I REALLY wanted to like it but...

When we have a long road trip I get an Audible book that I know my husband will like. This author/series sounded like the typical action, detective, cop sort of adventure he likes. I also like detective mysteries. Recently I have been listening to all the John Sandford books that I had already read. I have to say that I HATED this book. I can't exactly identify the tipping point for me. Although we are Southerners, the narration was truly offensive to me. It didn't sound southern, it sounded ignorant. I thought the plot line was weak. There were so many "stereotypical" characters- the preacher with big white teeth, the sister who had a baby and became a stripper, the acting sheriff who was corrupt, the Ranger who is the great hero, his best friend who lost an arm in "the war." Just UGH! This book read and sounded like cheap, pulp fiction. I love audible books but this was a poor choice for me. On the other hand, we never finish a book on a car trip. My husband always fusses because he doesn't know the end of the story. In this case, he actually logged into my account and listened to the last several chapters. He did like the story.

6 people found this helpful

A New Favorite

I had not heard about Ace Atkins or Jeff Woodman before I saw this listing on Audible. I thought I may as well give it a try so I downloaded it. Once I started "The Ranger", I had trouble turning it off and walking away. Ace Atkins crafts a story that hold you and makes you want to hear more while Jeff Woodman does an outstanting job with the narration. I can hardly wait for the next one to come out. I can believe I found a New Favorite!

18 people found this helpful

Not Southern

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I think the story had real potential and just the kind of book I enjoy listending too, but the narrator did not do a Southern accent very well at all. And his female voice was distracting. I wasted 45 minutes listening to this book before I gave up because I could not stand the accent any longer. Will look for the actual book so I can continue reading the story.

What didn’t you like about Jeff Woodman’s performance?

His Southern accent was not good, to say the least. Very stereotypical. I looked up his bio - why get an actor from New England to voice a book set in the South, with Southern characters?

14 people found this helpful

A interesting story, fast moving, an easy listen

Would you listen to The Ranger again? Why?

It's one I might come back to if I had some time on my hands and no good newer books available.

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

Jeff Woodman's reading was easy to listen to. He does a nice job on different voices for the characters so they are recognizable.

6 people found this helpful

I like this guy!

I really like this guy! If Quinn Colson were sheriff in my town, I'd vote for him just for being so honestly cool. The drama in this story just keeps going, and I can't wait to read the next book. ....ahhhh, swooon

9 people found this helpful

Really bad narration

Worst narrator I’ve ever heard. He seems to think that Southerners are mouth breathing retards. He was really annoying! I quit after Chapter 6 and I only got that far because the story seemed pretty good. Petkoff and Chandler do good jobs with different accents. This guy was lame.

4 people found this helpful

Not very good

Any additional comments?

The narrator did the best he could with great accents but this just wasn't a very good book. The narration would get very loud at some points like they went back and added stuff it was strange and took away from the storyline - which was very basic. Has the author ever been to MS? The story kept giving the impression MS is freezing like CO with everyone wearing heavy jackets really?? Also, just about everyone was characterized as very dumb hicks which having lived in the south some are, but not all. I didn't expect Mitch Rapp, but not Mickey Mouse either. I disagree with all the high marks on this one and I'm pretty easy going with most audiobooks. Pass on this one folks.

1 person found this helpful

Good start on a new series.

Really like the characters in this series. I like the narrator better in this book than some of his others, he kind of reads a little slow sometimes.

3 people found this helpful

Ranger is entertaining

Would you listen to The Ranger again? Why?

Ace Atkins is a new author to me and I enjoyed this book. It never was slow, but it was not too complicated either.

3 people found this helpful

Not a good story for me.

I did not smile during this book.

Most of the book has mean unlikeable characters doing things that are not interesting to watch. Most of the characters were poor and uneducated. Their thoughts and actions were not entertaining. No one intrigued me. There was no one to root for.

The two main good guys are Quinn and Lily. Quinn is an army ranger who came home for his uncle’s funeral and is investigating his uncle’s death. Lily is a sheriff’s deputy. It was not fun or special watching them solve the mystery. There wasn’t anything interesting about their relationship. Anna-Lee is supposedly a good character. Her husband is in danger so she begs Quinn to find him. Quinn risks his life to help the husband. Then Anna-Lee is rude and dismissive to Quinn. She doesn’t even thank him. Her actions make her unlikeable, and she’s one of the good guys.

There were two action scenes that were missing key parts. Quinn creates a diversion to enter the enemy compound and rescue hostages. He gets inside to the hostages and says lets go. Then the story skips to the next day. We don’t see how they sneak off and run while the bad guys are shooting. Did any bad guys follow them?

The other scene: Two guys A and B are taking a long car drive. They end up in an ambush with bad guys surrounding them. All of a sudden two good guys C and D are hiding in the nearby woods and shoot the bad guys so A can get away. How did C and D know to be hiding in that place? Were they following A’s car? I don’t know.

I’m not sure how I feel about the narrator Jeff Woodman. I wonder if his interpretations made some characters more unlikeable than I would have made them if I were reading the physical book. All the characters are Mississippi locals so he speaks with southern and hillbilly accents - like sit-shee-aa tion (for situation). It was a little too much southern for me. But that may be personal preference.

Genre: crime mystery suspense

8 people found this helpful