Trafficking

Powell, Book 1

By: Mr. Bill Ward

Narrated by: Chris Hymans

Trafficking is big business and those involved show no remorse, have no mercy, only a deadly intent to protect their income. Afina is a young Romanian girl with high expectations when she arrives in Brighton but she has been tricked and there is no job, only a life as a sex slave.

Facing a desperate future, Afina tries to escape and a young female police officer, who comes to her aid, is stabbed. Powell's life has been torn apart for the second time and he is determined to find the man responsible for his daughter's death.

Action, violence, and sex abound in this taut thriller about one of today's worst crimes.

©2015 Bill Ward (P)2017 Bill Ward

Reads like an episode of a crime documentary

Trafficking is a simply constructed novel, reading more like a documentary or an episode of Forensic Files than an action thriller. The point of view is that of a distant observer, who occasionally knows a character's thoughts and motivations, which is off-putting at first, but settles in as the story progresses.

A solid story told basically and without gimmick feels like it's missing something, but is it really? Perhaps as a compulsive reader of crime and thriller fiction, I've been spoiled by all the intricate twists, flashback/flashforward jumps, and out-of-the-blue revelations utilized by modern authors. Despite the lack of luster or common contrivances, Trafficking was still a compelling read, and I found myself going back to it eagerly, wanting to hear what happened next to Athena and Dan/Powell. As well, now that I know this is a series, I do want to get my hands on the next in the series.

It is my hope a different narrator is used for subsequent audiobooks in the series. Chris Hymans read blandly, and much too deliberately, which slowed the pace of the book to a nearly excruciating crawl. Speeding up the playback helped a bit, but without any inflection in his reading, the narrator detracted from, more than he added to, the presentation.

Good story, didn't knock my socks off

I was surprised with how much I liked this book. I have a thing for crime shows and the FBI files, this read just like one. I also really like the characters; Afina and Powell were just fantastic! It can be an emotional listen; we are talking about the horrible world of human trafficking. I can’t even imagine dealing with something like this. Bill Ward made this horrendous crime relatable and it seemed like it really could happen to anyone… isn’t that such a scary thought!

The narrator, Chris Hymans, did a great telling of such a subject. I have a few things that are super important to me in narration… clear and concise speaking. I have to be able to understand the speaking otherwise, what is the point? I also need some type of emotion. I can’t handle it when a narrator sounds bored to tears! Hymans did a good job with all of my needs.

Loved it

You wrote this book really good and it captivates the scenes good. There were scenes that made me feel for the girls. Powell is a great character. You should make this into a movie.

Pretty good

Not exactly about human trafficking in the normal sense as the main character was willing too soon to become a prostitute but overall pretty good.

Eventful

Great Book, nothing like I expected at all. It had many twist and turns and keep me interested.
Narration was good, and could hear clear and well.