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 step down in quality.

Still readable but the worst in the series and the connected series. The stakes were low and everything seemed rushed.

Excellent story!

I love this series! If you enjoyed book 1, grab this one!
Excellent Narrators!, both of yhem

Weak Ending

It seemed like Andrew Mayne didn’t know how to bring this story to an exciting conclusion. Other than the cameo by a Russian cosmonaut, this was plot was rather predictable. In my experience, if a writer feels compelled to provide an epilogue, it means they couldn’t provide a conclusion that was even satisfactory to themselves.

Excellent: Will Damron & Jennifer O'Donnell

I have thoroughly enjoyed every Theo Cray and Jessica Bkackwood book. Andrew Mayne is a very takented writer who keeps a story moving and his characters in, well, character. No jumping from a scientist to a Ninja. Although Jujitsu is too far of a reach for Theo & Jessica. If you have the other books with Theo and then with Jessica, you will not be disappointed with The Final Equinox. The audible performances by Will Damron and Jennifer O'Donnell are excellent. Don't miss these talented people.

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.