The Watchman

Thrilling exciting and suspenseful

From the first page the author had me hooked. There are some religious parts that I am not sure blends as easy as it should but over all I really enjoyed the plot. There is more than one story inside these pages. One man trying his best to help those that need it, abuse is serious and most walk away from it but not Norah he walks right into it. Your heart really breaks for those who are in need of his help.

I thought Mr. Holland’s narration was great, he pulled me in making me part of the characters giving them life and breaking my heart. I found no repeating of words, no background noise or any volume changes. Just a very clean and clear audio that really grabs you right in the heart. His character voices were good I always knew what was talking along with what they were feeling. He gives true emotions to his characters as he spins you around his little finger pulling you in. His normal voice is just as pleasant as his character voices. I had no trouble picturing each scene as it unfolded. I thought his performance was outstanding. He was able to pull me in and hold my attention from start to finish. It was an audio I didn’t want to put down and will listen to again.

The author gives you a gripping thriller of abuse and taking a stand fighting and trying your best to come out ahead. There are a few shocks along the way and you will be able to work it out before you get close to the end. You are let hanging just maybe a little unsure until to get to the last few pages where you will be cheering as the author leaves you with a smile on your face. I loved the plot, have mixed feelings about a few characters and didn’t care for the bad guy at all. Which is what the author wanted me to feel, there are a few surprises with lots of suspense. This is a very tough issue but the author writes it with class giving you hope in mankind and putting faith back in your world. The plot at times was unpredictable which hooked you as the author fills it full of suspense with some exciting twists and turns. I really liked that the story wasn’t built around family but had him helping others as well. I was hooked and look forward to reading more of her work.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Interesting...

Would you try another book from V.B. Tenery and/or Theo Holland?

I will definitely be on the look out for more books narrated by Theo Holland because he did a fantastic job.

Would you ever listen to anything by V.B. Tenery again?

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

I think that this book is definitely between 2-3 stars, so let's split the difference and say 2.5. I wasn't sure why this book was labelled as "supernatural" on someone's shelf as I thought it was just a PI/detective mystery. From the blurb, you'd never know that Noah has "super powers", it just says "special gifts". This is also a highly religious book that gets gratingly preachy at times; for example, Noah is having a conversation with someone about something, and all the sudden he goes "This is wrong just like abortion is wrong". I found this highly unnecessary and putting your personal opinions into a book kind of detracts. If the issue at hand was abortion, then fine, we can discuss it, but the moral issue just popped out of the blue. I also feel like the author had some questions they needed to answer like: "how is Noah going to accomplish saving Cody and his mother?" and then "Oh! I know! Let's make him invisible!" which came across to me as almost lazy. It's almost as if the invisibility was used so that it would be easier to find the solution to problems. Maybe that's just me (I really don't like supernatural genres, and I feel it's a bit strange to combine the supernatural with the Christian/Evangelical element as they seem quite paradoxical). Otherwise, this novel had enough suspense and twists to keep me involved and engaged and I felt like the storyline was very solid.

I voluntarily reviewed an audio copy of this book through The AudioBookworm Promotions, this in no way affects my opinions. I cannot comment on any spelling/grammar issues in the book as I only listened to the story as narrated by Theo Holland. I think Theo Holland did a fantastic job narrating and I really enjoyed listening to his southern drawl. I would definitely listen to another book narrated by him. This is a high-quality, professional recording with no production/quality issues that I could find. I was satisfied with the audiobook itself.

Overall, if you are into the Christian Suspense genre, you might like this book more than me, but it just wasn't all my cup of tea. There were definitely good parts and parts that had me shaking my head, but there was never a point that I felt like I wanted to turn it off and not pick it back up; on the flip side, I also wasn't glued to the story, listening every chance I got. It took me a week to get through when normally a book this length (7h 17m) would take me about 3 days max.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Really INteresting

What did you love best about The Watchman?

I loved the powers that Noah had. And I loved the way that he used them.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot kept me on my toes and sometimes at the edge of my seat. There were several twists that I did not see coming.

What does Theo Holland bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Theo was able to bring so many of the images to life. I think Theo made the perfect Noah and made the character tangible.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not moved as much as had me on the edge of my seat, there is a break in scene and I enjoyed that!

Any additional comments?

