The White Russian Caper

Damien Dickens Mysteries, Book 2

By: Phyllis Entis

Narrated by: Tom Lennon

A mortally wounded Miss America entrusts a mysterious Russian coin to Damien Dickens, PI, before she dies. After Damien disappears while researching the significance of the coin, Millie tracks her husband's abductor to Florida. When his captor falls to his death from the balcony of a seventh floor apartment, Damien escapes; then he and Millie join forces to unravel the web of intrigue surrounding the Russian coin and its connection to the murder of Miss America.

The White Russian Caper is the second book in the Damien Dickens Mysteries series.

©2015 Phyllis Entis (P)2016 Phyllis Entis

Great Old School(ish) PI Story

I really liked this book. The story involved the married Dickens couple who team up to solve the murder of a beauty queen. Damien gets involved first, then Millie must take over when he disappears. The plot had some low key humor and quirky characters that made the story totally enjoyable. The narrator would definitely not be my first pick and actually took a little away from the story. Narration was kind of cheezy sounding...Otherwise a solid 4.5-5.0 for me. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

A good story but bad narrator

If you could sum up The White Russian Caper in three words, what would they be?

Get another narrator

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tom Lennon?

George Kutch. During the reading of this book it was obvious that Mr. Lennon was either chewing gum or eating. It made it hard to listen to the book. I've worked in call centers for over 20 years and I know when someone is chewing in my ear. I've always thought it was disgusting.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Great Story!

This installment of the Damien Dickens series is every bit as exciting as the others. This one has a short bonus story at the end that is very touching.

Hello to old friends!

I've listened to the first book and was very exited to start the second. It was a delightful experience once again and it was like hooking up with old friends! Baby, I'm home!

The Damien Dickens mysteries is an old-school detective series, where the police had no clue and had to investigate with a lot lesser tools than today. In The White Russian Caper, we're in 1980 and also facing the birth of a computerized world. Though, the police had computers in some divisions, the systems couldn't communicate together. Very fun!

Miss America gets beaten up and wounded, but Damien Dickens finds her in time to get her to the hospital. She tells Damien to hold a rare coin for her. The coin has connection to Russia and other people wants it. While Damien tries to investigate the coin further, he disappears.

Damien's wife Millie has a huge role in this book, as she goes after the clues she gets, to find Damien. Millie is a very strong and calm character and her personality really develops in this story. Even she's worried about Damien, she's not afraid to take the next step. I loved Millie in this second book and she is my favorite character now. I also had many great laughs on this journey.

It was impossible for me to guess what would happen next and Phyllis Entis can really write a great mystery. I'm sure to pick up the third book in the series, when published!

Narrator Tom Lennon did a very good narration - again. His female voices is a little funny sometimes, but I get it. It's hard, when you have a deep male voice. He's very much involved in the story and performes with a good sense of humor. You won't be bored!

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Read all my reviews at mybookhype dot com

A Mystery Romp in 1980's Miami

A fun old fashioned gumshoe mystery. The book is filled with interesting characters and snappy dialogue. Tom Lennon does a good job; his voice helps establish the 1980 vibe. This is the second book in the series. It is not necessary to listen to the first book, but it helps set the scene.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Great read

This kept me so intrigued. I thought I was over and all settled when there was so much more to solve. Wonderfully written never leaving out any detail.

Campy PI holds your interest

This is a little step down from number 1 I think. Still a good book, but has at least one annoying flaw for me.

Seems like every fictional PI says at least once in every book that they don't believe in coincidences. For some reason the ending of this book is wrapped around the biggest coincidence of all. Totally unbelievable. I don't want to give a spoiler, but really? Where was Millie? Really took away from my overall opinion of the story.

While set in 1980 the narrator has more of a 1960 sound, but I liked it a lot. He made Damien a nice guy I would want to find out more about in the future. He sounds just like I imagine Damien. Maybe not the most sophisticated PI you have ever met, but he kind of plods along and gets to where he needs to be.

great listen

Loved the storyline .... kept me involved right from the start. had a little trouble with the reader, but enjoyed more as the book progressed. good mystery and characters and look forward to reading more by this author!

a nice, clean detective novel

This was an enjoyable sequel to the first Damien Dickens Mystery. I was particularly interested in this book since I'm fascinated with all things Russian. In this book we see the progression of the relationship between Damien and Millie, as they are now married and attempt a honeymoon, but get pulled into a case. I liked the characters - they are well-written and have admirable qualities (like Millie's kindness and willingness to help). This is also a "clean" read, which is refreshing. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book narrated by Tom Lennon. I thought he was okay. It irked me to hear incorrect pronunciations of Russian words and places and I could detect a faint lisp in parts of the book. Other than that, he does give unique voices to each of the characters and helps to bring you into the story. Overall, a good mystery - great for fans of clean detective fiction.

Maybe Better than #1

The White Russian Caper is the second in this series I have listened too. Again I was really happy with everything about it.

The hero is a the epitome of the classic Hard-Boiled detective (with a soft gooey yolk where his wife is concerned). This is further reinforced by the time period being around 1980. At times it reads and sounds more like 1940, but that doesn't take away at all. You just know it is not today. Those of us old enough to remember hunting for pay phones and there not being a casino in practically every city in the US will relate.

I think the narrator contributes a lot to this Sam Spade/Phillip Marlowe feel (I like those guys so that's a compliment). He is not quiet as hard nosed as Marlowe - sounds more like Raymond Burr as Perry Mason which is very fitting for the way the author has written the dialogue. Burr was never high energy, but always enjoyable. This type delivery wouldn't work for Jason Borne, but is perfect here. The laid back style is very credible for the voice of Damien.

In this book, Millie, the wife, graduates from her minor co-star role in number #1 to equal billing with the star. Her interface with all the characters in Miami is especially enjoyable. Yes, there is some stereo typing of the Miami residents of the period but it is not offensive at all. Think Molly Goldberg.

There is a complex plot to figure out for the mystery fan as well as a great deal of action, without going overboard with violence, to keep it from being dull. It is a feel good mystery and there are a few places where you will probably laugh and none where you will cry.

Will be looking for the next in this series.

Note; At the end of the recording there is a short story told by a dog about his finding new masters. It is based on something in the authors life. It neither adds or detracts from the book and I am ignoring it in this review. Not my cup of tea, but not relevant to my enjoyment of the real story.