Auburn Ride

A Johnny Delarosa Thriller

By: David Stever

Narrated by: Bill Lord

Welcome to Port City!

Private investigator Johnny Delarosa has seen it all. First as a cop, and now as a private eye. Cheating spouses, embezzlements, and insurance scams are routine. But he meets his match when the alluring, auburn-haired Claire Dixon walks into his bar/office and drops a $20,000 retainer in his lap. She wants the hard-drinking Johnny to find $2 million that was stolen from her mobster family 30 years earlier. But $2 million can be motivating. Old mobsters come out of witness protection to claim their share, and when bodies begin to pile up, and his sexy, enigmatic client disappears, Johnny is taken on the ride of his life; an Auburn Ride. With a wink and a nod to the hard-boiled private eyes of the pulp noir past, the gritty streets of Port City set the stage for author David Stever's first thriller in the Delarosa series.

©2016 David Anthony Stever (P)2017 David Anthony Stever

Loved it!

I absolutely love discovering a new author, a new character, and a new narrator!!! This book delivered on all counts.

The story had some delicious levels of intrigue and mirth and it was a non-stop thrill to the very end. Delarosa took a page out of how to be a badass and I liked this character instantly. The narrator was something special. Bill Lord made Delarosa manly but with a soft spot that was very personal and relatable.

Everything you like about listening to audiobooks is in this listen...with spades!

Entertaining P.I story

This story of a former police officer turned private investigator is a pretty fun read. The author mixes in enough intrigue, sexiness, and thrills to keep it lively. A recommended book for those who enjoy an investigative type of story but don't want over-the-top violence or gratuitous behavior. The narrator was not particularly to my taste, but I'm sure that some people will think that he is great. I'm not sure exactly what it reminded me of but somehow came across as someone trying too hard to be a P.I from the 1960's.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good listen

I received this book for free for an honest review.

I actually enjoyed the story a lot. It took a little while to get me hooked because the narrator is a little too whimsical sounding for a mob story but once the story took off it was fine. This book has a little bit of intrigue and almost romance all rolled into one. It's definitely worth a listen!!

Just gritty enough; just sexy enough; a fun ride

This has all the makings and characters of a modern detective story. Hardened ex-cops, sexy ladies, mobsters, money, and revenge all work together for a fun and exciting listen. The is just enough violence to make it realistic without being brutal, just enough near sex scenes to make it very suggestive without becoming vulgar, and plenty of twists and turns. The story concludes with a satisfying ending that is, for the most part, unpredictable. Although this isn't my favorite genre, I really enjoyed the listen and, at least to me, was the epitome of a modern detective story that still held the essence of the old-time stories as it was not about sensationalized sex and violence for the mere sake of it. Pretty tame language, too.

The only suggestion I have for the new listener is to give the narrator a chance and his delivery will grow on you. He does a great job with character voices, but his tempo took me a few chapters to get used to, though it was well worth the wait.

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys detective/cop/mob stories. A review copy of this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. My hope is that this review helps in your decision to obtain this book.

PI Classic

John Delarosa is an ex cop turned private eye who is in partnership with his old police partner in a bar and private investigation business. The story opens with Delarosa rescuing a beautiful young lady, Katie, from a kidnapping. Similar to all the old PI classics this one also starts with a beautiful women with auburn hair, Claire, and a lot of cash. She slaps down $20000 in cash and hires him to look for two million dollars siphoned off from the Italian mob decades ago. Katie is so enthralled with Delarosa and his rescue and his job that she somehow convinces him to hire her to help with his investigations. With the mention of 2 million, an old mob accountant blows his own brains out in front of Delarosa, and other old mobsters come to the forefront all after the money. Claire isn't telling the whole story and Delarosa et al are led on a goose chase that starts piling up bodies. The action never stops and the characters are believable and likable.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Very Good

Surprisingly great crime mystery novel full of suspense, humor, and action. A real page turner.

An Excellent "Eating the Lead" Ride

I had not expected a top notch PI novel, although I had an inclination it would be well worth my time. But as another reviewer pointed out, this book packed a punch and the ride included a surprising amount of vast twists and scenes that evoked emotions and reactions (from the reader/listener).
It was written with a steady pace of events that kept my interest.
Bill Lord was an excellent narrator and I'm surprised he doesn't have more books credited to him on Audible.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good, solid PI with less corniness and cliches usually synonymous with this genre.

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

Entertaining!

This was my first David Stever's book. Auburn Ride is the first book in the Delarosa Series, a great thriller. Private investigator Johnny Delarosa is an amazing character! The secondary characters are great, and they have an important part in the story. The mystery is well built, and unfold at a great pace. The storyline has it all!: action, danger, suspense, mystery, and secrets. I like the little romance and the humor along the story. Bill Lord is a new narrator to me. He did a great job with the narration. He has a great voice, and the characters were easy to distinguish. I enjoyed it. Looking forward for the next book in the Series. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great Story

Bill Lord does a fabulous job with the characters. From the dry wit of Johnny the main character to the wise guys. Loved the plot development too.

I was provided this copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review

Nice start to a new noir series

This is very well written new noir series. I especially appreciate the interplay between the Delarosa and Katie and am eager to see how they develop. Good banter and humor all around.
Bill Lord adds a nice touch the narration. He delivers a wry performance that keeps with the overall atmosphere of the story. I look forward to what comes next.

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