A unique mystery is set up that really confounded me. I really couldn't predict where it would lead and that's a big thing with detective mysteries. But the relationship between the main character and his wife was annoying and distracted from the business at hand. This is one of those instances where a divorced profiler/agent living alone in his crappy apartment cliche might have helped. I got the feeling the author was working something out there and I just wasn't interested.

The second book in the series is a vast improvement mostly due to Scoot Brick's narration which magically turned some irritating character quirks and situations (i.e. annoying wife) into something more real and grounded. So I'd probably tell friends to try the second book first. You can't' beat Scott Brick for these kinds of books. They should re-record this one with him.

No I think he dragged the narrative down with a bland performance and didn't love his female voices.

Yes as long as the agent gets that divorce.

I don't think so. The story was so contrived, with the teasers throughout about the protagonist's marriage and deceased child, and the stereotypically creepy and/or egotistical characters.

In the Name of Honor, by Richard North Patterson

Yes. Not sure if my view of his performance was performance-based or material-based.

Rodriguez and Klein (?Cline)

One of the few times I've regretted spending a credit, over many years of listening.

I read Verdon's second book, liked it so much that I read his first. They both had a depth that other authors only touch on, that of the psyche of the protagonist and the perpetrator. So much is made of clues, but only Verdon uses all his senses, and then some, to reason out the meaning behind the crime. More than who did it; but why it was done. I really think he has created a unique genre in crime novels. The macho aspect is minimalized, and the cerebral is maximized. My only minor problem is that, in both novels, I easily guessed the identity of the criminal before the detective. I think the only fair type of cerebral mystery is one that gives all clues and allows the reader to try to solve it on his or her own. However; Verdon seems to go a bit above and beyond the required disclosure of all clues, and occasionally is a bit heavy handed with those revelations, so the reader may get it before the protagonist. Nevertheless, it is a great read, and I'm looking forward to more of his books.

This book truly kept me on the edge of my seat! The story is fascinating and original! I highly suggest this book!

Found this to be slow, repetitious, and awkwardly read (although that might not be the narrator's fault; hard to make this any good no matter who reads it). How many times to we need to hear "why is this happening"? Disappointed; I like a good seriaI killer plot as much as the next guy, and I loved other books Newbern has narrated, and hoped this was going to be as riveting. Wrong on all counts. Next!

I would only listen to the story again if it had a different narrator. He had a dull, monotonous voice that lulled me to sleep while driving instead of keeping me interested.

YES! Once I got past the narrator and stuck with the story, I was rewarded with several plot twists and turns and I couldn't drag myself out of the car!

Please PLEASE get Scott Brick to re-read. What's funny is that while I was thinking of how I'd write this review, I knew I'd say that I'd love to hear Scott Brick perform. Then I was so pleasantly surprised to find that he reads Book 2 of the Series. Can't wait!!

No. I fully admit that for the first time ever, (since listening to Malcom Gladwell read one of his own books) I wanted to ask for my money back. Then I just forced myself to keep listening because others had said the story was very well worth sticking with.

The story FINALLY gets moving after Gurney wakes up from his nap on the side of the road. Once you get to that spot, you won't want to stop listening. Great puzzle; little clues along the way had me screaming at my car stereo. :)

I always review the narrator more than the book since Amazon has lots of reviews. But first the book: It was a fun premise -- how seemingly inexplicable acts in a murder could be explained. I thought the author dwelled a bit on the Catskills and the couple's marriage. I'm glad sunsets are pretty in the Catskills and if the couple are oh such perfect people, maybe they could figure out their marriage, and after a while, I didn't care. Secondary characters also seemed to be rather one-dimensional, like always stupid or political or the like, never varying from their initial description.
Ok, I said I'd get to the narrator - clear, good pacing, but didn't add much distinct personality to many of the characters.