True Crime

The Novel

By: Andrew Klavan

Narrated by: Ramiz Monsef

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In the heat of the city, a man is out of time: speeding in a beat-up Ford Tempo, blasting easy-listening music. Reporter Steve Everett drinks too much, makes love to his boss' wife, and has just stumbled upon a shocking truth: A convicted killer is about to be executed for a crime he didn't commit.

In the cold confines of Death Row, Frank Beachum is also out of time. Ready to say good-bye to the wife and child he loves and hello to the God he still believes in, Beachum knows he did not kill a convenience store clerk six years ago. But in a few hours - if Steve Everett can't find the evidence to stop it - a needle is going to pierce Frank Beachum's skin.

The killing machine is primed. The executioner is waiting. And so is the priest. Now the clock is ticking down and the race is on - between the reporter and his demons, between the system and its lethal flaws, between the last innocent man and society's ultimate crime....

©1997 Amalgamated Metaphor, Inc. (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

I was in suspense from beginning to end!

This story held my attention and kept me in suspense the entire time. I have know about Andrew Klavan for a while, but never ventured to read his fiction until now. I will now be scouring the audible app for every title of his I can get my hands on. The author's hard-boiled writing style felt real and raw. The dialogue between the characters was spot on. My only complaint with this recording is with the narration. Every once in a while the narrator loses the rhythm of the text and there are strange, unnatural pauses. He makes a solid attempt to voice each character differently, but it doesn't always land. Other than that, it was a great performance and I stayed heavily engaged.

The tantalizing stream of events leading to the conclusion

I did wonder why the characters never seemed to have a cell phone or at least access to a phone when it was most needed.

phenomenal book

I read this about 20 years ago and was pleased to see they finally have it in audio form. The narrator did incredible justice to a tightly plotted, well-crafted book! so worth a credit.

Excess expectations

Very good story and gripping characters. I new the author from prior political commentary and didn’t know what to expect. Glad to report that the book was interesting like a novel should be and not preachy or bland, the way one might expect a novel written by a conservative commentator. 5/5

Captivating & insightful

I loved the psychological depths that Klavan explored through all the characters. I also loved the building tension throughout. I don’t like a lot of the ‘bad’ language—especially taking the Lord’s Name in vain, but I understand he’s recreating characters who would most likely talk like that. I think he knows the venues well & changing their ‘bad’ language might very well sound artificial.
I thought overall-it was great!

Couldn’t stop listening

What I love about Klavans writing is that he gives you characters that are very flawed but that you can’t help rooting for. Secondly as a Christian I loved the theme of an innocent man being tried for a crime he didn’t commit. He really paints a picture of Christ without making it lily white. The whole book I couldn’t stop listening and kept wondering what was going to happen. Highly recommend!

Fantastic word salad!

This was an unexpected delightful surprise. I love true crime, therefore I stumbled upon this in my search. I’m glad I did! The authors use of words had me snorting in laughter and choking away tears. Humanity, humor, deviance, genuineness we can no longer acknowledge present day. And no fkn cell phones at that time!
I do hope the Montana was given a decent burial. 😉

Brilliant!!!

A can’t put down till the very end!! He is a brilliant writer who demonstrates all that is wrong and sometimes evil in our judicial system. Fast paced and witty it will make you angry, it will make you sad, it will make you want to read it again.

Riveting until the end!!

Loved it. Held my attention for the entire time. Andrew has a way of bringing the scene alive in your mind.

Absolutely Gripping

My first thought after this book ended was "How am I going to possibly find my next listen to be even remotely as good as this book?" I listen to roughly 30 books a year and as many of you who do the same knows - you sometimes curse yourself for picking a bad one, or two in a row, as to has seemed to be my luck as of late.
This story is one we've heard before, but not like this. Klavan does an amazing job at not just placing you deep inside the characters mind, but in their heart as well. The mental intricacies of the two main characters state of mind is never lost on peripheral characters who authors sometimes spend too much time building up, and albeit they are often important to the storyline, I personally sometimes find them to be more of a distraction. Klavan's ability to build suspense is brilliant. It is extremely rare that I find myself wanting to jump ahead in the book simply to ease my own anxiety as to what is going to happen next. Klavan never let's the story meander into a forest of backstorys and endless dialogue, and he only gently brushes a light coat of character opinion on social injustices into the mix. I will be eagerly seeking out another gem by this author.