Kill the Messenger

By: Tami Hoag

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

At the end of a long day battling street traffic, bike messenger Jace Damon has one last drop to make. But en route to delivering a package for one of L.A.'s sleaziest defense attorneys, he's nearly run down by a car, chased through back alleys, and shot at. Only the instincts acquired while growing up on the streets of L.A. allow him to escape with his life, and with the package someone wants badly enough to kill for.

Jace returns to Lenny Lowell's office only to find the cops there, the lawyer dead, and Jace himself considered the prime suspect in the savage murder. Suddenly he's on the run from both the cops and a killer, and the key to saving himself and his 10-year-old brother is the envelope he still has, which holds a message no one wants delivered: the truth.

In a city fueled by money, celebrity, and sensationalism, the murder of a bottom-feeding mouthpiece like Lenny Lowell won't make the headlines. So when detectives from the LAPD's elite robbery/homicide division show up, homicide detective Kev Parker wants to know why.

Robbery/Homicide has no reason to be looking at a dead small-time scumbag lawyer or chasing a bike messenger...unless there's something in it for them. Maybe Lenny Lowell had a connection to something big enough to be killed for. Parker begins a search for answers that will lead him to a killer, or the end of his career. Because if there's one lesson he's learned over the years, it's that in a town built on fantasy and fame, delivering the truth can be deadly.

©2004 Indelible Ink, Inc. (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Hoag's success, evidenced once again in this engaging new thriller, is the triumph of substance over style. In a genre overrun with self-conscious jargon, brooding descriptions and fragments masquerading as sentences, her clean, measured prose - full, balanced sentences delivered at a steady pace - doesn't so much create an ominous mood as draw the reader into the worlds of her characters." (Publishers Weekly)

Very good

This was an excellent book, well written and narrated by the master himself, Scott Brick. Entertaining, if not necessarily an "edge of the seat" book that rolled along in an enjoyable fashion.

On the Edge

With Brick's narration, this audiobook does not disappoint. The plot is engaging yet straightforward enough so that, even when listening in rush hour traffic, it remains focused and intriguing. A must purchase!

Hoag's breakout thriller

Tense. Suspenseful. Brick's narration takes this fine thriller to another level. Highly recommended. New characters pop up throughout the novel, keeping the reader guessing. Future fans will regard this novel as Hoag's "breakout" thriller. The one that put her on the hit parade.

Look for this one to go Hollywood.

LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is my favorite Tami Hoag book. The characters are well developed and like able or hate able depending on the character. Love the heroes, Tyler and Jace Damon, Madam Chen, Kev Parker & Andi Kelly. The book is fast paced and draws you in from the very beginning. The description of the dangers of a bike messenger are harrowing and exciting. The mystery of whodunit leaves you guessing until the killer is revealed. I listen to this at least once a year. Scott Brick is awesome!

barnstorming

The best plot I have heard. There was a deep humanity in the characters as well as mounting violence. I got the feeling of the harsh streets and seeming hopeless power of the machine as the city. Anyway the novel does it better than I can explain and that says a lot about its effectiveness.

good stuff good narrator

a little slow sometimes but overall really intereting and not easy to turn off to do my work! Much better than the "dark horse' by same author.

Brilliant Cast of Characters

This is a must read for suspense enthusiasts. The book had me from beginning to end. I listened straight through the 12 hours just to see wht each character was contemplating for their next move. Jayce grabs at the heart and does not let go. Loved the ending! Would love to read a sequel.

Great Read

Good story line, good narrating, worth it. I try to save the 5 rating for the best of the best but they dont have a 4.5 option. Better than a 4 star, not quite a 5.

Great book with twists!

Very enjoyable. Scott Brick gives another amazing performance

Story was intriguing with twists and turns.
Never suspected who was behind the crime. Great job.

Fast paced

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. Opened up with a fast paced bike chase and kept moving forward.

Any additional comments?

This was the best of the Tami Hoag books I have read. Great characters, fast paced, suspenseful story, and great reading by Scott Brick. Was just what I was looking for in this genre.