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Showing posts with label Steve Hendrickson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Hendrickson. Show all posts

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Audio Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon: A Minnesota Mystery by Larry Millett

This Sherlock investigation, set in America, is very engaging.
Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon:
A Minnesota Mystery: Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell, Book 1
Written by: Larry Millett
Narrated by: Steve Hendrickson
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
Series: The Minnesota Mysteries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-13-16
Publisher: Listen2aBook.com
Genre: Mystery, Historical
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 (Performance 5.0)


Publisher's Summary
In the summer of 1994, a workman at the historic mansion of railroad baron James J. Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota, stumbles on a long-hidden wall safe. When experts arrive to open the safe and examine its contents, they make an astonishing discovery. There, inside, is a handwritten manuscript bearing the signature of John H. Watson, MD. The manuscript contains the story of how Sherlock Holmes and Watson traveled to Minnesota to track a murderous arsonist - known only as the Red Demon - who is threatening both Hill and his Great Northern Railway.
Set against the backdrop of the real, devastating Hinckley forest fire of 1894, Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon is the tense and atmospheric first novel in Larry Millett's classic series of adventures that brought Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to Minnesota.
©1996 Lawrence Millett (P)2016 Audio-Visceral Productions


Review:
This story begins with an introduction that authenticates the event as a Sherlock Holmes investigation and the journalling as Watson’s account. I was fully drawn in and convinced.

Holmes is approached by the executive to James J. Hill, an American railroad baron. The baron seeks to engage the greatest detective, Sherlock. Holmes of course, to find an arsonist who is threatening to burn a major train line in Minnesota. Holmes and Watson travel to America to begin the investigation. Watson chronicles the trip as well as the investigation once they reach the rustic town of Hinckley.

The initial investigator has gone missing so Holmes traces his steps. He interviews the town marshal who appears to be in someone’s pocket; a woman who owns a bordello just on the edge of town and who is suspect of penning the threatening letters; an obstructive newsman; and an infamous logger who is reminiscent of a pirate. Holmes and Watson face assassin attempts and are rescued by a surprising, backhills character.

The suspects multiply although they are eliminated one by one by Holmes until he uncovers the true demon. He has to race from one town to another, serving as the locomotive coalman/stoker, as he tries to stop the villain. There is good intensity in the race to the end confrontation.

The story is set around a true fire disaster with a description that is horrifyingly tragic. The historic details of the travel, economy, communities and trains is well done and added to the engaging mystery. At times the characters seemed a bit outlandish but they added a bit of humor.
I am not a Sherlockian expert and haven’t read the original series in many years. The story includes many details of observation and deduction attributable to Holmes, and leaves out some of his more notable flaws. It does capture the exasperation that Watson sometimes experiences with Holmes’ volatile and arrogant character.

I enjoyed the mystery and the audible rendition. This would be appropriate for young adult readers/listeners as well as adults. I recommend this to Sherlock and mystery fans.

Audio Notes: I thought Steve Hendrickson did a great job with the narration. He especially captured Holmes’ superior nature and Watson’s frustrations. He provided distinct voices consistent to the other characters too. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Audio-Theatre: The Man Who Murdered His Mother-In-Law

This is a real quickie listen of a fun, ironic story!
The Man Who Murdered His Mother-in-Law
by Jeffrey Hatcher


Narrator: Steve Hendrickson
Publisher/Date: Audio-Visceral, 2012
Formats Available: MP3 Download
Listening time: 35 minutes
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

With Bollinger tastes on a Blatz budget, Gerald & Laura despair over their down-at-heel life until Laura's mother suggests an bizarre and unnerving solution.


Review:
Gerald and Laura have been together for many years. They have a comfortable, if not lavish, life-style living off Laura’s wealthy mother. When ‘mom’ is diagnosed with kidney failure it’s time to make up a new Will. Consulting with the lawyers shows that much of the estate may be eaten up by inheritance taxes unless a creative solution is found. Mom suggests a solution and the ironic twists begin!

Mom and Gerald marry and take off for a retirement community in Florida. At first Gerald and Laura miss each other but soon Laura is busy with house renovations, anticipating the inheritance. Gerald begins to feel affection for Mom, even through the elderly routines.  But unexpected details are revealed and Gerald gets caught in an ironic twist.
This is well worth the listening fun and a bargain on sale at $.99!

Audio Notes: This is a full production performance and very entertaining! It could be called audio drama or Audio Theater. I felt like I was listening to a play or old time radio drama. Steve Hendrickson does a great job with different and appropriate voices and you can easily visualize the expressions of the characters. The background music and sounds are just perfect.

I received this for review from Audio-Visceral Productions through Audiobook Jukebox.

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