Podiobooker
News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com

21 Responses to “Diary of a Madman”

1. P.G. Holyfield Says:
   October 10th, 2007 at 11:37 pm

   This is one of those novels that will make you sick to your stomach (in a good way ). During one episode I had to stop pull over into a shopping center parking lot until the chapter was over. It grabs you, and doesn’t let go. If you want to study a descent into madness, go no further.

2. charley hardman Says:
   October 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm

   an entire audiobook read in a laughable imitation of the already laughable “in a world gone mad…” movie trailer guy voice? no thanks! real would be nice.

3. Sameblue Says:
   October 13th, 2007 at 10:20 am

   Super, super creepy. This novel will totally get under your skin. I love the social commentary mixed in with all the violence and the way Mark reads it gives me chills. I’m loving this book so far!

4. randLe Says:
   October 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

   not for me. after experiencing the holy trinity of podiobooks (hutch, sigler, rossi ) my hopes were high.

   a bit disappointing!

5. podakayne Says:
   October 14th, 2007 at 12:08 pm

   sorry randle you aren’t enjoying this…i find mark to be just a bit too into it and was glad to listen to the real mark in a relief podcast. and even though i watch Dexter i can see his podcast is not a copycat. this is my second series i’ve listened to from him, i like him though his graphic take on things can be a bit much, they are well within the boundaries for moving the story.

   and randle just wanna say i love that holy trinity they knock my socks off! sigler/hutch/rossi (just ask siggy if that isn’t the correct order—LOL!)

6. SynapticJam Says:
   October 15th, 2007 at 8:10 am

   You’ve done it. You’ve finally done it. I’ve come to the point where I base an actor’s performance on the visceral effectiveness of their performance. If an actor is a hero, and they do an incredible job, I tend to think highly of that actor. There was one movie, where I hated the actor’s very existence, but only because he was so effective at playing a sociopathic psycho. I haven’t watched one of his movies since. I know that’s screwed up, but that’s life. I made it into episode 4 and had to remind myself it’s just a story over and over again. You’ve managed to make it so “internal” that I’m having trouble continuing to listen. I’m going to let it sit for a bit and come back later. And just for the record, I don’t hate you…. yet.
   —Synaptic Jam

7. Nur mein Standpunkt Says:
   October 19th, 2007 at 8:21 am

   […] Diary of a Madman Ja, das ist bestimmt ein Podiobook für mich… (tags: Podiobook) […]

8. Kathryn Forbes Says:
   October 20th, 2007 at 10:03 pm

   Just to let anyone that cares know: Do not give an ounce of credence to anything “charley hardman” says. I’ve encountered his comments all over this site, and every one of them is bitching about something. I think he listens to a few minutes of each story, just so he can say something negative. Probably one of those constantly unhappy people that tries to spread it to others. Hey, Charley- if you don’t like any of what these authors are giving you for nothing, go find something else to do with your worthless life. Loser.

   Anyway, I’m really enjoying being disturbed by this book. I’m squeamish, and I still find myself unable to not listen to one minute. Keep up the great work, sir.

9. charley hardman Says:
   October 21st, 2007 at 9:32 am

   “Do not give an ounce of credence to anything ‘charley hardman’ says.”

   explain the logic underlying that conclusion. hint: talking only about me isn’t logic. not for that conclusion anyway. your fallacious argument relies upon the premise that validity’s directly related to the ratio of complaint/praise one maintains. obviously — laughably — false. you even extend into the IMDb fallacy — complaints are disallowed entirely because some alternate, more worthwhile task can always be assigned to the complainer (by the one complaining about the complainer). the “what these authors are giving you for nothing” chirp is especially precious. i suppose i’m one step away from being the proximate cause of destitution for the producer of a podiobook about which i complained. but no, that can’t be claimed from your words, because you weren’t saying anything. literally.

   through it all, the truth of anything i’ve written on this site remains unexamined by your complaint. before clicking submit, do you read what you write?

10. phil Says:
    October 21st, 2007 at 4:19 pm

    I’ve listened to a number of Mark’s previous works - I enjoyed Number One with a Bullet, and was (happily) perplexed by the Shadow Falls drama and audiobook sequel.

    Half way through the first episode of ‘Diary’ though, I just switched over to something else. I decided I didn’t need this level of violent imagery in my mind.

    But hey, that’s the point here - you’re free to choose your listening.

11. Evo Says:
    November 4th, 2007 at 8:13 pm

    Everone — Please watch the ad hominem attacks. I appreciate the support of Mark, and I’m sure he appreciates it as well, but let’s debate on the merits of the subject at hand, and lay off the personal attacks — even against those that you don’t agree with.

    I’ve had too moderate too many. Let’s all act like big people, OK?

    Evo

12. Danielle H Says:
    December 3rd, 2007 at 9:26 am

    I am usually a fan of Mark, but I have to say this last book really disappointed me. I don’t mind the graphic descriptions of the kills, I don’t mind the “litany in monotone” voice styling, I think I see what he was trying to do by using it. The problem was that there didn’t seem to be any depth to the main character or to the plot. We know that the killer only targets other killers. Why? Why not just kill some random person on the street? I made it through 4 chapters with no explanation of why the killer does what he does, no insight into what is going through his mind while he is killing someone, nothing that even begins to expose the really psychology of the character. I don’t mind plenty of lead-up, but after 4 chapters of violence with no meaning I gave up. I couldn’t help but compare this novel with American Psycho and find it very wanting. I’m looking forward to Marks next offering with hope that it will be back to the caliber, pardon the pun, of Number One With a Bullet.

