Robert B. Parker's Bull River

Bad choice of narrator

I loved the first of Robert Knott's "Robert B. Parker's ..." novels (Ironhorse). It was very faithful to the style of Parker, along with being a great yarn. In particular I liked Titus Welliver as the narrator. Welliver did all the previous Cole-Hitch books, and he was excellent. Rex Linn, not so much.

Linn does a fair job of sounding like a Gary Cooper playing a old time western marshal, as Cole and Hitch are intended. But they sound identical in his rendition. In fact almost everyone sounds the same, with the exception of the Mexicans in the story who sound the same but with an atrocious Mexican accent.

Mexican accents aside, there were other problems with the narration.

You know those parts in dialogs where the author inserts things like "he said", "Hitch replied" (and every prepubescent boy's favorite, "Jack asked")? Welliver did a great job of easing those into the background. WIth Linn, they have the same emphasis as the dialog, and it is jarring.

Equally jarring were the very often repeated one-word responses from Cole or Hitch (Hitch: "It's what we do." Cole: "Is.") Linn just can't pull these off, and he makes Cole's "Is" sound clumsy and inappropriate to the dialog.

I liked the story fine (despite wondering if Parker would have given a woman the nickname "Slingshot"). But given the narration, this book would be a lot better in print than narrated by Linn.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Expecting Titus Welliver to narrate.

What did you love best about Robert B. Parker's Bull River?

Familiar characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The trip into Mexico.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Rex Linn?

Not a Virgil Cole novel..

Who was the most memorable character of Robert B. Parker's Bull River and why?

Virgil Cole

Any additional comments?

Rex Lin is not a bad narrator, but Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are soft spoken lawmen.Titus Welliver narrates in in a soft spoken but firm voice..I was disappointed with the narration of this book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Enough "Said"

Would you try another book from Robert Knott and/or Rex Linn?

While Knott got some of the flavor of the series right, the dialogue was very difficult to listen to because of the shear volume of the word "said". Some paragraphs, when there were more than 2 characters, contained so many "said"s that it was very. distracting.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable, which isn't always awful in series like this.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Rex Linn?

In addition to the incredible number of he said, she said they saids in the book, Linn's decision to change voice intonation at each one was distracting to say the least.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

no, enough "said"

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Titus Welliver should have narrated this book.

Great book, true to the characters. Having such a difference in narration was very jarring for me. If I had realized that Titus Welliver wasn't the reader for this book I would have opted for a printed copy. It really makes the book less appealing.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Titus Welliver is sorely missed.

Rex Lin is a talented character actor and sounds like he belongs in the story. However he does not excell at doing different characters. Titus made you feel like you were genuinely listening to different people. I couldn't tell if it was Everett or Virgil talking without a description. Rex could do a Mexican voice and an American voic with a different roughness to each one to try to make them different. Good thing there's only a few female pieces of dialog in this story. Please bring Mr. Welliver back.

It's nice to finally see some firearm diversity however not every single person carried a colt. A small detail yes but it is one of many that pull you out of the story. The new writers taking up the helm after Mr. Parker's passing don't see to even know the characters well. Virgil isn't even saying full sentences. when asked a question he responds with "is." Virgil's bit is always using a colorful vocabulary even if it's not always accurate. Everett is extremely intelligent and it is hard to know that from this authors portrayal of him. This story is from Everett's POV but it doesn't seem like it anymore. The Jesse Stone books were carried on with skill and a true effort in understanding who the characters are. The same care was not given to Mr. Cole and Mr. Hitch. Most other books following these two I've given 4/5 or 5/5 stars. This. This barely deserves any stars. $15 not well spent. Very disappointing. Hopefully the next one is better.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An otherwise decent story ruined by poor narration

What disappointed you about Robert B. Parker's Bull River?

Mostly it was the poor narration abilities of Rex Linn. I enjoy him as an actor, but will not purchase another audible book that he narrates. I was so disappointed that I couldn't finish listening to the book.

What did you like best about this story?

I'm glad that Robert Knott is carrying on Robert B. Parker's style and legacy.

Would you be willing to try another one of Rex Linn’s performances?

Never

Any additional comments?

Am listening to "Iron Horse" narrated by Titus Welliver now, and the narration style & ability are far superior. I'm sure "Bull River" is a good story but it was ruined by the narration.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Virgil and Hitch are making the wild west safer

Would you consider the audio edition of Robert B. Parker's Bull River to be better than the print version?

I enjoy the audio books and look forward to the next one

What did you like best about this story?

The end it kind of all came together after a long struggle

What about Rex Linn’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed Mr Linn's performance and look forward to listening to many more of his reads

If you could rename Robert B. Parker's Bull River, what would you call it?

River of the Past

Any additional comments?

Needless to say I am a big fan and look forward to the next great adventure, please write another one soon Dennis

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Parker's Legacy Continues

If you could sum up Robert B. Parker's Bull River in three words, what would they be?

Everett Virgil Continue

Who was your favorite character and why?

Everett Hitch; his narrative continues the Parker tradition of terse dialogue.

Have you listened to any of Rex Linn’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! As good as or better.

If you could rename Robert B. Parker's Bull River, what would you call it?

Rio Toro

Any additional comments?

Two of my favorite characters, ever since Appaloosa.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Movie Please

Where does Robert B. Parker's Bull River rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10 easily but what I did like the development of the characters. I just don't want to spoil the book for others but it was just well done. By the way I have listen to every booked ever put into audio by Robert B. Parker.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Everertt, a man who is his own man and understand it and why. Still he is a side kick to Virgil. He has no problem with doing this but his true wish is to settle down with a that special woman and he just can't do it.

Who was the most memorable character of Robert B. Parker's Bull River and why?

Alejandro Vasquez, development of the character was so well done. For all the wrong reason you can't help but like the guy.

Any additional comments?

He goes back to Robert B. Parker in what you will tolerate as a listener. Even when only two people are talking and it Everett is telling the story you get "he said or Virgil said" or "I said". I know it correct but with a little work and changing of the voice a little you could delete this situation.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great plot and story. Gotta love Virgil & Everett

Fine narration. Easy to listen to. Nice Western story with great engaging characters and descriptions.