Suspect

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014

For 25 years, Robert Crais has written extraordinary novels of crime and suspense. He is "a master of crime fiction" (Associated Press); "his novels get better with every new book" (Portland Oregonian); "Crais is hands-down the world’s greatest crime writer" (The Huffington Post).

But in Suspect, he may have written his most remarkable novel of all.

LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well, not since a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.

Maggie is not doing so well, either. The German shepherd survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before she lost her handler to an IED and sniper attack, and her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s.

They are each other’s last chance. He was a young cop on the rise; she was bred to guard and protect. Now they are shunned and shunted to the side. They are suspect. And together they will set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them to touch: the identity of the men who murdered Stephanie.

Nine months and sixteen days later, they remained free. They were still out there.

What they begin to find is nothing like what Scott has been told, and where it will lead them will take them both through the darkest moments of their own personal hells. Whether they will make it out again, no one can say.

Thrilling, emotional, intense, with some of the best characters and well-crafted writing in all of crime fiction, Suspect is further proof that "Crais just keeps getting better" (Publishers Weekly).

©2013 Robert Crais (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I LOVE that dog.

I guess I'm a sucker for dog books - especially books about big, furry dogs with an edge. And this one is terrific. The biggest issue with this book is that it's not longer. I could easily have listened to another 4 hours and been just fine with that. It's efficiently and professionally written. Maybe just a little predictable, but a good listen.

Here's my best recommendation: if you have to do something unpleasant - like clean the garage or basement - load this one on your iPod and get to work. The time will fly by. Maggie is great company. You'll miss her when it's done.

A dog could see your heart in your eyes.

I avoided Robert Crais' "Suspect" (2013) for the longest time. I was worried about the dog, you see. There have been bad experiences. No, I like pets just fine - but anthropomorphizing them drives me crazy. As much as I respect Rita Mae Brown (1944-present) as a queer writer (Rubyfruit Jungle (1983)) and a feminist, her Mrs. Murphy cozy mysteries ("Wish You Were Here" (1990); "Rest in Pieces" (1992); etc.) with its talking cat, Sneaky Pie Brown, makes me scared I'll spend my dotage expecting my cats to read the New York Times and offer their opinions on politics or the latest off-Broadway play.

In "Suspect" Crais introduces 3 year old German shepherd Maggie, a US Marine service dog retired from active duty when she's badly injured by an explosive device after 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her handler is killed, a loss that Maggie will always remember. Maggie's a smart, loyal dog; an instinctually brave dog; a thinking dog; and a dog with scars inside and out - but she remains a member of Canis lupus familiaris.

Maggie's new alpha is Scott James, a LAPD officer who lost his partner and almost lost his life in the crossfire of a gun battle between two gangs. The officers just happened to stop for a break, unwittingly, in what became no man's land. James isn't over the shooting and his partner's death, not physically, not mentally, and not emotionally. Crais writes wounds like someone who has scars and has lived with them, and who knows psychotherapy inside and out.

Crais' Los Angeles is a character on its own, a place where hard striving immigrant businessmen sell cheap clothing and worry about being robbed, where quietness is to be marveled at; and people who see what they aren't supposed to see die. It's far from the artful hipness of the Silverlake District; the quickly gentrifying Echo Park, with abulitas pushed out for mid-30's first time parents; and the kosher markets and Schuls of the Fairfax District.

The narrator is MacLeod Andrews, and he's mostly good. There was one place where I was confused about what character he was reading, but that was probably an editor issue. I wasn't so wild about his narration of women characters, though.

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Favorite listen in quite awhile

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

yes, really enjoyed the story and characters

What was one of the most memorable moments of Suspect?

Can't tell that-will ruin the book!!

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

Maggie of course

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

I don't think like this but would love the movie

Any additional comments?

Loved this book. I listen to one or two a month as well as reading on the side. Would be the first I'd recommend to someone who wanted a good book. Was said when it ended. Book 2 with Maggie?

Loved, loved, LOVED!!! So sad it's over.

Any additional comments?

This is the best Audible book I have listened to in a long time. I only listen to books when I run, walk, or clean, and I walked for 3 1/2 hours yesterday so I could keep listening! I have a dog with whom I am completely obsessed, so I particularly loved this book, but I don't think you need to be a dog lover to enjoy this book. It's a great story about healing and redemption as well as an entertaining cop thriller! Loved it.

Loved the Police/military dog perspective! More!

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

Near the top!

What did you like best about this story?

The police dog perspective and the man/dog relationship as well as the pursuit of the true killers.

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes....very good....he does an excellent job of voice ranging all the characters. The African-American K9 Unit Sargent was outstanding and my favorite character.

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

When Maggie bit Scott upon their first meeting.

Any additional comments?

Loved it...would love to see more K9 unit thrillers!

A Dog Lover's Real Treat!

This is a cops vs. bad guys whodunit with a terrific twist. One of the main protagonists is a K-9 police dog whose understanding of her role and awareness of what is going on around her is wonderfully portrayed in compelling doggie thoughts. As a long time guide dog user, I can tell you that the author's understanding of how a dog thinks and how it responds is masterful.

Suspect

Written by Robert Crais, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, 8.5 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format. Suspect is book one in a new series, listed on Audible as Series: Scott James.

There are basically two leads in this story, a man and a dog. Scott James is an LAPD homicide cop, plagued with PTSD, reliving a shoot-out that resulted in the death of his partner, Stephanie. After recovering from his own near-death injuries, Scott is teamed with a new partner, Maggie. Maggie is a black-and-tan German Shepherd Dog, a former United States Marine. Maggie lost her partner in a bombing that left her injured emotionally and physically - doggy PTSD with bad dreams and all. The two are made for each other!

This introduction to the series centers on Scott’s obsession with getting to the bottom of his old partner’s murder. Maggie’s rehabilitation and further training also traverses the pages - she’s spooked by gunfire or loud noises.

Robert Crais’ interpretations of the dog, Maggie, might put you in mind of Dean Koontz. Koontz has written stories involving a golden retriever that I’ve enjoyed - one novel is called Watchers. FYI, Watchers is on the paranormal side, but hey - it’s Dean Koontz, ergo SciFi - but good.

MacLeod Andrews does a great job, an enjoyable narration.

Suspect is a solid police procedural, a terrific page-turning thrill ride, and a story of canine devotion any dog lover will enjoy. Recommended!

Maggie is the Best!

This is a well-written story with very engaging characters. The emphasis is on the relationship between Maggie, a magnificent German Shepherd that was wounded while serving with the Marines on bomb detection duty in Afghanistan, and her new "alpha," Scott. The performance by MacLeod Andrews is outstanding!

Loved It

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

Great Dog Story

What other book might you compare Suspect to and why?

Don't know any

Which scene was your favorite?

Each one where Maggie attempts to protect her men

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

Cried like a baby. I have a wonderful dog named Maggie

Any additional comments?

A good book for dog lovers.

A man and his dog win again

Being a retired Law Enforcement Officer, I really appreciated the story, and the "fairly accurate" portrayal of cops in the LA area. I say fairly accurate, because it is very difficult to describe being a cop in LA unless you've been there, but Crais does a fair job. Better than that was the story line and Crais' understanding and presentation of how a K-9 Officer (i.e. the dog) brings an amazing amount to the table with his or her God-given abilities. Dogs in general are amazing. Police K-9's are a true miracle, absolutely wonderful critters, loyal, courageous and tireless, selfless. They serve with the purest of motives and ask only to be with their partner so they can do whatever he or she needs to do. Once you've been around these great dogs you can't help but marvel at the wonder of such special beings. If you love dogs, you'll love this read.