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The Dispatcher
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
114 posts | 121 read | 1 reading | 35 to read
Zachary Quinto - best known for his role as the Nimoy-approved Spock in the recent Star Trek reboot and the menacing, power-stealing serial killer, Sylar, in Heroes - brings his well-earned sci-fi credentials and simmering intensity to this audio-exclusive novella from master storyteller John Scalzi.
One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone - 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don't know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.
Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher - a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death's crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.
It's a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it's too late...before not even a Dispatcher can save him.
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This story asks - what happens if murder victims didn‘t actually die but instead disappeared and woke up at home, naked in bed? And then shows you how capitalism would monetise this in a variety of ways but mostly by the health insurance industry AND then it really kicks into gear as a kidnapping story and a rush to see if Tony Valdez can work out what happened to his colleague *before* something irreversible happens. Super short, I ate this up.

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Creadnorthey
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Pickpick

After reading a short story by this author, I wanted to see more. What I got hit the spot with a gumshoe and weirdness and not too heavy. My type of thing when the brain needs a break. Recommend.

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wanderinglynn
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Book 1 for #20in4 #audiopuzzling

This novella was a kidnapping mystery. And as always, Scalzi has an interesting twist on the world. Zachary Quinto was a decent narrator.

Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 6mo
60 likes1 comment
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

77/150 The second book in The Dispatcher series makes for an entertaining mystery. In a world where people who are murdered come back to life, finding ways to kill people has to become more creative. I really like Zachary Quinto's narration, he has a strong voice and he's gone with doing various character voices, male & female, and accents. 3
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
2/15 for #Rushathon @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES @Andrew65

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 8mo
5feet.of.fury Oh neat! Love Zachary Quinto 8mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 8mo
TieDyeDude Yeah, this was a great audio series. Quinto nails it. 8mo
57 likes4 comments
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eris404
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Zachary Quinto has a gorgeous voice. Yes, this is fun mystery with a sci-fi (or fantasy?) twist, but his performance really makes this audiobook. It‘s an interesting premise—no one knows why, but people who are murdered simply come back to life as if nothing has happened. Scalzi builds an interesting “post-murder” (mostly) world while telling a compelling, and sometimes heartbreaking, mystery.

julesG Loved the narration, too. 8mo
6 likes1 comment
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TieDyeDude
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Pickpick

I'm a little bummed that my three month Audible gift subscription was issued as three credits. It means I only have the one-month trial to listen to the free Audible originals before I have to start paying for the subscription. It is nice to have, though, as we enter the final stages of packing. Loving this series!

Aimeesue Ugh, how disappointing. Audible‘s REALLY weird lately. (edited) 9mo
37 likes1 comment
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TieDyeDude
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Finally activated my Audible gift membership I got for Christmas. This was a fun, unique little story, expertly performed by Zachary Quinto. Murder is no longer permanent, and a dispatcher is pulled into an investigation of the disappearance of a colleague. Great world building and exposition is worked in nicely.

vivastory I love Scalzi. This sounds like a lot of fun. 9mo
Bklover When I used to get audible credits I always felt compelled to get the longest book I could possibly find in order to maximize my credit. Therefore I now have an audible collection of books I will never read. Why? Because they are too long and I don‘t enjoy listening to long audible books. This is the reason I‘m no longer in audible. Could I possibly change my behavior and actually get something I‘d enjoy? Apparently not. 😬😬😬 9mo
46 likes2 comments
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Lauredhel
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

I finally got around to listening to Scalzi's The Dispatcher while working on my squares. It's an excellent science-fantasy mystery novella based in a world where people spontaneously come back to life when they die - but only if they were murdered.

#audiocrafting #crochet #litsycrafters #mystery

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds good! Stacking……and that is gorgeous, it will be beautiful when put together 12mo
68 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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julesG
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Pickpick

#SeriesLove2023 #JoyousJanuary #readathon

Not as strong as the first book in the series, #MiddleBookSyndrome?

Tony does a few odd jobs and all of a sudden he's implicated in a bank robbery and has to fear for his own life.

@TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView Great job! 1y
55 likes1 comment
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NatalieR
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This is my first John Scalzi story. I‘ve known about him for years, but this is my first time reading his work. It‘s an incredible story! The Dispatcher is a trained person who brings a person back to life after they‘ve been murdered. Really, it goes way deeper than this and is super complex. Zachary Quinto narrates and it‘s amazing!! #MountTBR

Full review at https://abookandadog.com

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DogMomIrene
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Pickpick

Another interesting mystery set in a bizarre Sci-Fi future where murdered individuals have a 99% chance of reappearing alive at a location where they feel safest. Generally speaking if I‘m reading Scalzi on audiobook, Wil Wheaton is my narrator of choice. However, after listening to this second installment in the Dispatcher series, I‘m 100% onboard with Zachary Quinto‘s performance. Quick & fast-paced listen. Under 4 hours.

