Narrated by Joel Richards, Investigation, Mediation, Vindication by Chris Tullbane is the first audio in the Many Travails of John Smith, a PI who inadvertently finds himself in the middle of the supernatural world because of an advert. Humor, suspense, and mystery await you.

Investigation, Mediation, Vindication
by Chris Tullbane
Series: The Many Travails of John Smith #1
Narrator: Joel Richards
Length: 11 hours and 31 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.3x

The stakes are real. The mediator isn’t.

“Investigation, Mediation, Vindication.” That’s how the Yellow Pages ad starts, and if it sounds like the sort of thing a drunk teenager might come up with . . . well, you’d only be wrong about the teenager part. John Smith owns San Diego’s smallest private investigation firm, but he doesn’t know the first thing about mediation. Or vindication.

On the other side of town, vampire Lucia Borghesi is having a terrible century. Stripped of her throne and banished from Italy, she’s now somehow found herself in a dispute with the local demigod of nightmares and terror. And to top it all off, the long-time city mediator has been assassinated and her second-in-command just hired a human to fill that role.

If he wants to survive, John will need to prove his value to Lucia and her people while keeping that demigod from sucking San Diego into an unnamed hell dimension. And he’ll have to work fast, because his beloved Corolla is parked curbside in Logan Heights, like an open invitation to the neighborhood’s graffiti enthusiasts.

{
“@context”:”https://schema.org”,
“@type”:”Review”,
“datePublished”: “2022-11-25T05:00:00+00:00”,
“description”: “Narrated by Joel Richards, Investigation, Mediation, Vindication by Chris Tullbane is the first audio in the Many Travails of John Smith, a PI who inadvertently finds himself in the middle of the”,
“publisher”: {
“@type”: “Organization”,
“name”: “Caffeinated Reviewer” },
“url”: “https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/11/investigation-mediation-vindication-by-chris-tullbane.html”,
“itemReviewed”: {
“@type”: “Book”,
“name”: “Investigation, Mediation, Vindication”,
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Chris Tullbane”,
“sameAs”: “https://christullbane.com/” },
“isbn”: “” },
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Kimberly”,
“sameAs”: “https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/” },
“reviewRating”: {
“@type”: “Rating”,
“ratingValue”: 4,
“bestRating”: “5”
}
}

John Smith, a private investigator in San Diego, places an ad in the Yellow Pages, that says, “Investigation, Mediation, Vindication.” When vampire Lucia Borghesi finds herself in a dispute with a local demigod of nightmares and terror, a mediator is required. Unfortunately, their regular mediator has been assassinated, so a human mediator will have to do. John finds himself not only a target but smack-dab in the middle of a supernatural squabble.

The tale that unfolds has snark, suspense and magical Nintendo remotes. John Smith knows nothing about mediation and vindication, but he’s just finished a PI course. He lives at home, doesn’t have a girlfriend and Comicon is ruined when he is attacked outside.

I enjoyed the world building as we learned about the supernatural world alongside John. There is a romantic thread which falls in the slow burn category and I’m curious to see how it develops.

John is a such a fun character. I imagined him as John Black, a nerdy gamer who’s slightly overweight and still lives with his parent’s house. Juliette is a snarky vampire who refers to John as “little bird.” There is a full cast of characters, but all are unique and easily identifiable like Lord Beel, who calls himself Bill and is a seven-foot asparagus with a drawn maker mouth and carrot nose!

Joel Richards brings voice to John Smith and this cast of characters enhances the snark, suspense, and developing relationships.

The perspective is all John and filled with culture references wrapped in mystery, suspense and snark. I cannot wait to listen to the next one.

Amazon | Audible

Investigation, Mediation, Vindication by Chris Tullbane delivered humor, suspense and magic in this first in series #audiobook #ManyTravailsOfJohnSmith #audiobookreview #JoelRichards
Click To Tweet

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2022 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/11/investigation-mediation-vindication-by-chris-tullbane.html

Nicholas Hall, Nick to his friends, has done it. He’s completed his first official mission for the Allied Consortium. Now, finally, he’s ready to return to the deep reaches of space. His crew of four has turned into a family of six, and they are back for more in Michael J. Farlow’s newest book, Retribution: Records of the Argos.

