Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

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Title: The Sentry

Subtitle: An Elvis Cole - Joe Pike Novel, Book 14

Author: Robert Crais

Narrator: Luke Daniels

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In The Watchman and The First Rule, Robert Crais put Joe Pike front and center for the first time, to remarkable effect: "A beautifully crafted piece of story-telling" (The Seattle Times); "A high-octane thriller... Pike's unshakable belief in right and wrong provides a moral center" (South Florida Sun-Sentinel); "Joe Pike is a joy to watch, an urban Zen warrior priest righting wrongs. More Pike, please" (Chicago Sun-Times).

But when Joe Pike does return, it is to a case that will rock him to his core. Five years ago, Dru Rayne and her uncle fled from Louisiana to Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina hit, but now they face a different kind of danger. A neighborhood protection gang savagely beats Dru's uncle, but Pike witnesses it and offers his own brand of protection. Oddly enough, neither of them seems to want it - and neither do the federal agents mysteriously watching their storefront, men who appear quite willing to let the gang have its way.

None of that deters Pike - there's something about Dru that touches him and he won't back away, whether she wants his help or not - but as the level of violence escalates, and Pike himself becomes a target, he and Elvis Cole begin to discover some things. Dru and her uncle are not who they seem, and everything Pike thought he knew about them, their relationship to the gang, and the reasons they fled New Orleans - it's all been lies. A vengeful and murderous force is catching up to them... and it's perfectly happy to sweep Pike and Cole up in its wake.

Members Reviews:

Joe Pike returns in another great one from Robert Crais...

I love it when a book surprises me, I really do, and it's always terrific when it's a book by an author I'm a fan of. But then again, there is definitely something to be said for writers who deliver consistently great books each time; nothing too different, just the right blend of action and plot, with characters you grow attached to from book to book.

I'm a big fan of Robert Crais' books featuring wisecracking but sensitive PI Elvis Cole, and his partner, former policeman-turned-mercenary-turned-tough guy, Joe Pike. Over the last few years Crais has centered a few of his books around Pike, and although his writing doesn't change, Pike, a man of few words but truly defined values and beliefs, is a powerful presence. In The Sentry, while pumping gas one day, he notices two gang members acting strangely, and winds up stopping them from severely beating a sandwich shop owner. Drawn to the owner's niece, Dru Rayne, he promises to protect them, and tries to intervene when gang members step up their attacks, and Dru and her uncle flee in fear. But Pike quickly discovers that nothing is what it seems, that the number of enemies he should fear is far larger than he realizes, and the only people he can count on are Cole and their associates.

Joe Pike is an interesting character, and I always picture him similar to a less talkative and hammy Dwayne Johnson (The Rock). I love the way Crais has given Pike so much depth and the way he has fleshed out the relationship between him and Elvis Cole. The Sentry has all of the features of Crais' great books--brutal violence, diabolical villains, and fast-paced action.

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Title: Murder, She Wrote: A Question of Murder

Author: Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Narrator: Cynthia Darlow

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 388 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Jessica is invited to join other crime writers at an interactive murder mystery weekend in an historic mansion turned resort. A theatrical troupe presents a play for the paying guests, but a young actor's death during the actual performance isn't part of the script. The local sheriff has never investigated a murder before and enlists Jessica's help and expertise. As she begins to put the pieces together in her folksy fashion, Jessica recognizes that this could well be her last performance if she doesn't uncover the killer soon.

Members Reviews:

If you loved the show..you will enjoy the book

Donald Bain did a good job in bringing back in the written word the tv series. The characters seem true to form. This story gets you from the beginning and keeps your interest throughout the book. If you are looking for a good mystery that is G rating; no extreme violence or sexual sences or foul language; just a good old fashion mystery then this is a book you would enjoy. Cynthia Darlow does a wonderful job in narrating the story.

Another Adventure With Jessica

If you could sum up Murder, She Wrote: A Question of Murder in three words, what would they be?

Location Characters Puzzle

What other book might you compare Murder, She Wrote: A Question of Murder to and why?

Any of the other Murder She Wrote books. It follows the format. If you liked earlier books in the series, this one won't disappoint you.

Have you listened to any of Cynthia Darlows other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've heard her performances on books in the Murder She Wrote series. She does an equally good job in this book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. I was drawn into the story and enjoyed listening to it.

Any additional comments?

