The Final Equinox

A Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood Thriller (Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood, Book 2)

By: Andrew Mayne

Narrated by: Will Damron, Jennifer O'Donnell

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Theo Cray and FBI agent Jessica Blackwood follow a deadly celestial trail in a thrilling novel by the Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Mastermind.

A signal is detected at the outer edge of the solar system. Computational biologist Dr. Theo Cray and magician-turned-FBI-agent Jessica Blackwood are looking—and listening—a little closer.

The man at the center of this cosmic mystery is billionaire Thomas T. Theismann. He’s spent a lifetime—and a fortune—trying to find out if we’re alone in the universe. Highly skeptical, Theo joins the effort to find the source of the signal, and he quickly enlists Jessica to look into the suspicious death of another academic at the lab. As their investigations converge, they uncover curious connections to the otherworldly contact, including a 1970s science-fiction writer and the body of an astronaut found buried in an ancient tomb.

As they delve into Theismann’s history, Theo and Jessica’s fascination with the signal intensifies. How dangerous will the investigation get? That depends on how deep into the unknown Theo and Jessica are prepared to venture.

©2022 Andrew Mayne (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Science fiction fans will want to check this one out.”—Publishers Weekly

“A lively genre-hopping thriller written with panache.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This mix of science, thrills and intrigue calls to mind the work of James Rollins and Michael Crichton. The Final Equinox has it all and shows why Mayne is one of the brightest talents working in the thriller field today."—Bookreporter

Confusing

I admit I was a little confused at times. Maybe I fell asleep while listening once in awhile. I may need to read this one.

Mildly entertaining series entry

While I like both of the protagonists of this series and the premise has promise, this book is a bit weak. The story here has limited emotional impact and there is very little character development.

The description of a true scientific worldview (by Cray early in the book and reiterated throughout) is very well done, but this isn't enough to carry the book.

It's entertaining enough but so light that I can't recommend it unless you are already invested in the characters.

one of my favorites

I rarely write reviews, but for this 1, I will.
I go through anywhere from 3-6 audiobooks a week, depending on length. I listen while I work, shower, do hobbies, go to sleep, etc.
this series, this author, the Theo Cray and Jessica blackwood series, separately, are one of my favorites. I truly enjoy science and I love crime fiction.
the narrator's are fantastic, also. both of them do an amazing job and make the books that much better.
this book did not disappoint, was worth the credit, and I recommend both series leading up to this one and the book before this one. I've recommended to personal friends and I've listened to the Theo Cray series a few times, by itself.
WORTH IT!

Another home run!!!!!!

Yet again a great book with a favorite character....enjoyable to the end!!!




......never gonna give you up..... 🤣

Wonderful Story

I loved this book. I’ve read all of the JB books and now I need to read the TC books!

A (slight) Letdown

Of all the Blackwood/Cray books, this is my least favorite. This book moved a bit slower and rambled a lot more. It is still a good book, just not as intriguing as the rest of the series. The voice of Theo Cray is spot-on and, even after reading the series, made listening enjoyable. The female narrator...not so good. Strange, overlong pauses, and stilted dialogue, as though she's silently counting how long to pause at commas or the ends of sentences. It comes across as vaguely automated phone-tree voice. It ruined Mastermind and almost ruined this listening experience as well. If this is the voice of Jessica in future books, I'll stick with reading, not listening.

Weakest story in the Cray/Blackwood novels

This book felt disconnected and weak. the story was not that interesting. The characters felt weak. it felt rushed as well.

missed the mark

I have listened to most of Mayne's books and I like how they weave in details that flesh out the science. However this book just couldn't quite reel me in; there were moments and elements that started to get me involved, but then the scene or situation fell flat. This read more like a "Who done it" paper back with aspirations of being a serious sci fi/detective novel.
As for the narration, I was extremely annoyed at the large discrepancy between the narration speeds. I listened to the male parts at 1.00 speed, but I had to increase it to 1.15 when the woman read. I've had to adjust the speed between narrators before, but usually I can find a happy medium and leave it on one speed. For this book I had to change it every time the narrator changed.

okay book to listen to

This was not one of my favorite Blackwood stories. seemed to be long and drawn out.

a breath of fresh air, something different

If you want something different. not the old ex-CIA blah blah blah. then Andrew Maine is certainly a great writer. really good character development, technically oriented which most men like, and twist and turns that seem unsolvable.