Bullet in the Chamber

A Lark Chadwick Mystery

By: John Dedakis

Narrated by: Suzanne Cerreta

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Gutsy reporter Lark Chadwick once again finds herself at the wrong place at the right time: front-row center when the White House press briefing room is suddenly attacked. The president is missing, the first lady's life is at risk, and Lark's personal life is falling apart when the man she loves disappears. In this story, author John DeDakis draws on his own personal pain - the sudden death of his 22-year-old son, Stephen - in what promises to be a true pause resister. DeDakis also draws on his 45-year journalism career (25 years at CNN) to show the daily struggles that go on behind the scenes in day-to-day, deadline-a-minute journalism.

©2016 John DeDakis (P)2017 John DeDakis

Lark Rules

John Dedakis has woven a captivating story about a young journalist whose tenacity leads her to some great adventures. Suzanne Cereetas narration was magical in not only her attention to the book ,but how she brought Lark Chadwick to life. Over the holidays I had the misfortune of being weather delayed for 8hours on my way back home. Lark Chadwick turned my misfortune into my happiest experience with Audible! Thank you John and Suzanne!

Youth Baseball Player Becomes Adult Mystery Writer

I first met John Dedakis when he played baseball in a low key summer recreation program in La Crosse WI. My position was a supervisor in the program and it was there I decided to be an educator.

Little did I realize what the future would hold for John and his fellow baseball players. I have followed John's career since then from a distance. Bullet in the Chamber was the first of his mysteries that I "read" by listening to Suzanne Cerreta narrate this book on Audible. I love listening to Audible as I remember how much my students wanted me to read to them. From their reactions to the story I learned so much about them.

Thanks to John for sharing his talent for writing with us and others who aspire to become writers. Parts of his life are in his writing and I am grateful for this. I have felt the loss of people I have loved and have learned to move "forward" and to cherish their memory. His compassion for others is evident in his writing and his podcasts.

Thank you John. You are an inspiration. Looking forward to reading all of your other mysteries.

I was there

As the author admits in his own voice during the notes and acknowledgements, the idea for this book evolved during a most traumatic time when his son Steven was missing for several days. Dozens of close friends swarmed into Washington and systematically searched the streets. Steven was found. Sadly, not alive. This audible book brings the listener very close to the reality of that tragedy with allusions and references that resonate with the listener -- especially those directly connected with the search for Steven. Highly recommended. Carry a box of tissues with you.