To me the Murder She Wrote books are escapist, and that's just fine with me. If I want "reality" I'll listen to the news! In this instance Jessica is staying at an old hotel during a snow storm. I enjoyed picturing the hotel in my mind. I didn't have to imagine the snow - it was snowing where I live when I listened to the book!

I had read a print copy of the book some time ago. Even so, I enjoyed listening to the audio version. In fact, I had forgotten how both the real and imaginary murder ended, so I was surprised all over again.

Not Angela Lansbury

Picked this up on a daily special, thinking to share with my grandmother as we had run out of Mrs Pollifax stories. My grandmother enjoyed, but I could hardly keep listening. The series is churned out by Donald Bain at the rate of 2 a year so there are a lot of "Murder She Wrote" books. The actual plot was similar to an extended Murder She Wrote episode... clean, cozy and through Jessica Fletcher's eyes.

Angela Lansbury's picture appears on the cover... but, she is not the narrator. Cynthia does an over the top impression of Angela Lansbury's voice and your mind is constantly getting jarred out of the story by the narration. I think I would have enjoyed a completely different voice rather than a phony Angela.

Not going to pick up any more of these...

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Title: Tonight I Said Goodbye

Author: Michael Koryta

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-23-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1230 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

This is the remarkable debut mystery from the winner of the 2003 St. Martins Press/Private Eye Writers of America Prize for Best First Private Eye Novel.

Investigator Wayne Weston is found dead of an apparent suicide in his home in an upscale Cleveland suburb, and his wife and six-year-old daughter are missing. Westons father insists that private investigators Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard take the case to exonerate his son and find his granddaughter and daughter-in-law. As they begin to work, they discover there is much more to the situation than has been described in the prevalent media reports. There are rumors of gambling debts and extortion, and a group of Russians with ties to organized crime who dont appreciate being investigateda point they make clear with baseball bats.

With some assistance from newspaper reporter Amy Ambrose, Perry and Pritchard believe they are making swift progress. But then they are warned off the investigation by a millionaire real estate tycoon and the FBI. Just when they feel they are closing in on a possible source of answers, another murder forces them to change direction in the case.

Critic Reviews:

A terrific, first-class debut full of suspense, tension, tricks, and charm. If you like Spenser and Hawk, or Elvis and Joe, or Myron and Win, youre going to love this. (Lee Child,

New York Times best-selling author)

An incredibly fresh private-investigator novel...Koryta...emerges fully formed in his first effort. (

Chicago Tribune)

This riveting detective novel should delight fans looking for new talent. (

Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Just could not get this engine to rev....

I have to agree with many others who felt this audiobook was not helped by Scott Brick's narration. I usually like Brick, but for some reason he was not a good fit here. And the story was not the "remarkably fresh perspective" that the Chicago Tribune review promised. I listened and re-listened to several parts of the first 2-3 hours and then pulled this plug, moving on to another in the same genre that I could not put down. Not enough to hold my interest, though I listen to a lot in this genre.

Worthwhile effort

Good story, well written but I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens. Reader was fine - able to tell one character from another, but wasn't really special. This is the first of Koryta's Lincoln Perry books that I have read, and it's not quite as riveting as I found The Cypress House and The Ridge (my very favorite). I'll give LP another look - perhaps in subsequent books the character development is better than this one.

For those who don't ike Scott Brick ...

Any additional comments?

... listen to the book on a faster speed.

I think Brick is a great narrator, just way to deliberate. I know they tell you in public speaking to go slower than you think you need to go, but Scott is just too much.

If I listen to him on 1.5 times speed on the Audible app on my iPhone, it's perfect.

Try it, see if you don't like it better.

Amazingly good for a debut book

I really liked this book and the author held my interest throughout. It wasn't too difficult to figure out where the story was going, although I thought the major revelation near the book's conclusion was unnecessary and probably detracted from the story more than it brought things together.

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Title: Broken

Author: Karin Slaughter

Narrator: Natalie Ross

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-19-10

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 96 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

When Special Agent Will Trent arrives in Grant County, he finds a police department determined to protect its own and far too many unanswered questions about a prisoners death. He doesnt understand why Officer Lena Adams is hiding secrets from him. He doesnt understand her role in the death of Grant Countys popular police chief. He doesnt understand why that mans widow, Dr. Sara Linton, needs him now more than ever to help her crack this case.

