Sleeping Dogs

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

He came to England to rest. He calls himself Michael Shaeffer, says he's a retired American businessman. He goes to the races, dates a kinky aristocrat, and sleeps with dozens of weapons. Ten years ago it was different. Then, he was the Butcher's Boy, the highly skilled mob hit man who pulled a slaughter job on some double-crossing clients and started a mob war. Ever since, there's been a price on his head. Now, after a decade, they've found him.

The Butcher's Boy escapes back to the States with more reasons to kill. Until the odds turn terrifyingly against him...until the Mafia, the cops, the FBI, and the damn Justice Department want his hide...until he's locked into a cross-country odyssey of fear and death that could tear his world to pieces.

©2008 Thomas Perry (P)2009 Tantor

this is it

EVEN THOUGH I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BUTCHER'S BOY, I DO LIKE THOMAS PERRY'S OTHER OUTINGS ( METZGER'S DOG, BIG FISH, THE JANE WHITFIELD SERIES...) AND THOUGHT I'D GIVE THIS ONE A TRY. AM I EVER GLAD I DID. THOUGH IT CONTAINS MANY OF THE SAME CHARACTERS FROM THE BUTCHER'S BOY, SLEEPING DOGS IS A FAR SUPERIOR NOVEL. THE STORY OF THE BUTCHER BOY THWARTING AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE, AND THEN HIS SUBSEQUENT REVENGE IS SUBLIME ENTERTAINMENT. THIS ONE HAS ALL THE PERRY TRADE MARKS: FANTASTIC PACING, HUMOR, AND DETAILED SET UPS AND PAY OFFS THAT MAKE THOSE ACTION SEQUENCES SO VIVID. AND MICHAEL KRAMER DOES A SUPERB JOB WITH THE NARRATION OF THE WORK. VERY PLEASED WITH THIS ONE.

It is possible to root for the "bad guy"!

This edition of the Butcher's Boy series is an incredible piece of writitng that just had me mesmerized. I loved being carried along in this stream of coincidences and mistaken identities as the Butcher's Boy once again makes his way across the U.S. on a mission, and my suspension of disbelief was firmly in place as I listened.

I don't know how to give a review of this book beyond my astonishment that I thought it was so good. It's both a simple and complex plot, and the characters are coming from different angles at the same information, with the listener in the background just drinking it in and thinking (at least I was), "No! That's not it at all!" We want to root for the government girl (Elizabeth), of course, but we want to root for the the assassin-protagonist (the Butcher's Boy), too. And in all of this, there is poignancy, sadness, suspense, and an undertone of humor that I think is a little bit of Thomas Perry's magic.

I recommend that you read the first installment (The Butcher's Boy) to have a full appreciation of this one, but I don't think it's totally necessary. Perry gives enough information when referring to events of 10 years before that you wouldn't be lost.

And of course, Michael Kramer's narration is superb.

Amazing!

Pure Entertainment

This is my 2nd of the three book series and I found I enjoyed this one as much, if not better than the first one. well written, suspenseful and exciting. What else would one want from a book?

Ok

It’s ok but just to many stupid errors yank you from story, people waiting for a hit let him in because he pulled up in a security car but doesn’t have on a uniform just regular civilian clothes, could have killed female and got away but this one time had conscious, etc. The writer says he wants us to like him but keeps killing good guys or setting them up to be killed and will kill a four year old child if necessary. That ain’t the way writer. I would try something different from the writer but nothing in this series.

Read Butcher Boy First then WOW!

We are totally fortunate that someone with Thomas Perry's crackling intelligence is writing action thrillers. Every twist in this adventure circles imagination like a cuff to jerk it deeper into the plot. We care about these strange characters who started their growth in "Butcher Boy" then lurch up to grab us again ten years later here in "Sleeping Dogs".

Michael Kramer created this ensembles' voices in "Butcher Boy" so who can imagine them differently? And why bother, it is as if the roles were created for Kramer.

We're doubly fortunate that Audible Books can now keep a writer's entire set of works "in print" so-to-speak (no pun intended) so that we can begin our journeys along with the authors' ideas and follow them from the beginning. I have, and insist that you start with "Butcher Boy" before reading this... you will be wickedly happy you did.

I've just downloaded "The Informer" and will start it happily at the gym tomorrow. It's an adventure that got me by the feelings. And BTW... if anything, "Sleeping Dogs" is better than "Butcher's Boy". Hope "The Informant" continues to grow like this.

The Butcher's Boy is no Thomas Ripley

Expecting a likable and entertaining murderer without a conscience, and being a huge fan of Patricia Highsmith's Ripley series, I found this a ho-hum listen. The Butcher's Boy could have been clever and entertaining, even though he was a murderer; but, he was deadly dull and not the least entertaining. It was an effort to find him likable. If he had some personality, it would be worthwhile. But, as popular as this series seems to be, I find it pales in comparison to the truly complicated, entertaining yet twisted Thomas Ripley. I have tried two recommended Perry books, that may be enough for me.

Not as good as Butcher's Boy

This sequel was not as good as Butcher's Boy. Too unbelievable.

I have added this author to my favorite list.

What made the experience of listening to Sleeping Dogs the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sleeping Dogs?

Knowing Michael would be free to live another day.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

The Butcher's Boy hands down.

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

NO

Any additional comments?

I plan to listen to all his books.

Excellent

The first chapter starts slow,but the story takes off from there​. The end is expected, but leaves you wondering will they ever find the butcher boy?

I was not disappointed!!!

Where does Sleeping Dogs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Sleeping Dogs is one of my most recent favorites of this genre. It kept me listening even when I needed turn it off and do other things, I couldn't wait to get back to it.

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

It did in the sense that the main character was not always aware of what was really going on. He made a lot of wrong assumptions that led to a lot more deaths. I just kept waiting for him to put it all together.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

The "Butcher's Boy" himself. His complicated thinking. You should really not like him, yet you find yourself rooting for him.

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

No, it didn't feel like that kind of story. It was engaging right from the beginning, and you keep wondering when two of the main characters might meet. That was also a great part. Not what I expected and I am glad for that.

Any additional comments?

I am now really looking forward to reading the last in this trilogy, The Informant. I have it downloaded from the library so I will be into it yet this week!