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julesG
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This was an interesting short story. I'm certain I'll pick up the next one, too.

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julesG
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Just started this, because it's free with my subscription and I'd like to read more Scalzi.

Interesting story concept and I really like Zachary Quinto's narration.

#audiobook

54 likes2 stack adds
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tessavi
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Another great story in The Dispatcher universe! The first one was my introduction to Scalzi.

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RamsFan1963
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

110/150 In another world, death is only possible by accidents, suicides or disease, there is no murder because the murdered people come back alive and healthy. Dispatchers "murder" injured or dying people so they can return to life. It's kind of weird but makes sense. Zachary Quinto is an excellent narrator. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧 A Dispatcher is a licensed killer who steps in if you‘re about to die by accident or murder. They kill you so you can live. Tony Valdez (our Dispatcher) has another crime to solve with his female police friend.

People around Tony are starting to die, some due to suicide (something a Dispatcher can‘t bring you back from) & it‘s possible that he‘s being implicated in their untimely deaths.

Enjoyed another selection from Audible Plus!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Twainy
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

🎧 I loved this super short story read by Zachary Quinto. It was unique. (Audible Plus Catalog) If a Dispatcher kills you, you will wake up naked at home, ALIVE. It‘s a job 😁 killing people so they will live. Takes place in Chicago.

Here we solve the mystery of what happened to a Dispatcher. He‘s disappeared after his last dispatch went awry & ended up permanently deceased.

Another dispatcher & a police woman are on the case.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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yoavshai
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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#BookCoverChallenge
Day 80.
Here I will note 365 books (or as many as I will have before I get tired) that have shaped my taste in literature. No explanations, no reviews. Just the cover of the book.
I do not challenge anyone. You are all welcome to take part.

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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

These books are so fun, and fast paced, and just a delight to read. The fact that Zachary Quinto narrates the audiobooks is just icing on the cake.

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sebrittainclark
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Pickpick

4/5

A murder mystery in a world where murder isn't possible. This was a quick, fun sci-fi mystery that continues to explore a world where death can only happen accidentally or by natural means, not by murder. I didn't realize it was a sequel when I started reading it, but it does a good job of laying down the groundwork of the world, so I didn't feel like I was missing too much.

47 likes1 stack add
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HufflepuffGirl90
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My #bookspinbingo for January. Didn‘t do to great, but I do have 3 more books in progress 😅

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Looks fantastic!! 3y
28 likes1 comment
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HufflepuffGirl90
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Pickpick

Great sequel novella to The Dispatcher. Definitely need to read/listen to the first one to understand.

This one was my #bookspin novel for January 2021.

Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/2021/01/13/murder-by-other-means-dispatcher...

BookishMarginalia What a cute kitty! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
26 likes2 comments
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Texreader
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Buchbeeg
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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This is the second book, following the Dispatcher. I never really get into audiobooks, but I LOVE listening to Zachary Quinto (new Spock) 🖖
Great storytelling. Can't wait to find out what's going on in this one.

Tagged book is the first one in this series.

ChasingOm I didn‘t realize there was a second one! 4y
Buchbeeg @ChasingOm It just came out! 4y
12 likes2 comments
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cdreincarnate
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

I hesitated to spend a whole credit on a 2-hour novella, but John Scalzi is always worth it.

AlaMich I enjoyed this one. It was my first Scalzi, despite the fact that I have been reading his blog for about ten years and can tell you the names of all of his pets. 😂 4y
cdreincarnate @AlaMich Yeah, I followed NK Jemisin on Twitter for a while before finally reading one of her books. Scalzi‘s books are always a lot of fun and make for great escapism. 4y
4 likes2 comments
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MaleficentBookDragon
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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I just got home from work (I'm still essential I guess) and now starting my #24B4Monday reading with some #audioknitting to the wonderful voice of Zachary Quinto.
@SumisBooks

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Buchbeeg
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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"You always look smug. You have resting smug face"
? Love listening to this. I'm going to be bummed when it's over.

