I think midnite1869's the real deal; EarthCore just has that effect on people

I've listened to it since the prologue podcasts, and it's pretty damn good. Like many a good book, you've got to stick with it through an episode before it really starts to grow on you (and before the author's voice stops sounding funny reading as different characters).

The big plot mystery is definitely a good surprise, as are the many and varied ways your favourite characters are picked off, one by one.