The power of black.

Jack Palms, one time movie star, recovered drink and drugs addict, wakes up in hospital in severe pain. He'd been shot in the shoulder. Following directly on from Book 2, (This is Life), when Jack's hoped for quiet and peaceful return home after his biking time with his Czech buddies was anything but. He'd been dragged into the uncovering of a widespread prostitution ring of young Russian girls, brought in by Alexi Akakievich, compromising senior members of the community, including the Mayor and The Chief of Police. The psychotic Russian gangster had made it clear he wanted Jack dead, but now his old Czech friends had returned to lend a hand to help protect Jack and dispose of Alexi. Together with his reluctant new partner, Shaw, and F.B.I. agent, Jane Gannon, Jack and the Czechs together try to put an end to the vicious Russian's hold on the city and the girls.

Even more so than its predecessor, Czechmate is almost total non stop action, including a.quite phenomenal car chase - who'd have thought that it could be so exciting? It is, at times, bloody and brutal and filled with pain. This time the story is not just in the first person so that other of the protagonists, and their actions, feature alongside Jack. But the reader is still treated to what goes on inside his head as he continues to transition from celluloid to real life.

Narration is again by by the author, Seth Harwood, with a little help from friends who take a few of the character parts. This Audible is, according to the introduction, a slightly revised version of his original serialized podcast. Mr.Harwood reads his story well, good pace to fit the text and a slightly downbeat tone which really suited his main character.. The added voices too, were exce!!ent, bringing a refreshing full cast feel. Nice brief bursts of music were occasionally inserted and, rather strange, the chapter numbers were given almost sarcastically enthusiastic rendering. But overall, this was a most enjoyable performance of a good, gritty thriller.

My thanks to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy of Czechmate, via Audiobook Boom. It was fun, with bursts of humour, exciting and a really good unexpected read. I will certainly be looking out for more productions by Seth Harwood, hopefully continuing the Jack Palms story. If you like your books fast and furious, this is definitely for you, too - but read book two first.

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