Bait

By: Kenneth Abel

Narrated by: Frank Muller

With some of the most spine-chilling scenes in modern suspense fiction, Bait guarantees the listener a roller coaster ride with a hero not afraid to cross the line. Life for narcotics detective Jack Walsh is one continuous drunken binge - until one blurry night when his car veers into an oncoming car, killing the son of Boston’s premier crime boss. Now Jack must decide if he wants to hide from D’Angelo’s vengeful compatriots or reclaim his life.

©1994 Kenneth Abel (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

A good Boston-based cop story

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

This was a suspenseful story about cops in Boston. Was it great literature? No. Nothing fancy here, just a good hard-edged cop story, simple as that.
Yes, there were some cliches, but the dialogue was well constructed, the storyline moved right along and the narration was excellent.

I could not follow this story line. Way too many things and people going in.

I had to keep Re-listening.to chapter one and two and three. Could not follow! I loved the narrator! I picked this book because of him!

Great Crime Drama told by the Master

First of all, I think I could listen to anything read by Frank Muller, including a dictionary or phone book. He is The Voice. I often search for audio books by his name as the reader, rather than by author or title.

This is a very satisfying story, in the manner of an Elmore Leonard, or Mario Puzo. Big city mafia, wounded hero, corrupt narcos, street punks, etc. Excellent character set-up and development, nice use of slang, well-textured shuttles back and forth in time to sketch the background and return to the action.

If you like crime stories, you won't be disappointed.

STRONG NARRATION BY FRANK MULLER

I gave this book a highest rating strictly for its narration. What else can one do with a reading by Frank Muller. The story was made entertaining by Muller ... he definitely carried the day for me on this one. Sorry we had to lose him so early.

A fantastic story, told by the Master.

I'd never heard of Kenneth Abel, but he sure can spin a yarn. The story of Jack Walsh and his struggles through the Boston Police Department, with his alcoholism and with his family, all ring true. The plot runs all over the place, but never becomes incoherent. The book is entertaining throughout. The mob boss DiAngelo is a very clever man, and the intrigues that swirl around him and his cronies read beautifully; just like the real thing, at least insofar as we know them in fiction. The book is fast-paced without being shallow. Walsh is an honest cop surrounded by corruption, something like the story of Frank Serpico, which is mentioned in the text. However, Walsh is not trying to stamp out the corruption and become a hero. He is merely trying to stay alive, with local cops and Feds swarming around him to try to nail DiAngelo.
Frank Muller was the finest narrator who ever lived. He had such a repertoire of voices, accents, dialogues, moods and inflections that the reader is thrilled at virtually everything he does. He narrated 200 books in his career, and almost all of them are great. His range as a narrator knows no bounds. He never hits a false note. You can listen to him for hours and hours and never get tired of the experience. From a book like this to John Grisham to Moby Dick to Charles Dickens to the George Smiley series to The Horse Whisperer: listen to him and you will recognize a towering talent that, I am guessing, will never be approached by any other narrator. Frank left us with a unique gift, and I feel lucky to be able to hear his work. He can do no wrong, IMHO (in my humble opinion). Do yourself a favor. You will not be disappointed. I guarantee it.

Extraordinary Entertainment - Tightly Woven

Any additional comments?

I am slightly premature in writing this review as I haven't quite reached the end but I couldn't help myself as I am so impressed with this work! Regardless of how the end goes, this is a perfect gem when it comes to this classic mob crime genre. Really tight narration and dialogue. Great characterization and pacing. And of course, superbly narrated by Frank Muller. I will definitely be looking out for more from this writer - he has a very deft hand indeed.

Okay… Not great, but OK

You will guess at the nature of the ending, but you will keep listening for the specifics. In between you will not go to sleep. The Abel and Muller team are OK. It is not bad and a bit different. I bought it on sale and the price was right.

Good read

Would you listen to Bait again? Why?

Yes! It was funny

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bait?

Frank muller reading it

Which character – as performed by Frank Muller – was your favorite?

All. he is the all time best

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

No

Any additional comments?

No

Excellent

This is one of the best Police crime novels that I've ever read. The narration by frank muller was superb And it Is tragic that we know longer have him To enjoy. Professional narration has lost a superstar.

Just a Tremendous Thriller All the Way

This has to be one of the better suspense novels I've listened to. So what makes a book worthy of 5 stars for me? I can't say this is set in stone, but on the whole it must contain:
1. A great story. This is the story of a conflicted ex-cop who has lost everything. Driving drunk, he's killed the son of a mafia don. He's in hiding, being cornered by the Feds as well as the mafia.
2. The main characters have to be likable, someone I can relate too and pull for. Jack Welsh is smart and resourceful, trying to understand what has happened and why. But he's also vulnerable. He suffers, but he doesn't let himself be swallowed up in self pity.
3. Great narration. It's read by the late Frank Mueller, one of the best narrators ever.

So it's an easy 5 stars!