The Dummy Line

A Jake Crosby Thriller, Book 1

By: Bobby Cole

Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Jake Crosby’s nine-year-old daughter Katy is pure tomboy, and her dad couldn’t be happier. Since she was old enough to walk, Katy has shared Jake’s love of the outdoors, taking to hunting and fishing as quickly as other kids take to baseball or bike riding. As he packs the truck for a spring turkey hunt, he vows to savor the time with his little girl. But Jake’s hopes for an idyllic weekend are shattered when a band of drug dealers attempts to break into the Crosbys’ remote hunting camp. Desperate to protect his daughter, Jake makes a violent and gut-wrenching decision.

His quick thinking enables him and Katy to escape the camp and flee into the Noxubee River swamp. The bloodthirsty criminals are hot on their trail, however, and no one, no matter how innocent, will get in the way of their vengeance. As their treacherous game of cat and mouse winds deeper into the wilderness, Jake must face the fact that not everyone will come out of the swamp alive - but he will do whatever is necessary to make sure that Katy does.

Taut and engrossing, The Dummy Line is the riveting tale of an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary lengths to protect his only child…and those for whom he feels responsible.

©2008 Bobby Cole (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Believable in a Scary Way

What made the experience of listening to The Dummy Line the most enjoyable?

Great descriptions of western Alabama, the South's hunting culture, the unusual 9-year old girl and oddly the wife of a hunter.

What other book might you compare The Dummy Line to and why?

I recently read the first of the Ben Coes series, Breakdown. The Dummy Line was a totally different scenario, but both main characters are pulled deeper and deeper into deep, deep . . . trouble making choices I could see ME making in similar circumstances.

What about Jeremy Arthur’s performance did you like?

I'm a southerner -- he's good. He even mispronounced 'foreign' words (like pronouncing Beau Rivage as Boh RIHvidge) like some of his less educated characters would likely do.

A roller coaster ride with a great finish!

What did you love best about The Dummy Line?

The story is totally believable and is one to which many folks can easily relate. The characters are well developed and their actions are true to their nature. I loved the way the story was told from the perspective of the different characters so that you have a sense of expectation without knowing which actions will contribute to the ultimate resolution of the situation. Cole has an ability to make his characters totally lifelike - not bigger or smaller than we might perceive if we were part of the story. And each part is played out in a sequence that keeps the listener guessing until the final chapters.

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

The narrator does an excellent job of breathing life and emotion into the players, so that they become very real and close to the listener. His reading also enhances the mood and substance of each scene, making each detail seem important. This was especially effective when the action was taking place in a setting which contributed strongly to the characters' fears and uncertainties.

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

I am a guy who has been known to cry at emotional TV commercials, so it did not surprise me that I shed tears at the end, but the reality and intensity of the characters emotions did truly move me. I could imagine being there and feeling all that they were feeling.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book because my wife had read Cole's "The Rented Mule" and really liked it. Now I am anticipating another great experience with that novel.

Didn't think I'd enjoy as much as I did

I really enjoyed this book and would find excuses to be alone so I could keep listening to it. As a southerner living in MS I usually cringe at southern stereotypes in books and movies. While I agree that the police are idiots and there's a little TOO many southern cliches in here, (there's actually a part mentioning a stabbing over a fishing spot and a burn injury during the cooking of chicken livers. Please.) I didn't really care. The stupidity made for an entertaining story and for the first time since I was a wee young lass I found myself crushing on the protagonist. He's a hero without being the typical cool badass ladies man that you see too often in stories. He's just a great guy inwardly freaking out but keeping a cool head and trying to find the best way out of his current situation. I'm excited that there's more Jake Crosby to come in the next books. He's too rare to not use again! Would definitely recommend this book.

WOW! What a Rush!

This title popped up on my Kindle Deals, but I ended up buying the Audible version as well. What a GREAT read! I could not stop listening - from beginning to end it kept me entralled. It hopped around from one part of the story to the next pulling all the separate components together until they all meshed at the end. I pushed my MP3 player right up to the point where it shut itself off because the battery was nearly dead! LOL! I just couldn't give it up long enough to recharge! The triumphant ending of the good guys over the bad guys had me grinning with joyous humor. I HIGHLY recommend this book and can't wait to read the next one!

Outdoorsman Kills Bad Guys

What did you love best about The Dummy Line?

I liked the performance and the sense of place. I also liked the shading towards reality rather than hyperbolic cartoon violence. For me, it is a 4 rather than 5 because I couldn't quite smell the pine forest and didn't really care about any of the characters.

Surprisingly more enjoyable than I expected

While I don't usually like it when the whole book takes place in one day, or night this one kept my interest so well, that I forgot it was still night. Wrapped up in the drama I felt cold, tired and hungry too. Finished it all in one day.

Wow... You will have a hard time turing it off.

If you could sum up The Dummy Line in three words, what would they be?

Stimulating, suspenseful and scary.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked them all. But the DP switch board women; smoker, was fun.

Which scene was your favorite?

So many... I guess the last scene..

5 stars

loved it! The intertwined characters and plots. No over the top violence. The variety of relationships was a plus

Not bad for a first effort

I always think that with "thrillers" you should have at least a couple of times when you go, "Ohhhh," because the author introduces something you aren't expecting. Not a single Ohhhh (okay, maybe one small one) in this book. The strange part is you can, however, see the POTENTIAL for a really good story that is lying just beneath the writing. You know someday it will get there. Just not yet. I'll look forward to seeing something else written by this author ...... someday. Narrator is quite good.

fastpaced -edge -of -your -seat

The story from start to finish was a keep on your toes! Great Narration too!