Rogue Island

By: Bruce DeSilva

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman, Bruce DeSilva - introduction

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Liam Mulligan is as old school as a newspaper man gets. His beat is Providence, Rhode Island, and he knows every street and alley. He knows the priests and prostitutes, the cops and street thugs. He knows the mobsters and politicians - who are pretty much one and the same. Someone is systematically burning down the neighborhood Mulligan grew up in, people he knows and loves are perishing in the flames, and the public is on the verge of panic. With the police looking for answers in all the wrong places, and with the whole city of Providence on his back, Mulligan must find the hand that strikes the match.

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction written and read by author Bruce DeSilva.

©2010 Bruce DeSilva (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Edgar Award, Best First Novel, 2011
• Macavity Award, Best First Mystery Novel, 2011

"This tremendously entertaining crime novel is definitely one of the best of the year." (Booklist)

"The smallest state bursts with crime, corruption, wisecracks, and neo-noir atmosphere in Bruce DeSilva's blistering debut." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Rogue Island 'has raised the bar for all books of its kind.'" (The Dallas Morning News)

Love the characters, fun narration

My headline pretty much says it. Liam is a old timey type of reporter with many colorful characters in his life. The story is fun because of the people in it. The plot is not totally inspired, but again, the characters make it great .

When is the next book coming out!

Where does Rogue Island rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narration with the New England accent was spot on.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman and Bruce DeSilva (Introduction) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I had the opportunity to listen to Jeff Woodman. I will look for him in the future. Can't wait for Bruce DeSilva to write another novel.

Any additional comments?

I just kept smiling as I listened to the New England idioms. Not a heavy plot, but sometimes an entertaining story is all you need.

Excellent regional mystery.

This is a great update on the reporter as crime fighter trope - this isn't 'His Girl Friday,' it's a depressed newsroom with layoffs and budget cuts, and has a more unvarnished view of the journalism industry. The protagonist, Mulligan, has issues, of course, but also has an entertaining cast of acquaintances and sources, in varying shades of unsavory. The author does a great job of creating the look and feel of this town. This first is an excellent book, with a lot of heart. I recommend 'Cliff Walk' as well, a solid follow up.

A Must LISTEN

Would you listen to Rogue Island again? Why?

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book--but I doubt the paper version could compare. The performance is so wonderful, and the timing of lines so perfect that I don't believe I would have enjoyed it half as much if I hadn't listened to it on Audible. I would listen to it a second time if on a drive with my husband. Loved the baseball elements throughout.

What does Jeff Woodman and Bruce DeSilva (Introduction) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything--as mentioned above. Accents are so important to the characters in this book. And the timing of the lines is perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No--I enjoy prolonging the end of the best books I hear or read.

Any additional comments?

The language--Fword used as an adjective to most nouns--might bother some. But it created the characters so beautifully. Not a good choice if you are listening with children in the car! I do find that after I listen to a book like this I find myself cursing more often.

Happy to have discovered this series

What did you love best about Rogue Island?

The fact that it was fast paced, and I didn't feel like I'd read the story before.

What did you like best about this story?

The excitement and the small town feel.

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

No extreme reaction. This is a good story though.

Any additional comments?

I was thoroughly entertained by this book and wanted to know what was going to happen right the way through. Definitely going to continue with this series. Pleased to have found this author.

Bought it for the narrator listened for the story

What did you love best about Rogue Island?

Jeff Woodman nailed the Rhode Island accent. I cracked up on the subway when he did the main character disguising his voice on the phone. The first time I listened to a book he narrated it was Scottish, English, and Irish.

What does Jeff Woodman and Bruce DeSilva (Introduction) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked hearing directly from the author why he wrote the book.

Eh

I wish I had more to say about Rogue Island, but I just found it unremarkable. I love a good mystery and one about a serial arsonist sounded like a lot of fun. But the plot lingers and there are really no serious twists. There are too many sections that don't advance the investigation and most of the book is spent looking at the main character's personal life. I just didn't care. When the whodunnit moment comes, it's underwhelming and dragged out. I found very little satisfaction in the end.

This is a series and there's already a second book. I didn't hate the first, but I won't be buying the second either.

Likable, well-plotted page turner.

I think this is a first novel for this author, and I've never heard of the narrator, either. Both are to be commended for an entertaining, thoughtful and surprising book. I had heard about the corruption in Providence, Rhode Island, and of the conviction of ex-mayor Rudy Cianci. The book makes the non-fiction news into exciting fiction. The protagonist is a journalist who tries hard to solve a series of arson fires in a poor neighborhood, many of them killing residents of the houses that are burned. The author draws his characters well, and you are recruited into the search for the whos, whats and whys of the search for the bad guys. It comes as no surprise that the gangsters are involved, but this is in no way a letdown. The plot twists and turns, and never takes a cliched turn. The narrator has a great voice for the regular people of Providence, and he keeps you listening. The book sags a little in the middle, but not enough to make you lose interest. The romantic angle is well done, and again has a surprising twist at the end which you could not have seen coming, unless you happen to be Robert Crais or John Lescroarts. I am looking forward to the next book by Da Silva, and hoping that Jeff Woodman reads it. Well worth your time; very entertaining.

I liked this book!

Great story, great narration. The story captures the essence of big city New England. Jeff Woodman did a wonderful job in capturing the accent and attitude of a modern Yankee. It reminded me of my north east roots. The story kept me captive and I "swallowed it whole" in one 8 hour chunk. I will be looking for more from Bruce DeSilva!

Colorful characters

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, since I am not a fan of corrupt "wise guy" stories. What makes this a delightful exception is the witty, intelligent writing and the spot on narration that brings the story and characters to life. I have not heard this narrator before, but he has the ability to create distinct voices that ring true for all of the characters, including the females - a feat rarely accomplished by male readers. My favorite is the bookie - he's a hoot. The humor infused into the story lightens the weight of the arsons burning down the neighborhood. All is wrapped up with a very satisfying ending, leaving me ready for more from this author and, hopefully, his star investigative reporter.