Did I just see a madman escape via a kiddie slide?
Craig A. Hart & S.J. Varengo
Assignment: Paris
Format:
Audiobook. ebook is also available
Update: ebooks 1-3 of the series have been combined into a single set, Assignment: Adventure.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
One man broken-hearted by his wife’s brutal slaying…one nuclear device primed to destroy the city of Paris…one chance to save over two million lives. Can Perry Hall set aside his grief long enough to prevent the unthinkable?
After his wife was slain by a sadistic assassin, SpyCo agent Perry Hall stopped caring whether he lived or died. Nothing mattered, save binge drinking and caring for his bulldog, Fleming. His disdain for life-threatening operations makes him an asset to Director J. Carlton Moore, who sends Perry into the most dangerous situations to ever face the covert organization. So, when the City of Lights faces extinction at the hands of the world’s most feared terrorist group, Perry emerges as the only hope for over two million innocent civilians.
Point of view:
3rd person
Rellim’s Thoughts:
While the characters from Assignment: Athens were briefly mentioned in this book, it’s not necessary to read/listen to that one to enjoy this. However, they will feature more prominently in the next book – so the series should be read in order.
This a great mix of espionage, thriller, mystery, & suspense with a dash of humor. Even though it’s only 3 hours – this was a fulfilling and complete adventure.
Perry Hall is drowning his grief in alcohol and what little humanity he has left is directed toward his English Bulldog, Fleming. Perry is basically given the high risk assignments because he’s practically lost the will to live. It’s a little heartbreaking, but he does work diligently and competently to rescue/recover missing operatives and attempt to thwart Scorpion’s plans to nuke a city. He gets help in unexpected places – including from the ever-loyal Fleming.
The main mission is accomplished, but Perry has a personal vendetta yet to be avenged and I’m looking forward to Assignment: Istanbul.
Narration:
This was my first experience with narrator Richard Peterson. I thought he was a good choice for the gruff & sometimes cynical Perry. He gave all the characters unique personalities and voices. I do wish the accents for secondary characters were more consistent – but it wouldn’t keep me from listening to him in the future.
Note: It wouldn’t keep me from listening to this again, but there was one chapter and instances in other places where secondary noises like breathing, lip licking/smacking, etc. were really loud and consistent enough to get distracting to the story. I’m not sure if it’s an issue with narration or post production.
About the authors:
The authors have a website for their joint ventures at: E2Books
Craig A. Hart is the stay-at-home father of twin boys, an author, and audiobook narrator. He has served as editor-in-chief for The Rusty Nail literary magazine, manager for Sweatshoppe Media, and publisher for Northern Lake Publishing. He was also director for Northern Illinois Radio Information Service, a broadcast outreach that brought daily news and information to the visually impaired. Craig was the host of the interview program The Games & Writers Show, and is now the host of the Good Sentences podcast, along with author S. J. Varengo. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Craig lives in Iowa City, Iowa with his wife, sons, and anti-social cat.
You can connect with Craig A. Hart here:
Scott James (S.J.) Varengo was born in 1960, (fifty years to the day after the passing of Mark Twain – take from that what you will), in a city called New York. Two years later he formed a band called The Beatles [citation needed]. He returned to New York City to attend Fordham University (having been told it was a basketball powerhouse) before transferring to the State University of New York at Potsdam (having been told it was located in the tropics), from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History. (Aside from the handsomely framed diploma and his ability to run art categories on Jeopardy, it hasn’t really paid off).
You can connect with S.J. Varengo here:
My Favorite Quotes
When the hammer gets pulled back, you’re the most focused person I know. – Assignment: Paris/Assignment: Adventure by @craighartreads & @PapaV #Audiobook narrated by Richard Peterson #Thriller #Mystery #Novella #Espionage #SpyCo
Tweet
Did I just see a madman escape via a kiddie slide? – Assignment: Paris/Assignment: Adventure by @craighartreads & @PapaV #Audiobook narrated by Richard Peterson #Thriller #Mystery #Novella #Espionage #SpyCo
Tweet
Rellim Reads 
As one of the hoodlums responsible for this series, and the primary architect of this particular volume, I’m thrilled to see it getting some love. I would like to invite you and any of your readers to check out the website Craig and I have set up to feature all of our co-authored words as well as our solo stuff. It’s e2books.com and you’re welcome to drop by.
LikeLike
That’s awesome. I’ll update the links in my posts and use the new info going forward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on E2 Books and commented:
Happy to share this review from rellimreads!
LikeLike