The Short Drop

Gibson Vaughn

By: Matthew FitzSimmons

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

The bestseller with over half a million fans that People magazine called a "live-wire debut."

A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard - then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency - disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.

For legendary hacker and Marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal - Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.

Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family - and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth.

©2015 Matthew FitzSimmons (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“FitzSimmons has come up with a doozy of a sociopath.” (The Washington Post)

“This live-wire debut begins with a promising lead in the long-ago disappearance of the vice president’s daughter, then doubles down with tangled conspiracies, duplicitous politicians, and a disgraced hacker hankering for redemption.... Hang on and enjoy the ride.” (People)

“Writing with swift efficiency, FitzSimmons shows why the stakes are high, the heroes suitably tarnished, and the bad guys a pleasure to foil.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Intriguing and fun

The first book in a long while that had me clueless. With most mysteries, you have a germ of an idea from the beginning about who the villain is. This book, I couldn't tell the villains from the victims until somewhere in the middle. No glimmer of the puppet master until almost the end. Tons of suspense in between.

This is the author's first published book. I can't wait for the next.

Super Granny

I throughly enjoyed this. Good well developed story line. First time I have read this author, but it won't be my last.

Great story

I had a little trouble getting into the story the first couple of chapters but once I did, it was a whirlwind of plot twists and turns. I guessed the ending but still enjoyed the ride.

Cold Case Emotional and Political Thriller

Wow! This one has been in my library for a while . . . waiting for me to be in the mood to listen . . . and I got attached to the missing girl almost immediately . . . the author did quite the job of keeping me on the hook . . . until the very end . . . cross after double cross, the snakes kept coming out from under every rock . . . and the more they did, the more I liked Gibson Vaughn, as his search for Suzanne Lombard and her kidnapper continued . . . corrupt politicians, greed and those in high places that believe they own others . . . as King Solomon said, there is truly nothing new under the sun . . . excellent book . . . not for the faint of heart . . . conclusion definitely worth the wait . . .

Good book!

The story started out slow, hard to get into the story, but excellent book with a satisfying end.

Outstanding!! Very intricate storytelling.

What did you like best about this story?

The depth of the story, the convoluted mystery.

Which character – as performed by James Patrick Cronin – was your favorite?

Son was my favorite..

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

It is not what you know, it is not what you think, it is the opposite.

so close to a 5 * book

I'll be looking for the next book that Fitzsimmons writes. This is extremely well done -- not perfect, but close. I really give it a 4, but the narrator was excellent. My biggest complaint has nothing at all to do with the book itself. I need a writer who develops characters over a long period of time, other than J.D. Robb. I've read all her books, and all of several other writers. I need new characters to walk with.

Great Book

The last few books I listened to where just meh but this was a great book. I liked the characters and it kept me guessing.

Pretty Good

I liked the overall story. I was familiar with many of the geographical locations, so that also helped to keep my interest. My only criticism is that I wish it were just a bit longer. The ending seemed slightly rushed to wrap everything up. I thought there could be more detail added about the fate of certain characters. - Side note: the voice of the female officer reminded me of the voice of the female officer in the movie Gone Girl. :)

Kept me on the edge of the seat

What an amazing story. Without spoiling anything, there were multiple twist and turns and I never would have guest the ending. At first I was a bit concerned with the narration, it wasn't a voice type I was used to, but within 5-10 minutes I was fully engaged. Great book, can't wait for book #2