A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist

Bright Shadows Series: Novelette Trilogies for Busy Folks

By: R. Manolakas

Narrated by: John Bell

A lonely and beautiful little girl with a strange friend, a shy, thoughtful young man searching for a purpose in life that will surprise you, and an elderly, sensual woman whose art warns her of the future: these are the spines of the bizarre novelettes featured in this first volume of a series of trilogies. Due to our time pressures and the increasing stress and diversity of modern life, the audiobook listener's appetite for satisfying chunks of "binge listening" is increasing dramatically. These novelettes - or short novels - of 15,000 words each provide the subplots, complications, and wealth of characters and dramatic punch of full-length tomes, but are more digestible and less time consuming. Each, also divided into three convenient parts, is a self-contained, satisfying, piquant slice of fiction with fast-moving scenes, snappy dialogue, and endings with a twist - much in the style of The Twilight Zone. This series, Bright Shadows Series - Novelettes for Busy Folks, is a new brand in riveting fiction.

©2014 R. Manolakas (P)2014 Robert Manolakas

Entertaining read reminscent of the Twilight Zone

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book is a series of 3 novellas, each story about 1 1/2 hours spread across 3 parts. The stories were entertaining with a surprise ending. The story and naration were varied enough to keep me entertained.

If you’ve listened to books by R. Manolakas before, how does this one compare?

I have never listened to a story by R. Manokalas

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Bell?

Sure. I gave the narration only 3 stars because John Bell didn't do a great job of voicing females (at one point in a story I thought I was hearing an early century same-sex releationship). However, John Bell's voice otherwise enhanced the story with a good variety of voices and voice inflection.

Do you think A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I'd love to read a follow-up of this book with a few changes. The novella style is a great way to listen to a story when you're on the road or in a quick project.

Any additional comments?

The stories in this novella were mysterious and spooky. The narrator's voice, while entertaining, was too cheerful. I would have enjoyed listening to narration with spooky music either in the background or at appropriate points in the stories.

Great story! Loved it!

What did you love best about A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist?

It was so entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

It moved really well forward and I was never bored.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending- it was so well structured.

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

Absolutely. It is so good.

Any additional comments?

I loved the Kindle book and this audiobook even more. The narrator was haunting and fantastic. The strange, short novelettes were riveting and had twisty endings with great variety and entertaining dialogue, just like the “Twilight Zone” TV series—even better. I especially liked how convenient this was for me to listen to during my stressful, busy day with almost no spare time. I look forward the next in the series of trilogies! Five stars plus! A real stress melter!

Three awesome short stories that will hook you

Robert Manolakas is fond of subtitles for his books, and in this case, he lets the reader know that this book is for busy folks. Well, I'm as busy as the next person, but even if you are lonely and bored and your calendar is wide open, these stories are for you!

Three terrific stories that remind me of my favorite shows growing up in the sixties and seventies -- The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone -- and it's no accident that the author gives a nod to these types of stories in his preface/into.

I don't want to spoil the content of the stories, and I hope other reviewers have the same respect for the author's content, because each one has a great "aha" moment at the end and giving a synopsis could ruin them.

Suffice it to say that you should trust me and grab this little collection and that Mr. Manolakas keeps writing these little gems, and that he has a whole shoe box of ideas to draw from. What a great way to spend my Saturday shopping and housecleaning with these three stories to keep me company!

Narration was solid and consistent. It sounded smooth and never sounded like narrator John Bell was reading. What a pro.

I got a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Manolakas Entertains and Thrills Again!

What made the experience of listening to A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist the most enjoyable?

A good narrator, great story and chilling endings to all three novelettes.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the characters were set up by the author and then performed by John Bell.

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

I have not, however he did a wonderful performance here.

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

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

R Manolakas has a true talent for this genre, all of his stories are "must listen."

Fun, Weird and Worth It

These three Twilight Zone-esque novellas make for a spooky and fun listen! A great length, these stories can be consumed in one sitting. I enjoyed the diverse range of characters and time periods of these tales. I would recommend this trilogy to any friends who enjoy spooky content, but not full-blown horror.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

different and solidly written,

I am admitted fan of short stories, so this trilogy was an enticing review option. R. Manolakas presents these as being in the style of Twilight Zone, and while they were different and solidly written, there was just a little something missing to give me that moment of “ooh” that I remember from those shows.

A touch of the bizarre, where conundrums are created that don’t necessarily engage but serve the plot well starts this collection, and while the conclusion to this story managed to feel appropriate with the other two in this collection just didn’t seem to make sense as a triad. The last two stories are ventures into historical fiction, and while technically proficient and well-written, I was easily able to discover the mystery long before the reveal or conclusion. Again I still felt a bit disconnected and removed from the story, missing the promised feel of unique or otherworldly twists.

Narration is more than capably provided by John Bell. His voice was mellifluous and engaging, she smoothly navigated the dialog and characters, and presented the appropriate tone and enunciation to the work.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the author via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

These stories will get stuck in your mind

These three novelettes are something else. Prepare to be faced with events described from a completely different perspective.

The first story was haunting and strangely beautiful. I know my history, so the plot twists of the other two stories were very clear to me. Still, it was thoroughly enjoyable to follow the characters through to the end.

Thank you John Bell for wonderfully executed narration and R.Manolakas for these refreshing stories!


I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Strangely freaky...

I enjoyed this book. It consists of 3 short bizarre stories....Twilight Zone style! The narration was excellent. Overall, a good book. I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

Well!!!

Would you listen to A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist again? Why?

No, there are too many other books to listen to. Unless it is a Diana Palmer, Nora Roberts, Jayne Krentz, or Christine Feehan book I have not listened to a book a second time and only a few of their books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I did not have a favorite character but of the three stories I liked the second one.

What about John Bell’s performance did you like?

He is a good narrator and did well with each character.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

I got this book via audiobook boom.

A Pool,A suitor and a Cellist

This was a a threesome of short stories.I enjoyed #1 and #3 the best,the best being The PoolJohn Bell was a fine narrator.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”