Disappointed

I am an avid Michael Connelly reader/listener and have up until this particular book thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Bosch series. I felt that Burt Reynolds narration of 'Angels Flight' to be very hard work and disappointing, I struggled at the best of times to understand where the storyline was going having to repeat chapters in most cases for not being able to undstand what he was saying. The book itself still a very good read I just wish it had been read by someone else and I hope that the next book will be a better listen.

3 people found this helpful

Poor narration

Narration by Burt Reynolds made for difficult listening. He kept mixing up voices of the characters, making you wonder who was supposed to be speaking. He also kept giving different characters a rather poor southern drawl one moment and none the next. Really the producer should have got him to re-record the errors. I've listened to many Michael Connelly books in the Bosch series and previous narrations have been really excellent. The story is as good as any written by Mr Connelly but I wouldn't listen to one narrated by Burt again. Sorry Burt. The occasional background music was also a little too loud at times interspersed with chimes which sounded like my doorbell, rather frustrating as I kept getting up to answer the door. Still, it's a good story and once you get used to Burt, it's worth keeping on till the end.

1 person found this helpful

Do not bother

Thankfully this was not the first Michael Connelly audio book I have listened to, otherwise the narration by Burt Reynolds would have deterred me from listening further. The storyline and plot for this novel are as good as ever Michael has produced, however the voice of Burt Reynolds is definitely showing his age, in delivery and in the way he is able to pronounce his words, I found the presentation un-listenable. The only reason I wish to retain this recording is that although it is abridged, it is at present the only version of Angels Flight available to fit into my collection of Michael Connelly audio-books.

3 people found this helpful

great story but Mr Reynolds ruined it!!

What would have made Angels Flight better?

Angels flight is such a great story line. I read the book years back and wanted it on audio since my eyes are failing me. Burt reynolds butchered it. Its the only way of putting it. Monotone and uninteresting and i didnt enjoying listening. I listened to the first couple of chapters since i know the story is great but still found it difficult to enjoy an action packed book told by a boring monotone voice.

What other book might you compare Angels Flight to, and why?

Lee Childs' Jack Reacher series is as gripping and exciting. Matthew Reilly with his Shane Schofield. They are all great characters, great stories, Generally well read and addictive. All of the Harry Bosh Storylines are worth listening to. It all depends on who is narating.

How could the performance have been better?

If someone other than Burt read it. I am more disapointed because he is a good actor so I expected the same quality in his narration. Other than the lack of anything in his voice, let alone excitement, etc Micheal is a great writer.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disapointment that a book as good as angels flight wasnt given the respect narratively that it deserves, frustration that i didnt know i could change it, Anger that such a good book could be butchered by such a well know "actor".

Any additional comments?

Please ask Mr reynolds to retire now. he has obviously lost his umph.......

2 people found this helpful

poor naration

poor naration and at times difficult to follow. as for the story it was good with a number of twists

This is an abridged version be aware!

Nowhere in the write up does it say this is an abridged version. I was too hasty in my purchase to register how short this book is compared to the usual Bosch books. Im cross at myself because the full length version is also available but doesn’t come up as the first choice.

Mumbling narration difficult to follow

Great Story as usual ruined by the mumbling of Burt Reynolds especially when you have listened to the previous books narrated by Dick Hill

awful narrator words slurred as Bosch

words barely distinguishable, I'm English ( sorry) so probably worse for me. I managed to understand most characters with some difficulty but Bosch was so very hard! All your other narrators have been excellent and I love the series.

Whatever Happened to Peter Giles?

The image for this book states "read by Peter Giles" and yet the reader is actually Burt Reynolds? Maybe it was felt that this ancient star needed the intrusive and distracting injections of music to pep up his performance but I found this really disappointing and certainly the weakest of the Bosch series so far.....The novels are strong enough without this unnecessary meddling, please discontinue this "over-production"!

Another Classic Connelly

Love Connelly and Love his character Bosch. I always envision Connelly as Bosch the character too. Good plot, great characters and the unmistakable Connelly twist.