Suspect

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Great Book

Scott James was injured in a shootout that left his partner dead. He carries pain from his injuries and guilt for not being able to save his partner. He also carries frustration and anger that the killers were never apprehended.

Maggie, a former military war dog, was injured in Afghanistan. She too carries pain from her injuries as well as emotional scars from the trauma she experienced.

The two are brought together when Officer James enters the K9 department and meets Maggie.

Maggie’s thought process was presented in such a way that the author doesn’t appear to be “humanizing” her. Her thoughts are instinctive and simple, which is how I imagine dogs really do think. I felt that Robert Crais did an amazing job of writing a suspenseful crime mystery and a heartwarming dog story at the same time. I appreciated the insight of how working dogs are trained. Crais did not try to play on the emotions of his readers and did not make this a sappy, lump-in-your-throat type book. It was action packed and a hard book to put down. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Great story with a matching performance.

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

The audio was a great putting together a wonderful story. Especially because reading leaves much of the details to ones imagination. The performance was a wonderful enhancement.

What did you like best about this story?

Moving from the mind of Scott to Maggie's mind.

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

Hard to say Maggie was new and enlightening.

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

The reunion at the end of the book.

Any additional comments?

Great read.

New Characters Are Great

What made the experience of listening to Suspect the most enjoyable?

This was one of my favorite books from Robert Crais. It was truly suspenseful and I found myself sneaking a listen to just one more chapter. Maggie is perhaps my new favorite crime fighter. The narrative from Maggie's perspective was really innovative without being presumptuous.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really didn't have a favorite chapter, as soon as one ended I felt compelled to listen to the next.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

Andrews's ability to move seamlessly over a diverse group of characters was impressive.

Good read/listen

I really enjoyed this book. The ending wasn't alarmingly predictable which was refreshing. I will consider other books from this author. It kept me on my toes near the end and I wanted to hear the ending so badly that I was late to work!

K9 Handler says: Outstanding audio book!

Crais nails the story/ Andrews nails the audio - loved it! I highly recommend this book. If you work with military or police service dogs you're in for one exciting ride!

Excellent!

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

One of my favorite audiobooks. Storyline was great, I loved the interpretation from Maggie's point of view. Narrator's performance contributed to the character development. A story that left me anticipating throughout.

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

Yes

Dog story

Excellent reading for people who love and understand dogs. One can read it in one breath.

Very entertaining!

I have two dogs. Enjoyed listening to the book. Narrator was very good. I usually choose a book by narrator’s voice.

Suspect

one of my favs! As an a imam lover and dog trainer, family of veterans of every war, I loved this audiobook.! Not only the amazingly dead on portrayal of the "Human animal companion bond" but the accuracy and detailed description of the amazing capacity of dogs and their proven abilities ( that we have only touched on,) but the intimate relationship that people who work, live, and navigate together through life with their animals experience through joy, hardship, sorrow and intense love. A must listen to wonderful story and perfect narration!

Loved this book..

What did you love best about Suspect?

it was exciting and suspenseful.... kept me on the edge of my seat.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved the dog... my favorite - she was so awesome

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

this was my first.

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

I was crying and screaming while listening and driving in my car... cant give away the plot but it was definitely emotional..

Any additional comments?

I almost wish there was a sequel... just fell in love with the characters and wanted more.