Killer

A Jack Rhodes Mystery, Book 1

By: Stephen Carpenter

Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine

For fans of Robert Parker's smart but tough-as-nails heroes, screenwriter Stephen Carpenter introduces a new character to the mystery genre, Jack Rhodes. Jack is an author and former boxer who was on his way to literary success when his life was blown apart by the horrific suicide of his fiancee.

Devastated, Jack went on a fifteen-month alcoholic spiral into near oblivion before eventually working past his demons to become a best-selling crime novelist. But just as Jack is finishing his fourth book about a vicious serial killer, the LAPD interrupts his quiet routine with news of what appears to be a copycat murder from his first book. There's just one problem - the murder took place before Jack's book was published.

Jack begins to investigate, using techniques he learned through his meticulous research with police and FBI investigators. To his horror, Jack soon discovers that each of the murders he imagined are real...down to the most harrowing details. And Jack is Suspect Number One...

Jack winds up on the run, a fugitive haunted by his past and hunted by the very cops and FBI agents he has befriended. Jack must use every resource he has to prevent the murder of a woman he knows will be next in his series of novels. He must piece together shattered memories from the fragments he recalls during his drunken fifteen-month blackout.

©2010 Stephen Carpenter (P)2013 Stephen Carpenter

Great story....great narration.

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

I liked it

Any additional comments?

Really liked it....lots of twists and turns...if you liked "Silence of the Lambs" even just a little bit you will enjoy this read!

Scary

What did you love best about Killer?

All the twist and turns. Just when you have it all figure out it goes another way.

What other book might you compare Killer to and why?

It reminds me of Stephen Kings books but this was a lot scarier from the very beginning.

What does Noah Michael Levine bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice kept me thinking he was the main character talking to me telling me what happen to him.

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

This may sound strange to you but it was the first paragraph that moved me right away.

Good action story

This is a classic ‘guy’s book. Hardbitten action. Tough guys. All the women are beautiful, but smart and talented. Not really my type of book but kept me listening. My husband will love it!

I'd kill to get the next Jack Rhodes book now

Jack Rhodes is a best selling author in a series about a ruthless killer. As a connection is exposed between real life murders and Jack's fictional ones, we have an important question to ponder. Had he actually researched his material first hand by participating in a few gruesome decapitations before putting pen to paper? Or ... is our killer someone else. Jack Rhodes certainly looks guilty to either the reader or his contemporaries at different times as two narratives develop.

One story is in the present and talks about Jack's tragic loss of the love of his life. This is followed by a drunken blacked out mourning period of several months and then redemption when Jack stays sober by pouring his energies into writing. Was his spine chilling descriptions of murders that vaunted him unto the bestseller lists a repressed memory from his blacked out period, or from a split personality? That question arises after some real life murders are discovered with details that closely resemble Jack's books. Jack Rhodes must deal with recalling lost memories as he is pursued by the law. The other story is about an unfortunate twisted childhood that sounds like it is going to end up with a psychopathic killer.

Narrator Noah Micael Levine does an excellent job of weaving these two story-lines to an epic confrontation. Getting the next Jack Rhodes book is now definitely on my to do list. Unfortunately, the author still has publishing the next book on his to do list.

Early on I didn't know if I was going to be following a serial killer who was an author or an author who wrote about serial killers. If you don't read too many reviews that give away too much - that will be uppermost on your mind as well as you sit back and start up a smart, well put together story.

(let's hope some surveillance person had to read this whole review to realize I'm not serious about killing) Really I was only joking --- please take me off your watch list!

Dont make any plans for the rest of the day

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

Binge listening spree.

What other book might you compare Killer to and why?

So far this is the best fictional audiobook I have experienced through Audible.com. I can't really compare it to other books that I have listened to.

What about Noah Michael Levine’s performance did you like?

Noah Michael Levine was excellent. He was especially good at the voice of the two main male characters, both of which were very egotistical.

I did cringe a few times when he simultaneously voiced the male and female parts of conversations, but it did not take away from the experience enough for me to dock a star on the rating.

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

I couldn't stop listening. It was gripping from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to more content from this author.

I felt for the characters. And yes, there were moments when I laughed and moments when I could have easily cried.

A very entertaining read.

Someone else wrote a review saying something like it was a breath of fresh air. It was a delightful tale and I cannot wait for the next one. This one was a killer!!

Hope there is a sequel

I love the main character! The audible book was excellent! Hope Stephen Carpenter can get these two love birds in some more mischief!

It is a solid mystery story. Performance enjoyable

Liked the characters. Good solid writing for the most part. Got a little confusing towards the end. I'd listen to more in the series or by the same author.

Wow! keeps you guessing!

I really liked this book. Athough I listened to the audio verson I could not put it down! Just when you think you got it all figured out another action carries you forward. i look forwart to read/hearing more from the author.

Very Creative

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

Yes I would. It was well thought out and had surprising twists in the mystery.

What did you like best about this story?

The suspense. It was quite captivating.

Have you listened to any of Noah Michael Levine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was my only listen that I know of. He was good, but did not compell me to look for others he has done.