American Quartet

Fiona Fitzgerald Mysteries, Book 1

By: Warren Adler

Narrated by: Julie Griffin

Detective Fiona Fitzgerald is an unlikely force for justice in Washington, D.C.'s predominantly male police force. As a senator's daughter and top investigator in the homicide division of the Metropolitan Police Department, Fiona maneuvers between two vastly different worlds, moving quickly from opulent state galas to gritty crime scenes. Born into the elite social circles of the nation's capital, and armed with intimate knowledge of the true face of the political establishment, Fiona is determined to expose the chicanery concealed within the highest echelons of the American political aristocracy.

When a string of inexplicable murders rocks the hallowed streets of central D.C., Fiona finds herself charging through the shadows of a mysterious conspiracy. Faced with an investigation with no leads and a rising body count, Fiona's reputation as a top investigator is called into question.

At the brink of professional ruin, an encounter with the eccentric yet charismatic Thaddeus Remington III at his museum-like mansion sends Fiona hurtling headlong through a whirlwind of clues. Where once the desperate detective blundered through traceless footsteps of a triple murderer, the answers to her case now seem to be whispered from bloodstained graves of fallen presidents. Fiona stands ready, her finger on the trigger, as an assassination plot decades in the making is about to change history forever.

©2015 Warren Adler (P)2016 Warren Adler

Story has not aged well.

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

I never consider reading a book a waste of time. Would I recommend this story to my friends, maybe not. Was this a bad book, not really. There were a few moments of suspense but not enough to keep me interested.

Which scene was your favorite?

I did enjoy how Adler portrayed the politician. Nothing has changed the politician are still a bunch of corrupt and dishonest bunch.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, I think it would be an interesting movie to go watch.

Any additional comments?

I think when the story was written it was edgy. A female detective in a good old boy world. But hearing it now, it did not resonate well. I just didn't get immerse in the story and at time the story seems to drag on and on.

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Great mystery

I have recently become a fan of Warren Adler. I quite enjoy his books. This is a good suspense/mystery, with a bit of political drama added in. I do love a strong female character and Fiona is one I quickly came to love. The story got bogged down at times but all in all this was a great listen.

The narrator was very good and gave a good performance.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was not for me

Would you try another book from Warren Adler and/or Julie Griffin?

I would as long as it wasn't about politicians and politics.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

This was a boring book for me because I don't care about politics.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

WOWZIERS... talk about edge of your seat!

I love a good edge of your seat mystery and this book was just that. I'm not usually a big fan of books with politics but Warren Adler inserted just the right amount to not overwhelm me. Every time I stopped listening to do something else I found myself thinking about this book. I'm so excited its a series.

“This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.”

could not get past the narrator

The quality of the recording is not very good and it was read a lightening speed making it awkward.

1st in Exciting Series!

If you could sum up American Quartet in three words, what would they be?

Strong Female Character. Cop Overcomes Sexism. Cop Stops Assassins. All of these. lol

What was one of the most memorable moments of American Quartet?

In some ways this is part police procedural. I enjoy police procedurals. Fiona, and the interactions throughout with other cops, and steps investigating the murders.

What about Julie Griffin’s performance did you like?

Julie Griffin is an excellent narrator! Clear voicing, good pacing, appropriate emotional inflections. Down to earth voice for male characters and female characters. Seemed to have good dialect for Black characters, Upper politicos, as well as the street people and fellow Law Enforcement.

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

A sense of urgency as the crimes escalate. Involved with characters and situations. That's what I got out of it and reacted to.

Any additional comments?

Warren Adler is one of the best in suspense. And has been for a long time. So it was a powerful plot. And it was performed well by Julie Griffen. Together, well worth my time on this production.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen and review this title.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."

Needs more sex - NOT!

A surly headline reflects my displeasure of this book. The outdated banter did not bother me. I found it intriguing and loved that we have come such a long way in a short time especially in regards to the treatment of women in the workplace.Obviously, I did not appreciate the amount of sex. It was basically one sexual escapade after another and by the time it got around to the mystery I hated everyone in the book.
I liked the performance much more than the book. He did well with what he had.
I was provided this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Suspense, Politics & a Heroine to Grab Your Heart

With its smooth, snappy pacing, murky political and bureaucratic machinations, and admirable heroine up against a male-dominated police force, "American Quartet" reads like a newly released suspense thriller. When you realize that the print version of this masterful novel appeared in 1981, the most astonishing fact is that little has changed from then until now. The brutal racism obstructing Fiona’s black detective partners, the supercharged violence and drugs of the inner city, the difficulties of balancing a demanding career and a personal life, the endless social climbing and scramble for votes–the scene could well be contemporary Washington D.C.

Except for the absence of omnipresent cell phones, and the presence of a Vietnam Ranger vet who plays a prominent role as Fiona’s newly assigned partner, author Warren Adler was prescient in his examination of the battles we never seem to win, no matter how many decades pass. His psychopathic killer, the wealthy socialite “Thad” Remington III, is as disturbed and obsessed as any gun nut ripped from current headlines. Fiona’s boyfriend consistently puts his political career before hers; nothing new here! The bureacratic in-fighting, back-stabbing, and face-saving of the police force happens daily, everywhere, now.

I confess I was so involved in the plot twists I was up all night finishing this fabulous thriller. The characters are vividly real, the writing is evocative and appealing to all senses–you can feel the muggy D.C. heat and smell the sweat and aftershave and coffee. And it was heart-wrenching to watch Fiona fight her own excellent instincts every time she is put down by a male colleague or her own lover. Without giving away plot points, the historic structure behind Thad’s “copy-cat” killings is brilliant.

Somehow I missed this book in print form, but I definitely won’t miss Book Two in audio! I would be curious to hear a different narrator–while Julie Griffin’s fast, almost breathless performance suits the pace of the novel, she mispronounces a number of words and doesn’t vary her vocal range and pacing the way my favorite narrators do. (Frank should have a deep, even rough, masculine voice instead of the high boyish tenor!)

All told, "American Quartet" is a heart-gripping, pulse-pounding thriller–with the promise of more to come! Don’t miss it.

“This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.”

Timeless Story

Would you consider the audio edition of American Quartet to be better than the print version?

In some instances, the print version might have been a little easier to follow, but overall, the audio version is very entertaining and attention holding.

Which character – as performed by Julie Griffin – was your favorite?

Fiona Fitzgerald! She's smart, intuitive, and personable. She knows her job and how to do it. She's tough but feminine. She's a perfect example of a woman trying to crack into an all male field and bucking gender discrimination.

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

Not extreme. This isn't that kind of book. The villain isn't a secret as the author makes his identity clear almost from the beginning. This is more a story of outwitting the bad guy, and it's done smoothly.

Any additional comments?

This book might be a little dated, but it is still excellent and applicable to politics and policing today.Overall, the narrator did a good job, but she mispronounced many words including Potomac and corpse, Despite that small problem Julie Griffin offered an energetic delivery. No falling asleep while listening to this novel.

Not the best

I just couldn't get into this book. Of what I could handle, the plot was great, but all the sexual innuendos were too much for me to take. I know what the human anatomy looks like and I do not need to be reminded every page. Sorry, but with the sex excluded, it probably would be a great read.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."