***** Story ***** Performance ***** Overall —– ***** Gamesmanship
‘In the Shadows of the Game’ is the twelfth installment in Owen Parr’s, Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brian Crime Mystery series. The story immerses Joey Mancuso and his team in a complex, dark criminal plot involving a syndicate targeting young female athletes. The contemporary theme is alarmingly realistic. This book is a captivating mystery even for those unfamiliar with the series.
The character development in the story is remarkable, as it showcases complex, multi-dimensional characters that evolve throughout the narrative. Each character faces challenges that reveal more profound layers of their personalities, driving the plot’s action and drama. Joey Mancuso and his team are distinctive, likable characters who would be fun to meet at dinner parties. The dialogue and interactions are realistically fast-paced. Randy Goldstein, the talented tennis-playing student, is accused of a horrendous murder, which Joey and his team work to resolve. The main characters’ growth is highlighted perfectly through the story twists and their reactions to various situations. Overall, the character arcs contribute significantly to the compelling nature of the series.
Randy McCarten masterfully narrates ‘In the Shadows of the Game,’ enhancing the dramatic aspects of the mystery. He effectively brings these characters to life, enhancing the emotional impact of their journeys. The pace and intonations capture the gritty determination and emotional depth of the characters, with distinctive voices, while navigating a unique storyline filled with unexpected twists and gripping tension. This is a solid performance that audiobook fans will appreciate.
Owen Parr’s ‘In the Shadow of the Games’ stands out for its fresh perspective in classic whodunit mystery style. The story invites fans and newcomers to Joey Mancuso to tie together the intertwining themes of greed, ambition, and crime during the heart-pounding journey to the unanticipated ending. Highly recommended for action-packed crime mystery fans and those who want a new series—Don’t miss this gripping novel.
About the Author
Owen Parr is a celebrated author who has won numerous awards for his unique and creative writing style. He has received Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from respected organizations such as Reader’s Favorite and the International Book Reviewer and Award organization. He has also been recognized by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, Crime Masters International, and New Apple Award organizations.
Many of his crime mystery novels have topped Amazon’s bestseller list, with several reaching the number one spot. Parr’s novels stand out due to their unique crime mystery plots, which are full of twists and turns that keep readers engaged and challenged. His descriptions of scenes and characters are clear and concise, immersing readers in the story and allowing them to visualize the characters and settings. Since 2015, Parr has created several novel series, starting with the John Powers – International Espionage and Intrigue trilogy, followed by the Joey Mancuso, Father O’Brien Crime Mysteries – twelve novels of riveting crime and murder mysteries. Finally, he wrote Jack Ryder Novellas – three crime and murder mysteries, in the style of Agatha Christie.
Regardless of which series you start with, you will want to read them all, as each one is a treat to experience. In addition to being an author, Parr is a wealth advisor and portfolio manager with over 30 years of experience with Wall Street firms. He draws inspiration from his work and uses his observations to craft compelling white-collar crime stories that often reveal the underbelly of Wall Street. Born in Havana, Cuba, Parr’s parents immigrated to the US soon after the communist takeover of the island. Although he started college seeking an electrical engineering degree, he switched to marketing and business after finding the former lacking creativity. You can learn more about Parr and his work at www.owenparr.com or by emailing him at owen@owenparr.com. Parr donates a portion of his monthly royalties to organizations such as St. Jude Hospital, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and the Towers to Tunnel Foundation.
About the Narrator
I am a male voice actor who enjoys telling stories. My journey began at age eight after receiving the gift of a tape recorder with a red plastic microphone. What followed was writing, producing, and voicing thousands of commercials and promos, narrating audiobooks, e-learning, explainer and corporate videos, IVR phone systems, elevation to Senior VP of Programming for a global media company, hosting a family-friendly radio morning show, the building of a professional studio and narrating audiobooks that won Audiobook Reviewer‘s 2022 & 2023 Thriller of the year honors.
I continue to hone my craft with the help of some of the best coaches and mentors in the industry, such as world-renowned voice-over coach Nancy Wolfson, VO Tech Guru Tim Tippets , and George The Tech Whittam.
