BRAIN WORM

by Joel Canfield

Narrated by: George Kuch

Production by: Joel Canfield

Mayhem and Murder

Broke, aging, and dodging trolls and an angry ex, Max Bowman escapes to California and finds himself running a detective agency under a dead man’s name. His first client claims the government is sneaking into his apartment to rearrange food in his refrigerator—a bizarre case that becomes even stranger when zombie assassins begin killing everyone around Max while mysteriously leaving him alive.

Max’s search for answers takes him from a suspicious Silicon Valley start-up to a deadly chase on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, eventually leading straight to the White House—and a president with some very unusual plans for him.

The author, Joel Canfield, writes clearly and handles the story’s chaos, mysterious characters, and unexpected twists exceptionally well. Although this is the fifth book in the series, there is enough background and context for it to be enjoyed as a standalone without leaving the listener feeling lost. What begins as a somewhat slow, traditional detective novel quickly shifts into a fast-paced, action-packed adventure filled with suspense and intensity.

The characters are well developed and, even without having listened to the previous books, appear consistent and believable. Their individual personalities come through vividly in their dialogue and actions, making it easy to understand who they are and what drives them. The author successfully balances the mystery, action, and increasingly bizarre events without allowing the storyline to become confusing, resulting in an unusual but highly entertaining listening experience.

The narrator, George Kuch, speaks clearly and delivers an energetic performance that keeps pace with the story’s increasing action and suspense. His tonal inflections effectively communicate the intensity of each scene, while distinct voices give the characters their own personalities and make conversations easy to follow. His cadence and delivery keep the story flowing smoothly, particularly as the plot shifts from a traditional detective mystery into fast-paced action. Through his voice, energy, and timing, he fully immerses the listener in the chaos, mystery, and excitement of the story, making for an engaging listening experience.

An entertaining and unpredictable listen that blends mystery, suspense, and fast-paced action into one wild and thoroughly engaging ride.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-biased, honest review.