Did Not Finish

An Aidy Westlake Mystery, Book 1

De: Simon Wood

Narrado por: James Adams

The first book in the Aidy Westlake mystery series set in the high-octane world of motor racing...

When Derek Deacon threatens to kill Alex Fanning, his championship rival, rookie driver Aidy Westlake doesn’t put much stock in it - it’s typical of the intense competitiveness and aggression in their world. But when Fanning dies after making contact with Deacon’s car during a race, a conspiracy ensues: The TV coverage is edited and the police wind up the investigation without interviewing witnesses. Compelled to prove Deacon is the murderer, Aidy pushes for the truth and is drawn into a world of fraud, organized crime and murder.

©2011 Simon Wood (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Loved this book

I've read several of Simon Wood's books in the past and enjoyed them. But, I'm not especially into cars or car racing, so it took me by surprise just how much I loved this book. The insider look at the racing world was fascinating. The characters were believable. The plot may seem pretty straight forward at first, but watch out for those twists and turns!

I don't want to give away too many details, but there is a scene near the end, where our heroes are in peril, that it so well-written, I was almost crying for them. And it was probably made more intense by hearing it verses just reading it. I kept thinking, "There is no way they can escape from this," but, well, you'll have to listen to find out if and how they do.

I think it says a lot about a series if you finish one book and immediately want to pick up the next one. I'm on my way to download book two, Hot Seat, as soon as I'm done with this review.

I also liked the narrator, who did a good job of distinguishing the characters and inhabiting Aidy's persona.

I would say if you like car racing, listen to this book. But even if you don't, it's a great story and well-worth checking out.

Decided Simon Wood is an excellent story teller.

I've listened to about 6 books of this author and finally decided that he knows how to tell a story and tie up the loose ends in believable fashion. Good listen.

A total surprise!

I'm not a auto racing fan; I dislike the "sport". But I really like this suspense novel, especially the plot twists and turns as well as the surprise ending that simply could not have been foreseen. Did Not Finish is a first rate suspense and "who done it" novel.

For fans of F-1, GP3, Indi car racing

This is a very enjoyable mystery. Just as Dick Francis brought the whole horse racing industry to the reader through his wonderful satisfying mysteries, so Simon Wood lights up his mysteries with open-wheel Grand Prix racing. Both authors are able to people their books with characters that are familiar and in their heroes, people we would like to hang out with. Some violence, it's hard to have a murder mystery without it, but without graphic sex and violence which tends to slow down the plot.

I had a little problem with the narrator as his British accent was so strong I couldn't understand some words. I notice he is also the narrator for the 2nd book in the series HOT SEAT but I will solve it by getting the Kindle book first and then the Audible book and put both on my Kindle Fire so I can read along with the narrator. It is sort of like have captioning on for British movies, I don't miss words that may be important.

I look forward to reading this authors earlier works. This is so well paced and interesting.

Smooth narration, good amateur mystery

What did you love best about Did Not Finish?

I liked the hero of the story, Aidy Westlake, and the performance by James Adams

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A little disappointing. There was a twist, which was good, but it didn't really add up.

Have you listened to any of James Adams’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I would definitely listen to another book read by him. He did a great job breathing humanity and vigor into the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The hero/sleuth talked to the murder victim shortly before his death. It made the death seem more real and poignant that way.