INSPECTOR HOBBES
Unhuman Series, Book 1 - 4
By: Wilkie Martin
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Published by: The Witcherley Book Company
Quality Comedy and Mystery!
Andy Caplet is a struggling reporter who is socially awkward and easily frightened. Only because the normal reporter for the crime beat was injured by being thrown from a speeding car (implied that he had been gambling or a mafia encounter …) Andy is given the assignment to work with Inspector Hobbes. From that moment onward, Andy is caught in a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue. Of course, it does not help that Andy’s imagination runs away with him – he’s seeing trolls, ghouls, witches, and vampires at every turn. Then again, considering he finds himself in a freshly dug grave conversing with two ghouls and the inspector enjoys raw meat and bones, and then there is the housekeeper that collects teeth … perhaps his imagination is NOT running wild… and it seems that perhaps Inspector Hobbes has a secret of some sort.
They have to work together to solve the mysteries and unusual circumstances surrounding the robberies and murders that are occurring throughout the town.
Wilkie Martin writes a clever crime mystery with comedy and a good deal of fantasy mixed in. One cannot help but laugh out loud at some of the antics Andy finds himself in! This is the perfect pair of crime solvers and partners-in-law! One cannot help but be charmed by the story and the characters.
Martin develops his characters fully, with a depth that enables the listeners to connect with them. Martin is also vivid in his descriptions placing the listener into the book.
Tim Campbell, the narrator, was equally awesome in his talented reading. Campbell became immersed in the book to the point that it was difficult to tell where he left off and the characters began. His ability to give the appropriate voice and personality to the characters was spot on; I loved hearing how his voice would become squeaky whenever Andy found himself in hot water and how confident Hobbes sounded.
If you enjoy mystery and some fantasy characters, then this is the book for you.
I encountered no audio issues and the production of this audiobook was smooth.
INSPECTOR HOBBES AND THE CURSE
Unhuman Series, Book 2
By: Wilkie Martin
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Published by: The Witcherley Book Company
A fantasy mystery/comedy that is entertaining and exciting!
Inspector Hobbes and Andy Caplet are at it again! Hobbes is trying to save the townsfolk of Cotswolds from deadly panther-like cats and Andy is falling in love, well maybe, one can never truly be for sure. Hobbes has yet another deadly mystery to solve and Andy in his sad sack way stumbles across the clues. No one is more surprised than Andy to discover he has become the obsession of not one but two creatures …
I enjoyed this book very much. Of course one may find themselves annoyed by Andy but if one looks at him as a bumbling inept person with good intentions, then he’s more fun and enjoyable. Hobbes, for all his unhuman qualities, is filled with compassion and intelligence far more superior than Sherlock Holmes – he’s just more modest about it.
Wilkie Martin has created a world in which human and unhuman may exist together. A paranormal comedy that is entertaining and exciting blending fantasy and mystery together expertly. He has built his characters deftly and with richness.
Again, Tim Campbell serves as the narrator telling the story from Andy Caplets point of view. Campbell becomes Andy and does it smoothly and with great finesse. He has the perfect voice for both Andy and Hobbes.
If you enjoy comedy and paranormal creatures with a mixture of Sherlock Holmes, this is the series for you! I thoroughly enjoy them.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
INSPECTOR HOBBES AND THE GOLD DIGGERS
Unhuman Series, Book 3
By: Wilkie Martin
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Published by: The Witcherley Book Company
Creepy, Kooky, Mysterious, and Quirky!
Creepy, Kooky, Mysterious, and Quirky without a doubt!!! Hobbes and Andy are at it again! Hobbes takes a vacation to the Blacker Mountains and Andy goes with him – they are going to rough it … and of course, poor Andy finds himself smack dab in the middle of a murder case, falling for a smart and beautiful widow, dinner with a vampire, and struggling to maintain his space in Hobbes’ home!
Hobbes is investigating a series of bank robberies, a reopened gold mine, ducking reporters, and dealing with Kathy, his alleged daughter who hails from America. All the while, Hobbes keeps order and keeps Andy from getting hurt too badly!
