Two FANTASTIC Books In One!!

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

YES! This is the type of book I like listening to but so many fall short I have had the first in this series in my wish list for a long time but have been on the fence. When this came out I could not have been happier and bought it immediately. SORRY I waited so long

Have you listened to any of R. C. Bray’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I have and as always R C Bray gave a superb performance. He has made it onto my Top 5 narrator list.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed both of these books. Nick Bracco is a man who is great at his job of tracking down terrorists but they are tracking him as well. When they can't get him they choose his wife instead to draw him out. Even after he retires there are still terrorists out for his blood with a vendetta. Nick has a secret weapon, his Italian family who happen to be mob related. It's funny but you find yourself rooting for bad/good guys! They're kind of "nice" bad guys?¿ These books have well written plots, excellent character development and very believable situations. I looked for more but none, I sincerely hope that there are future books in this series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...
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28 people found this helpful

Just a few issues

This story held my attention but only those stories that leave me resenting the real world for tearing me away get the elusive fifth star. As usual Bray’s narration is impeccable. The plot was compelling with a potentially realistic scenario. However, a few flaws I must point out before you go in.

First, there are other methods for building suspense besides skin-of-your teeth day-saving heroics. I get it that the time constraints and heroic accomplishments are hallmarks of the genre but it’s pretty indulgent in this two-book series. It would have been nice to see the author get a bit more creative at least for our second book but alas, he seems very committed to the formula.

Second, a crime against female characters that is prominent in this genre but still disappointing: the weak female. In book one we have Jennifer Steele, a trainee FBI agent on a covert op confront her ex about their breakup mid-op? A TRAINED and qualified agent of the FBI is too emotional over a breakup that happened years and years ago to focus on her mission during the mission. As a woman in a predominantly male field, this was really infuriating. Then to rub salt in the wound, she also tries to use leaning over in a low cut shirt with no bra to get info out of a person of interest?!?! Seriously? And the disservice to women doesn’t end there. No, you see she is also incapable of maintaining control of a situation that is well within her training without Silk stepping in. When our mafia friends step in at other points, the male FBI agents defer to them voluntarily but our heroine is too female to cede control because the author makes clear he doesn’t think women are as capable in such positions of authority. As I said, this is a common issue in this genre but for the love of donuts, stop using female stereotypes that go against the character’s background and training as a plot device. It’s not only lazy writing but it’s offensive. No trained field agent is going to behave the way Jennifer did during a covert op.

My gripes over the author’s treatment of women and hard lean into cliche territory with the skin of the teeth escapes and male heroics aside, there is still a good bit of enjoyment to be had here. Our protagonist in Nick is likable and faces flaws and internal struggles that are relatable. I wish the author had embellished the witty chemistry with Matt and Tommy more. I think it would have added depth. And our female characters are so one dimensional as to risk blowing away in a stiff breeze. However, the plot is adequately compelling. The narration is perfect. There is plenty of fodder to fuel your hatred of the bad guys and feed the fire to keep you rooting for the good guys. The violence isn’t overly gratuitous and is used well to drive the story and the momentum is pretty good. Overall, I’d deem this worthy of the credit. However, there is a strong set up for book 3 but I’m not convinced I want to continue with the author in this case. Two books with the same formula and flaws leave me feeling as though I already know the outcome of book 3 without even knowing the set up. If the author doesn’t find some new formulas or tricks up his sleeve, the continuation of the series could get monotonous. But for two books, these sins are tolerable and held my attention. Maybe after a break I’d consider giving this series a chance with book 3. But for now I’m ready for something fresh.

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8 people found this helpful

Now I have two favorite narrators. Thanks Mr Bray! Very talented!

Loved this, can't wait for the next one! Excellent narration by R. C Bray. I plan to listen to him.

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7 people found this helpful

There's trouble in them hills

Would you consider the audio edition of The Nick Bracco Omnibus to be better than the print version?

I thought the audio version was well worth the credit and I know the way the characters were presented was as any characterization I could have created.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Nick Bracco Omnibus?

Woah? Pick one ...that would be impossible, but the scenes with Tommy are outstanding.
Tommy a views on life are classic,

Which character – as performed by R. C. Bray – was your favorite?

Tommy, hands down was my favorite, he just lives life the way we would all enjoy

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

The Russian hit man at the end of the story and his take on life its value. And his view of respect

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5 people found this helpful

Action packed & a great use of a credit

Both story lines go together so well. It’s easy to come to care about the characters and to laugh or be concerned about them. I didn’t want the story to end and I’m disappointed there’s not another in the series. You’ll love the gangster/FBI connection.

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3 people found this helpful

Dynamic duo

RC Bray is top notch. Gary Pongo tells a great tell. What else can you say?

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3 people found this helpful

Love this series.

I really loved this series and wish Audible would get RC Bray to so the rest of the series.

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2 people found this helpful

A lot of holes

RC Bray is always good. The story felt like a badly written television show but I got through it.

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2 people found this helpful

So bad

I rarely write reviews, however, this was so bad I thought I should save someone else from wasting time and a credit. It started out pretty good, but then it just got stupid. I am by no means a feminist. Just your average book loving grandma. The author included one female FBI agent in the story. The ridiculousness of her not being able to focus on her job because all she could think about was her love life, and having to go in the bathroom to fix her hair after chasing terrorists was just unbelievable. Oh, and then she has to put on skin tight jeans and a skimpy top to go into a bar to ask where a guy lives. Then gets upset because she’s not taken seriously, but, OH NO, what to do, “I’m not exactly dressed for a fight”. Good lord. The author has obviously never met a professional. Or perhaps any woman. No even the amazing RC Bray couldn’t save this stinker.

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1 person found this helpful

just awesome

a great story start to finish. not your cookie cutter crime thriller. give it a try and it will not disappoint.

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1 person found this helpful