Thursday, October 6, 2016

Apprentice in Death and Without Mercy


APPRENTICE IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
◊ Series: In Death, Book #43
◊ Narrator: Susan Ericksen
MP3 CD
◊ Listening Length: 13 hours and 6 minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher: Brilliance Audio
◊ Audible.com Release Date: September 6, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊ ISBN- 10: 1511367458
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1511367455

SYNOPSIS:

Lieutenant Eve Dallas returns in a fast-paced new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author J. D. Robb.
Nature versus nurture...

The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people were dead at Central Park's ice skating rink. The victims: a talented young skater, a doctor, and a teacher. As random as random can be.
Eve Dallas has seen a lot of killers during her time with the NYPSD, but never one like this. After reviewing security videos, it becomes clear that the victims were killed by a sniper firing a tactical laser rifle, who could have been miles away when the trigger was pulled. And though the locations where the shooter could have set up seem endless, the list of people with that particular skill set is finite: police, military, professional killer.
Eve's husband, Roarke, has unlimited resources - and genius - at his disposal. And when his computer program leads Eve to the location of the sniper, she learns a shocking fact: There were two - one older, one younger. Someone is being trained by an expert in the science of killing, and they have an agenda. Central Park was just a warm-up. And as another sniper attack shakes the city to its core, Eve realizes that though we're all shaped by the people around us, there are those who are just born evil....


I don’t know how she manages to create such tension and suspenseful storylines time after time but author J.D. Robb continues to sizzle with her 43rd installment in her In Death Series.

Narrator Susan Ericksen gives a stirring performance as she brings these characters to life. Her accents and mannerisms enhance the spine-tingling thriller. Ericksen’s timing and tone are spot on especially as the tense increases adding depth to the story.

The author has a flare for making the future seem like the present. Through her rich descriptions and vivid details, the setting comes to life.

The characters are well-developed and likable. Returning fans will see the growth the protagonist has made in her own life. The secondary cast of characters continue to strength making the story flow smoothly. Intense and adrenaline-fueled, the story takes twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Robb continues to show the lengths people will go to for what they believe. APPRENTICE IN DEATH is a gripping story that deals with revenge and hate while highlighting friendship and love of family.

Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb, In Death series (Book #43), Narrated by Susan Ericksen, Brilliance Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1511367455, Unabridged, MP3 CD, Run Time: 13 Hours and 6 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.

WITHOUT MERCY: A Body Farm Novel by Jefferson Bass
◊ Series: A Body Farm Novel, Book #10
◊ Narrator: Tom Stechschulte
Audible Audio Edition
◊ Listening Length: 10 hours and 13 minutes
◊ Program Type: Audiobook
◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
◊ Version: Unabridged
◊ Publisher: HarperAudio
◊ Audible.com Release Date: October 4, 2016
◊ Language: English
◊ ASIN: BO1IIGTI96

SYNOPSIS:

In the most suspenseful installment of the New York Times best-selling Body Farm series to date, forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton investigates a bizarre murder - and confronts a deadly enemy he thought he'd put behind bars for good.
Forensic anthropologist Bill Brockton has spent 25 years solving brutal murders - but none so horrific and merciless as his latest case: A ravaged set of skeletal remains is found scattered in the woods of nearby Cook County. They are all that is left of a victim who had been chained, hand and foot, to a tree on a remote mountainside. The bones tell Brockton and his longtime graduate assistant, Miranda, that the victim was a young male under the age of thirty. As they dig deeper to establish his identity, they uncover warning signs that long-simmering hatred is about to explode into violence, engulfing the region in chaos.
But the shocking case is only the beginning of Brockton's trials. In the middle of the troubling investigation, the unthinkable happens. The most frightening and deadliest criminal Brockton has ever foiled - the sadistic serial killer Nick Satterfield - escapes from prison, bent on wreaking vengeance. And he's had nearly 20 years to plan.
Simply killing Brockton isn't enough. Satterfield wants to make his nemesis suffer first, by destroying everything Brockton holds dear: his son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandsons and even Miranda, who's now on the verge of completing her PhD and launching a forensic career of her own.
Barraged by dangers striking from all directions, haunted by the ghosts of old cases, and desperate to save those he loves, Brockton finds himself slipping closer to the abyss. Pushed to the edge, he is forced to question the two pillars that have guided his life and his entire career - the justice system and the quality of mercy. Can the two truly coexist?
If he cannot reconcile these principles, which will Brockton choose in his ultimate moment of truth?
A harrowing, thoughtful, and provocative tale that explores what happens when one honorable, rational man is tested beyond all measure, Without Mercy is a powerful exploration that raises uneasy questions about justice and revenge, compassion and principle, the desire to kill and the will to survive.

This is a story that blends science and police procedures into an intriguing and suspenseful tale.

Narrator Tom Stechschulte does an excellent job giving distinct voices to these characters. His mannerism is spot on enhancing this enthralling story.

The story is a good mix of suspense and details of anthropology without bogging you down in precious details. Moving at a good pace, the story has twists and turns that will hold your attention from beginning to end. While some facts are disturbing and dark, the story includes bits of humor and friendship for a good balance.

The characters are likable and well-developed. The setting moves around a bit but is easy to follow. Full descriptions make you feel you’re in the setting.

WITHOUT MERCY is a gripping story that deals with revenge, captivity and the evil that sometimes overtakes man.

Without Mercy by Jefferson Bass, A Body Farm Novel (Book #10), Narrated by Tom Stechschulte, HarperAudio, @2016, ASIN: BO1IIGTI96, Unabridged, Audible Audio Edition, Run Time: 10 Hours and 13 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.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out one or both of these fascinating audios. If you’re not into listening to stories, both books come in print and eBook formats also. Are you a fan of either series? Have you ever heard of the real Body Farm in Tennessee?

7 comments:

  1. I still haven't gone the audio route - but know both of these authors through print. Very different, both very gripping.

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  2. The first one perks my interest. Forty-third in the series? Whoa...

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  3. It is amazing, isn't it, Mason, that the J.D.Robb In Death series has gone on as long as it has. She certainly has had a lot of success! Thanks for sharing these.

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  4. I definitely have heard of the body farm! I'm all about true crime, and find forensic anthropologists fascinating, so #2 would be more on my level. They both sound good, though.

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  5. How exciting! My first novel will be coming out in audio. I can't wait to hear it. :)
    Great reviews! J D Robb is one of my favorites!

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  6. Big Jefferson Bass fan here! And yes, not only have I heard of the Body Farm I've been outside the gates to it. A cop friend was trying to get us a visit there but I didn't have time to schedule it since I had to get back home to L.A.

    I've driven past where the body farm is as this is the area where I lived before I came to L.A. In fact, when I was in college at the University of Tennessee Knoxville back in the early 70's, I had Dr. Robert Bass (the forensic brain behind the Jefferson Bass writing team) as a professor in my Anthropology 101 class. He was a great teacher and a very entertaining lecturer.

    I've read most of their books except this one I guess. It's quality forensic crime mystery.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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