Cherry Mischievous: TOE THE LINE

Tuesday 30 April 2024

TOE THE LINE

Toe The Line by Jack Probyn
Book 1 in the DC Jake Tanner series
Narrated by Aubrey Parsons
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Toe The Line:

The owner of a jewellery store has been kidnapped.

The people responsible are known as The Crimsons, an organised crime group the police have been hunting for years.

A deadly collar bomb has been attached to her neck.

To save her, DC Jake Tanner, on the first day of secondment from the Met, must answer a series of riddles and clues to defuse the device.

The countdown to save her has begun…

But as the investigation develops, two things become clear: this is The Crimsons’ last height, and they’re willing to do anything to ensure their survival; and two, not everyone is on Jake’s side. A knot of corruption operating deep within the heart of Surrey Police is working against him every step of the way.

Without knowing who to trust, Jake must decide whether to toe the line of duty or turn against his colleagues and solve the case that could cost him his life…

Source: Info in the "About Toe The Line" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75560916-toe-the-line on 27/10/2023.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

When I bought this book, I did not realise that this book has been sold before under a different title. That made me a bit apprehensive going into this story. Like there might be something dodgy. Or perhaps the author upgraded the story so it changed title?...

Besides, what does "Toe The Line" got to do with the story?! I could stretch my imagination to make a pretty good guess. But, it would be a stretch!

I got confused with Mark/Murphy. The narration is confused too. I read Murphy in the ebook but I hear Mark. Or I read Mark in the ebook but I hear Murphy. Only to find out that his name is Mark Murphy in chapter 15. The script that the narrator was reading is obviously not the same one as the kindle ebook that amazon is selling. I hate it when that happens!

I like the twisty plot. That one was a pleasure to read! Even though there are plot holes in there. Like, if a character is involved in the plot/scheme, it shouldn't make her faint in fright because she knows what is going on already. Holes...

The story telling quality though... I find myself needing frequent little breaks in between. This made the pace a little slow despite the convenience of the audiobook format.

Aubrey Parsons narrated this book and that is what made me buy this book to begin with. Obviously I am an old Aubrey Parsons fan.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (10 hrs and 15 mins listening time)
Plot = 2.5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The DC Jake Tanner Series:

Meet The Author

About Jack Probyn:

Jack Probyn hasn’t experienced the world. He’s never even owned a pet. But he’d like to; there’s still time. His twenty-two years on the planet have been spent in the United Kingdom, with a few excursions overseas — a particular favourite of his was Amsterdam. Or Norway. Both of which were lovely.

But what Jack lacks in life-experience, he more than makes up for in creative ingenuity. His Jake Tanner series is the birth child of a sinister and twisted mind, and a propensity to assume the worst will happen in even the most mediocre situation.

Finding himself pigeon-holed as a millennial, Jack decided to stick with the stereotype and do things his own way. After all, he felt entitled and he wanted to destroy industries.

Enter: writing.

The love of writing was rekindled in Jack’s life when he (briefly) entered the corporate world, and the passion snowballed from there. No more will the millennial writer find himself working 9-5, indulging in the complexities of business life, or wearing a M&S suit.

He will take the world by storm with his pen(keyboard) and his ability to entertain and enthral readers.

The Narrator

About Aubrey Parsons:

Professional voice over artist and singer for over 20 years. Based in the UK, I have a very neutral British accent. However, I can mimic most UK & Irish accents along with General American and various U.S. regional accents. In addition to voiceover work I am a professional singer.