Non-con Warning

Please note that this book contains scenes of non-consensual bondage and torture. There is a disclaimer in the kindle edition, which states that this book contains acts which may be unsafe and do not reflect SSC bdsm guidelines. I strongly feel that failing to include this disclosure in the audio edition represents a violation of consent for the listener. What is depicted is NOT kink at all, but physical and psychological violation of a person who is experiencing unresolved grief, "for their own good" by someone they trust. This is depicted by the author as a good thing, a cleansing for which the victim is grateful, and after which the family is made whole. There should be a trigger warning for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one through an accident, as the premise of the book is that punishment is necessary and will successfully purge survivor's guilt. The author is competent enough at emo trash to present this dangerous notion as a voyeuristic release for the reader. This book is vile.

Dan Calley is a perfectly competent narrator, and I would have given him more stars, except that doing so would elevate the average rating of this repugnant mess.

2 people found this helpful

Dark and Captivating story

I enjoyed listening to this book very much. I loved how the suspense was building while Will was trying to figure out what was happening to him, and how author revealed things with perfect timing in a dark setting. I liked the characters some more than others, but every one is unique in their own way. Narrator did a very good job with voices for every character main and supporting. Overall this was a captivating listening experience.

1 person found this helpful

Great story. Great narration.

What a dark little short story... Such an intense reminder that life is fragile and everything thing we do has a consequence.

As usual, Jack L Pyke's words flow with a strangely soothing rhythm for such a dark story. This trait is highlighted by Dan Calley's wonderful performance.

If you are looking for an intense and sobering reminder of why you should live life to the fullest and without regret, this story is an excellent choice.

Love and Loss

Having read and now listened to this, it tears me apart each and every time!! Such a poignant and heartbreaking story of two men dealing with grief and guilt. I can not say any more as I do NOT want to spoil the story!
Briantlly written and beautifully performed. Well worth the heartache that this story brings.

intriguing

📖 Despite being short, there is a lot going on in Lost in the Echo. Jack L Pyke has packed an emotional rollercoaster into Will's story, it has good pace and felt longer than it's not quite three hours. I admit to being a little lost in the beginning, but was held hostage by what was happening and it was worth every minute of the ride as the story unfolded.
I feel like when I listen to this one again, I will see and feel more of its depth. 👍

🎧 Dan Calley's narration is on the mark for these characters, brilliantly voicing Will as he is lost to a world consumed by guilt and grief, his pain and emotions are evident in every word.

⚠ This isn't a story for someone looking for "light and fluffy". But if you enjoy dark and angsty with a side serve of hope at the end of the journey, this one will fit the criteria.

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Note: this book may contain triggers for some readers ... this is the notification at the front of the e-book that is missing from the audio.

CONTENT NOTIFICATION / DISCLAIMER: This book is a work of fiction that contains explicit adult content between adult men, and it is intended for mature readers. The acts may be immoral, illegal, and/or unsafe, and also not reflect SSC BDSM guidelines. The author utilizes these acts for dramatic purposes only! Readers should not deem the acts contained within as moral, legal, and/or safe. Do not read this if it’s not legal for you. All characters, locations, and events are works of fiction. Resemblance to actual people, places, and/ or events is purely coincidental.
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< I received a complimentary copy of this audio at my request - it has in no way influenced my review. >

Intriguing Premise

I grappled a bit with this book. I listened to it several weeks ago, and have waffled on how to approach the review. This is a Jack Pyke book, so I was expecting a mind fuck. Well, she delivered. I don’t want to get too far into the reeds on this book except to say that Will endured some disturbing things and I wondered if I should be upset or fascinated. His story of tragedy was powerful, to be sure, and I was intrigued by the twists and turns. I guess in the end I accepted the plot line. And accepted his reaction to that powerful presence that demanded the three answers to the three questions. And, of course, I put myself in Will’s shoes. How would I react in a similar situation? That’s the mark of a good storyteller – when the reader is forced to question how they would cope if they found themselves in that circumstance.

Anyway, I did enjoy the mind fuck. I also enjoyed Dan Calley’s narration of the story. He and Jack always deliver a great book and this was no exception. Can’t wait for the next collaboration.

Fantastic

Words cannot express how much I loved this novella length story. It had such depth of emotion for me and just ripped me to shreds. Jack L. Pyke is a master at bringing forth cathartic moments and this one was phenomenal. Dan Calley does an amazing job bringing these characters to life!

Mind-blowing story, masterly narrated

Ohh boy, four years ago I read this story for the first time. This week I bought the last edition ebook and I am a very fortunate person to have the opportunity to listen to the audio version while reading it again. For me it works great, listening and reading at the same time, probably because English isn’t my native and I’m not always sure of what I hear.

Dan Calley did a wonderful job narrating this book. I couldn’t put it down. His voice captured the emotions at just the right moments and personalities were clearly distinguishable. The moments of raw truth were perfectly voiced. Those moments gave me goosebumps and I cried loudly.

I think it’s a gift to voice an emotional story quite punctually and keep the listener glued, make them shiver.

The review of the content can be found hereunder. For me, this is a must-listen and must-read. One of my favorites books.

I'm floored. THIS was a mind-blowing story. So exceptional, so dedicated so, so, I’m speechless.

Amazing concatenation of words. Beautiful.

It has an amazingly intriguing captivatingly build-up.
Confusing. What and why is this happening?

Bit by bit the curtains of the mystery slide open and OMG, there is so much to see. It was devastating.
Those beautiful men, it was heartbreaking, it was devastating. I cried out loud
I felt to my knees and cried. Will, James, Elliot, and Ryan. Fathers, sons, friends, and lovers.
Those men I cried for them, omg I love them so hard it hurts.

I just can't tell more without giving the story away and that would be a disaster because this story, you have to feel it, live it, breathe it. Mind-blowing beautiful.

Dark and twisted with a dash of sadness

5 Blue Roses
2 Blue Flame

Narrator Dan Calley managed to give rise to excessively high levels of uneasiness and apprehension. The deep rumble in his voice did not lower or stabilize any neurohormones. In fact, this reading just messed me up some more. This is another Jack L. Pyke thriller, so in hindsight, he did his job much too well. I am impressed by the lower speed in pronunciation of his words, making it easier for us non-English listeners to understand. I did hear more pauses and change in pitch, making listening less monotonous, but still stuffed with rich and dark emotions.

The plot is extremely well planned and laid out. Listeners will expect the unexpecting horror around every corner, inside every suggestion, but still, end up feeling “Lost in the Echo”.

No spoilers here. The character development is sufficient enough to keep listeners guessing. Just expect to be stirred and shaken up afterward. It may make you more vulnerable to conditions like anxiety, depression, and even psychosis.

This audiobook is all about those truths that hurt us so much, we refuse to see and acknowledge them. What happens when you mix up those tactile, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and visual senses? It forces you to listen and acknowledge the extrasensory perception of your pain lost in the echo.

Listeners with high receptibility and who are in the mood for something totally mind whopping depressing must listen to this.

Happy Listening

Goosebumps

Even though this was a short story Jack still managed to make the story suspenseful, sad, and then sweet and uplifting at the end. In other words, it was a EXCELLENT. Listening to it with Dan’s narration will give you goosebumps.

Highly Recommended! Why? IT'S JACK PYKE and DAN CALLEY!