The Otto Digmore Decision

Otto Digmore, Book 2

By: Brent Hartinger

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Book two in the Otto Digmore series

"If we get caught, they'll throw us in jail. On the other hand, we'll have been involved in one of the craziest Hollywood stories I've ever heard, and maybe someone will want to turn that into a movie!"

Otto Digmore is back, still trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood (despite his facial scars), but frustrated by all the schemers who'll stab you in the back to get ahead. But then Otto's good friend, Russel Middlebrook, sells a screenplay, a heist movie set in the Middle Ages - and Otto has been cast in an important supporting role! For 12 weeks, Otto and Russel will be on location together in England and Malta.

Problem is, once production is underway, it quickly becomes clear that the director is ruining Russel's script. If the movie ends up being the bomb that both Otto and Russel expect it to be, it could destroy both their Hollywood careers forever.

But Otto and Russel aren't willing to take that chance. Together, they hatch a crazy plan to make a good movie behind the director's back! But how far are they willing to go to save their careers? Are they willing to become exactly the kind of scheming backstabbers they always said they hated?

The Otto Digmore Decision is partly a caper story, partly a humorous Hollywood satire. It’s also an inside look at the struggles of anyone "different", and it’s even something of a love story, except it’s one between two friends.

More than anything, The Otto Digmore Decision proves the old adage about creative pursuits: The most interesting drama always happens behind the scenes!

©2019 Brent Hartinger (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Great story, but...

Even though the story was great, it did seem to drag in certain spots.
With this narrator, I've noticed a tendency to get a bit monotone. But, overall, he's good.

So worth the listen

At times a long and wandering tale, so deep in the weeds of movie making and heist plotting that I found myself wondering what the point of the book was going to be. But this wasn’t my first Brent Hartinger. I knew there was something more, even if I couldn’t see what it was. In the end, I was right. He wrapped it all up and left me with a warm satisfied feeling.

There are layers, references to prior events in other books, character cameos from previous books in this universe, and a fantastic, and fantastical, storyline that does not disappoint.

The narration was perfect. It is understated, never once making the voice actor the star, always letting the writing shine. And that, counterintuitively, makes Michael Crouch a star narrator.

A story of love between best friends.

I loved how the characters stayed true. It showed the facets of each personality good or bad. The narrator nailed it!

What a great listen!

I love everything from Brent Hardinger. As always the story hooks you but is not over the top yet feels like it is when summed up at the end.

I hope the series continues. Michael Crouch brings a charm that makes the story amazing to listen to.

Friendly listen

It’s not your typical love story, but it is a story of love. Otto and Russel have had such a long and strong friendship throughout the years and I really enjoyed this one. It’s a beautiful and fun story that shows that bond. It’s a little crazy
But fitting. Narration was done well.

So insightful!

This author is incredibly insightful and has the ability to explain those insights through the character's dialogue and behaviour in a way that any reader can understand. This is not a romance. It is a story about best friends. And while each MC is in a serious relationship with another man (not the same one) the partners play a very small role. Some may find the ending premise a little bleak but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I love how the author explains Otto's feelings about how others view his disability. As a disabled woman, I couldn't agree more. Hopefully it will have an impact on how able-bodied readers see us and how we sometimes see ourselves.

I can't get enough of Russell and his Friends

loved it. I could not stop listening. So glad a certain scene made the final cut, now I wish I could see the movie they made. 😀

Great Friendship story

I had started reading this book for review and the same day the ebook released, so did the audio. Being a fan of audiobooks and an even bigger fan of the narrator Michael Crouch, I picked up the audio so I could finish the book sooner. I must admit it’s more convenient for me to listen while I run errands and clean house. The narrator is one of my favorites, and with the story being a good one, it was completely a win-win situation.

In the Russel Middlebrook series that came out before Otto’s series, the story was a coming of age story, a coming out story, and a lot about Russel finding someone to share those experiences. Otto was one of the people who came into Russel’s life for a brief but memorable relationship before Russel settled down. The friendship between Otto and Russel fell by the wayside for some time until Russel moved to L.A. where Otto happened to be living at the time. The friendship got new life and ta-da, Otto got to have his own series. Otto does happen to meet someone and begins a relationship in the first book of this series. But again, the emphasis on this series seems to be the friendship that started in the very first series by this author.

In this book, one of Russel’s screenplays is finally picked up and greenlit for production. He’s not gonna let his close friend Otto miss out on a chance to shine and on his recommendation, Otto auditions and gets his first big screen role. It is looking good for the two friends. But once production starts, things get all sorts of crazy. The director doesn’t seem to have the right vision for the film Russel wrote and is determined to make Otto’s character one to pity because of the facial and body scars that the actor came by authentically. A few others grumble about the direction that the film is going and then life mirrors the movie when the group of actors and production hijack the film to do it justice.

There are some funny moments, and some nerve-wracking moments where you think they might get caught. Through it all, Otto and Russel are there for each other and their friendship gets even stronger. I’ll be honest, there is a part of me that would like a little bit more romance, but that is only because I am a romance lover. Both Russel’s husband and Otto’s boyfriend are barely present in this plot. Russel’s old friends, Min and Gunner, probably have more of a cameo. (p.s. I was so happy to see them again) On a more objective note, sometimes a good friendship and a good friendship story are just as important as a romance, and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.

In the end, I feel like these two characters achieved what they set out for. Otto has what it takes to stay in Hollywood, and Russel realizes living there isn’t what’s right for him. It is almost a little bittersweet, but I believe that the separation won’t take the same toll on the friends as it did when they were much younger. Russel’s life is about to mirror reality as he and his husband become digital nomads, which is how the author and his husband live. I smiled at that, but for now I will hope the author will revisit Otto and Russel in the future. It’s a great series about friendship and life that I really recommend.

Friends Re-writing the Rules

I had a lot of fun reading The Otto Digmore Decision, by Brent Hartinger. This is not great literature – but it’s a good book. It’s part of “The Otto Digmore” series. I read the first book and loved it. This book is just as good. It was a page turner. I looked forward to picking it up every day and continuing to read about my friends.

Otto’s best friend, Russel is a screenwriter and has written a script with a part just for Otto to give both of them the break they’ve been waiting for... a 45 million dollar Hollywood movie.

Along with all of the "behind the scenes" looks at the film industry we watch as Otto struggles as an actor because of his scars (fully explained in The Otto Digmore Difference). As Otto and Russel set out to rewrite the rules of Hollywood, this book is all about choices, friendship, love, David vs Goliath, mischievous and at times dishonest, but it all comes together to become a remarkable read.

I loved the friendships of this story – and the friendships of the whole series. I felt that the characters were well developed and were motivated through some unfair happenings of the story to take risks. Sometimes the story pushes the boundaries of believability at times -- but that made it all the more fun.

It’s a good, satisfying story that will put as a smile on your face.

wow

again you hit the story with pure heart. I so want to hear the next chapter in this saga. more on Russel an Kevin an Otto an his love. about minn an Gunther. all of them together an their lives. would also love to have your help in writing my story. plz contact me I beg you. PLEASE
James Arrowsmith
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