Poolside with Brett

Brett Cornell Mystery, Book 1

By: David D. D'Aguanno

Narrated by: Travis Henry Carter

Private detective Brett Cornell believes that he's never had it so good.

He's been on a winning streak playing poker in private games being held in the back room of one of his favorite night spots. He's recently been "discovered" by an exotic-looking beauty who specializes in homemade adult films.

In addition, he's been hired to track down a certain missing husband and bring him back home to his anxious wife. His life, however, takes a sudden turn for the worse when he opens the trunk of his car one evening and finds the missing husband's murdered corpse stashed away inside of it. A set-up for a murder rap?

Set in the late 1980s, Poolside with Brett is the first in a series of novels featuring the tough and crass "unscrupulous bastard" himself - a rude, wise-cracking private detective who happens to be a hugely successful ladies' man, thanks largely to what he immodestly refers to as his "Adonis-like features".

In a tale involving murder, blackmail, an unexpected suicide, and other assorted acts of violence and deceit, Brett learns the hard way that there's a steep price to be paid for being such an unscrupulous bastard - and listeners may very well feel that he gets exactly what he deserves, and more!

©2012 David Dennis D'Aguanno (P)2017 David Dennis D'Aguanno

Poolside with Brett is an outstanding listen....

Would you consider the audio edition of Poolside with Brett to be better than the print version?

I've only listened but the voice acting was spectacular.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the place in time shout outs and apparent homage to classic mystery writers of a bygone era.

Have you listened to any of Travis Henry Carter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard this narrator before but thought he was well suited for Poolside with Brett

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

While I would have liked to have listened to the book in one sitting it was ideal for workouts and varied tasks though some of the rougher moments made it inappropriate for the school commute.

Any additional comments?

Poolside with Brett was well written and well voice. It is a bit blue at moments and somewhat a product of its time but with suspension of disbelief an acceptance that Brett is a douchewaffle who is a bit delusional about the legendary status of his man-beastliness, it a very good listen.

Emphasize the unscrupulous bastard

By the synopsis' own description, to call the main character an unscrupulous bastard is really an understatement. To best characterize him, i'd say it is a Jersey Boys meets ultra-
misogynist. If you happen to be a big fan of men who think they are god's gift to women while simultaneously treating them like objectified garbage, then this book is for you. I was convinced the main character was a farce or a satire until i realized that simply wasn't the case. Not being a fan of that type of character, nor a big fan of gratuitous "adult content" (of which there is plenty), i have a hard time rating the story very highly. I did give the story a 3-star rating because i know there are plenty of people out there that love this stuff, so to them i'm sure it is perfect.

The narration was well done and captured the characters very well. I am impressed with the narrators ability to deliver some of those god-awful sexist lines while not breaking character. No way i am talented or professional enough to be able to do that! Props to you Mr. Carter.

Overall: If you love hearing women objectified, treated like mere sex objects with zero IQ and posses no societal value otherwise, then you will love this book. For all else, you've been warned.

Great listen!

This was my first David D. D'Aguanno's book. It's a good and hilarious story. Brett is a womanizer and a jerk and we love to hate/love this guy. The narration was good. Good start for this Series.

Very funny!

Brett is hilarious! Women dig him and he knows it. It’s interesting how he’s still able to solve mysteries. I can’t wait for the next story.

A character you will love to hate.

Brett is one of those characters you will love to hate. When he is faced with murder charges part of you hope he can't talk his way out. Seriously, a good storyline, and a good start to a series.

The start of something great...

If you're a mystery lover, and this is your first Brett Cornell experience, here's what you can you can expect: Do away with your cunning detective or weathered cop and replace him with a dashing, sociopathic lunatic with a lucky horseshoe up his a**. Replace your repetitive, stereotypical-character interviews with drunken, violent, sexual escapades. In essence, replace your hackneyed mystery novel with something wildly compelling and truly unique. Easily my favorite mystery series ever written. Highly recommended!

Private detective Bretts first adventure

I loved this book so much because Brett is the type of character that you love to hate. He thinks he's Gods gift to women everywhere and his cockiness works so well with the story.

The narrator was perfect for this story. He really pulled off what I would think a misogynist from Rhode Island would sound like. His narration of the other character was great as well and he really made the story great!

Overall the story is fun and interesting. Anyone who isn't afraid of some cursing or vulgar content will love this story! I just got the second book and can't wait to start listening!

A Guy You Love To Hate?

Okay, so I got this free for an honest opinion. I guess I could use words I think Brett might use...Opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one and mine's the best. LOL Okay, with that being said, I'm rating this book low, lower than I've ever rated a book, just because Brett is just too big of a...jerk is too nice, to make him a believable character. There is absolutely nothing nice to say about him. Seriously, peeing on a house plant, spitting on the carpet...? If there are actually people out there in the world like him, I'll consider myself lucky I've never met them. Maybe I disliked this book so much because I'm a female? Regardless of why, it took me days to finally finish this book. Parts of me wanted to read more just to see if a softer side would come out...it never did, he was horrible from start to finish.

Travis did a great job narrating this book. He did a fun accent and was easily understood.

I LIKE BRETT!

Brett is such a jerk that I can't help but like him! Is he crude, lacks morals and downright idiotic, yes. But he is a character and having read the other books in this series, I was totally prepared for the beginning. The narration was excellent. The author does a great job with the characters and plot. I like the wit of the author and if you truly get it, you won't be so offended (Brett is a Grade-A Douche)! I look forward to reading the other books in this series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great narrator!

The narrator does a very good job with this book and his characterizations are excellent. I wish I could say the same for the story. Brett is not a character that you can like. He’s a narcissistic bully who really doesn’t care about anything but his own pleasure. I just couldn’t get invested in him as a “hero” or even as an anti-hero.