• The Crime Writer

  • By: Gregg Hurwitz
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (3,724 ratings)

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The Crime Writer  By  cover art

The Crime Writer

By: Gregg Hurwitz
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

Drew Danner, a crime novelist with a house off L.A.'s storied Mulholland Drive, awakens in a hospital bed with a scar on his head and no memory of being found convulsing over his ex-fiancee's body the previous night. He was discovered holding a knife, her blood beneath his nails. He himself doesn't know whether he's guilty or innocent.

To reconstruct the story, the writer must now become the protagonist, searching the corridors of his life and the city he loves. Soon Drew closes in on clues he may or may not have left for himself. And as another young woman is similarly murdered, he has to ask difficult questions - not of others but of himself.

©2007 Gregg Hurwitz (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Hurwitz's L.A. thriller has noir pulp chutzpah in spades." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Hurwitz's insights about L.A. life sound knowing and are often ruefully funny, e.g., 'L.A., where a porn star runs for governor and an action figure wins.' Crime fans looking for something different will love this one." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Crime Writer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,791
  • 4 Stars
    1,225
  • 3 Stars
    486
  • 2 Stars
    129
  • 1 Stars
    93
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,038
  • 4 Stars
    817
  • 3 Stars
    241
  • 2 Stars
    77
  • 1 Stars
    64
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,620
  • 4 Stars
    995
  • 3 Stars
    433
  • 2 Stars
    99
  • 1 Stars
    72

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

One of the best books I have listened to or read in many years!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excting new writer

I enjoyed every minute of this story -the way the story was revealed, the way the reader never knows more than the main character, I immensely enjoyed the witty dialogue and turns of phrase. I am please to discover this new writer. I did not enjoy the narrator so much, if found him shrill and annoying; not enough texture to his performance.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic suspense and wonderfully witty!

I truely enjoyed the picture painted on my minds eye through the suspense and wonderful wit delivered by words and through the narration!! Yes, I had it figured out pretty fast, but despite that, I found myself fully engaged in every word.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Listened at every opportunity

This story was very engaging. I loved the plot and couldn't figure it out until the author explained it all at the end! I like Scott Brick's narration, but sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking. Also, there is humor which I always enjoy! I definitely recommend this book!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Writer caught in his own murder mystery script

What made the experience of listening to The Crime Writer the most enjoyable?

It was mesmerizing. Love Scott Brick. Love Gregg Hurwitz - first book of his I read was spectacular: Tell No Lies raised the hair on the back of my neck. 2nd -- Survivor -- very good but too much violence bothered me & (I confess) I like 100% happy even if implausible/impossible endings. This was just the right length and fascinating. Love, love, loved it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Crime Writer?

Well, crap! So many. When Drew got put in general pop. Yikes! LOVED his interactions with Caroline and LOVED his interactions with Junior. I love Xena. I loved this book!

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

Many. He has a breezy smart-ass style that generally suits the material he reads so I like his reading a lot.

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

When Drew and Carolyn tried to hook up. And when Drew was afraid to stay the night because he wanted to keep her safe. Drew was such a decent human being... He may not be perfect but he is a hero and he has empathy and compassion, which are sometimes harder to find than heroics.

Any additional comments?

I love Drew's editor Preston too. And Chic and his wife and kids and extended family and contacts. These are loyal friends. I loved Caroline. The solution of the mystery made perfect sense, and I didn't see it coming, though I usually pick my suspect early. I love being surprised!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Okay book

Glad I bought it on sale. If it weren't for Scott Brick I may have given up on it. But it was worth finishing. I love anything Scott narrates

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Mixed feelings.

I didn't love it but I didn't dislike it either. My Audible copy had some static and areas of garbled dialog as well as periods of dead space and I feel I missed something important. I will be returning this one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • E.
  • 08-11-17

Hurwitz's Best So Far

Would you listen to The Crime Writer again? Why?

I would listen, again. His Orphan X and other books are good, but so intense from beginning to end. This book was intense. But, it was funny and had some great characters.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

I still don't care for Scott Brick.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting, Great Narration

This story is pretty strong. I definitely didn't see the ending coming and my list of possible suspects was still relatively long for most of the book. I enjoyed the twists and turns, though not the scorn for famous people/the writing world/Hollywood hopefuls. (There's a way-too-long diatribe about aspiring actors waiting to get into clubs.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My new favorite!

This is a great story with many twists and turns that are in no way predictable nor too far contrived. There are several laugh out loud moments that caught me off guard!

I'll now be checking out his other books and hoping for something new.

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