Audio Book Review: Primordial

Primordial

By:  David Wood & Alan Baxter

Publish Date:  February 3, 2017, Audiobook Release September 8, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 15 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  Stand alone

Impression:  A blend of Jaws and thriller mystery with history and legend links.

Synopsis:
Sometimes, the legends are true. When eccentric billionaire, Ellis Holloway, hires renegade marine biologist, Sam Aston, to investigate the legend of a monster in a remote Finnish lake, Aston envisions an easy paycheck and a chance to clear his gambling debts. But he gets much more. There is something terrible living beneath the dark waters of Lake Kaarme and it is hungry. As the death toll mounts, Aston faces superstitious locals, a power-hungry police chief, and a benefactor's descent into madness as he races to find the legendary beast of the lake.

First Sentence:
"Come on. Show yourself, my darling." Steven Sweeney crouched in front of the monitor and gazed at the tiny screen displaying the feed from his underwater camera.

Purchase At:
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My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Sam Aston knows his stuff when it comes to marine biology, however it doesn't pay the best and he has severe debts he's racked up with unpleasant people. Sam has no choice but to take the high paying job offer from Ellis Holloway when the thugs come to collect his over due debt. Thinking it's all a farce with a cryptozoologist, exaggerate show host, and legends of mythical creatures, Sam just wants to get done and take his money as fast as he can so his biological credit isn't ruined. Sam's eyes are opened with the evidence they find of a hidden creature of the sea.

When I see the name David Wood on a book for review, I jump to get it. I've really enjoyed his blend of history and fantasy with action and adventure. Then the wondrous beast added in. Yes, thank you! There's just enough to believe in the tales, yet holds my attention with details and fighting or running. I know I'm in for an exciting adventure that will get my brain thinking. This book doesn't let me down.

Jeffrey is a voice I could listen to all day. He has a matter of fact, dry humor feel to his voice when he narrates the stories. In this story, he gets to add slight accents to the characters. They are not strong, but just a hint. If you listen closely you'll hear them. One is Australian, another is Boston style. I like that they are hints in the voice as the narration is still clear to understand. As always Jeffrey delivers another clean and enjoyable audio book.

One thing about the writing here, there is no down time. We get all the important moments - offered job, why take, and while investigating. There is no need to waste time on the plane getting here, so we get to focus on what's happening. I love that every moment written here is a scene we need. The story is written as a thriller. We get the creepy, sneaking feeling before the few deaths we read happen.

Sam feels and voices much of what many people believe, that these things aren't real and there's science to explain all. But when we get talking with the television show host, Joanne Slater, we see that some people don't know if it's real or not. It's neat to think about, but the likelyhood... slim.

This may sound like a normal monster hunting story, but it's all in how it's told. The writing keeps this story with a thriller feel. There's a mystery as people keep disappearing and the beast that's to be present. But there is more to this little village and lake. I was intrigued by the potential of what the beast could be. There is a blend of history and local legends present at this lake and we get to see it all, along with current technology used to flesh it all out. We see and hear examples of the danger throughout the story.

I was hooked on this story. I wanted to know the truth behind it all. The mystery cloaked person and what the beast was. Then, I was snagged on the adrenaline feeling as the story was told. I had to keep listening to see who made it, who didn't, and what would happen next and how!



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