The Dummy Line

A Jake Crosby Thriller, Book 1

By: Bobby Cole

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Jake Crosby’s nine-year-old daughter Katy is pure tomboy, and her dad couldn’t be happier. Since she was old enough to walk, Katy has shared Jake’s love of the outdoors, taking to hunting and fishing as quickly as other kids take to baseball or bike riding. As he packs the truck for a spring turkey hunt, he vows to savor the time with his little girl. But Jake’s hopes for an idyllic weekend are shattered when a band of drug dealers attempts to break into the Crosbys’ remote hunting camp. Desperate to protect his daughter, Jake makes a violent and gut-wrenching decision.

His quick thinking enables him and Katy to escape the camp and flee into the Noxubee River swamp. The bloodthirsty criminals are hot on their trail, however, and no one, no matter how innocent, will get in the way of their vengeance. As their treacherous game of cat and mouse winds deeper into the wilderness, Jake must face the fact that not everyone will come out of the swamp alive - but he will do whatever is necessary to make sure that Katy does.

Taut and engrossing, The Dummy Line is the riveting tale of an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary lengths to protect his only child…and those for whom he feels responsible.

©2008 Bobby Cole (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Lot of action, very little mystery

I'd say Bobby Cole is a good enough storyteller, but there was so much implausible and inconsistent in the content of this book that it left me, well, let's say unsatisfied. I mean, did he miss any of the buffoonish boorish Southern cop stereotypes? Also, it doesn't work to describe the little girl as caring about injured or abused life forms when earlier in the book she was praised for hunting and skinning game. And ridiculing that poor police dog for being distracted by an apparent neglected health problem was hardly a fair characterization; besides which, I'd expect a German Shepherd would more likely be used if you know where your criminal is hiding and want the dog to take him down, with perhaps a bloodhound or other scent hound used for the actual tracking. Gee, I didn't know I was so annoyed when I started this review. All that said, I think Mr. Cole could write a worthwhile novel if he troubled to do more research, or perhaps found a police mentor to work out some of the technical details before trying again. I would have liked this book if it had been more real for me.

Now HERE is a great story!

Where does The Dummy Line rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right near the top. It was a completely unexpected pleasant surprise! Ive paid 2-3 times as much for some audiobooks that were not nearly as entertaining as this.

Who was your favorite character and why?

They were all great

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

I dont believe so. I think its the first time.

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

Hold on to your seat!

Great!

Couldn't stop listening. Great listen from beginning to end. Narration was excellent!
Looking forward to another story by this author

Good and Fast Paced

This was a really fast paced, on the run, page turner.   A story that could have gone very wrong at many turns.  A smart, brave man just trying to do the best he can to survive so he may save others who are unable to save themselves.  I will watch the reviews for the next in this series, but, based on this one I will look forward to another if it gets as good reviews. Good narration and one I will remember. Great price.

Heart Thumping Suspense Down South

A dad taking his nine year old daughter on a hunting trip in Alabama . . . the girl wears camo . . . loves her daddy . . . high school sweetheart out in the boonies parking and necking before heading home . . . and a bunch of crazy doped up redneck drug dealers . . . well it makes for a mess . . . the sheriff's department in the podunk town has it's share of glory seeking deputies, all good hearted country boys, some akin to Barney Fife . . . This book is all about what us southerners like, hunting, fishing, family, defending what's ours. I couldn't stop listening. I was a little irked by the narration in some places, just not pure southern to me, a little strained . . . sure didn't keep me from loving the writing . . . can't wait to listen to the next one.

The Dummy Line - a good read!

Would you listen to The Dummy Line again? Why?

Yes! I am not a relistener. However, the quality of this book is such that I would listen again without reservation.

What other book might you compare The Dummy Line to and why?

The Dummy Line is unique. However, if I must compare it to another book....a detective novel without the detective. The police/sheriff are important in the believability of the book. Nevertheless, the main character isn't a super cop or a Demi God. He is a young father in a so so marriage that is faced with life changing choices along the Dummy Line!

What does Jeremy Arthur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jeremy Arthur narrates with a southern accident, just thick enough to believe him.

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

I found myself hopeful as the book progresses. However, the bad guys have one ...not so bad guy. It is odd to hope that "the not so bad guy" escapes. Of course I want this dad and his family to survive.

Any additional comments?

I have 4 sons and 1 husband. I read all the time. My boys do not read as much as I would like. I think they would all enjoy this book. I was ready for the next book and hopefully the next book by Bobby Cole.

The Dummy Line

wow! just an amazing book... really anyone form southern Alabama would say it's one of their favs. .. it would be hard not to!!!

An Enjoyable and Attractive Read...

I went through this quick...two days...that is always a good sign as it indicates my eagerness to get through the story.

Bobby Cole has some talent for sure in the telling of this story. Yes, there are some rough edges, but I was very drawn to the detail to which he was able to use his passion for hunting as elements in an overall very good story.

I did see a very negative review when do a quick skim through the reviews and I imagine that on the mars venus spectrum, if you are extremely venus this book would not hold much appeal. I really dislike breaking down on that basis but have found books that I thought were pathetically pieced together by some editor to get awesome reviews from others and can only attribute it to the aforementioned spectrum...very cryptic I know, but it is not my intent to offend.

Took me just a bit to get used to the voice talent, but eventually I did and in the end I have decided that the reader has tremendous range and really added to the story. Going from a fairly neutral narrator voice to the southern inflection of Crosby...and he sounds just like my South Carolinian brother in law...is pretty impressive.

And considering the cost of this book, I heartily recommend...

Unexpected WOW!

What made the experience of listening to The Dummy Line the most enjoyable?

In addition to the fast paced action, I enjoyed the character development; some a bit flawed, distinct personalities. Their motivations dovetailed into their actions which influenced the actions of those around them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dummy Line?

One of them was when the cocky deputy realized he had forgotten to take the tape off the hostage and then that she was the wrong hostage after all.

What does Jeremy Arthur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Arthur was incredible; without using exaggeration, he changed the voices of the men, sounded believable in the women and girls' voices and had a credible Alabama accent. He was the best narrator I have heard to this point.

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

Anything involving Katie.

Any additional comments?

I had purchased this book quite a while ago, but kept postponing listening to it because it sounded only mildly interesting. After the first chapter, I was hooked. I have never stayed up all night before to listen to a book, but I couldn't stop myself.

The Title Perfectly Fits the Book!

I don't want to give away the story more than the publisher's blurb, and I don't like to repeat the plot, since it's already there.

I usually like longer reads, but I'll tell you, I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with this book! It's a no-holds-barred "Keystone Kops" kind of a novel, and I couldn't turn it off for wanting to know how it would end up. The back story is balanced quite well by the action and suspense.

I'm so glad the author has written a sequel, and I've pre-ordered it.

I heartily recommend this novel!