Interesting story.

I enjoyed this story and I expect I will be listening to it again. R.C. Bray does an awesome job bringing the characters to life giving each of them unique voices.

This is the first book of Rhett C. Bruno that I have listened to. I would happily try another of his books.

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When a superhero is very dark flawed & very human

This is a very dark view of a very troubled and broken "superhero" but this is no billionaire with every bit of tech at his disposal. A person who despite a grim beginning devotes everything to the city populace at great personal risk. relying only on his wits and a lot of kevlar. Only to suffer an accident that leaves him in a wheelchair. There he simmers and pretty much tries to drink his demons to death.
Now that sounds all really negative. Nope, he is rather dark and bitter but the story isn't. There might be a bit of a glimmer of a redemption and that keeps you listening. It's the other characters that he encounters that I find rather intriguing and their story after he interacts with you are left to develop in your own imagination.
I don't normally read books that are in this realm but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Rhett C Bruno is a master story teller and when he lets his imagine run riot I love to follow the words.
The narrator is R C Bray. There is a common saying that he could read the telephone directory and it would sound interesting. Yep he could try that. But I'm glad that he sticks to reading these books out loud. Yet another sterling job.

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Pretty Good

Fast paced. I like that in a book. Even the retrospect and flashbacks were quick and contributed to the story, rather than taking the reader away from the immediate action. I’d read a sequel if he gets super strong robot legs. That would be cool. Or maybe a super powered wheelchair. Not sure about Laura’s character though. She’s fickle in the end of this book when she was so emotionally attached to the roach throughout. I guess high risk moments change a person. I’m sure this writer knows what he’s doing. Apparently won lots of awards, so I might as well check out his other books. I couldn’t hear the interview in the end as the recording sounds like it’s on the phone and garbled. Too bad.

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Riveting listen

The combination of Rhett Bruno and RC Bray has resulted in a totally enjoyable listen .. I really couldn’t stop ... The plot is character driven and the main character is very dark , but enjoyable, and suits RC Bray beautifully..it feels like a really good film script ..a real joy to listen to ...

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Dark but Deep Tale

This is a well written dark anti-hero story and is masterfully brought to life within a down on its luck industrial town as is the hero who once fought for its citizens. The comparison between the two and the peerless gravelly voice of RC Bray works wonders as we are drawn into the world and forced to care about its characters.
I throughly enejoyed this and the Q & A at the end is very good as well and a nice touch.

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Nice change from all these super power stories

predictable but fun, always worth it for R.C. I will recommend to my comic book friends.

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What a ride. Highly recommend

First things first, trigger warning. This book deals with sexual abuse.

Now onto the review.

The Roach tells the story of a washed up vigilante confined to a wheel chair after his last rescue. No friends, no millions or rich and powerful friends to rely on. His only true friend is his next bottle of whiskey and even that company is turning sour. But things begin to change when he hears one more cry for help.
The story gives off vibes more in line with The Watchmen and a Raymond Chandlers Noir detective novels more than a super hero novel, seeping grit with every page. Yet while I name these other works, this is truly something of its own. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Narration
R.C. Bray if you are familiar with him has already sold you this book. If you are not, then you are in for a treat. He has the voice of a man larynx has been dragged over rough pebbles. It draws you into the story, sending you in the murk of the tale and bobbing and weaving with each bout of action. R.C. Bray doesn't just narrate a tale, but enhances it with every word. Yet despite his distinctive voice, he is more than capable of alteration, bringing different characters to life and making each recognisable. This is what for me really pulls it to 5*.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent gritty noir story

The Roach is an excellent gritty noir story about a former vigilante being drawn back into this world. The story written by Rhett C Bruno keeps listeners hooked and RC Bray’s excellent (as always) narration helps drive the story along. Whilst this is not your average “superhero” story there are parallels with other more mainstream heroes that echo through their own storylines bringing a realism to the Roach. Overall an excellent book that will keep listeners entertained right until the very last words. Well done all involved.

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Gritty story, gritty narration

On paper this book ticks a few boxes:
Superhero - check
Thriller - check
Gritty gravel voiced narrator - check

But just reading the premise something in the back of my mind said I maybe wouldn't enjoy it. I think I thought it would be depressing and dreary. I was wrong.

No spoilers ahead.

Reece Roberts is the titular Roach, a former vigilante hero who cleaned up the streets of Iron City, but now he's in a wheelchair and is fighting a different kind of battle. This is pretty much all I knew about this book before I picked it up and it made me think I wouldn't really like it, that it would be a grind.

It's not a grind, the book works on several levels, what do hero's do after retirement? How does a disabled superhero go about his day? What does a super hero without powers do? Does he have friends? How did this happen to him?

You get answers to these questions and a story made up of other characters, some likeable, some not but all add to story and build up a picture of what it's like to be Reece living in Iron City.

There's a more action than I thought, there's more feels than I thought and as I have already said I enjoyed it more than I thought. That's no slight on the author by the way, I didn't consider who wrote it or their other work.

You probably have an idea where this will go and how it will end from the offset but you'll be surprised, there are some things in the book I didn't like, didn't agree with or just plain thought why is this happening but all in all I really enjoyed everything.

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Brilliant Listen

This was exactly as described in the summary part. An ex hero, a copycat and a killer in Iron City. The story flows perfectly with the excellent narration complimenting it.

I’d recommend this if you’re into thriller or want something different to listen to than your usual

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