While the police force investigates the murder of a young woman pulled from a frigid lake, Trent investigates the police force, putting pressure on Adams just when shes already about to crack. Caught between two complicated and determined women, trying to understand Lintons passionate distrust of Adams, the facts surrounding Chief Tollivers death, and the complexities of this insular town, Trent will unleash a case filled with explosive secrets - and encounter a thin blue line that could be murderous if crossed.

Spellbinding and keenly paced, Broken is Karin Slaughter at her best. Here is an unforgettable story of raw emotions, dangerous assumptions, the deadly and layered game of betrayal, and a mans determination to expose the most painful of human truths - no matter how deeply theyre hidden...or how devastating.

Critic Reviews:

"[A] superb thriller.... Slaughter keeps the emotional tension high throughout." (

Publishers Weekly)

"Slaughters latest entry in her series overlays the standard police procedural with a burning sense of social justice." (

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

As Usual-Good Read

Success with dyslexia! Will Trent can solve any crime with his careful organization. He is a master of diplomacy while at the same time an under appreciated, and often abused manly male. Lena Adams is her usual secretive self! Of course, Sarah has to work through things to help make sense of the situation. Winding plot with lots of ups and downs.

I gave up :-(

I have listened to many books by now and only once before I have stopped after a short time because of the narrator - I just couldn't stand the way it was read - too bad because I LOVE Slaughter's books. Now I have started a new one and I'm back to 'normal'. Great!

A good short story.

I did not feel this was a full blown Karin Slaughter mystery thriller. The story was good, it just had a rushed feel to it. Not as many threads leading up to the endgame as I am used to with her previous books.

I love these characters

I love the idea of a group of reoccuring characters moving through different books. I hope to enjoy all of this series as much as the first two I've listened to.

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Title: This Body of Death

Subtitle: An Inspector Lynley Novel

Author: Elizabeth George

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-10

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 574 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Thomas Lynley is called back to Scotland Yard when the body of a woman is found stabbed and abandoned in an isolated London cemetery. His former team doesn't trust the leadership of their new department chief, Isabelle Ardery, but Lynley may be the sole person who can see beneath his superior officer's hard-as-nails exterior to a hidden and possibly attractive vulnerability.

While Lynley works in London, his former colleagues Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata follow the murder trail south to the New Forest, a beautiful and strange place where outsiders are not entirely welcome. What they don't know is that more than one dark secret lurks among the trees, and that their investigation will lead them to an outcome that is both tragic and shocking.

A multi-layered jigsaw puzzle of a story skillfully structured to keep readers guessing until the very end, This Body of Death is a magnificent achievement from a writer at the peak of her powers.

Critic Reviews:

"George tantalizes with glimpses of a horrific earlier murder case; showcases Lynley at his shrewdest, most diplomatic best; and confounds readers with a complex array of evidence, motives, and possible solutions." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Interesting Mix for Elizabeth George Fans

This book oddly combines the successes and failures of her last two novels-- after hating "What Came Before He Shot Her" and Loving "Careless in Red," I had more than one twinge of fear that this was going down the "What Came Before..." path. It didn't. Tough book to review because I don't want to give any hints of the twists or turns and there are some. Stay with the book, it'll surprise you in good ways, characters we know and love continue to develop too. Some scenes tremble a little too close to the disgusting and I confess fast forwarding through at least three ummm...unpleasantries. But in the end a satisfying read, and when as she often says, the other shoe finally falls and the reader figures out where George is going it's a delight indeed!

Elizabeth George at the top of her game!

I'm a long time fan, but I have to admit this one made even me sit up and pay attention. I initially downloaded this onto my kindle, but it was so interesting about half-way through I downloaded it from audible because I wanted to "hear" the characters. I was not disappointed. It appears to be two totally separate stories and while each story is totally compelling, I found myself wondering how on earth she was going to connect the two. Don't want to give anything away, so I won't say much more, except near the end I suspected how she would do it and was still blown away!

If you've never read any of her books, don't worry, each book is a stand alone experience. She doesn't rehash everything from earlier novels as some authors do, and I found myself remembering little details about my favorite characters Lynley, Havers, St. James, etc. (i.e. how Lynley got that faint scar on his lip).

I can't wait to see what she will write next. Meanwhile, I enjoyed this one so much I've decided to revisit some of her earlier works I'd listened to and read many years ago. Unfortunately, I downloaded most of them under an old audible account.

