Fatal Gamble
JP O’Donnell joins us today, starting the release of the serialized audiobook version of his novel, Fatal Gamble:
Twenty years ago, a group of doctors formed a partnership to build a medical office plaza in Massachusetts. While it wasn’t the most above-board deal ever made, the doctors have found continued profit and success–until now.
Someone wants the doctors dead, and he or she has already succeeded in murdering two of them. The identity of the killer remains unknown. Is it a madman with a vendetta against the medical profession, a small-time bookie seeking revenge for a shady real estate deal, or a disgruntled former construction manager who was unjustly fired?
The widow of one of the slain doctors has a clue–but she’s too afraid to tell the police. She hires Boston private investigator Daniel Gallagher to help track down the murderer. But as Gallagher begins to unravel the mystery, he finds himself entangled in a web of danger and political intrigue.
With the stakes growing higher, Gallagher faces a growing threat to keep him quiet before he reveals the damaging truth. But when push comes to shove, has Gallagher made a Fatal Gamble?
The first six episodes are out right now. Get them delivered to you one at a time with a custom feed. Or if you like loading all on your player at once, the default feed works as well.
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January 6th, 2010 at 12:22 am
I just finished this book today, I was able to listen to the last 3 or 4 episodes back to back.
I think this is the first serialized audiobook by this author/narrator and some of that inexperience shines through. From an audio perspective I think the narration could be a bit louder and flow a bit more smoothly. The pace of the narration was a bit slow at points. Generally the audio and narration was OK, it isn’t likely to win awards but it can be listened to easily enough.
The actual book could stand a little more editing. The dialog was stiff and uncomfortable which may have led to problems in the narration. The story was entertaining but there were clearly some slow parts that could be cut. Throughout the story the main character is discovering parts of a story and relaying them to us. Unfortunately for us the main character runs into witness and other concerned parties that he needs to repeat the story to, or that he recalls the story to.
If this repetition is taken care of the pace of the story would pick up dramatically, a lot of wooden dialog would be eliminated and the listener’s would be able to focus on the action in the story.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I was really impressed by this author’s first foray into audio books. While Gallagher certainly isn’t Tony Soprano, he is a very likeable character and the plot moves quickly. I look forward to hearing his next book.
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your comments on the podcast of Fatal Gamble.
Yes, this was my first attempt at a podcast and I am sure my “rookie” status was in clear evidence. I am, however, working to improve my presentation for the sequel, Deadly Codes. I’m expecting it to be ready sometime in February. Hope you’ll have a chance to listen.
January 27th, 2010 at 4:23 am
Good book and excellent attempt for a first audio book indeed. I look forward to hearing the Dead Code. Thank you.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Really like the character! The plot is interesting too. The interpersonal dialogue (family members, love interest) isn’t as convincing. Dialogue as part of the investigation is great but the personal narratives don’t work for me quite as well.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Just finished your book Fatal Gamble. It was very good. The development of your characters was very well done, and your plot development was well executed. I found myself really liking the good guys, really hating the bad guys, and really sympathizing with the guys that got caught in the middle. I even felt anxious during the *SPOILER ALERT* car crash scene. You have an great understanding of what it takes to make a character believable and interesting.
Here’s where I think you could improve, from one writer to another. Your dialogue is a little stiff and unnatural. Your characters sound like they’re writing instead of speaking. Mickey Ryan was one exception. His dialogue was pretty good. I would also hold back a little more about the ‘mystery’ until the main character discovers it. By the time the main character uncovered the big secret, we as readers already knew it, and were just waiting to see how it would resolve itself. Drag out that mystery just a bit more- it’ll keep your readers guessing, and reading.
Overall, this is by far the best book I’ve read so far on Podiobooks, and even better than some books I’ve purchased on Audible. I’m eagerly awaiting for you to finish your next book (I get through books so fast that I have to wait until they’re done or I’ll die of anticipation waiting for the next episode). Keep up the great work, and I hope to see you on the best seller’s list someday.
March 14th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Thank you for the wonderful comments on Fatal Gamble. You’re right on target. I believe that many of the issues you mentioned have been resolved in Deadly Codes. Hope you’ll listen to it and send me your comments.
Best.
JP O’Donnell
March 20th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I really enjoyed this book.
April 9th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I just completed this book. Loved it.
Started working through Deadly codes, as I write this comment.
May 21st, 2010 at 8:24 am
Thank you for an interesting and entertaining novel. I would agree with everything everyone else has said.
I would add, honest independent editing is very, very important
Good Luck, look forward to your next work.
July 16th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
This audio book is very articulate spoken and has an enthralling plot. I enjoyed to train my english with this book.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:37 am
I’m about half way through the story and it’s really grabbed me. The dimensions given to Gallagher make him a real person, and the way the character thinks is easy to relate to. The one downside that I have is the narration. The author speaks clearly, and is easy to understand, so there is no REAL issue, just more of a preference. I would like to see the reader of novel have better voice acting, and to read with the emotions of the view point character. In this text the narrator is pretty consistent in tone and delivery, and drastically underacts, as the characters’ voices are rarely delivered in a manner that complies with dialogues descriptive text. This is something that is easily overlooked, but with an audio novel, it can make all the difference. All in all, a strong novel by a good writer and storyteller, just not a great actor.
September 27th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Thanks for your comments, Tristen. Fatal Gamble is my first effort in the realm of podiobooks, and my inexperience definitely shows. I’m just not a very good actor. I feel that I improved my delivery in the sequel, Deadly Codes. I’m hoping to find the time to record Fatal Gamble again and enhance the pacing of the story. But, thanks for listenng. I’m happy to hear that there are some Gallagher fans out there.
December 9th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Just got done Fatal Gamble. I liked the story. I have to agree with others who said the author/reader was a little stiff. I got over that. Heck, we all cant be actors:) I did have a problem with the bad guy in the beginning putting a “silencer” on a revolver. First of all, it is called a supressor. Secondly, you cant put one on a revolver. The cylinder/barrell gap makes supressors useless on a relvolver. Also, please have the main character carry a large semi-auto. Very few gun people limit themselves to the small number of rounds a revolver holds. This was a small thing but it stuck out like a sore thumb to me. Also, please wet your whistle before and while you are speaking. Those smacking sounds are very distracting:)
February 2nd, 2011 at 5:49 am
The story is good. The pace of the reading needs to step up and flow. I felt like I was watching a movie in slow motion. Put some feeling in it and you have a winner as an audio. I think it would read fine if you had your own copy.