Hollywood Station

A Novel

By: Joseph Wambaugh

Narrated by: Adam Grupper

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The Grand Master of the police procedural returns to the Los Angeles Police Department in a gripping new audiobook about life in one of the more sensational police forces.

They call him the Oracle. He's got 46 years under his belt and more hash marks than a football field. More importantly, he has a crew of cops to look out for on the streets of Hollywood. From his understaffed office at Hollywood Station, he keeps a close eye on his squad who spend their day in patrol cars, and their nights in the underbelly of a city that never sleeps. As they make their way from the drug dens to dirty street corners, a string of seemingly unrelated events lures the cops of Hollywood Station to their most startling case, reminding them that nothing is too horrific or extreme for Los Angeles.

In his long-awaited return to the LAPD, Joseph Wambaugh takes his listeners on a raucous ride through the streets of Los Angeles and into the heart of the LAPD, where no one's safe from the gritty city - especially the cops.

©2006 Joseph Wambaugh. All Rights Reserved (P)2006 Hachette Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Critic reviews

"Outstanding....The master proves that he can still deliver." (Publishers Weekly)
"A triumphant return....High-voltage suspense drives the tale, and as always, Wambaugh's characters, language, and war stories exude authenticity." (Booklist)

Patience...it IS classic Wambaugh

The first chapter of this book is VERY off-putting. Two supposedly older cops talking in surfer/valley girl accents that nearly drove me crazy, dude. Also, I thought might be a collection of vignettes from one LAPD division, but it was more than that. Eventually, all the threads come together and the crime/investigation unfolds before your eyes. Classic Wambaugh style. It is a pretty good listen.

I was a little bothered by the somewhat overdone narration for some parts, but the overall story kept me listening even when the narration was not very good. I wouldn't rate it up there with Wambaugh's best or even second-best, but it's okay.

If you've liked Wambaugh in the past, just get passed the first, oh, 20 minutes or so and you'll be hooked...like really, dude.

Good, not as good as Onion Field, but good

Good story but too many different people to keep track of, especially in the beginning.

It's F-ing Hollywood - the matra of Hollywood Cops

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I have recommended to every person I know

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Oracle, he is like the old Sergeant from the TV series Hill Street Blues who always ended his briefings with "Let's be careful out there."

Have you listened to any of Adam Grupper???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this was my first time and I loved it. he has this way of bringing the characters to life it was hard for me to stop listening - I also wanted to it to never end.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book had scenes throughout that moved me - I wish the series would go on forever - I have heard each of the Hollywood stories at least 4 times and never get tired of them.

Great book

This could easily be his best work. Super interesting from front to the back. Great

It's Wambaugh! Nuff Said, K?

This guy's the gold standard for procedurals. The gold mining continues in Hollywood Station. Hadn't read a Wambaugh in years... Listened to this and the master pulled me right back. Adam Grupper's fine.

typpical Wambaugh authenticity

Mixes anecdotes about the daily life of a LAPD street cop with a story line to make this an interesting read. As an ex-consultant for the LAPD who rode around in police cars with the troops, I can attest to the authenticity - periods of routine and boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror relieved by the "black humor" of the streets. I liked the read. It's not destined to be a classice but if you like cop stories, you'll like this book.

another winner from Joseph Wambaugh

exciting reading with with many laugh out loud moments. you get a feel for what police officers must deal with everyday. not only do they have to keep the peace but they have to interact with public and each other with many poignant moments.

I like a good cop story!

Another good story from Joseoh Wambaugh. The only complaint I have is that the music is distracting. Good character's , you root for some, and hope the bad guys get what's coming to them.

Great listen! Love the narration

This was my first Wambaugh book and I really enjoyed it a lot. Adam Grupper is a great narrator! Loved it.

Good One !

If you could sum up Hollywood Station in three words, what would they be?

A great Story. Wambaugh just gets better with each book. I get the feeling that I'm at the scene witnessing the insanity of Hollywood and the criminal world.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is full of reasons to laugh and cringe.