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Title: The Double Comfort Safari Club

Subtitle: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrator: Lisette Lecat

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 988 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Listeners will agree that this touching and dramatic new installment in Alexander McCall Smiths beloved and best-selling series is the finest yet. In this story, Precious Ramotswe deals with issues of mistaken identity and great fortune against the beautiful backdrop of Botswanas remote and striking Okavango Delta.

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi head to a safari camp to carry out a delicate mission on behalf of a former guest who has left one of the guides a large sum of money. But once they find their man, Precious begins to sense that something is not right. To make matters worse, shortly before their departure, Mma Makutsis fiancé, Phuti Radiphuti, suffers a debilitating accident, and when his aunt moves in to take care of him, she also pushes Mma Makutsi out of the picture. Could she be trying to break up the relationship?

Finally, a local priest and his wife independently approach Mma Ramotswe with concerns of infidelity, creating a rather unusual and tricky situation. Nevertheless, Precious is confident that with a little patience, kindness and good sense things will work out for the best - something that will delight her many fans.

Members Reviews:

I love this series

I am totally addicted to the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series and was so excited when this latest book came to Audible.com. Double Comfort Safari Club did not let me down - it was as great as I anticipated it would be. The saga continues and I will continue to eagerly await the next book in the series. I do not read the books - I prefer the audible version. I think the person who performs this series is the best I have ever heard reading any book. Her voice is pleasing and her accents are fantastic. She can pronounce the names of people, places and things so much better than I could in my reading of the book.. This adds to my enjoyment. She is absolutely brilliant in her reading and performance.

The Magic is Back!

I found this most recent contribution to the series completely satisfying! I love how AMCS enriches my understanding of this remarkable country while making me laugh and warming my heart. Slow? I'd say leisurely. And there's no place I'd rather be!

Awesome as always

This series is consistently great. Hard to believe after so many books there is still so much to say, but somehow they get better and better. John D. MacDonald made it to 21 Travis McGee novels; let's hope Mr. Smith surpasses that.

Very Internal Thoughtful

I noticed that some reviewers thought this book was much slower than the others. It is more about what is going on in the minds of the characters and not so much about the mysteries she solves. I enjoyed the thoughts because we lived in Kenya for five years and the thought processes and cadence of speech reminded me of my friends there. Perhaps people who are most interested in the mysteries should stick with other detective series. This one is mostly about the people who live in Africa.

Another lovely book by Dr. Smith

Slow down and enjoy the simple and loving relationships, emotions, and dialogue of another Mma Ramotswe book. The narration is excellent, and the descriptions are worthy of more than one listen...I found myself rewinding and re-enjoying certain scenes.

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Title: Rattlesnake Crossing

Subtitle: Joanna Brady Mysteries, Book 6

Author: J. A. Jance

Narrator: C. J. Critt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-10

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 142 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Sheriff Joanna Brady is the law in Cochise County, and she will never allow her personal trials to interfere with the job she was elected to do - especially now that death has invaded Bisbee, Arizona, and has shattered the small desert town's fragile peace.

A gun dealer has died violently, and his stock of high-powered weapons has been cleaned out. Suspicion falls upon rancher Alton Hosfield, an armed separatist at war with the federal government and the local law -- with everyone, in fact, whom he perceives as a threat to his independent way of life.

Joanna Brady suspects the solution is not so cut-and-dried - especially when the cold-blooded slaying is followed by a series of others, equally horrific and perplexing. At best, an incendiary "Ruby Ridge" situation is brewing. At worst, a maniacal serial killer has come to feed on her unsuspecting community. But Joanna's preoccupation with bringing a murderer to justice could take a terrible toll on her private life...and unravel threads of family, love, and responsibility that might never again be retied.

Critic Reviews:

"Jance has a talent for weaving prosaic threads into a gripping mystery narrative. As a result, Brady must - in addition to tracking a vicious killer - cope with the impossibly high standards of her insufferable mother; the spiteful comments of Marliss Shackleford, an old high school rival and current gossip columnist for the Bisbee Bee; and some rather unexpected news from Butch Dixon, her would-be ardent suitor. As with earlier Brady mysteries, the domestic context provides a deliciously ironic backdrop for the game of psychological cat-and-mouse being played in the Arizona desert." (Amazon.com review)

Members Reviews:

Seriously odd narrator

It's almost impossible to ruin one of J A Jance's Joanna Brady books -- I'm an unabashed fan, read them all the instant they appear, and am now buying them, one by one, as audiobooks. So I love the characters, the stories, the plots... everything. But the narration? Not always the best.

