Open Skies

By: Thomas Block

Narrated by: Thomas Block

Jack Sawyer is an ex-airline pilot turned into a reluctant private investigator. Recommended by his estranged wife Susan, he finds himself looking into the death of an airline copilot. Officially, the man's death was an accident but there are suspicions that could hint at something else. With his estranged wife and a growing caste of other friends and acquaintances in tow, Jack sets out to track down the real reasons behind the mystery and possible murder - a humorous, insightful and exciting adventure!

©2012 Thomas Block (P)2013 Thomas Block

Awesome - I loved the book Tom Block!!!!!

Would you listen to Open Skies again? Why?

Yes, I have already listened to it twice:)

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I never knew what was going to happen. You knew the end but where never sure how you were going to get there! Fun !!!

Have you listened to any of Thomas Block’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, not yet.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Fly

Any additional comments?

Most of my "reading" is done by listening to Audiobooks and this is easily one of my favorites. I love that it was narrated by the author! He has a great voice and the story comes alive in his narration. I was very impressed with the sound quality. It was easy to hear and understand even when I was listening in my not so quiet diesel truck.
The story never stopped and I loved the twists and turns. There was never a dull moment. It was also funny! It made me smile and the author did a great job with all of the voices… my favorite being Izzy. And who doesn't love a love story:)
I have read "Captain" but that will be the next audiobook I buy! I can't wait to hear it read by the author!
Keep up the awesome work Tom!

Fun and Entertaining Detective Story

Where does Open Skies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love the Stephanie Plum books when I'm in the mood for a slightly less serious book. Open Skies by Tom Block reminds me of the Plum books. Great detective plot, a bit of "romance" thrown in, twists and turns you don't see coming, and always a great ending. It ranks way up there for my "fun" listens.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character Jack Sawyer is wonderful but I also love his ex-wife Susan and the interactions between the two. Block is a real story teller and he weaves together this relationship in such a great way...you want to know what is next for the two of them.

What does Thomas Block bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

In all his books Block is able to use his voice to distinguish among multiple characters. That is a real skill. Bringing the characters "to life" through voice is why I'm hooked on audiobooks to begin with...its like going to the theater.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a moment in the book where the main character is talking about his relationship with his ex-wife who he is still very close to. At one point in the book she gives him a new car but he laments giving up the old car "because they shared it together and it was his final connection with her" even though the old car was falling apart. I recently traded my newish car and took my daughter's old car that is a bit of a wreck but I love having it because its my connection with my daughter who is now 23. Block's wonderful depiction of those feelings hit home; that feeling of connection is hard to express and Block hits the nail on the head.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to listening to the next Block book The President's Pilot. You won't be disappointed with Open Skies ...it's entertaining, fun and full of twists.

Great "Who Dun It !!!"

Would you consider the audio edition of Open Skies to be better than the print version?

The audio edition was excellent. Have not read the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Open Skies?

The wit and resourcefulness of Jack Sawyer, the main character.

Have you listened to any of Thomas Block’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Old pilots never die, they become detectives.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Block does an exceptional job bringing the many characters to life. The listener starts to welcome the precise insights and perceptions of the main character that deal with both his personal life the case he is trying to solve. Block makes the main character real...

Great mystery story - kept me guessing who dunit!

Where does Open Skies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks very high. I always want to learn something new no matter whether the book is a novel. I learned something about opera and even enjoyed the opera music that played in the background or between segments.

What did you like best about this story?

I couldn't figure out who the bad guy was. I enjoyed having the characters develop. There was a great mix of technical information regarding airplanes, descriptions of people, opera and good ole action. It was easy to visualize so much of the story.

Have you listened to any of Thomas Block’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to a number of other performances by Thomas Block. I think this is his best performance to date!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't want to stop listening! :) I wanted to find out what was going to happen next!

Airplanes, intrigue, guns, and romance...

What did you like best about this story?

I must say that as a pilot I liked the opening sequence best. Movies, books, and TV stories dealing with aviation seem to strive to be erroneous. However, as with all of Mr Blocks other works, the aviation end of the story is spot on placing the reader directly in the thick of the excitement of the cockpit, while at the same time writing at a level professional pilots can relate to and novices can understand. The action sequences are fast moving, harrowing, and suspenseful.

