Edwin Thomas (1) (1977–)

I’ve listened to a couple of podcast books in the past, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an audio book. To be honest, it was a pleasant experience.

Secrets of the Dead is NOT the type of book, by that I mean paperback or ebook, that I would normally read. It’s too big worded for me, and there are too many foreign words. I’d stumble over the pages and quickly loose interest. However, listening to someone read the book was totally different. The narrator, Francis Greenslade, show more was excellent. He is easy to listen to and he made those difficult words blend in to the story and brought a complicated plot to life. I was impressed ... and I learned the pronunciation of numerous words from him!

The book itself is actually two stories running parallel to each other -- one historical and one present day. I felt the historical content was well researched and totally convincing. I ‘believed’ in the characters and the events. The only drawback was the flashbacks. After a while I found them a little annoying (even if the content of the flashbacks did move the story forward). The present day storyline was also convincing, although it took me longer to settle into this side of the book. It wasn’t the characters that troubled me (those I accepted straight away), it was the events taking place. Some things seemed too convenient. Anyway, I remember thinking I’d hate to get caught up in anything similar to what was happening to Abby Cormac. I’d be terrified. Both stories were a type of murder mystery and had certain factors that tied them together.

Overall, I’d be more than willing to ‘read’ another audio book. It’s the perfect way of discovering new authors and new genres. I’m glad I gave Secrets of the Dead a chance, and while I know I would never read an actual printed book by the author, I certainly would listen to another audio book written by him. show less

I am a a lover of all maritime and Napoleonic wars fiction and I have to say, although this first installment in the series is a bit lighter and not as serious as many others, this is truly a delightful romp and nothing but swashbuckling fun. This book has everything you need for jolly good entertainment. Action, adventure, romance, espionage, intrigue, mystery, mischief and mayhem. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. !! Wonderful real believable characters, a hero you just have to love with all show more his charm, failures and flaws, a story you can't put down from page one to the end. Bravo for Edwin Thomas show less

I love Martin Jerrold. He has all sorts of outrageous adventures, but is a normal guy, no super-hero. He, quite sensibly, doesn't want to risk his life. He'd rather have a good drink and a woman than fight battles. Sometimes the odd people in books who seem to have no fear and be willing to face death at the drop of a hat can pall. Who is really like that, after all???

This time out things are a bit more serious even though the task seems simple enough... Jerrold is to carry a letter-packet show more to the New World. After his last adventures, he's managed to annoy a number of powerful politicians and Royals and military folk, so getting out of the country for a spell is a good idea. Mr. Nevell of the Post Office has had the original messenger waylaid and the letter taken. They cannot open the letter since it's cleverly sealed, but Nevell says there's a possible conspiracy in the works and Jerrold just needs to deliver the letter and see if he can foil the plot.

Jerrold find himself in sea battles against a Spanish ships, dealing with a beautiful but deadly young lady and her rich and powerful father, having agents out to steal the letter--or kill him-- along the way to Pittsburgh, and involved in a conspiracy that leads him into the wilderness and down the Mississippi, led by the charismatic Aaron Burr...

This time out, Jerrold seems a bit more resigned to the adventures that keep him occupied, whether he wants them or not. He also seems to be growing a bit through the experience, also whether he wants to or not. Yet he's still very human, which is what I like about him.

I sincerely hope the author manages to sell more books in this exciting and amusing series. show less

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3766044.html

Decent thriller set in a slightly fictional Arctic research centre, where our protagonist arrives to find his boss mysteriously dead and everything in increasing disarray. Like a lot of these books, the plot depends a bit on crucial coincidence and lucky escape, and there is an sfnal McGuffin at the end which justifies the means and motivation of the bad guys, but it's entertaining enough.