The Otto Digmore Decision

Otto Digmore, Book 2

By: Brent Hartinger

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Book two in the Otto Digmore series

"If we get caught, they'll throw us in jail. On the other hand, we'll have been involved in one of the craziest Hollywood stories I've ever heard, and maybe someone will want to turn that into a movie!"

Otto Digmore is back, still trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood (despite his facial scars), but frustrated by all the schemers who'll stab you in the back to get ahead. But then Otto's good friend, Russel Middlebrook, sells a screenplay, a heist movie set in the Middle Ages - and Otto has been cast in an important supporting role! For 12 weeks, Otto and Russel will be on location together in England and Malta.

Problem is, once production is underway, it quickly becomes clear that the director is ruining Russel's script. If the movie ends up being the bomb that both Otto and Russel expect it to be, it could destroy both their Hollywood careers forever.

But Otto and Russel aren't willing to take that chance. Together, they hatch a crazy plan to make a good movie behind the director's back! But how far are they willing to go to save their careers? Are they willing to become exactly the kind of scheming backstabbers they always said they hated?

The Otto Digmore Decision is partly a caper story, partly a humorous Hollywood satire. It’s also an inside look at the struggles of anyone "different", and it’s even something of a love story, except it’s one between two friends.

More than anything, The Otto Digmore Decision proves the old adage about creative pursuits: The most interesting drama always happens behind the scenes!

©2019 Brent Hartinger (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Great story, but...

Even though the story was great, it did seem to drag in certain spots.
With this narrator, I've noticed a tendency to get a bit monotone. But, overall, he's good.

So worth the listen

At times a long and wandering tale, so deep in the weeds of movie making and heist plotting that I found myself wondering what the point of the book was going to be. But this wasn’t my first Brent Hartinger. I knew there was something more, even if I couldn’t see what it was. In the end, I was right. He wrapped it all up and left me with a warm satisfied feeling.

There are layers, references to prior events in other books, character cameos from previous books in this universe, and a fantastic, and fantastical, storyline that does not disappoint.

The narration was perfect. It is understated, never once making the voice actor the star, always letting the writing shine. And that, counterintuitively, makes Michael Crouch a star narrator.

So insightful!

This author is incredibly insightful and has the ability to explain those insights through the character's dialogue and behaviour in a way that any reader can understand. This is not a romance. It is a story about best friends. And while each MC is in a serious relationship with another man (not the same one) the partners play a very small role. Some may find the ending premise a little bleak but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I love how the author explains Otto's feelings about how others view his disability. As a disabled woman, I couldn't agree more. Hopefully it will have an impact on how able-bodied readers see us and how we sometimes see ourselves.

I can't get enough of Russell and his Friends

loved it. I could not stop listening. So glad a certain scene made the final cut, now I wish I could see the movie they made. 😀

A story of love between best friends.

I loved how the characters stayed true. It showed the facets of each personality good or bad. The narrator nailed it!