Without Warning

By: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Jeff Steitzer

Years ago, Katie Sanford’s husband was convicted of the murder of Jenny Robbins, then died himself in prison. It’s a small town and memories are long, and Katie and Jenny’s husband, Chief of Police Jake Robbins, have had to work at putting the tragedy behind them. But it's all brought up again in the wake of a hurricane which has just wreaked havoc on their quiet Maine town. Since its founding, Wilton has had a quaint tradition of creating a time capsule every 50 years, and the storm unearthed the most recent capsule. As the editor of the local paper, Katie joins Chief Robbins to supervise its opening. Neither of them is prepared for the macabre set of predictions, dating back to months before Jenny’s murder, that they find inside. Someone predicted her death, as well as 11 other tragedies, which are still occurring even long after the death of Katie’s husband.

At last, after all these years, Katie has reason to hope that her husband might not have been guilty of Jenny’s murder after all. But as she and Jake race to stop the next predictions from coming true, they find themselves caught in a terrifying mind game with no rules…and life or death consequences.

In Without Warning, David Rosenfelt has written another tightly plotted thriller that will hold listeners in its grip from the opening page all the way through to the stunning conclusion.

©2014 David Rosenfelt (P)2014 Alfred C. Martino

Not an ‘Andy’ book but story was riveting!

Loved the book with a great plot and twisty path to solving the mystery! Not something needing a lawyer’s perspective!

Great plot

I’ve really enjoyed all of his stand-alone novels. Very strong story lines and character development.

Not sure how this title fits

Lots of suspense, twists and turns in this story. I forgot what the main character was searching for.... Relationships among the characters were dubious. I could not understand how the husband of a murdered woman would hook up with the wife of the man who murdered his wife. The back story was provided but the situation was still messy. There are some humorous lines that are definitely Rosenfelt’s talent. I didn’t expect to listen to Andy Carpenter so I wasn’t disappointed.

Love Andy Carpenter, but this is not author's best

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was just OK. The plot was really unbelievable. I was hooked at first, but then it spun out of control.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Rosenfelt? Why or why not?

Sure. I like all the Andy Carpenter books. I like his humor, which this book was lacking.

great story

This is another great story by a wounderful author!! thanks. So now to find the next great read.

enjoyed

this was a good story-- I enjoyed the first person account of the Police Chief -- the story of the time capsule --was good. If you like David Rosenfelt and good mysteries this is for you.

It would be nice to have another story about the Police Chief Jake "the war Hero"

Great!!

The story lines kept me on the edge of my set. I wasn't sure who was doing what. The end made me yell at my phone "do it, do ot now".

A "could-not-put-it-down" police procedural!

I know (and love) David Rosenfelt's work from his wonderful Andy Carpenter series. This is my first time listening to something else he has written. And this book did not disappoint in any way. On the contrary, if possible, I even liked it better!

The premise of this one could so easily have been mishandled by someone with less skill and talent, But Rosenfelt makes it very credible. After a hurricane in Maine, a town decides to open a time capsule which should not have been opened till way into the future, fearing the water damage present might have affected it's contents. And what they discover turns the town on it's head. Instead of usual local items of historical interest and predictions, there is a corpse and a different set of predictions that could only have been written by someone planning future crimes. They give proof that a murder for which they thought they had convicted the right person several years ago, could not have been committed by him. Unfortunately, the man convicted was killed in prison, so cannot help them now.

It falls to chief Jake Robbins to try to stop what he fears will be more murders now that he has this fresh evidence, but as he races against the clock, he finds himself becoming one of the main suspects.

Excellent writing. Excellent narration (though Steitzer had a tiny bit of difficulty with some women's voices). The plot flows well and quickly, the characters are well-drawn, and the tension is present in a way that kept me drawn in from start to finish! Can't wait to go back and read another of Mr. Rosenfelt's non-series books. If they all are as a good as this one, I'm sure they will be wonderful!

An easy read (listen)

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book for a nice suspense strory for a relaxing time. It isn't a edge of your seat thriller, but has a good plot and is well written.

Would you recommend Without Warning to your friends? Why or why not?

Same question as above, and the same answer. If you want a suspense book that is good without the heart racing, must finish now, relaxing listen, by all means purchased this book. Worth reading. It is NOT high suspense though.

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

This was my first time to hear him. He did a very nice job with the performance though.

Do you think Without Warning needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The detective could be a character for a series, but the book itself really doesn't need a follow up. (Unless I find something spectacular in the 20 minutes I have left to listen to. I usually only review a story after hearing it all, but I'm not expecting any surprise at this point.)

Any additional comments?

Worth the read and I will probably read other books from this author.

I Wanted to Like It

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story seemed so far-fetched with story lines coming from nowhere...at least to me. Near the end I just stopped listening because I pretty much knew how it would end. I miss Andy Carpenter. Sorry. I'm sure the author wants to branch out but the dogs and reader Gardner are Rosenfelt to me.