The fun and action are non-stop. One cannot help but love the slapstick humor of Andy and the puns of Hobbes. Andy’s growth in this book is far more than in previous ones; one thing is certain – he is loyal and cares greatly for Hobbes, Mrs. Goodfellows, and Dregs.
Wilkie Martin delivers yet another delightful book of puns, crazy slapstick humor, and new interesting and dangerous characters! Each book is better than the last, with new twists and character growth. I enjoyed the first book and the second one as well but this one is even funnier and more dangerous for Andy and Hobbes than any of the others. I also find that Sid, the Vampire Banker is downright lovable!
Tim Campbell’s performance is spot on! Each character has their own voice and personality that shines due to Campbell’s amazing talent. Campbell becomes each character, reflecting them and their personality accurately throughout the book. Love to hear him perform the Hobbes series. I cannot imagine another voice as Andy or Hobbes! This was a great listen - it has everything, fun, mystery, intrigue, romance, and of course unhumans!
There are no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
INSPECTOR HOBBES AND THE BONES
Unhuman Series, Book 4
By: Wilkie Martin
Just keep getting better and better!
Poor Andy Caplet has not lost his touch as he is still a bungling, unlucky and major sad sack. He’s been married for two years and suddenly finds himself promoted. That is the end of his good luck since his wife has left him, he has been accosted by a beautiful woman, had his photo taken in a compromising position, been shot in the butt, almost been run over and a tree fell on his apartment. Facing blackmail and nowhere to live he finds himself back at Hobbes and Mrs. Goodfellow’s home. And then the fun begins!
The Sly people lurk in the background until murder brings them out in the open. Hilarity ensues as Andy and Hobbes along with Dregs and Billy solve the crime. Andy really is an accident waiting to happen, but he is fiercely loyal and somehow finds the strength – ok, sorta – to hold his own and be saved!
I love this series of audiobooks; they just keep getting better! Martin does an excellent job of weaving a fun, hearty tale mixed with a heavy dose of comedy and mystery into one highly entertaining series. Never a boring minute with Hobbes or Andy around!
The narrator, Tim Campbell, does an entertaining job of narrating the book. Campbell is Andy Caplet and Hobbes and Mrs. Goodfellow. Each character has their own voice and personality which Campbell captures and portrays unerringly.
There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.
INSPECTOR HOBBES AND THE COMMON PEOPLE
Unhuman Series, Book 5
by Wilkie Martin
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Production by: Wilkie Martin
Yikes, A Yeti, and More!
Andy Caplet finds himself smack dab in the middle of a mystery again! This time he, his wife, Daphne, and Inspector Hobbes travel to the mountains on a “secret mission.” While there, Andy manages to trip over the mountain only to be rescued by a tribe of Yeti. If that wasn’t bad enough, he returns home to find a slippery housing developer with designs on the town AND his wife! And he’s in fear of losing his job …. again! The fun just gets more intense with each passing moment!
I have enjoyed each of the Inspector Hobbes books in the series so when the fifth was submitted, I cheered! I love the antics of Andy and the wit of Inspector Hobbes. This is a pair of engaging characters that make the listener laugh out loud! Like the others, this book is told from Andy’s point of view which is perfect as it keeps things fresh and with a slightly twisted view.
The author, Wilkie Martin, has done an excellent job of creating characters, places, and situations that engage the audience. This book is a delightfully fun book! The story plot was well written, and each character’s personality was entertaining and fit perfectly into the story.
The narrator, Tim Campbell, once again delivers a wonderful performance. He projected the characters perfectly providing rich unique voices that reflect the personalities perfectly. Campbell is an excellent choice for the characters in this book especially Andy!
I would say the only downside to this book is that it had to end! If you enjoy fun books with a bit of the supernatural, non-human characters, and lots of fun then this is the perfect series for you!
The Audiobook Reviewer’s Choice Award is a prestigious award presented to the author of the book whose story is believed to deserve higher than the standard 5 Star Rating. This is one of those rare books!
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.