Francis Laurent

By: Schuyler Randall

Narrated by: Ann Bumbak

Birmingham, Alabama, is a bustling city on the move in the era of Prohibition. It's a time of corruption, a time where it is tough to be an honest man of the law. Bureau of Investigation officer Francis Laurent finds that out the hard way when his partner and best friend August Day is gunned down in cold blood by a corrupt BOI agent and his gang of thugs during a high-stakes heist on the highway. When Laurent's commanding officer pulls him off the case without a good reason, this man of the law begins to suspect a cover-up and decides to take action to exact justice on those responsible.

Finding allies in unexpected places, his winding tale of revenge and redemption is told through the eyes of his estranged daughter Raina, as she nears the end of her time in a state medical institution. If anyone can understand Francis' desire to mete out justice and make the punishment fit the crime, it's Raina. She has more than a few of her own demons buried just beneath the surface when it comes to playing judge, jury...and executioner.

©2021 Randy N. Moon (P)2021 Randy N. Moon

Justice, Punishment and ....

Francis Laurent is an intense, faithful man who has a knack for justice. During Prohibition, Laurent is faced with solving the murder of his best friend, August Day, and three armor truck officers. Justice will prevail and will come at the hands of Laurent in a creative manner fitting to the crime, you will be hooked! Told through the eyes of his estranged daughter, Raina you will be kept on the edge of your chair.

The author, Schuyler Randall, has done an excellent job of creating a story using the themes of justice, revenge, and punishment. While also creating characters that are not only authentic but ones that elicit a response from the listener. You will come to dislike most of the folks and will smile when payback happens. Highly creative and well written! One cannot sit back without having a response, it will happen! Laurent and his daughter, Raina are well developed. The other characters are developed just enough for the story. After all, this is the story of Francis Laurent and no one else!
Ann Bumbak was the narrator. Bumbak’s narration was very good; she was effective at character differentiation. I had not heard her works before but she did an excellent job of keeping my attention throughout the book. I’m not sure there is anything I would say she could improve on, I thought this was a good performance – she spoke clearly, smoothly and distinctively.

For me, the characters were predictable to a degree. The story is predictable in the sense that the characters were stereotypical for that time. While some may see it as a downside, I see it as authentic and more realistic! That was pivotal to my liking the book so much!

And yes, it is violent!!!!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was clear and well produced.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.