What does Thomas Block bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

color

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Actually, that's exactly what I did.

Clever, Insightful, Funny

What a fun time this book was! Loads of great characters, lots of humor, plus a really good 'detective-type' plot. The author's own narration brought the entire book really alive and made it well balanced, and the tone and pacing of the author/narrator's delivery added lots to the overall effect. The characters were well drawn and always loads of fun - I particularly loved Elmer and Izzy.

This audio book was a very entertaining way to spend a very enjoyable 8 hours, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good, solid story filled with interesting characters and NOT filled with gratuitous sex and endless violence. You'll find yourself laughing out loud lots of times and getting caught up in the details of the story, too. By the end, you've become a willing partner of Jack and his gang of good guys and girls! I hope the author brings them back for an encore.

Open Skies, Highly recommended

Great book! Lots of action and suspense keeping you second-guessing what's going to happen next. Also very well narrated, Loved it!

Airline Gravitas

What does Thomas Block bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Thomas Block orates his new audiobook Open Skies with the gravitas of a senior airline captain. His protagonist Jack Sawyer is a former commercial aviator turned private investigator after his airline fails, and he sours to idea of starting the airline seniority system again from the bottom. When an insolent co-pilot turns up dead—squished between the industrial, hydraulic, lifting joists of a catering truck—the airline’s CEO calls upon Jack to explore the probability of foul play. The first clues arrive in the form of barely-missing bullets fired from an unknown, handgun-wielding adversary. Retired Captain Block salts his novel with airport, airline, and aircraft details using his skill as an experienced industry insider.

You will find yourself making time to listen..

What made the experience of listening to Open Skies the most enjoyable?

Mr. Block's story telling excellence, is able to create, circumstance after circumstance that challenges the listeners minds to try and imagine what might be coming next. As each chapter unfolds, it acts as an appetizer, whetting the appetite to move forward to race to the next chapter.

I listened in the car on the way home from work. One night I arrived home, and I was fully engrossed in the excitement of the story. Then there came a knock on the driver's side window. It was my wife who came to check on my health, as I been sitting there for approximately 15 minutes and just couldn't tear myself away until the chapter break.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Like premier story tellers, Mr. Block is able to weave a story that at the end of a chapter, leaves you in anxious anticipation. Obviously his experience as an Airline Captain, adds credibility to the plot as it unfolds.

Towards the latter part of the book, you find yourself wanting to move quickly to find out what is going to happen. On the other hand, as you sense the end is nearing, there is the recognition that you really don't want to say goodbye to all the characters you now have come to know and appreciate.

Which character – as performed by Thomas Block – was your favorite?

I think Elmer was my favorite. The vocal signature of Elmer is very distinctive and seems to fit ideally with my idea of how he might look, how he might dress and certainly the bluster and vocabulary he would use. I also liked Izzie, Max and the way Mr. Block read Susan and Tracy's dialog as well, but Elmer is my favorite.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the closing crescendo in the cockpit of the 737.

Any additional comments?

I prefer books that are narrated by the authors. Mr. Block's Open Skies is a winner!

Most entertaining!

What made the experience of listening to Open Skies the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed having the author narrate the book himself. I had originally planned on listening while I was reorganizing my den but found the story so captivating, I had to just sit and enjoy. Great character interaction and Mr. Block's knowledge of the airline industry contributes greatly to the believability of the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Sawyer. The pilot turned detective was an interesting twist. I particularly enjoyed the interaction with his ex-wife and a new love interest. I'm sure there is much of Mr. Block in this character, being an ex-pilot, himself.

Which character – as performed by Thomas Block – was your favorite?

I loved Elmer. Mr. Block must have had a lot of fun with with this character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I used to travel quite a bit in my job before retiring so freqently listened to audible books while on the road. This is one that would have made me want to pull off at a rest stop and hear the ending before reaching my destination.

Any additional comments?

I'm amazed that someone actually gave this a one star rating. He complained about the audio quality which I found to be fine. I listened through the small speaker on my Kindle with no problems and particularly enjoyed Mr. Block's narration. I suppose you can't please everyone but personally, I'm waiting for more from Thomas Block.