Sudden ending

I was directed to this book by an article in which Mick Herron, author of the Slough House series (of which I am a huge fan), cited Box 88 as an example of the spy genre which he particularly liked.
I was therefore hoping for the same razor-sharp wit and descriptive style, which Herron so masterfully achieves, and the same sort of complicated plot line and detailed trade craft descriptions.
Sadly they were few and far between.
The plot itself was quite far-fetched, an 18 year old schoolboy being recruited by an all-powerful super-spy organisation but, if you go along with that as a given, it's an OK listen which does, at times, have you on the edge of your seat.
No spoilers but it does also come to a rather abrupt end, as though the author decided "I've had enough of this now. Let's get it wrapped up!".
I shall try another Cummings but, unless it's better than this one, it will be the last.

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OK I guess

Box88 concept good enough but the voice talent just wasn't up to scratch. I suppose I have got to used to Saul R. reading the Jackson Lamb series. I can see a series here but get another narrator please.

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1 person found this helpful

One of his best. Shame about narration/ editing.

I've read most of Cummings books and generally enjoy him as a writer, but this one was really great and one his best in my opinion. I found the characters stronger and a lot more likable than the Thomas Kell series.
I hope this is a new series, as it seems to be a great set up for one.

The narration gets really stilted halfway through unfortunately. Lots of uncomfortable gaps, to the point where I kept thinking my audio had dropped out. This could of easily been improved with better audio editing, I increased the speed which helped get past the worst of it.
Despite this, it was still worth it and I look forward to the next one.

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Terrible narrator. Endless horrendous pauses

I did not like this book at all. I stuck with it because I love all of Cummings other books, therefore was expecting some pathos or self deprecating hubris.

Basically I did not care about south of France holiday and given that the majority of the book was there, it failed
For me.

The narrator was just awful when reading the main character. Dreadful. I wish I’d believed the other bad reviews because they were right!!!! Avoid listening to this at all costs.

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10 people found this helpful

Great atmosphere and people.

Cummings keeps getting better. this is his best yet. I hope he takes this set up further in new books.

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not his best work

started off ok, then went downhill. glad I persisted with it as it did improve but much preferred his earlier books

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1 person found this helpful

great book, as always but...

its a great book but more of a historical retelling of events which appears to be lining the reader up for more adventures of Lochy!

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Stick with it

As per other reviews the narration isn't great, but only in the first 20 to 30 minutes. Especially one seen which is the transcript of a phone call which is painful. I turned the speed up to 1.3 to help with pacing. Taking all of that in to account it's a really good story :0)

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You won’t be disappointed

I’ve been looking for something left by finishing all the Ben Hope books and this was perfect. Enjoy!

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Very, very good. Thanks.

Good story, no over the top action scenes. Loved it. Very good narrator too. Keep feeding us with more material like this, please.

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