As the second installment in the series, Retribution brings back all the characters we loved from Crucible, and I have to say I’m thrilled. While the writing is clear and easy to follow, the book’s best part must be the crew and their interactions. Nick, the narrator and resident human there to bridge the gap between his otherworldly crew and us. He brings readers quick quips and his stockpile of pop culture references. Then there’s Wizzy, the outgoing and outstanding AI of the Argos. Each interaction feels realistic. From banter to strategy all the way to politics, nothing about Retribution feels forced.

Moreover, this book brings more than just a quirky cast of characters to the table; Farlow has also graced us with a beautifully written plot. Unlike other sci-fi stories that rely heavily on action, Michael J. Farlow chooses to set his sights on something more: politics and strategy. While there’s no lack of fighting, Farlow makes it clear that sci-fi is more than just lasers and ships. Each mission and every action the crew takes is well-thought-out. Acting as peacekeepers and, some might say, heroes, it makes sense. What they do matters, along with what they say and even how they say it.

Retribution: Records of the Argos is a riveting science fiction novel that takes readers on an exciting adventure. Farlow’s ability to write realistic characters and a plot that’s more than just gun smoke and space. In addition, he does a fantastic job of bringing back old, beloved characters while introducing new ones. I, for one, can’t wait for the next entry in this series.

Pages: 358 | ASIN : B0BH41NKPW

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/25/retribution-records-of-the-argos-book-two/

The Hidden Lives of Taxi Drivers, a Question of Knowledge, can be described in one word enthralling. The author is enthusiastic when narrating; the tales she shares are mesmerizing. In just a few pages, you can live through dozens of cabbies’ lives and experience life on the road. Ruth Finnegan writes her stories in a manner that makes the reader engrossed. As a result, this book is both entertaining and enlightening. As a reader, you learn that every industry is unique and how committed the stakeholders are. The taxi business has existed for ages, and Ruth Finnegan helps the reader compare this means of transport to others.

I like that the author discusses the various forms of taxis. She writes about early methods of transportation, how kings in ancient empires traveled compared to commoners, and how taxis were perceived to be luxury by some not long ago. Ruth Finnegan writes about traditional taxis, their role in the transportation industry, and the effect of modern online taxis like Uber and Bolt. Reading through the well-researched discussions gives one a sense of realization. Not many people understand the dynamics of the taxi business, and the author’s notes help clarify some of the misconceptions. No matter how trivial a topic may appear, the author manages to bring life into the discussion.

In this fascinating book, you will virtually travel with taxis in various United Kingdom cities like Cambridge, Belfast, Milton Keynes, and Birmingham. The lives of taxi drivers are interesting, and the author is inspiring with the stories. In her unique way, Ruth Finnegan pays homage to taxi drivers through her book. She also encourages readers to appreciate their cabbies and give them the respect they deserve, as the profession has a few challenges. I appreciate the author for the facts, research, and, my favorite, the pictures, maps, and illustrations. I enjoyed going through the images, as they made the book more appealing. One could tell that taxi drivers worldwide could relate to the author’s stories even when talking about U.K. taxi drivers.

Ruth Finnegan is engaging. Every chapter in the book will make you feel like you are interacting with the author one-on-one. Apart from the excellent storytelling, one cannot help but point out the author’s sense of humor. Ruth Finnegan is naturally hilarious and gives the reader light moments after every few chapters. The educational aspect of the book deserves mention as even with the many beautiful stories, the author learns about hidden issues in the industry, Issues that are barely addressed in casual conversations or in the mainstream media.

Pages: 102 | ISBN: 173989376X

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/25/the-hidden-lives-of-taxi-drivers/

Pixie and Trixie Van Dimple are enjoying a day at the seaside with their family. After telling their dad, they were going to the loo, they sneak off to the sweet shop. After enjoying their finds, they realize they need to hide the evidence, but there is no trash or recycling bin in sight. So Pixie does the one thing she can think of, lets the plastic bag of trash fly off in the wind, straight into the sea. Thinking they are free and clear, they continue with their day. Soon though, from the water arises a monster. It is made out of all the discarded plastic, and trash humans have carelessly tossed away. This causes a worldwide incident, and the ECO Defense system is activated. Can Earth be saved from this plastic trash monster?