I was provided a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and it is worth listening too.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just as story begins to peak . . . it unravels

I will readily admit that I was hooked on this story from the beginning; the plot, character development, and the twist and turns had me listening to this without interruption. For about 20 chapters (until we find out who the villain really is) the story-line grows with the various characters being pulled together . . . then the whole thing unravels. The last several chapters bring the reader out of Wyoming and Cali over to the Middle East with SCUDS flying and Navy Crosses being awarded, then off to German concentration camps (complete with Corrie Ten Boom's story), to murdered dogs, and finally back to a fist fight the original villain and an assassin with a silencer. Good grief, did someone else write the final 8 chapters? Seriously, I lost complete interest in the story. Granted the closing chapter ties it back to redemption through Christ and how noah leads a God fearing life as a protector of children, but still.

That being said, it was pleasant listening to suspenseful thriller that was told with an underlying Christian theme. I do not recall any vulgarity (or even swearing) in the entire book. I did find it a bit troubling that the main character's "gift" that God supposedly blessed him with was one of magical/supernatural. None of God's giftings have anything to do with becoming invisible; a bit heretical in my opinion. However, I was able to pretty much ignore that aspect of the story as it was a rather minor part; which begs the question, why bother with it at all?

I cannot say that was a bad book, but I found the direction the end of the story took to be quite disappointing, especially after beginning with such promise. As for the narration; I found it, too, to be really good at some points and pretty week at others (i.e. some of the character voices seemed very strained, to say the least). The theme and moral of the story are commendable and overall it is a decent listen . . . it just didn't work for me.

Finally, I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review and I hope it proves helpful to those considering purchasing this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Twists and turns throughout!

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

Yes, it keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Watchman?

When Noah shakes hands and sees the dark evil of that person.

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

No but I love his voice and knowledge of the characters he is portraying.

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

Yes, it was very engrossing.

Any additional comments?

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review”.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Truly Excellent Story! Holds your attention!!!

The Watchman was a great story that held my attention throughout the entire audio book. Some may be turned off by the main character and his belief in God and prayer. If that is the case this may take away from your enjoyment of the book. This is a well plotted and paced story with great characters with a mild supernatural element to the main character but it does not overwhelm the story or act as the magic save all. The main character is Noah he is a PI with 2 cases. The first one to solve is the 3 year old mystery of a missing wife and the other case is to help an abused child and battered wife escape a powerful judge that she is married to. The story is great and well worth your time.

The narration is done by Theo Holland. This is the first time that I have heard a performance by Mr Holland but I greatly enjoyed his work. I plan on looking for more of his work here on Audible based on this performance. He was just outstanding. He has an amazing voice that was just so great to listen to.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Watchman

The Watchman: V.B. Tenery

A book that combines mystery, suspense, spirituality, a touch of supernatural, and a hint of future romance ; all while trying to protect an abused wife and her son. This story grabbed me from the start and kept me on edge to the very end. I'm hoping that there will be additional books featuring Noah Adams.




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Theo Holland.



"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

If we all had such gifts

Where does The Watchman rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Close to the top.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, the plot kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

What about Theo Holland’s performance did you like?

Another great performance.

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

yes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Religious Paranormal Mystery

Noah is a PI with paranormal abilities. He can become invisible, read minds and he heals supernatural quickly from injuries. His abusive step father killed his mom and his brother when he was a kid, thus Noah is a protector of abused women and children. This is his mission to aid and protect the abused. Noah is currently working on two cases. One involves an abused mother and child. The abusive husband is a very powerful judge, the other case is a cold case missing persons. The woman who is missing had a first husband who was abusive and responsible for their child's death. He would of been a primary suspect except he died in prison.

Mingled through out the novel there are religious homilies by Noah about God's will, Jesus' love, scripture, morals and so forth. Too much preaching for my taste.

Also aside from the paranormal aspects, much of the plot and story line is unrealistic. To give specific examples would divulge spoilers.

The narration sounded recited rather than natural at times.

There are many better paranormal and religious themed mystery, thrillers to choose from, so although this not a terrible book, it is not one I would recommend.

I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Loved it......mostly!!

Any additional comments?

This is probably the hardest review I've written so far. I'm really torn by this story, on one hand I absolutely loved it, but at the same time I had a difficult time with one aspect of the story. Maybe I'm being to hard but I have a difficult time believing that God would give someone the ability to become invisible when needed. I know He COULD do it if He wished, but I'm just not sure He WOULD do it. This was a distraction for me, and as I said before, maybe I'm being too hard, but it did bother me. Other than that detail, the story was wonderful, it kept you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The main character was absolutely a delight! "This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."