A summer to remember...

I can always count on John Issac Jones to craft out-of-the-box short stories that make you think. Boone is another success, and left me thinking about it even after finishing it. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that I really enjoyed this story. The main character, nicknamed Dirt Knocker by Boone, is staying on Boone and Miss Mary's property while his nurse mom, Virginia, tends to Miss Mary in her final days. Boone and the boy, along with Boone's faithful companion Nero form a friendship over the summer and, well, as Miss Mary is basically in hospice care, she eventually passes away. What happens around that time and later in the story really made me reflect on myself as well. I know, cryptic, right?

Michael T Downey was perfect as the narrator in my opinion. This story takes place in the 1940's on a farm and I could easily envision the narrator fitting into the scenes that Mr. Jones created in my mind. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another Fantastic Short Story by John Isaac Jones!

Once again Mr. Jones has provided his listener with a short story with a deep message. For those who just looked at the artwork and quickly glanced at the published notes and expected a horror story will be sadly disappointed. Like most of Mr. Jones writing this story involves morals, rules, hope, and love(both earthly and in the afterlife). Values that are in step decline in our current society. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Mr. Downey does a splendid job with the narration in this short audiobook. He gives each character a strong distinct voice and is really a pleasant narrator. I look forward to a future performance from him.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge via Audiobook Boom for an unbiased review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A nice story and excellent storytelling

A touching story of love and commitment through the eyes of a young boy. Leaves me wihing for more.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The ending nailed it for me

Set in the 1940s in Alabama, this story is seen through the eyes of a boy whose mother is a live-in nurse for an elderly dying woman, Mary McDaniel. Mary’s husband, Boone, is still an active farmer and is doing his best to deal with his wife’s impending death. The boy, referred to as Little Turd Knocker by Boone, is curious about the farm and splits his time between helping out with chores, exploring, and playing with his circus set or pretending to be a cowboy.

Mary takes weeks to reach her final breath, so this story has time to ramble through the life Mary and Boone built. Even though we know at the beginning that this tale is going to end in death, it gently meanders along. Little Turd Knocker and his mother move onto the farm for the summer so Mary can be eased into her death as best as possible. Boone’s best friend, other than Mary, is his dog Nero, who attends him daily in the fields. Eventually, Boone asks Little Turd Knocker to go with him and the two become friends.

Jones kicks things up a notch when we learn of Nero’s near escape from death as a pup. Then the story goes up another notch when we learn of Boone’s old injury and how that affected his life. So when Mary’s last breath arrives, I was ready for it. I wasn’t ready for what happened next. Oh my! I felt this story was ending on a sad disastrous note. Then in swoops the final scenes and this poignant, almost joyous ending lands on both feet.

This is one of my favorite stories so far by this author. For a short tale, Jones really pulls the reader in with imagery of the farm and phrases and attitudes that were common to the time and location. I nodded knowingly when Little Turd Knocker mentally noted how a sharp goose quill can poke through a pillow, making the experience of a feather filled pillow realistic. Then there’s cotton growing on many acres and hidden money and simple toys and the cowboy story craze of the 1940s. It’s a rich atmosphere that encapsulates these believable characters. 5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book.

The Narration: Michael T. Downey was OK for this story. He did have a great voice for the inner thoughts of Little Turd Knocker and his gruff older voice for Boone was perfect. His female voices were also believable and he had distinct voices for each character. However, the technical recording of this narration is where the trouble lies. There are many mouth noises throughout the story. The volume occasionally goes a little up or down (but not enough to hurt your ears). So a little polishing is needed there. 3.5/5 stars.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Anther short good book, from JIJ

this story is set in the 40s. when life was simple. its about a little boy growing up on a farm, who's mother is a caretaker.
This is not a horror book, but about the afterlife, and sweet little boy and older man that took him under his wing.
though it may not be a horror book, its a sweet book, and a easy listen.

Micheal Downey did seem to breath deeply at the start of a sentence in some parts. but not enough to take away from the story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Emotionally engaging

I'm not generally a fan of short stories, generally I prefer something longer so I can connect with the characters better, but this story didn't need to be longer for me to connect. The story and the characters are so realistic that they feel real.

This short story is packed with emotions and life lessons, it's a great read for book lovers of all ages.

The narration is excellent, the character voices are well done with great accents and the delivery helped draw me into the story.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

If you found this review helpful would you please take a moment to click yes below.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Both sweet and bittersweet

You know you really love a book when you are listening and you find yourself shouting NO!!!! at the top of your lungs when something happens in the story.

As much as I felt for the main character for how much he loved his wife and the pain he felt when he lost her, there were things he did that I highly disapproved of and which I deemed selfish beyond belief. I can only forgive his actions because he was insane with grief. That's all I'm going to say because I don't believe in spoilers.

But I suppose that's the hallmark of a great story -- when the characters become so real that you get pissed off and stay pissed for days afterward. I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I will be on the lookout for more stories by this fantastic author. The narrator put so much of his heart and soul into the story, that just added to the emotional element that moved me to tears in this short story.

Highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Masterful short

The author is a master of the short story. He transports you into another place and time and in a short while introduces you to gritty realistic characters and delivers a message of deep strength in each one. Highly recommend for those short drives/runs, etc. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Boone

John Isaac Jones has done it again. His descriptions are so vivid, I feel like I'm watching the story happen. I felt so connected to the characters even though it is a short story.

Michael T Downey was the perfect choice as the narrator. His southern drawl really added to the performance.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another great story by John Issac Jones!

Mr. Jones keeps surprising me with his ability to create short stories that make me feel like I haven't been shorted. I know the story was good when it's finished an hour or so later and I feel like I have benefited by briefly experiencing the lives of the characters and I am left introspective or caught up in remembering different times, situations, or people.

Another great story, and an hour of my life that was well spent in my humble opinion. Thank you Mr. Jones!

I was given this audio book for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!