Official Review: The Adults in the Room Deep State (Audio...

Twylla · Post by **Twylla** » 17 Mar 2020, 18:34

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Adults in the Room Deep State (Audio Book)" by Jeffrey Mechling.]

3 out of 4 stars

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The Adults in the Room Deep State by Jeffrey Mechling begins with Tim Hall, a retired CIA case officer, who lives a quiet life in Baltimore, Maryland. He collects a government pension and suffers from “retrograde amnesia.” Tim is a frequent patron of the Blue Goose where he met Mary Ann Layback, the bartender. Tim was in an accident that took his wife, Pam, and four years of his memories. The doctors agree it is probably not possible to reverse the amnesia and restore Tim’s memory. Lately, he has been experiencing symptoms of dementia. There has to be a way to repair the damage. Tim started researching stem cell treatments, and he found the Clinton Bush Stem Cell Research Center in an online search. He filled out a questionnaire to try to qualify for a research study in the Dominican Republic. The clinic contacted Tim and told him he has been chosen out of thousands of applicants for the study because his body is at the right stage to receive the stem cell treatment. Tim traveled to the Dominican Republic for the treatment, and he gave the clinic a donation of $17,500. After he returned to Baltimore, Tim felt like he had been scammed. They had taken his money, and he didn’t believe he had received any treatment. But Tim’s memories started coming back, and he even felt stronger physically. Tim started recognizing people in Baltimore that had also been at the clinic in the Dominican Republic. Tim soon found himself entangled in a government conspiracy orchestrated by the CIA called “The Adults in the Room.” Tim has information buried in his memories that the CIA needs, and they will do anything to get it.

The development of Tim’s character was done well. Tim Hall was very believable in his role as a retired spy with amnesia. Mary Ann was developed as an over-sexed, ex-biker chick, a very one-dimensional character. Neither one of them was very likable.

I enjoyed the constant build-up of suspense. The story came together like a magnificent jigsaw puzzle, and all of the mysteries were resolved in the final chapters.

This was an audiobook. Normally, I would prefer to read text on a page rather than having it spoken to me. I found the narrator’s voice to be annoying at times. But it was fun listening to an audiobook for a change. I could increase or decrease the speed of the narration, skip to the next or previous chapter, skip to a different chapter in the table of contents, and skip backward or forward 30 seconds at a time.

I am giving this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. I didn’t like the two main characters, Tim and Mary Ann, and I couldn’t empathize with them. They both had significant personality flaws. But I liked the story, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good espionage thriller. Due to the violence and sexual content, this book is for a mature audience.

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The Adults in the Room Deep State (Audio Book)
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Cynthia_Oluchi · Post by **Cynthia_Oluchi** » 02 Apr 2020, 16:09

Suspense! That's the catch. I am super thrilled by suspense and this book seems to be packed with it. I should check it out.

Nerea · Post by **Nerea** » 03 Apr 2020, 06:17

I'm always intrigued by stories that feature conspiracy and espionage thrill. I will check the book. Awesome work.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 04 Apr 2020, 12:46

This seems a spy thriller that can be brutal sometimes. I don't mind as long as violence and sex are well mixed into the plot. Thank you for your informative review!