannell readers enjoy. So this time, Detective Scully has gone to a Hollywood party with his new wife. He overhears a famous producer talking about the strange deaths of his two ex-wives. When it becomes clear that the conversation is more than just gossip, it becomes police business. Shane's wife is a very good friend with the newlywed Alexi and her producer spouse.

As Shane begins to look into this producer's past, at his wife's urging, he becomes aware that a mob-type is planning on controlling the Hollywood unions. Shane puts together a sting to catch the mobster. The sting is expensive and elaborate and almost gets out of control.

This exciting audiobook has an involving plot that is well read.

Utopia : A Thriller
by Lincoln Child, Eric Stoltz

Random House Audio

ISBN# 0-7393-0189-6
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 or as low as $7.99 from Amazon.com!

Deep in a canyon in Nevada, a new theme park called "Utopias" has been built. The park is filled with wild rides and cutting-edge robots. It's a "Future Park" and like all oddly-named theme parks (remember the one with the real dinosaurs?), this one is facing problems. There have some serious accidents and they are causing all kinds of problems with the technology. Dr. Andrew Warne, a brilliant computer engineer, is called in to help. He is the man who designed most of the robotics in the park, and they want him to fix the things.

Warner arrives to find that something very frightening is happening. The park's computers have taken control of all of the systems. They are making demands and threatening destruction of the park and all of the people inside. Of course, the park is particularly crowded on this day.

The reader, Eric Stolts, does a great job of taking us into this fictional park that is about to explode. Very exciting stuff, but not a unique idea. Remember the movie "West World" with Yul Brenner? Other plots show clowns, computers and robots going wild. Still, this is one scary audiobook thriller though, and well worth the listen.

Fish! Sticks : A Remarkable Way to Adpat to Changing Times and K
by Stephen C. Lundin, Author, Mara DeMay, Oliver Wyman

Hyperion

ISBN# 1-4013-9668-2
Suggested Retail Price: $24.98 or as low as $9.99 from Amazon.com!

This is a very clever plan for the future for any employee who wants to get ahead. In the first audiobook, listeners learn how people in real life can boost the morale and test the techniques of any kind of business. Even if yours is a home business, this is book you want.

This edition uses the same storyline that was used in the book, "FISH!" We hear how that there are three major commitments for continued success. "Find IT, Live IT! Coach IT!" The "IT!" is the employee's own personal vision that can be found with within the overall vision for the business. There are simple examples provided by this program that can begin to produce improvements in morale immediately. Customer satisfaction and productivity are the aims for both the short term and long term vision for you.

Where There's a Will
by Rex Stout, Michael Prichard

Audio Partners

ISBN# 1-57270-096-3
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 or as low as $16.95 from Amazon.com!

There is nothing like a good old 1940 detective tale that features Nero Wolfe. Those were the days when detectives were not all alike. They had different personalities and peculiarities, and real mysteries to solve. No one is better at this than Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe. Stout wrote 73 mysteries during his career.

Wolfe is the orchid-growing gourmet and eccentric recluse whom we have come to love. The tale is told by Archie Goodwin, Wolfe's assistant and the man who runs down all the clues that are found outside of Wolfe's home. This mystery begins when the very wealthy Mr. Noel Hawthorne dies at the early age of 49. His sisters were furious when they found out that their brother left his money to his mistress. He left a piece of fruit for each of the sisters and that was all. As it turns out, of course, the death was not an accident. Nero and Archie stumble into a very good mystery.

I am really hooked on these audiobook mysteries read by Prichard courtesy of publisher Audio Editions.

China Run
by David W. Ball, George Guidall

Recorded Books

ISBN# 1-4025-2569-9
Suggested Retail Price: $99.00 or as low as $69.99 from Amazon.com!

China Run is a sad tale about Allison Truk and her nine year-old stepson, Tyler. There are five other American families involved. They have all traveled to China to adopt children. Allison receives her new baby and spends a few happy hours bonding with the infant. In the middle of the night, the families are informed that they must return their babies who are all healthy. The will be exchanged for unhealthy children. Should the families obey or try to run with their healthy babies?

Lots of excitement and tension in this believable story. How do they elude the Chinese police? They run, and you are in for an excitement adventure that will touch your heart.

Check out www.recordedbooks.com for information regarding their rental program that puts complete and excellently recorded books into your hands. You get free shipping and the offer to buy these titles which are always unabridged and beautifully recorded.

I also checked out "Slow Dollar" by Margaret Maron, and found that this best author has taken me into an exciting story about annual Harvest Festival being held in North Carolina. Everyone is having fun and then a brutally murdered body is found.

Deborah Knot is a lawyer, a district judge, and the sleuth who investigates this murder. There are a lot of dark secrets to dig out from the family that owns this carnival. It's a good plot and the narration is splendid. The presentation is worth giving this audiobook a try.

There are many more titles to check out and when you get their catalog (you can call 1-800-618-1304 and request one.) You will see a lot of audiobooks you will want to hear.