Life or Death

By: Michael Robotham

Narrated by: John Chancer

Winner of the CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger award 2015

Why would a man escape from prison the day before he's due to be released?

Audie Palmer has spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery in which four people died, including two of the gang. Seven million dollars has never been recovered and everybody believes that Audie knows where the money is. For 10 years he has been beaten, stabbed, throttled, and threatened almost daily by prison guards, inmates, and criminal gangs, who all want to answer this same question, but suddenly Audie vanishes, the day before he's due to be released. Everybody wants to find Audie, but he's not running. Instead he's trying to save a life...and not just his own.

2015, CQA Goldsboro Gold Dagger, Short-listed

2016, Edgar Award for Best Novel, Short-listed

©2014 Michael Robotham (P)2014 Hachette Audio

A twist I didn't see coming

A great recommendation for those who enjoy a great "who-dunnit" read. Kept me interested right until the end

Gripping to the end

Better than expected, unique way of investigating a crime and of describing the details of earlier events, police and the justice system on trial. Great story of inmate humanity against the odds, Ardie and Moss were great characters.

Another Great Book From This Author

I came across this book after checking out listener pages of people I used to follow. I must say again how much I dislike the way Audible has redone the new listener page. I have written them and would like to suggest that others do so as well, maybe if they get enough complaints they will change this new format. One can only hope!

Great book! Robotham is an excellent writer, and I have always enjoyed his books, but this one really captured me for a few days! Sure, there are places where it strains credibility, but most good stories do that now and then. Admittedly, the fact that it was set in south Texas increased my interest, but this story would play just as well in any other setting. I was a bit surprised that an Australian author captured names, places, and demographics perfectly. Again, though, this story would work well anywhere. A slice of prison life and temporary(?) freedom mixed together that brings out the true humanity of its characters. I was pulling for the "hero" throughout, and was sorry when the book ended.

John Chancer was excellent with the delivery of the story

Entertaining!

Spoilers!

Entertaining story and started out well but the jail break was not very realistic! The story developed quite well and the narrator was very good I'd say slightly short of excellent and a taut story line with lots of twists and slow reveal of the past was a wonderful way of handling a pretty straightforward story which kept an air of mystery and excitement going throughout! The ending was below par but still the treatment of the characters was excellent! One complaint though, the cop should have been handled better and the family life needed more elucidation! The whole good father bad guy thing and the revelation of the actual father and finding that your hero was not the real deal could have been done better. The writer should have killed the lead character!
This was the first Robotham book that I read/heard (got the Kindle version also) and this will not be the last!

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

Michael Robtham is a genius. I am working my way through everything he's written. He doesn't disappoint !

Entertainment at it's best.

Admittedly. I was a bit disappointed to not find my usual favourites starring in this book but I soon forgot all about them as Michael Robothom once again wrote a thriller that kept me buys and kept me listening.

I listened to this book on audio and loved the production.
The story is intricate. At times almost slow but never really slow. A bit predictable but not completely. It is a lot of almost things before it turn a bit and becomes more.

In the end though the book did what I want from a book. Escape. Fun. Relax.

So if you are a fan. Do pick up a copy. If your not a fan...try this book. It will change your reading list forever.

WaAr

A very well woven story

This was one of my favourite books of 2017. I really liked the way the story worked to complete the total picture, weaving memory, evidence and present day. I have never listened to John Chancer before, but he was excellent at performing different characters and genders, always with an ear to the urgency and pace of the story. I would reccomend this book.

Really a great book

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

I recommend this book to all that enjoy a good thriller/crimestory with mystery feel to it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Life or Death?

So many memorable moments in the story, so many big characters.

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

John Chancer is so very good narrator and brings depth to the story.

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

A little bit of both!

Any additional comments?

Just you read this book, you will not regret it.

Another hit for Robothom

Great storyline. Has you hooked from page one till the end! Great suspense! This is a must read for suspense lovers