Think of a Number: A Novel

If you like Connelly and Coben, you'll love John Verdon. This book is intelligently written, and excitement builds and builds to a very frightening ending! The main character and his relationships develop beautifully over the course of the book. I have been looking for a new author in this genre since my old favorite authors just can't keep up with my audio book habit! It is also my understanding that Mr. Verdon is planning more books with retired NYPD detective David Gurney as the main character. I do not recommend the abridged version... unless you regularly prefer abridged novels.

I enjoyed the story and the written book actually deserves more than the 2 stars I gave the Audible book. The story was a little slow in places, but kept my interest. I kept trying to figure out the puzzle all the way to the end. I really enjoyed the main character's attempt to figure out his life and relationship after retirement. I can see other novels in this series, since the renowned detective can't let go of what he enjoys and does best; so many killers, so few experts. The one plot element I didn't like was the death of a loved one as the reason for all the angst. This theme is really overworked (think of how many main characters are tormented by his loss of a loved one) and not needed to develop the character or his relationship with his wife. Ok, enough about the story. What I didn't like was the reader, George Newbern. Why he was picked as the reader, I'll never know. His voice and inflections are monochromatic and dull. The pitch of his voice is a little too mid-range which adds to the dullness of his reading; however, it would work if he read with a little more excitement, like he really wanted to do this. The first part of the reading is clipped and spoken like he's reading a dull textbook instead of a thrilling novel. He does get better about a third of the way into the book, like he's getting used to reading, but it's not enough to save the performance. He ruined the book for me. My wife, listened to part of the book with me on a road trip and said the same thing about the reader. I would buy the next story in the series, if the author wrote it, but not if George Newbern was the reader! This is one of my pet peeves with Audible books. Who makes the decision on readers? Do people compete for the opportunity to read an Audible book? Why not use a panel of listeners to decide the reader? Oh well, I'll start listening to the sample audio before I spend my credit.

I have listened to 3 hours and 29 minutes of this book and if i wanted to read a psychology book I know many others that would hold my interest more than this- It was touted as a psychological thriller but if it takes mores than 3 hours to get to the "thriller" part- I give up. I want my credit back.

I downloaded this book after I'd already read it, so I can't comment on the narration.

This is an excellent mystery/police procedural/thriller/whodunit. A little of each, in just the right proportions. Clever plot twists, revolving selection of whodunit options - I was way off base pretty much along the way. Worth the time.

This one of those books that will make you get out of your car...it's hard to write a mystery novel that stands out in terms of clever combinations of the criminal and the detective mind. I found the development of the story very entertaining and captivating.

it starts with a letter that Mark Mellery to think of a number between 1 and 1000...then when he opens the second envelope in the letter, the number he thought of is written on it. From there the killer seemingly leaves a mountain of clues but the police can't seem to make any headway on what all the clues mean. On receipt of the letter and additional poems, Mellery contacts his acquaintance from school, the recently retired detective Dave Gurney. Mellery eventually is murdered and Gurney can't help but take up the challenge of a killer who is clearly taunting the police. The killer continues to use the mail, number tricks and poems to strike fear in the victims before they are murdered...Gurney and the police are always several steps behind until Gurney's deductive skills and plain perserverance provide him the break he needs.

The killer is very clever and is well matched with Gurney...it is life and death when they finally meet.

I read a fair amount of these murder mysteries and found this to be one of the most entertaining I've ever read.

This was the most compelling "thriller" type of audiobook that I've enjoyed in a long while. I couldn't wait to listen further to find out what happens in the story. The narrator was excellent.

This book had some interesting twists and turns and I looked forward to getting back to it. What more can you ask for?

Good original story, but the unabridged version has periods of slow pontification that just drag. Narration is more of a read than a performance. Still, the story makes it a worthwhile listen, but you might want the abridged version if available.

I also have the hardcover version of this book. Sometimes I'd read. Sometimes I'd listen. Sometimes I'd do both. It was a good book to relax with on the deck. Truthfully, I found it the climax a little predictable, however the ride there was anything but. A good story and a terrific debut novel for John. I've suggested the book to others.

I like the smart way it was written. I also love the way it was read. I read a bunch of reviews and there are two I don't understand. One is the person claiming it was too much of psychology and not enough thriller. Maybe there is a good horror book out there for them with people running around stabbing people. I like books that make me think, and this one did. The other one was about the narrator. I was really worried until I started listening. I loved him. A lot more then I like Scott Brick. Scott is probably the only reason I hesitate to get the second book on Audio and not read it. George Newbern had a great voice. Maybe his charachters didn't have too much of a different pitch or accent - But I can work that out in my head. It's better then an over dramatic reading any day. His reading was easy to listen to. John Verdon is either super smart or has great researchers. The only complaint I have is about the 658 number. I'm not giving anything away. The explanation was plausible - But I think the average reader woud find it easier to believe if the number was one to a hundred. This is my first Verdon book, and It is the first book in awhile I am glad I got. Hope that's helpful.