For whatever reason, out of about 14 unabridged Joanna Brady books available, there are at least six different narrators. Why would a publisher do that? Why isn't there just one -- or two, at the most -- official "voices" of Joanna Brady? We know what Kinsey Millhone sounds like, right? Judy Kaye brings Kinsey to life -- we hear that voice, that's Kinsey! We know what Lucas Davenport sounds like, too -- Richard Ferrone alone gives voice to the character. Anyone else reading those books would be committing lilterary heresy.

For the Joanna Brady books, 'Rattlesnake Crossing' represents the worst of the narrations. Understand, I've listened to any number of other books narrated by C. J. Critt, and have no generalized dislike for her abilities. But why, oh why, did she choose to make both Sheriff Joanna and her 15 year old daughter speak with the same bored, whiny, nasal quality more typical of a California Valley Girl? The ineffable Miss Jance didn't see fit -- thank Gd -- to write the 'gag me with a spoon' line, but we hear it, anyway.

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Title: Billy Straight

Author: Jonathan Kellerman

Narrator: Alexander Adams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-06-10

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 137 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In this riveting, astute, high-tension thriller, the creator of psychologist sleuth Alex Delaware weaves a Dickensian tale of innocence, urban depravity, and the resilience of the human spirit, and brings to the listener one of the most endearing and finely drawn characters in contemporar fiction.

Twelve-year-old Billy Straight - precocious, heartbreakingly perceptive, relentlessly moral - has fled the chaos and abuse of his life at home and is fighting to survive on L.A.'s meanest streets. All alone, Billy has fashioned a precarious existence for himself, using principled tricks to nourish his body and his mind.

Late one night he watches from his hiding place as a man viciously butchers a woman. The victim turns out to be the ex-wife of a television celebrity with a history of domestic violence, and Billy becomes the center of terrifying attention - from the media, from violent bounty hunters, and from the murderer himself. As he runs for his life, relying on his native wit and instincts for survival, Billy is also tracked by a potential savior: Petra Connor, a tough, gifted, beautiful LAPD homicide detective with a past of her own.

Breathtakingly paced, Billy Straight brings to life one street kid's efforts to survive in the face of unspeakable evil. Richly layered, emotionally compelling, and peopled by a vivid cast of supporting characters - including Alex Delaware himself in a strong cameo role - this gripping novel represents one of the century's great story-tellers at the top of his form.

Critic Reviews:

"The writing is vivid, the suspense sustained, and [he] has arranged one final, exquisitely surprising plot twist to confound the complacent reader." (People)

"Taut, compelling....Everything a thriller ought to be. The writing is excellent. The plotting is superior. The characters ring true." (USA Today)

Members Reviews:

Masterfully Kellerman

WOW! Kellerman can really weave a compelling plot! Best ever even after reading 28 Alex Deleware books.

Excellent narration

The usual excellent tale by Jonathon Kellerman. The narrator Alexander Adams is outstanding. One of the few that inspires me to listen to other books he's reading.

excellent read
loved it. want more Petra and Bill

well structured suspenseful. totally engrossing. Love the characters,storyline and suspense. I want more Petra stories

The best!

Of all the JK books I've read, this is, by far, my favorite. Besides the character Billy, Petra Connor is fascinating and a well-rounded personality. More, please!

Another great story from Kellerman

I thoroughly enjoyed Billy Straight. I liked the way he tied it all together in the end.

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Title: Shakespeare's Counselor

Subtitle: The Lily Bard Mysteries, Book 5

Author: Charlaine Harris

Narrator: Julia Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 409 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Cleaning woman and karate expert Lily Bard is a woman with a complicated past. Trying her best to cope with her terrifying memories and horrible nightmares, she decides to join a weekly group therapy session in her hometown of Shakespeare, Arkansas.

At first, Lily can hardly believe the number of her fellow Shakespeareans who share her life experiences. As it turns out, the group members' feelings aren't the only things that need sorting out - they assemble for a session and find a woman dead, killed in bone-chilling fashion and deliberately left on display to send a twisted message. Who would commit such a horrendous crime, and who is the intended recipient of the message?

