Sunday, July 6, 2014

The Old Blue Line and The Cursed


I have two enjoyable audio books to share with you today. One is a novella, the 15.5 installment in the Joanna Brady series, and the other is the 12th installment in the Krewe of Hunters series.

THE OLD BLUE LINE by J.A. Jance

The Old Blue Line coverThis interesting novella by author J.A. Jance ends all too quickly. It’s an intriguing story you can easily get caught up in.

Narrator James Eckhouse does a great job giving the various characters their own unique voice. His interruption of the characters’ emotions and the setting enhances the author’s already captivating story.

Butch Dixon, owner of the Roundhouse Bar and Grill, finds himself the prime suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. He hasn’t seen or talk to his ex in quite some time, but evidence is showing a different story.

Turning to an old friend for help, Butch soon finds himself being helped by member of the Old Blue Line. He learns the group of retired law enforcement and legal professionals may be old, but they’re tenacious, cunning and a force that gets to the truth.

THE OLD BLUE LINE can be listened to/read on its own. For fans of Jance’s Sheriff Joanna Brady series, this will be an added bonus learning a bit of backstory about the sheriff’s husband before they were married.

It’s a fast moving story with well-developed characters. The story flows smoothly and the author’s vivid descriptions places you in the middle of the action.

The Old Blue Line by J.A. Jance, Joanna Brady Series Book #15.5, Performed by James Eckhouse, Harper Audio, @2014, ASIN: B00KQTOMAO, Unabridged, Digital Downloadable, Listening Time: 1 Hour and 56 Minutes. 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

THE CURSED by Heather Graham

The Cursed coverA haunted house in Key West, a notorious smuggling ring, long-lost treasure, and paranormal investigating federal agents make for an intriguing thriller in author Heather Graham’s THE CURSED.

Luke Daniels does a superb job narrating this suspenseful mystery. His cadence and mannerisms give each character their own unique voice to the point it seems there’s more than one reader. His interruption adds depth to the drama of this fascinating story.

Hannah O’Brien owns and operates a B&B in Key West and has the unique ability to not only see the two resident ghosts, but communicate with them as well. After a man is murdered in the alley behind her B&B, he comes to Hannah as a ghost asking for help.

Meanwhile, FBI Agent Dallas Samson makes Hannah’s life difficult when he begins questioning how she knows the things she knows. Dallas knows the dead man was an uncover agent trying to get inside information on a smuggling ring known as Los Lobos, the wolves.

It turns out Hannah has a connection to Los Lobos, since their leader believes there’s a long-lost treasure hidden in her B&B and he will stop at nothing to get it. Things really heat up when Hannah’s cousin Kelsey and her partner arrive in town. They are members of the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, an elite unit of paranormal investigators. It seems Dallas has been on their radar for some time and there may be more to him than he’s telling.

While this is a paranormal mystery featuring ghosts, the author presents it in such a manner it will quickly seem plausible. The characters are well-developed and likable. The story flows at a steady pace and smoothly.

THE CURSED is a good mix of suspense, Key West legends, humor, murder, and romance blended together for a captivating story. Even though this is the 12th installment in the Krewe of Hunters series, it can be listened to/read on its own with new readers being left in the dark.

The Cursed by Heather Graham, Krewe of Hunters Book #12, Performed by Luke Daniels, Brilliance Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1469221755, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Listening Time: 9 Hours and 1 Minute 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you’re continuing to enjoy a fun-filled holiday weekend (no matter where you live). Have you ever stayed in a haunted B&B? Do you enjoy learning the various legends of the area you’re visiting when on vacation?

*This post contains affiliate links.

8 comments:

  1. Guess I'd have to go way back in both series...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, not necessary. Both of these books can be read on their own. In fact, this was my first time reading any of the Krewe of Hunters series and I enjoyed it.

      Delete
  2. I enjoyed The Old Blue Line. It was good to see how it all began for Dutch.

    Dru

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dru, it was fun learning a bit about about the backstory.

      Delete
  3. must be strange sharing a name with a Hollywood actress....

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really want to read both of these. The one because I have a crazy imagination, because I figured I would be an ex-wife murdered. Ha ha. No good reason either.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think I'd enjoy The Cursed. Thanks for sharing these.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I sometimes wish novellas would keep going. I appreciate that they're a fast read and some of them continue with a sequel.

    I think I have some of Graham's books in my collection.

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.