13. Tasha Says:
    December 13th, 2007 at 11:43 pm

    Great story. I cant wait for season 2.

14. Jon Says:
    January 17th, 2008 at 6:29 am

    I’m only through episode 9, but so far this is one of my favorite novels on podiobooks. Great, great story.

    Concerning Danielle’s comment: “We know that the killer only targets other killers. Why? Why not just kill some random person on the street?”

    The narrator makes frequent references to the injustice and ineffectiveness of the law. I think it was pretty clear by episode 4 that he feels like he’s bringing justice and order to a world gone mad. In a later episode he even wonders if he’s buying his way into heaven.

15. Homer68 Says:
    March 6th, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    This is the first pod book i ever listened to and it got me hooked. This author is really good. At first i thought this book was kind of funny because it sounded like the narrator was a nerdy guy trying to be a cool guy. However the more i listened the more the narrator of the story made sense, this character was supposed to be kind of a douchebag, he thought he was smarter, cooler and better than everyone, it was written perfectly. Mark really nailed it, in my opinion the main character was one of those kids who was a loser but thought they were cool.’
    It was just a wonderful book to listen to, great job!!!!

16. ClieQueen Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 11:50 am

    LOVE THE VOICE! Hell the voice alone is worth the listen, especially late at night! But I like the kinda wandering, meandering, comes together at points that you sometimes don’t expect but love, if you listen closely to all the words! Great podcast - and I am picky!!!

17. Elizabeth Says:
    April 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    I couldn’t even finish the first chapter, it made me sick to my stomach.
    I can’t believe someone thought of this.

18. Anarion Says:
    April 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am

    This is really an intense experience.

    I love how Mark plays with the perception of the audience.
    Do not worry, if after the first few chapters you do not know what is going on. The best aspect of this novel is how you understand the main character a bit more every chapter… until you even understand him better than he does himself.

    I guess a good indicator is the TV series ‘Dexter’. If you like watching ‘Dexter’, you will probably get something out of this book. (Curiously, something stops me from using the word ‘enjoy’ here…)

    The thing that bothered me is a matter of taste. For my taste: Too much sex. It wasn’t necessary for the story and felt a bit sensationalist. (”Sex sells”)

19. Anarion Says:
    April 4th, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Oh, I forgot: I’m really looking forward to Season 2!

20. per ove sleen Says:
    June 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am

    Lots of different opinions here, but I am afraid I have to go with the bad critics….unfortunately.
    First the trinity as they are referred to here (sigler/hutch/rossi ) I have heard all their podiobooks/podcast/online audio for free, and I am not impressed.
    It is the same crap we have been served from Hollywood for decades. Safe and easy with NO surprises what so ever after the same old boring safe patterns as always.
    Sorry but I would think it would be liberating not having to stick with what the money people demand fore once.
    But it is the same old American tasteless shit story about money. They don’t grab the once in a lifetime chance to produce something original (if any of them are capable, I am seriously doubting that), but do the same as many people, whom only see the internet as another way to conquer the world and become filthy rich in the process.

    OK I admit I am an communist in spirit, an artist in practice, a humanist whenever possible, I love animals, people and art/music/literature and my anarchistic tendencies scare everybody whom never took the time to find out what it is, but believe TV and media who’s repeatedly and wrongly keep referring to it as chaos.
    But I hate capitalism (I know this is not politically correct for the time, but I know people believing in capitalism have their heads up their ass cos it is the most pleasant thing to do at the time).
    This Just so you know why I find sigler/hutch/rossi a bunch of money grabbing, talentless and boring authors.
    And the things they do and say to get their crap sold (like calling their readers for junkies and the crummy script for a fix???? totally tasteless if you ask me.
    I am a real junky since 25 years and I don’t like people using other peoples HELL ON EARTH to peddle their garbage.
    And to call their rubbish for a fix!!???…. he he he that is SO stupid I will just leave it at that ( judge for yourself….but please don’t go out and try to compare…just take my word for it….it’s not worth it…..EVER).

    Also the voice of the author on thees recordings are nothing short of laughable.
    Up until now I have managed to shut it out, but this book was just too much.
    It was very hard to know whether to cry ore to laugh (both cases having the built in risk of not being able to stop), so I did the only reasonable thing to do….I abandoned the whole shit load.
    The voice sounded like a condemned prisoner 5 min before execution, but over dramatized a 100 times over…..just plain stupid and amateur…and that throughout a whole damn book!!?? no thanks mr.
    I will stop her (ok I heard the applause) and go find one of the hundreds and thousands of great free audio books out there.

    BUT!! when all this is said, it is still in its place to thank the troika sigler/hutch/rossi for putting out their books for free, and for giving us free literature.
    Cos THAT I find a grand thing…..and maybe…just maybe they aren’t that bad after all, but just need some love and understanding……AND a social network like we have here in Norway, to catch you and your family if you fall from taking economic ore artistic risks ore anything else that could ruin your economy and jeopardize you and your family’s health, safety, income and education…who knows?

    POS

21. eweiand Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 am

    Another awesome story from Mark. Through both seasons of Shadow Falls and #1 With a Bullet and now Diary of Madman, I’ve come to realize that I can always count on an entertaining story from this author. Great story. Very intense. Loved the narration. Can’t wait until season 2!

Discuss this post in the box below:

Report a problem with an episode

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website