Efficient and Divine: Almost Heaven

By: Gene Kendall

Narrated by: Brian L. Knutson

Is there a demon hiding inside Mason Mackay? The world sees only a witty, handsome filmmaker. But one interview subject brings out something dark, something truly unspeakable, buried deep in Mason’s subconscious. Within hours, the interview subject is dead. The evidence points to Mason—and he can’t honestly say the police are wrong.

Forced to face the secrets of his past, Mason finds himself at odds with a retired FBI agent with cryptic motives. Meanwhile, a mysterious family is offering Mason not only answers but acceptance of even his darkest urges. What lies buried within Mason must be exposed…for good or ill.

©2023 Gene Kendall (P)2023 Gene Kendall

An Unravelling Question That Spirals into A Dark Journey

The book opens with murder, mystery, and a forgotten past. This is no slow starter. I was immediately hooked and wanted to know what was happening in our protagonist’s, Mason Mackay’s, frazzled young mind.

As the story unfolds, the question of Mason’s past becomes a major focal point and I was ready for some answers long before they were delivered. I began to lose hope (and admittedly a bit of interest somewhere in the middle), but things really pick up again at the end as secrets are uncovered and motivations are revealed.

The narration was definitely a performance with plenty of characterization and a voice that drips with importance and intrigue. However, at times I felt the narration overpowered the story, which I felt called for a bit more space for reflection.

A crime drama with bite …

Brutal mystery/crime drama.

Mason McKay can’t remember the first ten years of his life. We spend the Book unraveling this mystery.

When we meet Mason he’s in a relationship with Natalie, she works for a small town police department that’s working on a case of an abducted girl. They have a blow up on his birthday over his adopted family. She sees that they love him and doesn’t understand his push back and disinterest.

Mason & Natalie break up.

There’s child trafficking, cult behavior, designer drugs, murder & mayhem. This is where the hard boiled crime cones in. Mason gets mixed up in a story line that has you wondering if he’s helping stop or participating in the criminal activity. Natalie is also confused. Is Mason good, bad or gray.

He’s been through a lot as the story unfolds & you’re left wondering, is Mason a cold blooded killer?

This story left me with a lot to think about and THAT alone boosts it’s rating. Parts that seemed confusing sat with me & made me think. What was causing his change in behavior. Is it permanent?

Oddly I wished the story of Mason and Natalie continued in a book two. There was resolution and a fine ending that left it open for another story. I’m not sure where it can go from here but it’ll be fun finding out.

The author gifted me an audible copy with the promise that I’d review the story. Thank you, I hope there’s a book 2. The narrator was the perfect choice!

4.5 stars.

it's ok

it's okay overall.

from chapter to chapter it doesn't really capture me to want to know more especially in the beginning like chapter one or two.

Not quite my style

Got this for free in exchange for review.

It was faced-paced. Riveting at times. The balance on whether or not Mason was insane or if there was a higher power controlling him was grabbing. It had a melancholy, but mostly satisfactory ending. Overall, I have no complaints about the book except that it just wasn't really my taste. It was done well and compelling. No plot holes concerning enough to stop the story. Characters were relatable. Narrator did a decent job.

Fantastic Story, Captivating

Efficient and Divine: Almost Heaven by Gene Kendall is a true gem among psychological thrillers. From the very first page, this fast-paced rollercoaster of a read plunges you into a world filled with twists, suspense, and an unrelenting desire to uncover the truth. Kendall's mastery of the genre shines through, making this book a captivating and unforgettable experience.

I loved the unreliable narration employed in the story, where the main character grapples with unraveling his own life, which adds a layer of intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end. Throughout the narrative, Kendall skillfully kept the tension palpable, which made the book hard for me to put down.

One of the book's standout features is its remarkable character development. Kendall artfully crafts complex and multifaceted characters who beautifully intertwine, adding layers of depth and complication to the story. The main character, Mason, evolves dynamically, blurring the lines between good, bad and gray.

The narration was slightly different than I was expecting but did not take away from the overall impact

Dark Psychological Thriller

This fast-paced story is well written and full of twists and turns that will take its readers on a thrill ride into the dark abyss. The story becomes more unforgettable as the protagonist life unravels as he tries to figure out who or what he is. The plot is intriguing, and the characters are well developed. The author intertwines each of their lives in such a way that it builds tension in this complex story that makes you keep listening because you don't want to miss a single thing. This is my honest, unbiased review that I am leaving here voluntarily.

Intriguing story

The story felt slow to pick up. I had a hard time with the narration. Something about the tone didn’t appeal to me.