Devil Dealing

The Ryder Quartet Volume 1

By: Ian Patrick

Narrated by: Ian Patrick

A top police investigative unit breaks an illegal gambling operation in the context of rampant police corruption and drug-fueled gangster violence in the city. Lead detective Jeremy Ryder is a physically powerful, quiet and meticulous investigator. His partner Navi Pillay is a small and exceptionally strong Tamil martial arts instructor, and she provides the speed and physical power to complement Ryder's incisive sleuthing abilities. Together with their other detective colleagues Ryder and Pillay crack open two interwoven criminal operations. There are two key villains. One is a corrupt murderous senior police officer at the heart of the illegal gambling operation and the other is a sinister and violent gangster dealing in drugs and murder. Each of them presides over lesser criminals and each of them controls separate domains of corruption until their paths cross in a spectacular climax.

©2015 Ian Patrick (P)2015 Ian Patrick

Very different kind of thriller, quite brilliant

This was very different. And it was very good.

The banter between the detectives was entertaining: I have friends who sound just like this. They can't stop talking about rugby. But they were also outstanding detectives, before they retired. They have things to say about the state of policing now but just seven or so years ago it was just like what I heard on this audio thriller. Amazing. Truly amazing. The corruption, the dedication of the cops, the horrible criminals. The car chases.

And the locations. I recognise all the locations. The research in this story was impressive.

The narrator and the characters he plays are good. I could have wished for a woman voice to play the women, but I know that's not the convention: it's not a full-scale play. But despite that I thought this was very good.

I ordered the second book in the series today. Can't wait for that one.

First in a great series

I liked all of the books in this series, the last one best of all. Maybe this first one is the slowest of them all, but I can see that it was necessary to set the scene for all of the books. What is clear is that Jeremy Ryder is every bit as powerful as Jack Reacher in Lee Child's books. He is a wonderful policeman and his wife Fiona is brilliant, too. They are a great couple with a great dog, and it was sad to get to the end of their adventures. I hope they come back.

The narration is nice and easy and flows comfortably. I think that a couple of women's voices would have added to it, but it is still very professionally done.

Excellent in every way

What did you love best about Devil Dealing?

Lovely plot. Twists and turns. So believable. Brilliant dialogue. Action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

What did you like best about this story?

It was so real: I live near where this action takes place and every street, every shop, every beach was accurately portrayed.

What about Ian Patrick’s performance did you like?

Mysterious and nice and authoritative, and lovely characters created.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Cops on the hunt

Any additional comments?

Good sound quality. Nice resonant feel all the time.

Even better listening

Would you listen to Devil Dealing again? Why?

Yes. Great voice and diction, and mystery is nicely conjured up.

What did you like best about this story?

Realism. Very true to life. Tough criminals and even tougher cops. Nice short sections, and we're given the time of day that each scene takes place in. I like that.

What does Ian Patrick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He obviously knows these characters inside out. He doesn't do full-blooded characterizations, but just suggests the characters with a slight change of pitch or accent. I preferred the listening to the reading, actually.

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

Very sad scene early on when someone dies, but the breathless excitement after that keeps you going.

Any additional comments?

The book dips a little in energy about three-quarters of the way through, and then picks up again for a rip-roaring finish. Then a nice slow final scene to wrap things up.

Delicious evil criminals and good and bad cops

Would you listen to Devil Dealing again? Why?

Oh yes. Very suspenseful and evil and filled with action.

What did you like best about this story?

Villains as evil as they come

Which scene was your favorite?

One particular murder, which would spoil the plot top talk about

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Holding up a mirror to real crime

Any additional comments?

Nice quality of voice and studio work. I read this book three months ago and only listened to the audiobook now. Great voice work.

Sharp, fast, compact police procedural thriller

This was a pleasure to listen to. The book is well-plotted, suspenseful, and beautifully written. The details of police procedure, the forensic detail, and the witty characters make it an enjoyable experience in every respect. Violent at times, always very true to life, it is also tender and whimsical. It would have been good to have two voices reading - one for women and the other for men, but the narrator does an excellent job.

Menacing and atmospheric

Would you listen to Devil Dealing again? Why?

Yes, for sure. The action is menacing and atmospheric and draws one in - especially late at night in the car or in bed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Devil Dealing?

Great climactic fight between two villains near the end, and then really nice circular closing, bringing us back to echo the opening scene in mood and atmosphere.

Which character – as performed by Ian Patrick – was your favorite?

No doubt: the villain Thabethe.

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

There's a very sad scene - in fact a couple - but the real reaction is to the great action scenes. Thrilling.

Any additional comments?

The narrator could distinguish more between some of the characters. Maybe a woman should play the female roles?

Why did I wait so long for this?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone. I listened to the second book in the series before listening to this one. Just because of circumstances. But it was great to listen to this. I loved it. The accents are good and the characters are very entertaining.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Devil Dealing?

The death of a policeman is tough. But very well done, I must say.

What about Ian Patrick’s performance did you like?

Nice cozy voice and good accents.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of the cop was very moving.

Any additional comments?

I love this series.

Very different and very exciting

What made the experience of listening to Devil Dealing the most enjoyable?

Accents are very helpful: they flesh out the characters very nicely. The mood and atmosphere is nicely created and makes it more exciting

What did you like best about this story?

The good guys don't always win: they have to go through some losses before they come out the other side: makes one contemplate the criminal justice system and its weaknesses and failings, but at the same time makes you realise that there are a helluva lot of good cops out there too

Have you listened to any of Ian Patrick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've now listened to two (so far: will get more, I hope). I think this is the best so far but I've read the third book in his series and hope to hear it too. I expect iot to be better because the script is better, I think.

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

Very upsetting in three or four parts. Didn't cry but certainly had great empathy. My wife cried. And she's tougher than me.

Any additional comments?

This is refreshingly new and different from the norm.

This thriller has it all.

Well done Ian Patrick! This Audible book with Mr. Patrick's narration is a must! The action. The corruption. The violence. The good cops. The bad cops. The woman cop. The humor. The realism. The attention to detail. I felt like I was listening to a movie. All so very entertaining!
Ian Patrick is an excellent narrator. All the feelings are well expressed and felt. I was right there. Really enjoyed this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Story Origin.