Speak of the Devil

By: Richard Hawke

Narrated by: Paul Michael

"[An] amazing thriller... [Richard] Hawke’s dialogue is sharp and snappy and the plot moves with all the energy of New York City." (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

A child of Hell’s Kitchen and the bastard son of a beloved former police commissioner, Fritz Malone is all too familiar with New York City’s rougher side. So when a gunman opens fire at the crowded Thanksgiving Day parade, Fritz steps into action, giving chase. He then learns that someone dubbed "Nightmare" has been taunting the city’s leaders for weeks - and there’s more carnage to come, unless the city meets the madman’s impossible demands. The nervous police need an outside man, and Fritz fits the bill. Racing furiously against time, Fritz finds himself confounded by Nightmare’s multiple masks and messengers. But the dark story behind the story soon begins to emerge, and when Fritz zeroes in on the terrible truth, the killer retaliates by making things personal. Now Fritz must grapple with his deepest fear: Sometimes nightmares really do come true.

Praise for Speak of the Devil

"Solidly entertaining... Hawke makes a big splash on the thriller scene with his debut novel." (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

"[Speak of the Devil] tours the city with unusual streetwise panache...but this isn’t a book that coasts on its urban geography. It lives by its wits, and its wits would work anywhere." (The New York Times)

"A bang-bang thriller... We are absolutely powerless to stop reading." (Chicago Tribune)

"[A] deftly paced debut that crackles and pops from page 1." (Booklist starred review)

"Thrill-a-minute pacing and inspired plot twists." (Newsday)

"A rare combination of intrigue and intensity." (Michael Connelly)

©2006 Richard Hawke (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

“Hawke razzle-dazzles us with . . . bada-bing narration and quirky, well-drawn characters.” (The Boston Globe)

“[Packed] with a breathless pace and hairpin turns.” (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

“Fast-moving, first-rate . . . Hawke’s plot grabs us by the throat. . . . He keeps the suspense mounting.” (The Washington Post Book World)

I was disappointed

I was disappointed in this purchase. I never was hooked by the story. It felt to me like I was reading/listening to a Police report—well written, but not much of a storyline.
The reader was excellent—no problems there, but the recording had several technical problems. At least three or four times the recording had stutters and got stuck like an old-fashioned LP.
Overall, I would not recommend this audible.

Speak of the Devil

I enjoyed it but it didn't move me.

Great Fun

Though basically a modern version of the wise cracking gumshoe, the story works well and brings in a cast of interesting, believable charators. If your looking for some fun escapism this is for you. The narrator was a truly excellent voice actor, I will look out for him again.

Very listenable

Great story and Paul Michael gets a 10 as the narrator. I could not wait for the next session of listening