Beloved Enemy – Eric Van Lustbader

This is the third book in Eric Van Lustbader’s Jack McClure series. Narrated by Peter Berkrot, this performer does a great job with the voices of all the characters and their many accents. Peter is really the strength of this audiobook. I started this series and really enjoyed the first two books. They involved the Presidents Daughter and her interaction with Jack McClure. Circumstances have come to pass since the previous book that has put Jack on the run. The government thinks he has murdered the Secretary of Homeland Security Dennis Paul and are trying to kill him. Enemies from the previous two books are looking for revenge and his love Annika Demertieva may once again lead to his downfall. Jack is looking for the real killer as he is himself the hunted.

Several story lines converge in this book that involve issues and characters from the first two books. There is a lot of action but the story did not grab me or keep me interested. It’s almost a where are they now filler book for what I hope is a better 4th book. 

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Clay – Tony Bertauski

Narrated by David Dietz this science fiction novel is performed in an clear and  emotional form that presents the writers prose well. The story isn’t so far out of reality. This book follows Tony’s previous book in this series Halfskin. Biomites are enhanced cells that when added to humans enhance their abilities. They can give special computer like abilities to a users vision, vocabulary, strength and stamina. Some are given a boost at birth and can continue to receive boosts until they reach 49.9% biotite. Once over the 50% threshold the person is no longer considered human and forgoes all their rights, such as living. The government can kill you as soon as the catch you and it’s not murder, because you are not human. This is the basis for the adventure of this story. What if 49.9% wasn’t enough to keep you alive. What would you do? 

Along comes Nixes, black market bio mites not detectable by the Government. So many things going on in this book you have to listen to catch them all. I recommend Clay for a fun listen. I have questions but that is what makes science fiction fun.

Birth of an Assassin – Rik Stone

A book about Russia, that takes place in Russia with an English Narrator. Dennis Kleinman does an excellent job with the Narration but I would have preferred Soviet Accented Voice. That being said up front, Tim Stone has written an excellent book. I listen and see the books as a movie in my mind. This would be a great movie. The twists, deception and betrayal is legendary. This is one of the few books after listening to the audiobook I want to read the book again on paper.

A young Russian boy who is small and a threat to know one has a dream of being a soldier. He is Jewish but wants nothing more than to serve the Motherland. He is chosen by a General to be part of a secret program. He is taught in all the ways of the Special Forces fighting and weaponry. He is placed in the field of battle and excels. After being trained in intelligence he works a normal government job while spying on his own military for the military. It sounds confusing but really is explained and told in a way that is easy to follow.

I was surprised at how invested I was as a listener to the characters. I highly recommend this audiobook. 

Better to Rest – Dana Stabenow

This is Dana Stabenow’s 4th book in the Liam Campbell series. Narrated by for the 4th time by Marguerite Gavin. I can’t say enough about this series. I love the glimpse into the Alaskan bush, the small town feel, and how centuries pass where very little changes.

This book involves another death in the small town and a mystery that may go back 60 years. When hunters stumble upon a plane crash and bring back a severed hand holding a gold piece Liam must secure a scene that is unreachable by humans due to glacier ice. Sounds easy until others hear there may be gold on the glacier and are willing to Rick their life to reach it.

Liam also having been promoted to Seargent after closing a major case in the previous book must choose to stay in his small town or move to Ancorage. This affects his personal and professional life and weighs heavy on his mind and heart throughout the book.

If you are a Liam Campbell fan you will enjoy this book as it wraps up many story lines from the three previous books. 

So as to not promote spoilers please read the previous 3 books “Fire and Ice”, “So Sure of Death”, and “Nothing Gold Can Stay”. All of which may be purchased at Audible.com

Nothing Gold Can Stay – Dana Stabenow

Nothing Gold Can Stay is the third book in the Liam Campbell series. Set in the Alaskan Bush you get a sense of the people and atmosphere of the small community. Marguerite Gavin once again brings the characters to life and the feel of the community comes across in her performance. 

Dana Must Love Robert Frost because her book titles come from the Names of his Poems or phrases within his poems.  

This book and the series as a whole could be titled “Love and Murder and Murder and Murder”. I for one will not visit the Alaskan Outback because there are just too many dead people. 

I like the character interaction and the real life drama but I hope that maybe there are other crimes in Liam Campbell’s future. 

Dana is a good writer and I enjoy here stories. I am more intrigued by the relationships than the solving of the crimes. That is the Gold in this series.

So Sure Of Death – Dana Stabenow

This is the second book in the Liam Campbell series. We pick up right after the first book ends “Fire and Ice”. This book is Narrated by Marguerite Gavin. The ability to voice each character, accents included, is done excellently.

It seems death and murder is an everyday occurrence in the Alaskan Bush. This time Trooper Campbell must solve the brutal murder of 8 people who were burned and left to the elements and the Ocean on a burned out boat left afloat on the water. Who would kill a family and crew, and most important to the community and Liam is Why?

I like these adventures and descriptions of Alaskan Life. The books keep a good pace and keep me interested and wanting to listen to the rest of the story.

There is crime, love, loss, and betrayal in this audiobook. Enjoy at Audible.com 

The Last Snow – Eric Van Lustbader

Eric Van Lustbader’s send book in the Jack McClure series is a step up from his first book The Last Daughter. This thriller takes place in Russia as Jack accompanies the President travels to Moscow. Jack is the Presidents closest ally and confidant. Jack makes a split second decision to get involved with defending a Russian Woman and is drawn into what could become an international incident.

When the President’s Daugter is left in his custody he must protect her while solving a mystery before the President signs a new agreement with Russia.

It is a mile a minute thrill ride and Richard Ferrone does an amazing job with the characters in this series. As an advid audiophile I appreciate a narrator who stays with a series from book to book. This is a great book to listen to and I am excited to start the next book in this series.

I bought this book for my own pleasure and provide this Honest Review for my readers.