Confess, Fletch

The Fletch Mysteries, Book 2

By: Gregory Mcdonald

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Jon Hamm as Fletch!

Offering up brisk, tightly written plots and a stellar cast of characters both new and old, Confess, Fletch finds our incorrigible protagonist back in deep waters once again.

Fletch, now newly engaged and happily living out his days in Italy, finds himself embroiled in yet another scandal. His soon-to-be father-in-law has been kidnapped and is now presumed dead, and the priceless collection of rare art that belongs to his fiancée’s family has been stolen.

Ever the investigative reporter, he receives a tip about the missing art that lands him in Boston, where he walks right into a murder scene in his apartment. What clearly looks like a setup to the unfazed Fletch looks quite different to the detective assigned to the case, Mr. Francis Xavier Flynn. But even if the case is seemingly cut-and-dry, Flynn is reluctant to arrest the only suspect that stands before him.

Now under the detective’s watchful eye, Fletch must try to clear his name and search for the missing paintings, all while his gorgeous future mother-in-law works to persuade him for help the best way she knows how—seduction.

©1976 Gregory Mcdonald (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Murder and Art At Your Service

As a new listener to the Fletch series, I found the first Audible selection a little off putting, but enjoyable. Coming back for more was easy with the selection being available on the Plus Catalog list and a somewhat short 6 hour plus length. So why not.

Why not indeed as I found the second in the series much more enjoyable. Perhaps, my expectations had been lowered after listening to the first novel, but in reality, Confess, Fletch was very entertaining. Fletch is a world traveler somewhat free of money worries thanks to his shenanigans in the first novel, Now, engaged to an Italian beauty, Fletch returns to the US to investigate the whereabouts of an art fortune owned by his fiancée's late father. Arriving in a pre-arranged apartment in Boston, Fletch finds the naked body of a young woman. Calling the police, Fletch, nonetheless, becomes the prime suspect of the murder.

What follows is a solid story of investigation, humor, and plot twists as Fletch is joined by Frank Flynn, the lead detective in the story. Flynn allows Fletch to wander the streets of Boston even as he is the prime suspect in the murder. The exchanges between Fletch and Flynn are some the best parts of the listen.

Dan John Miller does a great job with the narration and the overall story was a great listen with an interesting twist at the very end. As an aside, I am seeing some Flynn novels listed on Audible and placed one in my library. Obviously, Mr. McDonald thought enough of Flynn to create his own series. Enjoy this one.

Tales that stand the test of time.

these stories from the 1970s are still a pleasure to hear today. While a few terms are a bit outdated, they only add to the charm and humor in the books. I'd recommend taking these tales on any time.

Excellent

As good as the first book (which was similar to one of the movies). This one is nothing like either movie.

The only downside to this book is it doesn’t address what happened after the previous book. There’s one sentence and that’s it to explain a year or two of time and questions. Then it’s straight onto a new mystery.

Another pitfall to the book is there’s a lot of names and at some points I got confused who the hell was being talked about.

Overall though it’s still a great book and a good read. I recommend it. Best listen to the first book first though.

Excellent

This one started out with a bang. I loved the characters and the humor of it all. Sorry but I liked the guy that has read the other books. Miller was very good but I guess I was just used to the other reader. Stupid of me forgetting his name . Really an excellent book.

Enjoyed it more than the first…

…And the book made rewatching the movie a more enjoyable experience as well. Go Fletch!

Smart plot. Listen closely.

Watch closely and listen well as works of famous artists change hands quickly while the death of the naked woman must be solved by the likely suspect, Fletch.

better than the first

much better than the first. the first book fletch was just a terrible person, but in this one he was just a dude and reacting in a brilliant way to the circumstances of the story and not being a jerk.

Fletch AND Flynn

This should be really good, a meeting up of both FX Flynn and IM Fletcher, but unfortunately Dan John Miller is not as good at Flynn's voice and accent as is Donald Corren. He makes Flynn sound much shorter and weaker, and not nearly so charming. His voices for both Fletch and the Countess are excellent though.

Both Fletch and Flynn are superb at gathering intelligence and wrapping it all up together with a neat bow by the end, but Fletch nearly blew it here. The actual culprit was a letdown, and the ending a bit anticlimactic.

I would love more Flynn books with more of the delightful Donald Corren.

Dated but clever and fun

The twists, turns and surprise ending were fun. The 70's humor will grate on delicate sensibilities. Everyone else will get a good laugh.

A Great Fletch!

Loved the first one and the follow up is as good if not better. No wonder the first two won back to back Edgars. Fast paced and all the twists and turns you expect. Cool plot, great characters and the writing is everything you expect from McDonald. Narration is fantastic! You will enjoy this book!