Pixie Van Dimple and the Wrong Kind of Plastic, written by Lynn McAllister, is an exciting children’s book that teaches about the dangers of throwing away plastic and especially tossing it into the ocean. It also highlights how communication lines run through the ocean seabed, and when trash is littered through the ocean, it can impact the world’s ability to communicate. The characters are dramatic and entertaining and are portrayed in a manner that will appeal to preteen readers using examples of social media as a way of reporting the disaster at hand. The rhyming narrative adds to the humor of the story and adds a fun twist to a monster tale. In addition, the illustrations add to the humor and strengthen the emotions the author is portraying. There are many terms and abbreviations in this book, which gives families and classes a variety of things to discuss, covering multiple subjects.

Pixie Van Dimple and the Wrong Kind of Plastic is an educational children’s adventure book that will appeal to older elementary readers. The colorful illustrations and lyrical text will keep them engaged as they follow the drama of Pixie and her family. With lessons on the importance of recycling, taking care of the Earth, and protecting our oceans and wildlife, this will make an excellent storybook for a classroom or library.

Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0BCH2Q6MM

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/25/pixie-van-dimple-and-the-wrong-kind-of-plastic/

When Tierra joins her eagle friend Eli for a walk along a nature trail, they are dismayed at the amount of trash scattered around the landscape. They meet up with Monte Mountain Lion on the trail and brainstorm ways to clean up land together. They devise a plan to hold Tierra Day on Earth Day, a celebration and community clean-up event to help humans and animals.

Tierra Day, written by Rachel Bate, is an inspiring children’s book that teaches the importance of recycling and cleaning up after yourself. The story talks about how keeping the Earth clean is a community effort. One person alone can not do it all, and this story highlights the value of getting the entire community involved. The animals even work together to surprise the humans on this special day.

The artwork done by Rebecca Jacob is beautiful and colorful. The paintings will appeal to children with their vivid colors and textures. I especially liked Monty; his expressions made me laugh.

At the end of this educational book is a fact sheet on Earth Day and a glossary; this makes it perfect for classrooms and teachers to use for a lesson on Earth Day. Many children’s books on Earth Day focus just on actually cleaning up and the importance of recycling. What stood out for me in this book was that the planning was discussed. The author emphasizes how important it is to get the word out and get involvement from the community, even the Mayor and Governor. This shows children that it is the responsibility of all people, no matter how important their jobs are, to help keep the Earth clean and trash-free.

Tierra Day is a well-thought-out and written children’s book with an important message about doing your part to keep your community clean. This book would be excellent for anyone who wants to teach children the importance of recycling and how taking care of the Earth impacts not just humans but the animals we share the planet with.

Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0BGZXNCWV

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/25/tierra-day/

Dave Tabler writes about beautiful Delaware, getting the reader to picture the place, its people, and the changes that have been gradually happening over the years. Where did Delaware get its name? The author writes that everything began with a storm at Cape Henlopen and a Virginia navigator who had lost his way. The author superbly describes the State, making one wish they could visit. The natural resources, landmarks, vegetation, and striking landscape are some of the most stunning features in Delaware. Not forgetting about the beautiful people of Delaware, their welcoming nature, and how cordial they are.

The pictures taken by the author are simply out of this world. The author has a great eye. The images alone make this book worth reading. Every picture of a building, vegetation, people, historical site, and everything Delaware offers is skillfully taken. Every photograph of the reconstruction and historical locations is accompanied by polished notes that give more meaning to the pictures. History enthusiasts will love the arrangement of the book as the author starts with the early days of the Swedish settlers, to the U.S. independence before moving to modern times. The chronological arrangement makes reading easy and better when following the tales and images.

The richness of Delaware is covered in every page of Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond among the States. The anecdotes and notes are some of the best elements in Dave Tabler’s writing. How the author humanizes, every tale is remarkable. Dave Tabler’s writing gives the reader a feeling of nostalgia about Delaware, even if they are not from the State. As a reader, you will feel inspired by the moving words and fall in love with the state’s history. Delaware will have a special place in the hearts of all readers thanks to Dave Tabler’s book.

The general feeling after reading this book is contentment. Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond among the States is a great coffee table book filled with rich history and refined content. You can never get enough of the spectacular pictures. The captions and full context given by the author are commendable. I recommend this educational book to readers who love history, photography, and the art of preserving memories.

Pages: 100 | ASIN : B0BHKQTX11

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/25/delaware-before-the-railroads/