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brandybear22
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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This is my first Scalzi book, and then I just read old man‘s war. Really good writing, good sci-fi. I did leave some loose ends that I think could have been tied up better in terms of the story, but the overall explanation of things is sufficient. Bonus, my kid made me dinner, so basics life is feeling pretty good. Looking through To find the next book recommendation!

kgriffith I listened to that on my way to school just before the break; I knew it was a novella going in, but I still wasn‘t prepared for it to be over. I think you‘d enjoy Lock In and Head On, a Scalzi duology, maybe differently from how I did, but still. 4y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Texreader
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This is an extraordinarily unique story. What happens if anyone who is murdered comes back to life? Will it end Murder? Or will it create a lucrative black market for murder, since then the person could live forever? But pay attention. It is complex and easy to lose the plot. #tbrread

#wintergames #tmskellington @crimson613 @clwojick @staycurious

Curly_Reader Ohh sounds interesting! 4y
coffees 16pts!! 12-26 Ohhh I read this one! Wasn't a huge fan but I thought the concept was really interesting 😀 4y
Texreader @Crimson613 Agreed. I liked the concept. I just really had to hang on a little too tightly to follow. I may have missed some parts here and there. 😬 4y
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Throughly enjoyed this short audiobook. Zachary Quinto is an amazing narrator.

BBooks I really liked it too 5y
BethM I adored this! 5y
bookandbedandtea I thought this was fantastic. Would have loved more of it. 5y
AlaMich I agree with all y‘all! 5y
78 likes4 comments
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cherinium
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
Pickpick

This one caught my attention right away and didn't let go. For a short story/novella length story, it really had a great plot and interesting premise. The narration was also fantastic. #audibleoriginal

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ChasingOm
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Finished my first audiobook for #BFCr2 yesterday while walking and Pokemon-ing in my local park. 😄

About the book — I love Scalzi and Quinto was an excellent narrator. It‘s a novella, so I don‘t want to give away the whole plot, but it centers on the discovery that, all of a sudden, people who are murdered don‘t stay dead and an industry has popped up to kill people who are about to die terrible deaths so that they get another chance at life.

alisiakae Way to go!! 5y
BookwormAHN Great pics 👏🏻 5y
26 likes2 comments
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ChasingOm
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Here are my goals for round two!

I've got two physical goals, two mental health goals (yoga counts for both physical AND mental!), one food goal, and -- of course! -- my book goal. (Finishing the tagged novella will be my first goal met.)

Looking forward to doing this with my team, as well as all the other Littens making books and health a priority. 💪

#BFCR2 #bookfitnesschallenge #TeamFitLit

BookwormAHN Great goals 👏🏻 5y
wanderinglynn Great goals! 🙌🏻 5y
Meaw_catlady Excellent goals! You‘ve got this! 🙌🏻 5y
See All 6 Comments
alisiakae Great goals! What kind of meals are you planning to make? I love to cook! 😃 (edited) 5y
ChasingOm @4thhouseontheleft I just signed up for Hello Fresh (I tried Blue Apron earlier this year and loved the convenience), and I‘m trying to choose at least one meal with fish. My husband is picky, but he‘ll usually try what I make, hah, as long as it doesn‘t have TOO many vegetables. 😂 5y
alisiakae @ChasingOm 😂😂 I‘m glad I married a guy who likes green foods. My dad and FIL both hate 🍅 🥦🥬🌽. I hope Hello Fresh works for you! We cook fish a lot, usually on the grill. 5y
26 likes6 comments
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jackilynn
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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My other audiobook was to soft to listen to as I mow the lawn so I am checking out this short story instead.

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swynn
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Mehso-so

It's a sort novel set in a world where murder victims don't die ... usually. Tony Valdez is a dispatcher, a sort of designated killer hired to murder people near death in order to give them an opportunity to return. Now a colleague has disappeared and Valdez has to work with the police to find him. The premise doesn't stand much scrutiny, but Scalzi's light touch makes it fun while it lasts.

rretzler I thought it was pretty imaginative- didn‘t really think TOO hard about the premise. 🤣 I listened to it and thought Zachary Quinto did a decent job, but I like Wil Wheaton much better for Scalzi‘s work, I think. Though this book might have been a little dark for Wheaton‘s narration style. 5y
swynn @rretzler I couldn't let go of the story's distinction between "natural" death and murder, which I'm pretty sure is a false dichotomy. The story occasionally plays with gray areas, but declines to establish rules -- which I find I want. But to the extent I could let go of the questions I enjoyed it. Good to know that the audio version was done up right! 5y
21 likes2 comments
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bookandbedandtea
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This was really good! The premise was fascinating and I'd be interested in more stories set in this world. I've loved both of the Scalzi book's I've read this year so I'll definitely be reading (or listening) to more in the future.

