Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky Narrator: John Pirhalla
Published by MacMillan Audio on June 23, 2026
Genres: Mystery
Length: 12 hours, 50 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
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Meet Skotch. Racoon, P.I.—Yours for a few buttons as long as the job isn't too illegal, whatever that means.
A mouse has gone missing. Normally this wouldn't raise any hackles, nor any alarms, but this mouse has something that everyone seems to want, though nobody appears particularly eager to say what that something is.
The fee is good—perhaps too good. Certainly not something Skotch can easily turn down.
At first I thought perhaps I was not smart enough to understand this story. I have wanted to read this author for awhile. After I got into the characters and plot though, I was fine. It is detailed with quite a few characters and groups so I need to focus more and multitask less.
In this world, the mechanized animals are sentient with the right “food” and work to do all the behind the scenes chores for humans. Our view into the world is Skotch, a raccoon who left his corporation and is just doing private jobs, finding things and such, getting by as an independent.
Now his old corporation comes to him with a contract for finding a mouse. He can’t understand why anyone would want this mouse. Mice only live a couple years at most. But everyone wants this mouse and hunts it. When he sees it, then they hunt him to find out where it is!
As Skotch runs, hunts and hides, he does find out more who his friends are and who he can trust. Eventually, he learns what is so important about the mouse.
Narration:
I don’t think I have listened to this narrator previously. I enjoyed the performance and the voices for the characters felt authentic. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
This sounds so creative in its world building! Not sure why you would think you weren’t smart enough to understand it initially. You’re so good at these things. Great review, Anne💜
I think sometimes it takes a moment to assimilate things in a brand new world and also the distractions I had in life. There were a lot of characters and new types of beings to learn.
Sentient animals sounds like it would have a lot to play around with creatively. Sounds pretty interesting. I haven’t read this author either so maybe a good jumping in point.
It seemed like a good start in for me. I think some of his other works are more space oriented. I know he’s a favorite of another friend so I wanted to try one.
Sounds interesting, although I don’t think it would be one for me. Glad you ended up enjoying this once you got into it. Great review!
Hard for me to say. It was political, action, and sentient mech animals.
Ooooo interesting plot!!!
It was and unique themes.