The Tin Collectors

By: Stephen J. Cannell

Narrated by: Robert Lawrence

Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

L.A. police detective Shane Scully comes under investigation by Internal Affairs (derisively known as "the tin collectors") after he kills his ex-partner who was one of the mayor's bodyguards. Temporarily reassigned, so that he can remain under the department's watchful eye, Scully finds that more than his badge is at stake when he is set up to take the rap in a deadly plot of corruption and conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of the LAPD.

©2007 Stephen J. Cannell (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Mr. Cannell's brand of thriller is served straight up...and he knows how to cut to the chase." ( The New York Times)

Good read

What made the experience of listening to The Tin Collectors the most enjoyable?

This book flows a lot like the Harry Bosh books from Michael Connelly. The story keeps you guessing what's next.

terrible voice

why can't male narrators ever do a convincing female voice. so many stories and female characters young and old sound like gravel voiced truckers and mountain men.

No way out.

Never a dull moment. Action and suspense. Lots of twists and turns. Good angles and no problem keeping up. Can't put it down till it's over.

Laughable and Predictable

In agreement with another reviewer, the narration of this story was stiff compared to other narrators. It takes a lot of patience to finish this story. However, the material was only of average quality. While a trite premise and familar story about a cop, a prostitue, an angry teen-ager, and a slew of bad cops the story had potential. The use of initials or acronyms was ridiculously over-done. I suppose the author wanted to impress the listener/reader with his knowledge of police lingo. He under-estimated the intellect of the reader as this technique distracted from the credibility or realism (although this is fiction) of the story. The main character did an exceptional job of tempering his zeal for an old flame and using sometimes, common sense. It is unclear at the end of the story, what happened to the old flame. It was difficult to like any of the characters or care what happened to them. This story is a good one to listen to when doing yard work or house work.

Classic Stephen J. Cannell

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

By far one of the best of any of the audiobooks I've listened to either recently or over the years.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to decide as there were many plot twists and turns with related scenes being an initial favorite until discovering the next.

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

Listening became addictive and I listened to the entire book in a little more than a day

Any additional comments?

I've always been a fan of Mr. Cannell's scriptwriting and am finding his Shane Scully series to be very compelling.

Awful narration

The story itself was reasonably good and was the only reason I continued to listen to the stilted and boring narration. The narrator often sounded like a 3rd grade student reading outloud from a text book...just not the right thing for this genre.

First book in Shane Scully Detective Series

Started this audiobook about mid day today while doing laundry and housework. I just completed the story a little before midnight as there is never a dull moment and it keeps you guessing as to the outcome. I could not stop listening. I loved several of the television series Stephen J Cannell wrote or produced so decided to listen to his audiobooks. Can’t wait to start his second Shane Scully novel The Viking Funeral tomorrow.

Police Procedural Gone Bad

Here is another instance of me trying a book for the second time and discovering a treasure. I suppose my concentration is often drawn to my situation more than the novel I am listening too from time to time.

The first chapters are captivating, setting the hook as it were. What appears to be a cut and dry case of self defense is complicated by police corruption. The procedurals we are exposed to is inner departmental rules and politics. It’s clear from the beginning Cannell researched the subject well.

Any novel I like must have characters I find intriguing. That is certainly the case here. Great characters, relationships, secrets and betrayals are all featured here.

I highly recommend this novel!

Great begining

I listened to all the Shane Scully books except the fisrt two, Tin Collectors and Viking Funeral; I am now going back to the begining. Even after knowing where things go, this is a great book. If you never have listen to a Shane Scully book, Start now and with this one!

Had some 'twists', which I appreciate

Would you try another book from Stephen J. Cannell and/or Robert Lawrence?

I have been a 'whodunnit' fan for many years and this book did not disappoint. I will try others by this author. I don't go only by the narrator. My enthusiasm is just stunted as I am reaching out for other kinds of books. I find myself being 'assaulted' by bloody/violence descriptions sometimes.