The Case of the Cursed Dodo (The Endangered Files #1)by Jake G. Panda
Description:
If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. The name's Jake G. Panda, and trouble seems to follow me wherever I go. I work in the protection racket at a flophouse for endangered critters called the Last Resort. I'm the hotel snoop. The resident fuzz. It's my job to keep these guests safe and outta harm's way. This is the first of my many misadventures. A wild and woolly mystery involving a lost suitcase, a green bird, and a bunch of double-crossing animals. I'm calling this jungle noir The Case of the Cursed Dodo.
This hilarious first installment of The Endangered Files follows Jake, a hardboiled panda detective, and an unusual cast of endangered creatures on a globe-trotting adventure that will appeal to young and old alike.
My Review:
I read this book back in 2014. Now it's out as an audiobook, and the author asked if I wouldn't mind giving the new production a listen and share my thoughts. I must say, it delivers much better as audio, set up like an old fashioned radio adventure from back when radio was the source of evening stories and entertainment, not TV.
This is a multifaceted story, featuring a private detective story, a mystery, and a ton of endangered species filling the cast. Jake G. Panda is hard on the trail of his friend, who goes missing investigating the cursed dodo. Aided by a secret underground and a former love, he follows the trail of clues and narrowly escapes danger. It comes across a little bit cliche in places, but that seems purposeful, a nod to the noir genre.
Another interesting thing about this audiobook rendition is that it isn't simply read, but performed by a full cast of voice actors and actresses, accompanied by subtle audio background noises and music and narrated by a very radio-worthy announcer type. It isn't like some books where the reader of the moment performs the different voices, it truly is like an audio play. If Jake is talking, the actor playing Jake voices his lines. If Jake does something, the narrator describes it.
Anyhow, I liked it and would definitely recommend the audiobook over the ebook. Folks who are looking for something different might like this. My impression is that this would probably be better enjoyed and more relevant to adults than children.
About the Author:
His partner in crime, the fella who helps write these books because, let's be honest, it's not easy typing with big, clunky bear paws, resides somewhere in New England. He has written his fair share of stuff, mostly for the big screen. And some of it has actually been projected. He likes to keep a low profile and lets Jake do all the talking.
Feel free to contact Jake at jakegpanda@gmail.com
Website: http://www.endangeredfiles.com
Twitter: @JakeGPandaPI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JakeGPanda
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