A Good and Useful Hurt

By: Aric Davis

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Mike is a tattoo artist running his own shop, and Deb is the piercing artist he hires to round out his studio’s motley crew of four. The last either expects is romance, but that’s what they get as they follow their off-kilter careers and love lives into complete and total disaster. When Mike follows a growing trend and tattoos the ashes of deceased loved ones into several customers’ tattoos, he has no idea that it will one day provide the solution - and solace - he will sorely need. And when the life of a serial killer tragically collides with the lives in the tattoo shop, Mike and Deb will stop at nothing in their quest for revenge, even if it means stepping outside the known boundaries of life and death. Ink that is full of crematory ashes, a sociopathic killer, and pain in its rawest form…this is going to hurt.When the hope of redemption runs headlong into the dark side of life’s chaos, we are left with one of the most haunting thrillers in recent memory. A Good and Useful Hurt delivers the bittersweet essence of life with the sting of a needle in skin.

©2012 Aric Davis (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great story

I loved this story that revolved around a tattoo artist. The characters were likeable (except for the serial killer) and the tragedies were devastating. The story really pulled me in and the supernatural twist made it even better.

unique twist and awesome narrator

I checked with my best friend who’s an amazingly talented tattoo artist and apparently, it’s completely possible to mix ashes in with the ink. I thought using this idea as the starting point for the novel was one of the most unique ideas I've come across in a novel lately. I don't want to give anyway anything from the story but it's an awesome and realistic view of this unique subculture with a great paranormal twist. Memorial tattoos are bittersweet for the artist and client both. It truly is a good and useful hurt.

The narration was awesome as always with Luke Daniels. He's one of my favorite male narrators. He does very distinct voices for each character and the women actually sound like women. I highly recommend him as a narrator and this book in particular. Very credit worthy.

Fascinating way to seek justice...

Two parallel stories collide forcing justice to be sought in a most interesting way.

Tatto shop has a staff with back stories that enrich their present day personnas.

Killer that loves the thrill of power over his victims.

What happens when they collide turns out to be a fascinating way to seek justice. The twists were plotted well, unexpected, and enhanced the story.

Good and Useful doesn't hurt a bit!

What made the experience of listening to A Good and Useful Hurt the most enjoyable?

This book is beautifully performed. The reader makes each character sound specific, without being campy. The writing is not the most powerful you've every read, but the book's message and story keep you drawn in and it doesn't leave you fast forwarding through anything.

What did you like best about this story?

The message of love about those that pass gets right into the heart. If you've ever lost someone close to you then it's hard not to be touched by this story. In fact if you've ever dreamed about a deceased love one then this story makes those moments very haunting.

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I actually started reading this book on my Kindle after receiving it discounted. I was fascinated by the topic and thought it would be a very quick read. Two years later I still hadn't finished it and had more or less completely abandoned the book. But listening to Luke's honest and even tone to the characters gave the piece and new life and I'm glad that I took a chance on this audio book.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this, and you won't regret it!

A New and Different Horror Story/Mystery

I only follow four audible reviewers. Elle from the Northwest led me to this paranormal mystery and love story, and as usual, she hit the mark. This story line is original and entertaining. This horror novel is about a talented and likable tattoo artist who unintentionally creates a new artistic trend by mixing the ashes of cremated love ones into tattoo ink. This audible mystery was very well done. The ability to suspend belief would have been challenging had it not been for the narration of Luke Daniels, who keeps it real. Worth a credit.

I'm loving it

If you could sum up A Good and Useful Hurt in three words, what would they be?

No I don't have a tattoo nor ever want one. But this book is a 'can't put down'. Engaging characters, people I would like to know and a strong story line. Plus this is one of the best narrators I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. He seems to be as engaged in the story as I am. Love it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mike, of course. He is a deep soul and genuine good guy

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favorite?

Deb, Daniels has the ability to make her seem natural.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I want to find more of this combination

Not what I expected in a good way

From reading the book excerpt and the peoples reviews this book is in nothing like I expected but in a good way it was pretty good book actually I was surprised and enjoyed it

Stephen King Fans, Say Hello to the New Kid

I wasn't expecting much from this; I downloaded it based on a recommendation and then let it sit for awhile. And I just finished it. And...it's really, really, really good. It. blew. me. away. I wasn't expecting the supernatural angle, and Davis does it as King does - the focus is on the characters, and the characters are great. Wow.

Good book!

I really liked this book, it was nice change from your typical thriller. I liked how the girls were given voices. I really like this narrator he makes it even better!

Interesting, but Jarring

Is there anything you would change about this book?

At the risk of spoiling a good portion of the book for those who have not read it yet, I would remove the shifts from the protagonist's perspective to that of the killer. It felt tremendously unnecessary, and the shift in language was enough to jar me out of the story. This was true both when I was listening to the narration and when reading the novel on my Kindle.

I felt that it was unnecessary - we already know that the antagonist is not a likable individual. Why accentuate with ugly, jarring language that completely removes the reader from the experiences of the protagonist?

Would you be willing to try another book from Aric Davis? Why or why not?

I'm not sure at this point. The voice of the protagonist rang authentic to me, but there were several points that I was just ripped out of the story.

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

I have not listened to any of Luke Daniels's other performances. That said, I felt that he did an excellent job of carrying the protagonist's voice (Mike), though I disliked his portrayal of Deb. I think I would have preferred an inflection-less reading, rather than an attempt at modulating his voice to be more feminine.

Did A Good and Useful Hurt inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

Aric Davis has a sort of sparse elegance to his writing, which made reading most of this novel a pleasure. I enjoyed the setting of the tattoo parlour and the inclusion of the supernatural in the story, though I felt that the changes to the antagonist's perspective were gratuitous and unnecessary. I was constantly jarred out of the cadence of the story, which might have been Mr. Davis' intention.

However, I found that less than pleasant, and the language used when making the change in perspective felt forced and unnatural. To steal a phrase from television, it felt like jumping the shark. My belief in the world that Mr. Davis was building was shaken each time it occurred, and it was actually a challenge to finish the novel. I'm not sure that I would chose to read anything else by Mr. Davis at this time.