Critic Reviews:

"Infectious prose, engaging characters, crafty plotting." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

interesting

Wow this was a lot darker than expected. The culprits of the main mystery was really dark and twisted people. I was hooked by the red herring and did not see the ending until it was pretty obvious. I'm wondering if there is a short story or something out there that ties the period between this and when the couple shows up in the Southern Vampire series.

Again, a very easy listen and I thoroughly enjoyed it

Interesting!

If you read Lily Bard, start at the beginning with Shakespeare's Landlord. This is book 5, the end of the series, and I really hate to see it end. Lily is an unusual woman and reading about her life in Shakespeare is well worth the credit. Lily is intelligent and self-sufficient (that black belt helps). This book did not disappoint, and the counselor and her husband-humm-- I don't know...(no spoilers coming atcha). Very entertaining, from beginning to end. The narrator is also excellent, and listening to her voice reading the story was a combination to engage and delight.

Weakest of the Series

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Only if they have read the entire Lilt Bard Series. And then only to reach the conclusion for Lily.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Make the bad guys not so obvious and make people we could care about at the center of the mystery. Too many new characters and no real emotional connection to any of them.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lily was in the hospital and Jack was with her. They really connected as a solid couple and it was so true to life.

Did Shakespeare's Counselor inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

This was the final book of the series and I only finished it to get the payoff with Lily. Sadly the mystery never got off the ground and I was left feeling Lily had lucked out in solving the case.

Lily comes full circle, but a crazy mystery

What did you like best about Shakespeare's Counselor? What did you like least?

I have to say that out of the series this is the worst mystery, requiring the most suspension of disbelief and highest tolerance for weird behavior. It is also uncharacteristically gruesome in parts. However, I am still glad I listened to it. It may be that the only real attraction people would have for this book is to watch Lily's personal growth. After Lily became the victim of a hideous violent crime years ago, she became a very different person. The Lily of book 1 doesn't get close to people.

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Title: Flood

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Andrew Vachss

Narrator: Christopher Lane

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-03-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 320 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Modern Detective

Publisher's Summary:

In this thriller, Andrew Vachss's renegade private eye teams up with a lethally gifted avenger to follow a child's murderer through the catacombs of New York, where every alley is blind and the penthouses are as dangerous as the basements.

Fearfully knowing, crackling with narrative tension, and written in prose as forceful as a hollow-point slug, Flood is Burke at his deadliest - and Vachss at the peak of his form.

Members Reviews:

Pretty good - I will try some more of the series.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I like the various mix of characters and hope to see more of them. Didn't really like the standard (in too many series) description of the amazing martial artist that apparently live only to assist the main character - also pretty predictable group of bad guys - but remember this was written before so many used the same computer (confused also with telecom) genius living deep in the ground. And the poor dog never got any exercise so how could he stay in shape. But what the heck this is fiction and once I got into the first few chapters I didn't stop till it was done. So I liked it a lot, warts and all.

What about Christopher Lane???s performance did you like?

I loved the change in voice for mama! Sounds like a lot of my friends from years gone by. good voices changes without making me forget the story.

Was Flood worth the listening time?

Yes - most likely will listen to it again in a few years.

This is a great book!

I love this book; I listened to Straga before I bought this book on sale and must say that it was a much better book then Straga. I'm glad that I gave the author another shot and I'm going to go through and listen to his others. I'm the kind of reader/listener that once I find author I like I stick with them. (Robert Parker, Robert Crais, Dennis Lehane, etc.)

As for this book, as the previous person wrote, Flood is not for the faint at heart. It is very graphic and almost all the characters, most notable Burke are extremely flawed. But the thing about Burke is although he operates on the wrong side of the law; he does the right thing in a world that few people would even go into. Bad people can do bad things for the right reason, that's Burke.

Great story. Not for the faint of heart.

Where does Flood rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

It's a good listen but I didn't feel the "depth" in this book that I have in many others. Still...it was a good story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It moved along well.

Any additional comments?

Interesting author with his own story.

Noir!

Think "Sin City." (If you have not yet seen the remarkable 2005 movie, "Sin City," see if you can rent it or borrow it. If you like "Sin City," you will like "Flood.") Imagine Clive Owen playing Burke. Somebody (Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez) should film this book. Talk about New York's ! "Flood" combines the hard-boiled detective fiction of the '40s and '50s (think Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler on steroids) -- including all the smoking (OMG, Burke, will you quit smoking before you kill yourself?) with "Sin City"'s over-the-top noir -- including the (unintentionally?) funny male sexual fantasies.