Suspense (with poetry)

If you could sum up Come Unto These Yellow Sands in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, Relevant, Literate

What other book might you compare Come Unto These Yellow Sands to and why?

Any of Josh Lanyon's other novels, print or audio. They are all literate (also suspenseful, romantic and fun). Besides, Lanyon writes exciting, edge-of-your seat action scenes.

Have you listened to any of Paul Fleschner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. When listened to all at one go, as I did yesterday on a long road trip, they may be even more suspenseful and compelling than when read chapter by chapter, which is what typically happens when one must put a printed book aside in the middle of things as the demands of daily life intrude.

Any additional comments?

The book’s title is a quote from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” which is fitting for Sebastian Swift, the story’s protagonist, a literature professor who becomes a target when he tries to help one of his students who is suspected of murder. A great pleasure of the book is all the situationally relevant quotes of poets from Shakespeare to Eliot and e.e. cummings. One wonders if Josh Lanyon wishes he had been a professor of literature himself. Based on the evidence here, he’d probably be great at it. But you won’t need a poetry anthology beside you to enjoy the story, because it’s also packed with physical and romantic suspense. Download it for your next road trip, or for true listening pleasure anytime.

12 people found this helpful

Wonderful narration of a wonderful book

What did you love best about Come Unto These Yellow Sands?

I read the book first and then listened to the audio.This is one of my favorite books, a very emotional read for me, i love the story, the characters, the mystery, everything. And it has humor and sweetness and a bit of sarcasm. I also love that every chapter begins with a "choose your own adventure" bit and these really add a fantastic new dimension to the story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was suspenseful - both from the mystery view point and the development of the relationship between the main characters - Swift and Max.

Which character – as performed by Paul Fleschner – was your favorite?

Swift was my favorite character, the voice was exactly right for what i imagined for Swift, and it came alive for the "choose your own adventure" bits (a personal favorite), and, even more importantly, for the emotionally intense scenes. Paul Fleschner has done a wonderful job especially with those scene which are particularly difficult for the characters.

Who was the most memorable character of Come Unto These Yellow Sands and why?

Swift is the most memorable for me because of the painful journey he's going through, but i've come to appreciate Max on his own right as well as for being the perfect person for Swift.

Any additional comments?

It's a beautiful book. I highly recommend it!

10 people found this helpful

This is a marvelous story

It's a mystery/romance but so much more than that. I had to listen to it twice to get the full depth of it. Lanyon truly writes some terrific character studies. One of the few that I've read about addiction that gets it right.

The narrator occasionally emphasizes the wrong word and is a little superficial at times, but still good enough that it doesn't detract from the story... Well worth a listen.

4 people found this helpful

I love me some Josh

This is another credit worthy creation from Josh. A twisting mystery with like able characters,who advance the romance in their relationship. Thanks Josh.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting mystery

Would you listen to Come Unto These Yellow Sands again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to it again. The characters are interesting.

What three words best describe Paul Fleschner’s performance?

This narrator's voice is pleasant, and he did a good job with different voices. However, he seemed to be reading instead of narrating occasionally. At first I wasn't sure I wanted to keep listening, but this was less of a problem as I continued with the book or perhaps I just got involved in the story line and overlooked it. I think with more practice he will be an excellent narrator.

1 person found this helpful

Addicted to Love

Professor Swift and Chief of Police Max Prescott have been lovers for years, but covering for his favorite student might bring that to a screeching halt. Especially when Swift finds out that Tad's wanted for questioning in his fathers murder.

When it's clear that professor Swift is going to try to find Tad, and help him clear his name; the killer starts by trying to frame Swift for possession to get him out of the way, and if that doesn't work, killing him might swiftly follow.

This title was the first Josh Lanyon book I ever read, and just that quick I was hooked. I have every book he has written, and eagerly await the audio release for each.
As with all Josh Lanyon audiobooks, Josh has the final say in who narrates his characters, so what you hear is as close as we can come to hearing the characters as Josh imagined them.

1 person found this helpful

Book fabulous, reading very bad

I have this book. Josh Lanyon's writing is beautiful particularly in this book. This audio version wa impossible to listen to and therefor hard to follow. The narrator had no sense of rhythm in his reading, no particular emotion nor any device to clearly help determine which character was speaking. Really too bad. I was really looking forward to this in audio form.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent Book

I just listened to this book again. I simply don't know why I waited so long to hear it again. So many of Josh Lanyon's books are in my library...just need to listen to them all again. Josh's writing is always excellent!

Pleasant diversion

Not as good a Lanyon as some of the serial novels but a pleasant diversion. The protagonist's odd actions often made me yell out loud in frustration. Good romance and adequate mystery. Narration is great.

Josh Lanyon is what keeps my hope alive...

This is yet another book by Lanyon that instantly had me at attention. Like Adrien English, what separates this book from all the rest is that Lanyon has a depth to write stories in a serious tone which entail serious, real life issues and yet, she cleverly adds touches of light-hearted humor to bring readers out of a too-solemn mood. Swift's drug addiction truly gave me a glimpse into what addicts suffer on a daily basis and left me thankful I've never suffered such an affliction. As well, the story had intense but pleasurable angst between Swift and Max that I can never get enough of...bc I cannot find. Thank you Josh for "getting it" and knowing what it takes to write a great book! Looking forward to more.