Brick

This is a good audiobook which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. One of those where you can easily lose a couple of hours by becoming so drawn into the story that you don’t really notice what’s going on around you. Narration is very good as well

6 people found this helpful

This book has put me on to a whole new genre

If you could sum up Brick in three words, what would they be?

Unlucky teenage boy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bryn was my favourite character, we spent a fair amount of time with him early in the book and really got a feel for a decent but imperfect teenage boy who loves his family and his dog.

What about Diana Croft’s performance did you like?

Her ability to flip between accents is remarkable - her Russian accent in particular was brilliant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was little too long to listen to in one go, but I did finish it in 3 large blocks because I couldn't bring myself to turn it off. I willingly did laundry for 2 hours so I could keep listening to it, that should put it into perspective.

Any additional comments?

This book is fantastic in its own right but the audio edition elevated it to something even better. Can't recommend it highly enough.

3 people found this helpful

Diana Croft was sublime

Diana croft the narrator made this book come to life she was purely sublime , I have also read the child Taker and Criminal insane by the same author , really good books HOWEVER if it was not for Diana Croft the books would not have been brilliant to listen to. I started listening to soft target by the same author Conrad Jones and ditched it after 6 chapters as the narrator simply could not live up to the exceptionally high standard Diana Croft had set. This book was a gritty impossible to stop listening to gripping thriller its a must read or listen. I am now searching for other books narrated by Diana Croft because its her who is the difference between mediocre and truly amazeballs listen . If you dont believe me listen to the book yourself. Garry from Eyemouth

2 people found this helpful

great story

This is a brilliant book, which kept me hooked throughout.

I did lose the plot occasionally as there are so many characters, but most of the time I picked up on what was happening quite easily.

The story is quite dark and harrowing but it is a brilliant book, which I would highly recommend.

2 people found this helpful

heart thumping action

** spoiler alert ** I was gifted this book by the narrator.

Such a fast paced, horrific story it actually had my heart pounding whilst reading.

Diana Croft does such an incredible job of making each character come to life, her accents are superb. Even her male voices of which there are many are quite distinct.

An assault on Bryn, the teenaged protagonist of the story starts the chain of events that ruin any lives of people attached to the incident .

Bryn is one of those smart-mouthed. cocky young boys who after having a few "words" with a complete stranger finds himself being chased by a hooligan who catches him and starts pounding on the kid. By chance Bryn finds a 1/2 brick whilst he is grappling to get a way and kills the thug with one hit.

Of course this bloke is a drug runner for one of the local gangs and all hell breaks loose. He is the son of the biggest importer of drugs in the region and now Dad wants revenge. There must have been some reason his son had chosen to run after the kid and fight with him, it can't have been a random incident.

So now his associates set about trying to kill Bryn and his entire family. The family can't seem to get away and go into hiding, no matter where they are they are found.

Bryn in the meantime has been transferred to juvie and despite being promised protection, is beaten ruthlessly and is now in hospital with a brain injury.

Such a fast paced explosive story could not put it down and have since re-listened.

2 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Fast moving and filled with suspense absolutely love this just my cup of tea more !!!!!

2 people found this helpful

Hard hitting, gritty thriller

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Even if this is not a genre you usually go for it is a very enjoyable book. I found it kept my interest right from the outset but even more so as the story progressed. Despite the vast web of characters throughout the story you really get to know them through vivid descriptions and attention to detail.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the Evans family as they are just a normal family that have become caught up in something they shouldn't have. It shows you only have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.....

What does Diana Croft bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narration was faultless throughout and all of the characters were really effectively brought to life. Her accent range is very impressive and made the dialogue very easy to follow.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If time allowed then yes. I listened to it over a week which is pretty impressive considering I work full time!

Any additional comments?

I will be looking out for more of Conrad Jones' books or any narrated by Diane Croft.

2 people found this helpful

It really is gritty & unputdownable!

Not my usual genre but I had a code to read it so I did. From the start, this fast paced drama grabbed my attention & I wondered if it was going to be too violent for my taste...it wasn't & the reason for this is the family central to the story, particularly young Bryn. The Evans family have no previous involvement in crime & are completely out of their depth when they are suddenly caught up in the middle of a terrible situation, which engages the reader fully. Dad is particularly clueless when judging the severity of the threat against his family, which comes across as unintentionally hilarious at times.

The story moves very quickly and there are many characters. Whilst the pace keeps the listener listening intently, some of the characters lacked depth, too much focus on the action rather than the people involved in it meant that I was really only rooting for Young Bryn in the end. The book wasn't too long so I think the author could have dedicated a little more time to making the central characters a little more well rounded. I certainly would have liked to know a little more about the background of Simon for example.

The drama is set in my home area, so the landscapes and humour were very familiar to me. The dark humour around some of the situations encountered made me laugh out loud, not sure if they were supposed too but they were typical Scouse humour which resonated with my own culture & background.

The narrator was superb, almost every voice was male so Diana had her work cut out. There were also a wide range of accents to cover and I was particularly impressed with her Liverpudlian & Russian accents. There was one Welsh guy in there who may have been mixed race but other than that, Diana's ability to express the voices and the emotions of the situation brought a reality to the story that would have been lacking had this not been an audiobook.

I've not read Conrad Jones before but I wouldn't rule out reading more from him. I thought Brick would make a good film or tv series, though I don't have a tv so what would I know?

2 people found this helpful

Brick

I received this audible book for review, and loved it.

Keeps you interested from the off, no surplus story arcs and a satisfying end. Recommended.

2 people found this helpful

Action packed, fast paced thriller

I received a free code for this audiobook. It is not my usual fare, as I tend to steer away from gang related, graphic books.
However, this gripped me from the start. It was fast paced and action packed, but I laughed out loud at some of the lighter, humorous sections.
The narrator was absolutely brilliant. She captured the various accents perfectly. I was very impressed with her Russian!
If you like your books to be of this genre, Brick will be a must read!

2 people found this helpful