The Beach House

By: James Patterson, Peter de Jonge

Narrated by: Gil Bellows

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

Jack Mullen is in law school in New York City when the news comes that his brother, Peter, has drowned in the ocean off East Hampton. Jack knows his brother practically grew up in the water, and that this couldn't be an accident. Someone must have wanted his brother dead.

But the police say otherwise. As Jack tries to uncover details of his brother's last night, he confronts a maddening barricade of lawyers, police, and paid protectors who separate the wealthy summer residents from local workers like Peter. Motivated by a hundred forms of grief, Jack rallies his hometown friends to help him find the truth of Peter's death - no matter how rich or corrupt the people who stand in their way.

Jack's relentless crusade puts him into a head-on collision with one of the most powerful and ruthless men in New York, a man who wipes out resistance with a snap of his fingers. As it unfolds that his brother was involved with some of the richest women and men in America - in ways Jack never imagined - his dream of justice fades. Only if he can somehow beat the rich at their own game will he be able to avenge his brother.

©2002 SueJack Inc., All Rights Reserved (P)2002 Time Warner AudioBooks, a Division of the AOL Time Warner Book Group

Critic reviews

"A slick, vastly enjoyable thriller." (Publishers Weekly)

Sit Back and Enjoy

This is among the top audio books I've experienced. The narrator is excellent, drawing you in with his easy cadence. He sounds just like the characters as he takes you on a compelling dramatic journey. The story unfolds in surprising directions keeping you captive to the very end. A terrific choice!

Great listen

This is my second James Patterson audio novel and once again, It did not disappoint. I found myself anxiously awaiting my commute to and from work, finding any excuse to drive just so I could listen. Very short, easy to follow and great reading voice.

This Book was a Surprise

Where does The Beach House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks high when compared to books of a similar genre.

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

It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat because I was walking the entire time I was listening ;) The plot DID want me to listen on and on.

Which character – as performed by Gil Bellows – was your favorite?

Gil was excellent through and through.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but the fact that I didn't want to stop listening was reaction enough for me to give it four stars.

Good book, not so good narrator

This book came highly recommended by a friend and I enjoyed the story very much, however; the narrator had such a bored sounding voice I found it hard to get into the story. In addition to the achingly dull voice, the voices of characters were not voices you'd hear in the real world and instead sounded like cheap cartoon characters. I wish I had bought the book rather than the audible version.

Beach House

I really enjoyed this book. It had enough twists and turns to keep me interested from first to last.

The Peoples Trial

It was very intriguing. Once I started reading, I did not want to put the book down.

Too much music

Good story. But the use of music in the background every 2 minutes draws away from the story. Let the characters and plot stand for themselves and cut out the dateline vibe.

Easily one of the best books that I've ever read.

Loved every second of it. This book instantly shot up to my top 10 books that I've read so far.

Great summer novel

Nice summer true crime read from a great author. Will definitely read more similar stories by Patterson

The Beach House

The Beach House is by far one of my most favorite audio books. The narration was excellent and the story kept my interest the entire time. I would highly recommend this book. Full of twist and turns and suprises.