A Cool Breeze on the Underground

By: Don Winslow

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

“One of America’s greatest storytellers.” (Stephen King)

Neal Carey is not your usual private eye. A graduate student at Columbia University, he grew up on the streets of New York, usually on the wrong side of the law. Then he met a PI who introduced him to the Bank, an exclusive institution with a sideline in keeping its wealthy clients happy and out of trouble. They pay Neal’s college tuition, and Neal gets an education that can’t be found in any textbook, from learning how to trail a suspect to mastering the proper way to search a room.

Now it’s payback time. The Bank wants Neal to put his skills to work in finding Allie Chase, the rebellious teenage daughter of a prominent senator. The problem is that she’s gone underground in the London punk scene. To get her back, Neal has to follow her into a violent netherworld where drugs run rampant and rage is the name of the game.

©1991 Don Winslow (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A fresh voice, immensely likeable....Winslow shows he's got what it takes to hook a reader....Where he goes next with Neal is anyone's guess, but it's bound to be a great ride." (Mystery Scene)
"A flair for language, quick wit, and detail complete a winning first novel." (Library Journal)
"Winslow keeps his plot moving quickly despite many twists and turns." (Pittsburgh Press)

Excellent listen

Very good story, excellent writing, amazing narration.
The story is engaging, moves at the right pace, does not overreach. The characters are developed and multidimensional. I got invested in the story, cared about the characters and the story was difficult to pause.
The narrator does a masterful job with the different characters and accents.
I have downloaded the rest of the series on Audible.
I tend to search for books by genre or author first, then look at story. I will add this narrator as a search/filter point.

worth a read

good book had its moments worth a read/listen. plot is somewhat dated would have been a bit better in its day still contains enough twists to keep you engaged.

Disappointed

I like most of Don Winslow’s books but not this early book. Silly throughout. I lasted about halfway.

Loved it!

Best characters I’ve encountered in many a book. Thank you for a great story. I’ll be looking for mor Winslow!!

Audible Junkie

First book from this author. Judge for yourself. I enjoyed the book...good characters and interesting twist.

great narrator

the book was a great listen. enjoy the story, loved the twists and turns. narrator was fantastic.

Great story, with outstanding narration!

I really took a chance on this book. It had English accents (British) that I usually pass on.
I am glad I started this story. That's all it took. One chapter and I was hooked. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Excellent read.

A Lovely Ride

A John Sandford type novel with plenty of twists and surprises that include the dark side of politics. I love a book that delivers a sense of place, in this case, that includes a ride through the English countryside. I will look for more works from Joe Barrett.

Good overall

Good writing but a little drawn out and confusing at times with the characters, but I liked the main character. Good narration.

Highly recommended

What a wonderful novel. Great book, outstanding performance from the reader. Very highly recommended. A+