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Tuning In
Michael is a man in his twenties, and can read a person’s active thoughts. Now for most that is an extremely cool Talent. Problem is what makes you think that the person next to you is thinking about anything you care about. That is why Michael started learning the art of the con. Nonchalantly emphasizing a keyword, or setting up an elaborate con and now Michael can get exactly what he wants. Now if he only knew what he wanted. After all, he is young and always on the run.
Michael can do just about anything in life between his ability to Tune In to people’s active memories and his natural con artist abilities. Yet the purpose of his life still eludes him. He can’t help but wonder what his Talents mean for him and the human race. Amidst playing poker with Mob bosses, and running small cons on corporate idiots Michael is given a part in a long con. An opportunity of a lifetime in more ways than one way.
No one but family knows about his Talents. No one on his elusive crew even suspects. All they care about is finding and stealing a fortune in jewels. Jewels that were supposed to save a Jewish family from the Nazi’s but ended up sending them to their deaths. Now the jewels are being held at the Law Firm of Bishop, Adams, and Davenport. Michael runs point as an attorney. His Talents and smile keeping him safe.
Despite his clear objective Michael soon realizes life is full of cons, and loyalties can shift when lives and fortunes are on the line.
Michael can do just about anything in life between his ability to Tune In to people’s active memories and his natural con artist abilities. Yet the purpose of his life still eludes him. He can’t help but wonder what his Talents mean for him and the human race. Amidst playing poker with Mob bosses, and running small cons on corporate idiots Michael is given a part in a long con. An opportunity of a lifetime in more ways than one way.
No one but family knows about his Talents. No one on his elusive crew even suspects. All they care about is finding and stealing a fortune in jewels. Jewels that were supposed to save a Jewish family from the Nazi’s but ended up sending them to their deaths. Now the jewels are being held at the Law Firm of Bishop, Adams, and Davenport. Michael runs point as an attorney. His Talents and smile keeping him safe.
Despite his clear objective Michael soon realizes life is full of cons, and loyalties can shift when lives and fortunes are on the line.
386 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2014
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 13, 2015
"I want you and no one else. I was hoping you might want to be a part of my life and a part of this."
"Sometimes it's best to shut up after you've said something so honestly brilliant."
"How do you eat an elephant? Grandpa Bob would ask. "One bite at a time."
Smart, witty and totally unique. Tuning In is like a Grisham-esk tale meets Koontz's Odd Thomas. Okay, that's kind of a stretch, but like I said it's unique. Once I started this book, I really couldn't put it down. It has everything I need in a book: action, smart plot, wit, and romance.
"Sometimes it's best to shut up after you've said something so honestly brilliant."
"How do you eat an elephant? Grandpa Bob would ask. "One bite at a time."
Smart, witty and totally unique. Tuning In is like a Grisham-esk tale meets Koontz's Odd Thomas. Okay, that's kind of a stretch, but like I said it's unique. Once I started this book, I really couldn't put it down. It has everything I need in a book: action, smart plot, wit, and romance.
April 3, 2015
Four stars for this mystery/thriller/sci-fi story (3 ½ if one considers the editorial issues).
Tuning In is essentially a very well imagined story. It is also the author’s first book, and this became clear to me as I read it. Basic issues like comma placement trailed well behind the book’s imaginative quality, although I’m informed that at this moment (April 3rd 2015) the book is the subject of professional editing.
Regarding negative issues with the story itself, I noticed that management of the story’s tension was not perfect, mostly due to occasionally excessive use of flashbacks and too much explanation of what the principal character is thinking/planning. These are very common mistakes that either shove info at a reader or consign him/her to having a passive attitude; there might be readers out there who are not so critical of this method of storytelling, but I’m not one of them.
So why did I give it four stars and not less? Because, aside these flaws (and a few others I won’t focus on so I don’t unintentionally insert any spoilers), I believe that Tuning In was very well plotted and structured, the characters were very interesting and there were a bunch of twists and turns from midway onwards that caught me by surprise. There is promise in the world that the author has built, and I believe that Book 1 has only begun to scratch its surface, making it clear to me that much more awaits in future installments.
Would I recommend this book to any of my friends? Well, if the resolvable but important issues I referred to are addressed I would recommend Tuning In for a weekend read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, objective and non-reciprocal review.
Tuning In is essentially a very well imagined story. It is also the author’s first book, and this became clear to me as I read it. Basic issues like comma placement trailed well behind the book’s imaginative quality, although I’m informed that at this moment (April 3rd 2015) the book is the subject of professional editing.
Regarding negative issues with the story itself, I noticed that management of the story’s tension was not perfect, mostly due to occasionally excessive use of flashbacks and too much explanation of what the principal character is thinking/planning. These are very common mistakes that either shove info at a reader or consign him/her to having a passive attitude; there might be readers out there who are not so critical of this method of storytelling, but I’m not one of them.
So why did I give it four stars and not less? Because, aside these flaws (and a few others I won’t focus on so I don’t unintentionally insert any spoilers), I believe that Tuning In was very well plotted and structured, the characters were very interesting and there were a bunch of twists and turns from midway onwards that caught me by surprise. There is promise in the world that the author has built, and I believe that Book 1 has only begun to scratch its surface, making it clear to me that much more awaits in future installments.
Would I recommend this book to any of my friends? Well, if the resolvable but important issues I referred to are addressed I would recommend Tuning In for a weekend read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, objective and non-reciprocal review.
July 4, 2015
Michael’s life is far from normal for he has the unique talent to be able to read a person’s mind. This skill is one that he wants to use for his own benefit. He devises a scheme to set up unsuspecting individuals by conning them into doing what he wants them to do.
Michael questions his existence and why he has the ability to hear people’s thoughts. Then he finds himself mixed up with a Mob Boss who is plotting to steal a fortune in jewels. Will Michael find a life of crime is where he needs to be? Or will he discover he is meant for a higher purpose?
Chris Neal has done an outstanding job in writing TUNING IN (DANCING TO A DIFFERENT TUNE). Michael is a character whose youth and enthusiasm for the “whys” of life will keep you highly entertained. I found myself quickly become absorbed throughout the pages as his many adventures unfolded.
It is evident that Mr. Neal has a unique flare to be a writer. He is to be commended on presenting this story in a first person point of view. This style of writing is often hard to accomplish for a seasoned writer, with this being Mr. Neal’s first book it is indisputable that his future works will have a strong solid foundation to be built upon. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to seeing more of his future works.
Michael questions his existence and why he has the ability to hear people’s thoughts. Then he finds himself mixed up with a Mob Boss who is plotting to steal a fortune in jewels. Will Michael find a life of crime is where he needs to be? Or will he discover he is meant for a higher purpose?
Chris Neal has done an outstanding job in writing TUNING IN (DANCING TO A DIFFERENT TUNE). Michael is a character whose youth and enthusiasm for the “whys” of life will keep you highly entertained. I found myself quickly become absorbed throughout the pages as his many adventures unfolded.
It is evident that Mr. Neal has a unique flare to be a writer. He is to be commended on presenting this story in a first person point of view. This style of writing is often hard to accomplish for a seasoned writer, with this being Mr. Neal’s first book it is indisputable that his future works will have a strong solid foundation to be built upon. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to seeing more of his future works.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews