Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi

November 6th, 2020 Kimberly Review 14 Comments

6th Nov
Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi
Murder by Other Means
by John Scalzi
Series: The Dispatcher #2
Narrator: Zachary Quinto
Length: 3 hours and 33 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Audible Plus
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x

Welcome to the new world, in which murder is all but a thing of the past. Because when someone kills you, 999 times out of 1,000, you instantly come back to life. In this world, there are dispatchers—licensed killers who step in when you’re at risk of a natural or unintentional death. They kill you—so you can live.

Tony Valdez is used to working his job as a dispatcher within the rules of the law and the state. But times are tough, and more and more Tony finds himself riding the line between what’s legal and what will pay his bills. After one of these shady gigs and after being a witness to a crime gone horribly wrong, Tony discovers that people around him are dying, for reasons that make no sense...and which just may implicate him.

Tony is running out of time: to solve the mystery of these deaths, to keep others from dying, and to keep himself from being a victim of what looks like murder, by other means.

MURDERMYSTERY scifi fantasy SUSPENSE

John Scalzi delivered a thrilling follow up to The Dispatcher. Narrated by Zachary Quinto, you’ll want to grab Murder by Other Means on audio. Clever and suspenseful with a likable protagonist, Scalzi has created a world I want to visit again and again.

Things aren’t easy for Tony. Dispatcher gigs are harder to come by, which is how he comes to accept a side job. But once the cards are dealt, Tony finds himself in trouble with the law and the cartel. Worst yet, someone is trying to kill him.

Zachary Quinto is the perfect narrator for this science fiction mystery thriller, and I devoured it in a single sitting.

Set in Chicago, Tony is a licensed and bonded Dispatcher. He is in simpler terms an authorized killer for hire. In this alternate reality, murder victims come back and get a rest 999 times out of 1000.

When Dispatchers rob a bank, Tony’s bank actually, where he was making a deposit, the police suspect he is involved. But when a cop ends up dead and people associated with the robbery end up committing suicide, Tony must solve the case or meet the same end.

The tale is clever with a noir crime vibe that left me grinning. Quinto delivers a superb narration. His tone is the perfect voice for Tony and sets the tone for the story.

Murder by Other Means showcases Scalzi’s strengths as a storyteller and reminded me once again why I enjoy his tales. Humor, suspense and creative world-building have me hoping we meet up with our Dispatcher again.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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14 Responses to “Murder by Other Means by John Scalzi”

  1. Tyler H Jolley

    First, this sounds awesome. Second, how did I not know Zachary Quinto narrated books? I loved him in American Horror Story and can’t wait to listen to this!

    • Kimberly

      Right. If you have Audible, this series is in the plus catalog. He narrates both. These are short and fantastic.

  3. Jen

    OMG!!! I loved The Dispatcher on audio. I listened to it back in 2017, never thinking there would be a follow up. I’m totally getting this. THANKS!!

  6. Sophia Rose

    I loved the gritty detective noir and sci-fi elements of the first one so I will definitely be snagging this one. I had no idea it was going to be a series so that is a good surprise.