Vigilante

Shane Scully, Book 11

By: Stephen J. Cannell

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Lita Mendez was a thorn in the LAPD’s side. An aggressive police critic and gang activist, she’d filed countless complaints against the department. So when she’s found dead in her home, Shane and Hitch fear the worst: that there’s a killer in their ranks.Outside the crime scene, Nixon Nash, the charismatic host of a hit reality show called Vigilante TV, has set up shop with his television crew. Nash’s show is dedicated to beating the cops at their own game, solving murders before they can. Now he has the murder of Lita Mendez in his sights and he presents the detectives with a choice: either join his team or prepare for a public takedown.But Scully suspects that Nash isn’t the folk hero he seems. If a detective got in his way, just how far would the TV host go in the name of self-promotion? On the heels of The Prostitutes’ Ball, called “the best Scully yet” (Kirkus Reviews) and “perfectly fresh” (Booklist), this new novel from the celebrated author has Detective Scully risking everything to save himself, his family, and the job he loves.

©2011 Stephen J. Cannell (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Praise for Stephen J. Cannell: “A master storyteller.” (Michael Connelly)

“A great storyteller who keeps you nailed to the page.” (Ted Bell)

“Cannell is the gold in crime fiction.” (Stephen Coonts)

love this book

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

i think the audio version is better than the print version.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes it did.

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

i have heard him on all of the shane scully series and his voice is captivating.

Scott Brick narrated books on sale for $4.95!

As I write this review there are about 30 hours left in Audible's sale of 54 books narrated by Scott Brick for $4.95 each. Many of them are in my library, but I purchased 9 including this one. It's a great deal for audiobooks performed by the narrator who NEVER disappoints.

Stephen J Cannell died in 2010 and Vigilante, his last of 18 books, was published over a year later. Vigilante is and outstanding suspense novel that in my view falls just short of 5 star. It is Book 11 in the Shane Scully series.

For those not familiar with Stephen Cannell he is a legend in the TV entertainment industry as a series creator, writer and actor. His books are excellent, but his work in dramatic TV series is where he is best known. It is a safe bet that almost everyone has seen and enjoyed his work.

Cannell at his best is... Still Stephen Cannell.

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

I'd recommend the book to fans of his countless TV shows because Shane is the typical Cannell hero, over the top in so many ways but good in the end... too damn bad if some semblence of adherence to the rules are tantamount in importance to the story.

VIGILANTE is probably a remake in print form of a half dozen SJC TV eps over the 30 plus years of his prominence in TV production... most likely an ep or four of HUNTER where the hero is exiled from the force and alienated from his peeps at great risk to his status, health and well-being while he pursues the truth, guns blazing.

Of course as an emerging author myself I have an abiding interest in how Cannell- one of my creative heroes for 30+ years- conducts himself in the guise of his heroes, and there is plenty to emulate here.

Fun stuff.

Not neurosurgery.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Brick is a great reader for material like this, excellent energy, very consistent, with the added bonus that his name sounds like a Cannell TV hero.

Scott Brick is My Favorite

male narrator. It's so refreshing to listen to a book narrated by Mr. Brick. I have a hard time finding one in the genre I like because I've listened to almost all of the ones he's narrated in fiction, suspense/mystery.

I was engrossed the entire time but I don't know if it was because I was so thankful to be listening to a narrator that didn't sound like fingernails on a chalk board or the story was really that compelling.

In any event, I never once thought about just stopping the story and moving on to my next book.

Another $4.95 Winner!

What did you love best about Vigilante?

Scott Brick's fabulous narration!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Shane and his partner....they work well together, funny and very protective of each other for two macho guy cops. Scott Brick's narration brought them as well as the other characters to life. I could see the fear in Marsha's eyes and Lee Bob's long bony fingers, I could feel the tension in the air. This guy is so good......

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book was very good, the ending was especially good for Shane when he gets his shot back at Nash.

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

Cop vs. psychopath...who is the vigilante?

Any additional comments?

So I see this is the middle of a long series and after reading the reviews, I will have to find time to start from the beginning.

For 4.95 It is a no brainer, get it!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, good to listen while working etc.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The end was predictable. The journey was worth it though.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

He is one of the best, that is why I bought the book.

Was Vigilante worth the listening time?

Yes.

You can see it coming, but it's still quite a ride

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

It's been a while since I listened to a Shane Scully novel, and this was a treat. Though the bad guy is pretty readily apparent, there were enough plot twists to keep my interest.

What did you like best about this story?

I actually like the part after the arrest best. I won't spoil it, but just say I suspect it's more realistic than just ending the novel with the perp in handcuffs.

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

Shane, of course. Ever the self-aware tough guy.

very good

I have read all the Shane books and was glad to read this last one-- which is sad -- I will miss Shane--

this was another great book ---I hope someone takes up the mantle and writes more

WOW! Give me more!

What a great story, I hated to see it end. Talking about edge of your seat, don’t want to put it down kind of book. Great writing, Scott Brick is magnificent, an author cannot go wrong by choosing him as the narrator.

suspenseful

Just excellent. The story held me from beginning to end . The characters were so well fleshed out that I felt like I knew each of them personally. Plenty of twists and turns all the way through .