I honestly feel very detached from this story.

The narrator was terribly difficult to listen to. He kept swallowing and taking deep breaths. I have never heard this before during an audiobook. I felt as if I was a child being read a story for bedtime that I was zoning in and out of.

I think a new narrator is the key!

Thanks for NetGalley and Smugglers Lane Press for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

This was my first Andrew Kaplan book and I enjoyed it. I liked the main character Casey Ramirez. The story was a bit complicated.

The book was narrated by the author but I think it would have been better with an actor that had different voices for different characters.

Thank you NetGalley, author Andrew Kaplan, and Smugglers Lane Press publishing for giving me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last.
From the premise of the book, I knew I was in for a wild ride and I was not disappointed! From start to finish, this book held my interest so well that I had to finish it in less than a day!
The story has a little bit of everything. From jewelry heists, drug cartels, human trafficking, politics, and clues that lead to traveling to various countries to find the reason for the apparent suicide of a potential presidential candidate. The story line had a lot of moving parts and characters that did not seem to fit the story, but as the events and characters began to cross paths, the plot unfurls to reveal a cliffhanging ending! The author did a wonderful job creating twists and turns that kept me guessing how it was all going to come together. I would recommend this story to those who are fans of spies and political intrigue! I can't wait for another new release by this author!

Book Review: Blue Madagascar by Andrew Kaplan
Published by Smugglers Lane Press, June 30, 2021

★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)

"Blue Madagascar", my first book by the author, reads like a pulsating Robert Ludlum spy thriller in a throwback to a John le Carré cold war era political face-off replete with eastern bloc goons and Soviet assassins.

The pursuit of "Blue Madagascar" takes a Homeland Security special agent on a dizzying road trip from D.C. to the French Riviera, to a small town in Mexico, back to Marseilles, to Genoa, Italy, to Dallas, to Panama City.

And that's just half of the way.

Special Agent Casey Ramirez, in a role reminiscent of Carrie Mathison featured in Author Andrew Kaplan's highly-acclaimed television and book series "Homeland", battles foreign agents across Europe and North America for possession of secrets embedded in the mysterious "Blue Madagascar", along with a promise of untold wealth.

Having evidently traveled across Europe, the author displays an intimate knowledge of European culture and locale, and a near-native flair for languages, by the tenth chapter, the use of slang in the French Midi makes me crave for a cloudy glass of Pastis and a bowl of bouillabaisse.

Fast-paced, breathlessly intriguing, an explosive ending.

Review based on an e-ARC from the Book Whisperer, Smugglers Lane Press, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, and NetGalley.

I'm still sitting on the edge of my seat after listening to Blue Madagascar! Wow! Absolutely an amazing suspenseful listen! Love!

*I received an audiobook copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that this book was not for me. The story was alright, but the layout was a bit confusing.

I enjoyed the character of Casey and wouldn't mind joining her adventures in the future. But I was confused on the timeline, who some of the characters were, and how it all fit together. At times it felt like a James Bond or Mission Impossible book, while at other times it just seemed overly dramatic for no particular reason.

I also had issues with the narration. The narrator was constantly audibly swallowing and pausing. It was distracting to listen to and something I never notice in other audiobooks that I listen to. He also just didn't bring the book to life for me. It was a little dull. I feel bad saying that, but that is the honest truth.

I do think the bones of the book have potential and that with some edits, adjustments, and a different narrator that it could be a great book. It just didn't really work for me.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley for an honest review
How do I review this book without giving too much away well here goes
This is a wonderful roller coaster ride
I did have to start the book a couple of times due to the storyline jumping around but once I got used to the writing style it's a none stop action with plenty of puzzles to solve
This book has all of the homeland drama and would recommend and stick with it