I really enjoyed listening to this story. I use audiobooks to make my housework more 'doable' and this week I spent a lot of time doing housework - LOL. The reader did a good job of switching voices, but I know I adapt easily to audio so another listener might not agree. A quirky cast of characters who were well-developed combined with a plot that took unexpected turns made for a great story.
The protagonist is an interesting character who is multidimensional and has depth so this adds to everything. This is one I will be 're-reading' in print form just for fun. ( )

"Sinister in Savannah" is a crime podcast run by three friends, one of which is Jonas St Johns , a criminal analyst for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Jonas is a mesmerizing character. Tall, scarred, highly intelligent, and haunted by his past, Jonas is half the heart of this story. The other half belongs, not to the romantic interest, Avery...although he’s quite wonderful also but to Jonas’ neighbor, Marla. Marla is dying from cancer, but she has more life in her than most people that are going to make it to their 100th birthday. Marla, is a magnificent drag queen, who has let Jonas into her life and now has a serious favor to ask of him....she wants him to care for her little French bulldog, Bette, after she's gone. Marla and Jonah's touching, intimate, relationship is what immediately connects the reader to this story. There’s Kendall, Jonas’s roommate, Avery, the love interest and Jonas’ intern, Felix and Rocky, the other two men who run the podcast with him. By the time the story has ended , the found family and community has swelled around him, due in part to the murder mystery he was asked to investigate. An old murder mystery touches off all kinds of revelations and reverberations...including ones that bring up old memories that have traumatized Jonas for years. It's a story is about growth and healing and about leaving and letting go... and found families and forgiveness and giving second chances. ( )

Thoroughly enjoyable with characters that felt real. Marla was fantastic. ( )

I seem to be failing to do my research lately. Although the first in this series, the book features many characters and references from the author's other series; Zero Hour. While it does stand alone and I didn't feel lost as such, I feel it would have been more enjoyable to have read the other books first. Unfortunately for me this is the second series that this has happened to me with lately. Anyway.

I really enjoyed this book. Ride the Lightening was a great procedural type mystery with a sweet romance. I like Jonah and the colourful cast of characters he surrounded himself with. I loved Marla. His friendship with Marla was fantastic and I really enjoyed that to honour her he remade his crime fighting computer Stella 2.0 into Marla the Magnificent. (It's now pink.) Jonah was incredibly kind and generous and a really good human being. I loved how he looked out for Mr and Mrs Ling and his kindness to Hank (the homeless guy).

I loved Avery. Jonah's relationship with Avery was adorable. It cracked me up when Avery climbs through his window. But I felt cheated because Avery features in the Zero Hour series and I feel like I missed out on a lot of backstory that would've made it more enjoyable. I mean, it was explained and all, but I think it would've been better reading it first. Still the romance between them was great - there was low angst and friendship and they were flirty and steamy and it was just great. I loved that they really supported one another.

The mystery was intriguing. I loved how they worked through the cold case, gathering leads and tracking down witnesses. I was disappointed the podcast aspect wasn't really explored more. I recently read I Hope You're Listening by Tom Ryan which had podcast excerpts and I would've liked to see something like that be used. Instead, the podcast is barely mentioned beyond saying they're making a podcast. But the mystery itself was still interesting and I liked how it unfolded. The killer wasn't particularly surprising but I liked how they got there.

I thought the balance between the romance and the mystery was really good. But that said, it won't be for everyone. I tend to like it best when the mystery is the focus and romance is more a secondary plot. There were lots of funny lines and moments and some great lines about life and making the most of things.

I'll definitely be picking up the rest of the series. And reading the first series, Zero Hour. Overall a good mystery with a sweet romance and a fantastic cast of hilarious characters. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 stars. ( )

Pausing at Chapter 5 to read the first trilogy in this world... Bailed after the first book.

Hoped the author gained some experience, resumed reading this one. Aaaand, DNF.

Bailing at 24% because of stupid character antics for the sake of "drama". This is a cheap tactic any author should learn and any good editor shouldn't let an author get away with. By itself maybe I could've read past it, but there are other aspects just as concerning, including a certain muddiness regarding the MC's life.

No more by this author. I'm done. ( )