Plum Island: Booktrack Edition

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 19 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The hair-raising suspense of The General's Daughter... the wry wit of The Gold Coast... this is vintage Nelson DeMille at the peak of his originality and the height of his powers...

Wounded in the line of duty, NYPD homicide cop John Corey is convalescing in rural eastern Long Island when an attractive young couple he knows is found shot to death on the family patio. The victims were biologists at Plum Island, a research site rumored to be an incubator for germ warfare. Suddenly, a local double murder takes on shattering global implications - and thrusts Corey and two extraordinary women into a dangerous search for the secret of Plum Island....

©1997 Nelson DeMille (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“DeMille's Mike Hammer-like cop is a chuckle-provoking winner, and the plot cleverly combines biological hazards and shiver-me-timbers pirate legends. An entertaining mix from the big-selling DeMille.” ( Booklist)

“Heavy wisecracking keeps the fun flowing as DeMille cranks up a thrilling, entertaining plot.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Suspenseful

I loved it as I do all John Corey books, even though he's a jerk! Years ago when I was still working I got audio books from the library. One of them was an abridged copy of of Plum Is read by David Dukes. I really liked him. But he won't be reading anymore books unfortunately because he died. He also read the abridged version of 'Mayday' by de Mille which was good, both the story & Dukes.
Back to Plum Is. There was one part in particular that was gory but the guy that it was done to deserved it!! The story kept my interest up and moved along at a good pace. I've listened to both versions a few times! Read it, you'll like it!

Meet my favorite Homicide Detective -- John Corey

Would you listen to Plum Island again? Why?

Plum Island is easily repeated; like a good movie, you catch little extras in dialog & character development that you might have missed the 1st time around.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Who else but our wise-cracking hero, Det. John Corey. He is our "Everyman". A working stiff, recovering at his Uncle's L.I. beachfront home from gunshot wounds received in the line of duty, and gets roped into helping the local cops with an unusual homicide. Determined to get to the bottom of a twisted mystery, he's relentless, irreverent ... and right!

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott Brick IS the voice of John Corey, giving a perfect inflection & tone that you just KNOW our detective would have.

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

It made me want to listen to more about Det. Corey ... and it also made me want to learn more about Plum Island, the USDA labs there & their effects all along the east coast ... who knew what was going on out there? Not to mention Capt. Kidd, his treasure ... and the wineries of Long Island ... if only to bring home a souvenier corkscrew that says, " ... I got screwed on the No. Fork!"

Any additional comments?

Nelson DeMille and John Corey should be on everybodies wish lists!

great book

Would you consider the audio edition of Plum Island to be better than the print version?

yes, because my eyes tire reading

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

yes, the step by step uncovering of the plot

Which scene was your favorite?

climax of the story

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

suspense

Any additional comments?

great book

The first I've read

This is the first I've read by this author. By reputation, I expected something better. Or maybe I was put off by the masculine viewpoint at times. A bit not socially appropriate.

Simple fun.

This is a straightforward, fun and interesting story of a cop who can't refuse the opportunity to solve a crime.

The book is narrated well but I can't honestly say what good narration is...suffice it to say, I enjoyed Mr. Brick's voice and style for the 50+ hours of this unabridged fun.

My First John Corey Book

Great story. It definitely took some unexpected turns Too much NY sarcasm / smartass attitude from Corey, when a straight answer would have been better. I will listen to the next book.

A must read

The book is amazing. The narrator made you feel as though you new John Cory. I can't wait to read more of Deville's books .

I love John Corey and Scott Brick

My 2nd DeMille book - started with The Charm School which I really enjoyed.
This one was better - way better - and that's saying something.
Scott Brick does a fantastic job, especially as John Corey (what a GREAT character he is too)
I laughed and laughed through some of this book - the John Corey thought balloons (so to speak) are hilarious.
The relationships the author created were interesting and well developed, the mystery was fed to you slow enough to keep your interest but fast enough not to lose your interest.

Really well written and entertaining.

I enjoyed this character and start of the series so much that I already downloaded the entire series, John Corey reminds me of Mitch Rapp, a series written by Vince Flynn; that was an excellent series and I hope for the same with John Corey.

meh … i thought i was easy to please but this story just had nothing but egos and tropes

i just think this is a little too trope strong male detective that get the girl/ every girl
i could do with out it.

Takes a long time to be worth it

Many of the other reviews are dead on the money. The protagonist’s horny smartassed misogyny wears out a welcome very fast—this has not aged well at all. Brick’s narration is excellent and the prose is nice, but it takes gritting teeth through the first 2/3 before it settles down and you don’t actively root for John to get his teeth kicked in.

A weird thing happened where by the end I wanted to know what the next book is like—but you should know what you’re getting into.