Not a barn burner, but a nice way to pass the time

I listened to the audio version. Hillary Huber and Erik Davies tag teamed their way through the book, but they don't have as much skill at presenting different voices as most of the audible performers, nor do they have the acting ability. Erik comes closest, leaving JP Beaumont only slightly wooden, and offering the typical Beau take on life. Hillary doesn't give Joanna Brady nearly as much spark as some other readers have in the past, and at times seems to be a little monotonal.

The story itself is adequate, but is not my favorite among the Brady and Beaumont books. Perhaps the next in the series is meant to carry on where this one left off, giving a more satisfactory result to the plot?
I like getting another update on the ongoing lives of both of these characters, but the connection between the two departments seemed a little forced. This story does build upon prior occurrences, but you don't need to have read those book(s) in order to fully understand things (however, it helps!).

Regarding the tag team readers, I've wondered how well this would work. In this case, it was nothing to write home about. Even though it's difficult for men to voice women characters, and vice versa, it's easier for most actor-readers to create a believable woman's voice. I prefer the books where a single performer does all the voices as opposed to the switch-back and forth system.

The wonderful part about audio, though, is that by the time I drove to and from work, squeezed in a few listens at breaks and lunch, and a little in the evening, I could finish the book in two days using the fast setting in the iPod.

The J.A. Jance books are my second-favorite for audio listening (first is the Rita Mae Brown library), but if my introduction had been this book, I might not have developed the deep fondness for the characters peopling her books. I have trouble remembering sometimes that all of them are imaginary...

5 people found this helpful

Where is the rest of the book?

I've enjoyed Jance's stories for many years, but this one left me wondering what happened to the rest of the book. When I got to the end, I had to go back and listen to the final few chapters again to see if I had missed something.
It seemed like she probably wrote a longer, more complete version and then the publisher said it had to be pared down to the current length, both in pages and the number of CDs the audio version would fit on.

3 people found this helpful

Narration

As much as I like J A Jance especially Joanna and JP I did not like Hillary. We all have an image of what they may look like but she did not fit Joanna. Eric was great. I heard that JaJance is planning on getting rid of one of these and I hope it will not be Joanna as I live in Tucson and enjoy the books. Maybe the next one with them together will be Joanna going to Seattle.

3 people found this helpful

Good Story

What made the experience of listening to Fire and Ice the most enjoyable?

The story was interesting and kept me going.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the stories wove together.

Did Hillary Huber and Erik Davies do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I thought Erik Davies did ok, but Hillary Huber didn't have spark or personality to me. This was the part of the book I didn't care for. Bring back Gene Engene....

2 people found this helpful

Not quite right

So I am currently listening to the book and I am upset to find out that Gene Engene the Voice of all the J.P. Beaumont has been replaced. I would re-listen if he recorded it. Erik is ok but doesn't have the take no Sh*t sound that Gene has. I started with my audio book experience with this Series and now am sad that it ended this way.

2 people found this helpful

Stilted Narration

Started listening. Stilted and boring narration. Couldn't continue.

2 people found this helpful

Fire and Ice

I do not think I have ever been so bored listening to a J. A. Jance novel as I was listening to this one. Hillary Huber was boring, too bland and NO emotion. Erik Davies was a little better.
I love Gene Engene as J.P. Beaumont, there is no better in my opinion. I also prefer Yancy Butler as Joanna Brady.

2 people found this helpful

The Worst Performance I have heard in an Audio Book!

I am a huge fan of J.P. Beaumont.....But this....It was hard to get through large parts.

The Erik Davies performance was AWFUL. The voices were unbearable and sometimes even sounded like the old dead robotic tones of an automated voice speaking one word at a time. Other times like a monologue. At No Time Was He Good. His male characters sounded like women sometimes. Just Boring.
Just Plain Terrible! I feel like I should be paid for my time spent listening to this.
Hillary Huber is lifeless.

1 person found this helpful

Great book

The one thing I have found that I don’t like is the use of different narrators. Pick one and stick with it

1 person found this helpful

Great Paring

he two main characters are perfect together. I'm sure you will like this one. Quick listen.