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BBooks
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Great orginal short.

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LoverOfLearning
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This story was fantastic. I loved it. So interesting and had me thinking about my beliefs and values throughout. Definitely a must hear! I can't give 1 complaint.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

rretzler I love Scalzi! This one was very good. And Zachary Quinto‘s narration was good, but no one does a Scalzi book better than Wil Wheaton! 5y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LittlePixels
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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There have been months I didn't even bother picking my Audible Originals, but I'm glad I picked this one! I'm only halfway through this novella, but really enjoying the original concept. I also enjoyed "Lock In". Maybe I should try more of his books. Does anyone have any suggestions for where I should start?

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Megnogged
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
Pickpick

Really enjoyed this! It was one of the options for the free Audible Original member benefits, and I‘m so happy with the selection I made! Such an interesting, dark, and gritty concept...and a bit sci-fy. This takes place sometime in the future and murder is basically not able to happen. People who are murdered find themselves back almost all of the time, safe at home in their beds (but naked). I didn‘t want my time in this world to end!

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hwestfall
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This was free on Audible and I loved it! Zachary Quinto is the narrator which makes it even better.

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Megnogged
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Up next for my Divination exam! #OWLsReadathon2019 #audibleoriginal #audiobook #audible

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BethM
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

Unique concept, excellent story, wonderful narration. I wish the author would write more books in this world.

rretzler I enjoyed that one too. Scalzi is brilliant and I didn‘t even mind that this one wasn‘t read by Wil Wheaton! 5y
BethM @rretzler I‘ve never read him before! Where would you recommend starting? 5y
rretzler That‘s a hard one. My first experience was Redshirts, which won the Hugo award and is a bit of a spoof on Star Trek. However, I was just reading an article by someone the other day that said that Redshirts was more for hardcore fans. I enjoyed it quite a bit. There is also the series Lock In, which if you do the audio version, get the one narrated by Wil Wheaton. It is sort of a sci-if mystery and I think really great. 5y
rretzler I also enjoyed Fuzzy Nation, and his latest series The Interdependency. Agent To the Stars and The Androids Dream are also very good but to me not as good as the others. He has two more series, which I haven‘t read through yet - one of them, The Old Mans War gets great reviews. Wil Wheaton and Scalzi are good friends and Wil does a fantastic job narrating the books that I usually get the audiobook version of narrated by him. Hope you enjoy more! 5y
RamsFan1963 @BethM His current series, The Collapsing Empire and The Consuming Fire, is excellent blend of politics and space opera. 5y
42 likes5 comments
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BethM
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi

If you do audible this is an original this month. I a little less than halfway and it‘s really good!

cobwebmoth I was thinking about getting this one. 5y
BethM @cobwebmoth I got this one and the QE2 one. 5y
Avanders I‘ve been curious about that author! 5y
BethM @Avanders I‘m going to check out a few books. 5y
Avanders I‘ll keep an eye out for your reviews 😁 5y
20 likes5 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

A short little audiobook I got from audible, I liked this story twist, the world building for a short story... and right this moment I‘m disappointed there wasn‘t a follow up story or book to flesh out this world even more.

Plus... if Zachary Quinto ever divides to give up acting, he‘ll definitely have a future as an audiobook reader. He did a fabulous job with this short story.

LittlePixels I didn't know Zachary Quinto was an actor, but that explains why he's such an excellent narrator! I'm really enjoying this one! 5y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheSpineView
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This is a quick read, or listen in this case. I liked that the story dealt with the question of the morality of assisted death. If you could kill someone who was on the verge of death knowing they would comeback would you be able to? 5 stars for the author and 4 stars for the narrator.

CouronneDhiver Interesting premise! 5y
65 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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encinarus
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
Panpan

I listened to the audio book and... nope. Much of the intro is spent with explanations to someone who should know all of this already but is told for the reader's benefit. The key info for the plot is just handed to the main characters. I normally really like Scalzi's work but this was too short and compressed to really make it stand out. I was also excited about Zachary Quinto's narration, but all the characters sounded the same.

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Scott_BookInvasion
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This was a great novella. I heard Scalzi read this in person when I went to the signing when The Collapsing Empire came out. Such a good suspense story and the narration by Zachary Quinto was great!

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Jeannie
The Dispatcher | John Scalzi
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Pickpick

This a super quick read and very entertaining. Kind of a mystery/sci-if where anyone murdered comes back to life (not a spoiler; that‘s on the book flap). Also, I read the hardcover; didn‘t listen to it.