Jump Cut

The Ellie Foreman Mysteries, Book 5

By: Libby Fischer Hellmann

Narrated by: Nan McNamara

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Chicago video producer Ellie Foreman has been absent from thriller author Libby Fischer Hellmann's repertoire for almost a decade. Now, in Jump Cut, she's back...and is soon entangled in a web of espionage, murder, and suspicion that threatens to destroy what she holds most dear.

Hired to produce a candy-floss profile of Chicago-based aviation giant Delcroft, Ellie is dismayed when company VP Charlotte Hollander trashes the production and cancels the project. Ellie believes Hollander was spooked by shots of a specific man in the video footage. But when Ellie arranges to meet the man to find out why, he is killed by a subway train before they can talk. In the confusion, she finds a seemingly abandoned pack of cigarettes with a flash drive inside that belonged to the now-dead man.

Ellie gets the drive's contents decrypted, but before long discovers she's under surveillance. Suspecting Delcroft and the ambitious Hollander are behind it, she's unconvinced when Hollander tells her the dead man was a Chinese spy. Ellie and her boyfriend, Luke, try to find answers, but they don't realize how far they have ventured into the dangerous echelons of hidden power - where more lives are on the line - including their own.

©2016, 2017 Poisoned Pen Press (P)2023 Libby Fischer Hellmann

read/listen to this book

I was gifted this audio ARC from the author for a honest and unbiased review
Libby Fischer Hellmann did a ok job at developing the characters. I didn't listen to this book in one sitting it took me almost a week to listen to it. That being said, this is the first book of hers I've read/listened to.
Nan McNamara did a great performance with the storyline.
I will recommend this book but I also recommend any the came before

Spellbinding

Why did Delcroft VP Charlotte Hollander reject the promotional video that Ellie and her company produced? The work was well done. Ellie Foreman wants answers. She doesn't realize what that information will cost her and those she loves. Ellie is in over her head and getting in deeper. Delcroft Corporation is ruthless. They will destroy anyone who gets in their way. What can Ellie do to survive? This story is so realistic that I felt I was reading today's headlines. Libby Fischer Hellmann has crafted a taut thriller that made me shiver. The suspense and tension are powerful. Ellie is an old friend. I'm happy to see her again. She's feisty and smart. She's found love with Luke. He cares about her and wants to protect her and her daughter. I liked that he let stand on her own two feet, but is there if she needs support. Chicago provides the perfect backdrop for this story of death and deception. The hustle of the city hides the evil. Jump Cut pulls you into a drama of political intrigue and double dealing. This is a story that will make you question the difference between good and evil. This book Is guaranteed to keep you up all night. Nan McNamara, the narrator, adds to the suspense. This audiobook adds drama and emotion to Jump Cut. This novel is amazing.

A totally engaging story

Jump Cut is a smart, sharply written, intense modern day thriller. I listened to the audio and was on the edge of my seat. My husband passing by stopped to listen. A totally engaging story. Recommend.

Outstanding read!

So many books, so little time to read. I read this book in less than a day! It is that good! I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. The author does a fantastic job of developing Ellie ( even though this is book #5 in the series) quickly & thoroughly. The significant characters in her writing are developed similarly along the way. This book is in all senses of the word, a thriller, you can not wait to turn to the next page. That’s it, no spoilers from me though I can see more about this character in the future. Outstanding read!

Great story with great narration

Any additional comments?

Perfect combination. A great story with great narration. Thoroughly entertaining, engaging and enjoyable story. The story pulled me in immediately and kept my attention until the end. There is enough mystery, intrigue, suspense and action to keep the story moving forward continuously. You never feel like the story is dragging. There is always something happening.

Having previously listened to several of the Georgia Davis P.I. books by this author I was familiar with the character Ellie Foreman. I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the Georgia Davis P.I. books. Even though this is book 5 in the Ellie Foreman series it is the first I have listened to. It in no way affected my overall enjoyment of this story. Each book in the series can be listened to as a stand alone.

I enjoyed this installment enough that I will go back and listen to the rest of the series from the beginning.

Really good cast of characters. Both likable and unlikable. For being a smart independent woman Ellie does make some questionable decisions. A couple of times I was about to give up on her as far as being smart goes then she would redeem herself. But then again finding yourself in this kind of situation might cause anyone to make some not so smart decisions.

Nan McNamara did a really good job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to her narrate a book. She has a very pleasant voice. Her narration pulls you right in. Easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a nice smooth pace. Really good character voices. Her male character voices could use a little more difference. Her inflection and tone were perfect. She was able to bring the story and the characters to life. Very enjoyable.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

It had moments but I wanted more

Any additional comments?

I've listened to one other Ellie Forman mystery and enjoyed it. This was my second listen and as much as I liked it, Ellie kept doing things that I had a hard time with. I mean, she knew how dangerous her situation was. No mistake; situation bad. But she kept ignoring the danger and jumping into things with little thought to the consequence.

Even with that, I liked the mystery, There was international espionage and spies and drones. I don't know if any of it was based in truth but it read true.

The narration was perfection. Ellie is supposed to be strong and independent and fierce and the narrator delivers.

I liked the ending. Or rather, Luke's involvement in the ending. I didn't see it coming but it made perfect sense to me.

Great Read

Any additional comments?

Jump Cut by Libby Fischer Hellmann was a good read. Ellie Foreman is a Chicago video producer. She finds herself involved in espionage, murder and suspicion that everyone she loves could be destroyed. This was a great read. I can't wait to read more by Libby Fischer Hellmann.

Planes, Trains and a Handful of Murders

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ellie was my favorite. We spend the most time with her and though there were a few moments of eye-roll inducing naïveté, I really enjoyed going on this adventure with her. There is this one part, towards the end, where she gets very self-righteous and sanctimonious and it was almost enough to make me dislike her. Almost.

I do have to say that Agent Nick Lejeune was a very close runner-up. He seems like a very cool guy. If he were real, you would want to snag a beer with him.

What about Nan McNamara’s performance did you like?

She's always an excellent narrator. She's just pleasant to listen to, has great pacing and makes the characters easily identifiable.

Any additional comments?

I liked the story but the ending felt a bit rushed and there were parts that were, for me, unbelievable. I don't want to get into spoiler territory but it wasn't the most satisfying conclusion to a novel I've ever read. Some things were tied up way too neatly, other parts were left without any real conclusion at all. Other than that, though, I quite enjoyed this novel.

I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily reviewed this story.

Fantastic

Loved listening to this story by an amazing author and reader. Just the right amount of suspense to keep your interest in the story. Loved helping to review.

Couldn't stop listening!

There are 2 items that inspire me to listen repeatedly to the same books - a creative and skilled author and the narration performance, and this title excels in both areas. This was an edge of my seat listen: a very well-written technical/near-military thriller, multi-level deception and espionage, unobtrusively laced with parental and romantic love and commitment.

Though this is 5th in a series, I did not feel lost or that I needed more back story in order to grasp this story line. I must admit that I will purchase the preceding books in this series.

Terrorism,an emotionally charged topic for some has been deftly woven by the author into a captivating novel, one which is expertly delivered by the narrator (who has a very similar style of one of my favorite female performers,Lorelei King).

Bottom line: I admire the author and narrator and will gladly purchase all that I can!