Alice in Jeopardy

By: Ed McBain

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Since her husband Eddie's death in a boating accident eight months ago, Alice Glendenning has struggled to make ends meet while waiting for the insurance company to pay up. When Alice takes a job as a real estate agent, she makes a new friend, Charlie Hobbs, from whom she is supposed to try to buy his waterfront land for a developer. Things quickly become a nightmare for Alice when her two children, Ashley and Jamie, aren't on the school bus home one day, and she gets a phone call from a woman claiming to have them. When the kidnapper calls again and asks for a ransom identical to the amount Alice is due from the insurance agency after Eddie's accident, Alice forgoes contacting the police and instead calls Charlie for help. But soon enough Alice wonders whether anyone can be trusted in her fight for everything she holds dear.©2005 Ed McBain (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A swift, cleverly plotted story line, sassy dialogue and a well-drawn, resilient heroine make this gripper a hands-down success. As one of our most prolific and talented writers, McBain appears to have struck gold once again." (Publishers Weekly)

Another great job by McBain

If you like Ed McBain, and I do, you'll love this listen. The narrator does a fine job and the snappy characters and cynical story carry the novel. I also enjoyed being in Florida, where this novel takes you -- I always marvel at McBain's ability to place the reader/listener in both place and time.

Very Enjoyable

This was a most enjoyable book. I have gotten McBain books before and have enjoyed them all. Hold your nose at some of the inane political comments sprinkled throughout and you will like the story. It would have been a 5 star without the politics.

GREAT READ

I have never been disappointed by an Ed McBain book, and this was no exception. I have about 30 minutes left to listen to and will get on the treadmill just to listen.

As usual, Ed McBain delivers

We listened to this book on Audible. Narrated by Bernadette Dunn, who does an excellent job. At first it was a little slow going, and I wasn't that sympathetic to Alice, but as the novel moved on, my wife and I really enjoyed it. An Ed McBain stand alone novel, I actually wish that he had set another novel or two in this setting of Cape October, FL.
The story revolves around Alice, a woman who has had some hard luck (an understatement). Her husband drowned 10 months before the opening of the novel. A distracted driver runs into her and breaks her foot. She gets home to find that her children have been kidnapped and are being held for ransom, under threat of death. And that's just the beginning. A typical Ed McBain thriller, which is to say, very good.

Very entertaining! Timeless Ed McBain mystery!

Charming character development
Keeps you guessing
Amusing characters
John McDonald and Ed McBain timeless writing ( except for 1950’s- 70’s blatant chauvinism, but that’s the way it was )

Mary, Dallas, TX

This book is for the simple minded. The police and FBI are portrayed as not very bright which does a disservice to them. The plot can be seen through easily and the red herrings are pathetic. This is one book I wish I had not wasted the money to buy and the time to listen.

Stay Away

Trite plot and dialog. It was the only audio book I took on trip for listening in the car. Otherwise, I would have stopped after the first 10 minutes.