15 Seconds

A Novel

By: Andrew Gross

Narrated by: Christian Hoff

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Fifteen seconds can tear your life apart....

Henry Steadman didn't know what was about to hit him when he pulled up to a red light. A successful Florida plastic surgeon, he is in town to deliver a keynote address at a conference when suddenly his life becomes an unrelenting chase to stay alive.

Stopped by the police for a minor traffic violation, the situation escalates and he is pulled from his vehicle, handcuffed, and told he is under arrest. Several other police cars arrive and the questioning turns scary, but just as Henry is released and about to move on, a blue sedan pulls up and the officer is suddenly killed. As the car speeds away, there is only one suspect left behind - Henry. In that moment, his idyllic life becomes a free fall into hell as he becomes the target of a police manhunt, as well as being pursued by a cunning, unnamed perpetrator bent on some kind of vengeance.

When Henry turns to a close friend for help, and he, too, ends up dead, Henry realizes he's being elaborately framed. But in a chilling twist, the stakes grow even darker, and he is unable to go to the police to clear his name, without bringing on dire and deadly consequences.

With breakneck pacing and nonstop action, 15 Seconds shows what can happen when even the best life is turned upside down in an instant. It is also the story of an innocent man, framed for murder, who has to save the person he loves the most, all while being drawn closer and closer to an inevitable face-to-face standoff with a man determined to destroy his life.

©2012 Andrew Gross (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

exciting and fast moving

If you could sum up 15 Seconds in three words, what would they be?

Holds you interest

What did you like best about this story?

Although it had some redundancy and prolonged narrative, the plot was still fast moving and kept your interest. I listened to the entire book during a 2 day drive andmade the drive enjoyable.

What does Christian Hoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent reasd in thatt you could tell the characters in the novel from his change of voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was not that type of book, but it did bring to the forefront, parent’s devotion to their children and contrasted with the villain’s irrational thought process.

Any additional comments?

It is hard to put down

Loved it!

Where does 15 Seconds rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have always liked Andrew Gross's characters, needs to be made into a movie. It was suspenseful and fun.

What does Christian Hoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The tone of his voice was exciting.

Any additional comments?

My husband is not a lover of audio books, but he got hooked on this book.

Aside from the melodrama, a good thriller

I don't actually know if a lot of the over-the-top melodrama was just the interpretation of the narrator; but, I doubt it. This is written in the first person, and the doctor, Dr. Henry Steadman, talks to himself a lot--and calls himself by name all the time: "My God, Henry, you're going to get away! I almost yelped with joy". He is all too often describing the "tears welling up in my eyes". It can almost seem like a caricature of a thriller. I haven't read anything else by this writer, and got this recommendation from a good friend who actually reads the books herself. Hence, my concern about the narrator's intonation. However, the writing has to support the words. That said, it could be the narrator's interpretation that makes the upright doctor sound like a sleaze when speaking with the female police character on the phone. I would not have believed him or empathized with him with that voice, not to mention the insistence of calling someone he didn't know by her first name.

All the melodrama aside, it is a good plot, although slightly cliche--the guy who is really innocent being blamed. That doesn't give anything away, as it begins that way. I would assume this to be a new author; and, even if not new, would recommend less trite phraseology. The narrator usually does a good job differentiating between the male and female voices, and does a good southern accent. I believe some Florida locales were mispronounced, but nothing major.

All in all, it was a good listen, although I actually found it difficult to like the poor innocent doctor. Probably the narration, but partly the continual self-aggrandizement.

Good Enough

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The book was enjoyable, somewhat predictable, but a decent listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Andrew Gross? Why or why not?

I have heard several and listen to more.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Narration was okay, but felt forced in spots.

Do you think 15 Seconds needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. The book finished neatly.

Hold on ..........it's intense!!

What made the experience of listening to 15 Seconds the most enjoyable?

The reader was excellent. The book was both intensely scary and funny!! That was a great combination and the reader delivered it well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry........naturally. He was so real........I could identify with all his emotions.

Have you listened to any of Christian Hoff’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't..........but they are on my wish list.

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

I laughed and cried while I listened. I listened twice and still got scared the second time. I bit my nails, laughed and just wanted to listen and listen.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this book. If you listen............you have to listen to all of it.

Captivating

I couldn't stop listening. I would recommend the book to a friend of any age groups

Great... at the beginning.

This started off really well. Other than the portrayal of the female voices, the narration was very good. The story became more and more implausible as time went on, and actually turned a bit ludicrous near the end, but my husband and I listened to it on a long car trip and managed to stick with it until the end. There was a lot of unnecessary and time wasting dialogue, however.
Not as good as some, but better than a lot I’ve listened to. I give it a lukewarm thumbs up.

A new twist in 15 seconds

This was a great story that had you wonder how all this can happen to such a good guy. Is he really good? The reader was good. The suspense will keep you listening.

Exellent book by Andrew Gross

I have found only a few books written by Andrew Gross, and they have been among the best. Would only expert super talent as he writes with James Patterson. However great the book, though, the narrator was increasingly annoying as he whispered a good chunk at the end of the book. I really wanted to hear the outcome so I put up with it. Don't know what the author had in mind if he approved this audio version. Please, no dramatic whispering - except in small doses.

Unforgettable suspense

What did you love best about 15 Seconds?

The excellent dramatation of the storyline. The unknowing reason why the hero is being persecuted and loosing his life as he knows it.

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

Yes indeed. I could never anticipate the next event about to be unfolded. I became just as irritated as the hero when all these terrible things started to happen to him. Once the reader finally understands, then it's a race to the finish to see it good can conquer evil.

Which character – as performed by Christian Hoff – was your favorite?

The hero, of course. I also identified with the woman who helps him from Community Relations of the local Police Dept.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

Truly an excellent read, the best drama I've read in a very long time. It compares to "Hold Tight" by Harlan Coben.