The Covey Jencks Mysteries Audiobook Tour #lonestarlit

We received the audiobook as part of this tour with Lone Star Book blog Tours.

Lynn’s Review:

I’ve already read and reviewed the books in this omnibus and I was worried that I’d be bored with a re-listen. But honestly, I was quite entertained! I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the characters and remembering the details of the mysteries. (Click here to see the other reviews.)

Narrator Lookadoo is engaging with an easy to listen style. As previously, I appreciate the straight-forward and conversational language used in the novels. This makes listening to the audio inviting. Lookadoo really nails the West Texas accents and characters in these novels. The narration of the characters is distinct, including JayJay’s voice. The audio production is well done and listening to the novels is a pleasure.

These novels are funny, well-researched, and well-written in a conversational tone. The Texas quips stand out on second reading.

“Younger Edward, as many West Texans say, was all hat and no cattle.”

I’m still chuckling at that!

I appreciated the blending of historic facts and information with fictional storytelling and characters. The historic setting of the mid to late 1990’s provides a lens to view current times. Topics in these novels are just as relevant today as they were in the 1990s (homophobia, racism, Chinese American relations, oil boom and bust cycles, and more). The pop culture and movie references are enjoyable to read and had me laughing many times throughout the novels.

The secondary characters almost steal the show in these novels. Each is fully developed and entertaining to say the least! From the team at Covey and Associates (M.A. & Jack) to the cast of characters Covey and JayJay meet along the way (a ghost, a Boston gangster, spies, amongst others), I can easily picture these characters and their interactions with Covey and JayJay.

COVEY JENKS: The scenes where J.J. and Covey become reacquainted is even more poignant knowing how their relationship progresses throughout the novels. The historic scenes blend well with the current scenes. I really enjoyed when the characters and together, breaking down the crimes and determine who is guilty.

COVEY JENKS GET EDUCATED: The addition of JayJay’s point of view and narration in this novel is a real boon! Her POV really adds to the novel, giving us scene details when Covey is not around. Liberal vs conservative Texas is at the forefront of this novel. This reads as very current. Plus, I did not see those twists at the end coming, even the second time!

THE CHINESE MURDER OF EDWARD WATTS: Of the three, this one reads as the most Columbo-esque. The murder of Edward Watts takes place at the beginning of the novel (and it’s in the title!), while solving the murder unfolds throughout the rest of the novel. Overly large personality Randy Jordan makes his debut in this novel. I’d read more of his stories anytime!

I highly recommended these novels the first time through. And even more so now. Funny Quips, great characters, and a colloquial writing style make THE COVEY JENKS MYSTERIES a great listen or read!

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Julie’s Review:

I love audiobooks. Why? Because I can listen while multitasking, and as busy mom who works full-time, the only time I have for reading is listening. I mostly listen while working on spreadsheets at work or driving. That’s my “free brain” time. But it’s also easy to lose myself in my work and miss something in the audio. It’s a trade off I suppose.

Where am I going with this? It’s part of the review, really. Being this is an omnibus of multiple books, and a mystery series, it is possible to miss some details. It can’t be helped. But sometimes it affects the experience. Since this is my first reading of the stories (I didn’t read the ebooks like my co-blogger), I’ll organize my review overall and per book.

The Covey Jencks Mysteries – Characters: I do really like our main character, Covey Jencks. Getting to know him in the first book he kind of made me chuckle and relate. I also don’t want to be a New York hot shot working all the high profile cases. Bring me back to a more quiet and fun way of life. JayJay I like a lot! Her ‘tude and personality are big and bright and for real I’d like to be friends with her.

The Covey Jencks Mysteries – Audio Narration: I enjoyed the narration by Stephen E. Lookadoo Jr. A mystery/crime type novel tends to be more organized and chronological and less colorful and descriptive, which sometimes makes the narration flat. And I did find a bit of that during Covey Jencks’ informational scenes. However, all the scenes and chapters that focused on JayJay were superb! Loved the voice and sass. Perfect performance.

The Covey Jencks Mysteries – Book 1 – Covey Jencks: This was a so-so book for me, which makes sense for a first book. I enjoyed the back story and our two favorite characters getting reacquainted. But, the deep West Texas, um, language, was rubbing me wrong. Can’t be helped as it was based on realism. But still jarring to listen out loud. Also, I felt the ending was kind of rushed and everything happened so quickly. Now, this could be due to the aforementioned possible distraction of working and listening. But it sounds like others may have a similar note in other reviews I read. I did really enjoy the way the city of Odessa was treated like another book character and not just a setting. So much great history and town character shared. I also enjoyed chuckling at the throwback of old 1990s technology.

The Covey Jencks Mysteries – Book 2 – Covey and JayJay Get Educated: I enjoyed very much the change up in the POV for this book. Loved JayJay’s chapters and all her personality. The big ticket plot points touched on are as important today as they were in the ’90s – LGBTQ issues, racism, white nationalism, etc. – these are still relevant today. I also enjoyed the humor and personality sprinkled into Covey Jencks’ chapters and storytelling. He’s got the “I’m too old for these silly technology changes” vibes that I’m feeling these days. In the end all the answers are laid out and explained, and all motives spelled out. It was a little to tell not show, because I wanted to discover some of the secrets through the story and I didn’t figure it out on my own. Another enjoyable sleuthing by this awesome duo.

The Covey Jencks Mysteries – Book 3 – The Chinese Murder of Edward Watts: This third installation is the best yet. All the spy stuff in this book was great. I really liked the awkwardness of Covey running into an old lover on a business trip, the plot that unwinds from there, and of course the travel and cultural tips. I also loved the side story of the ghost experience told by JayJay and the tie-in to cultural ghosts in China – that was fun! I’m loving JayJay’s detective skills. She’s such a great character. Sorry not sorry to say I like her more than our main character Covey.

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