The Safe Man

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: David W. Collins

Length: 1 hr and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Published for the first time under his own name, a dark and haunting story from number one New York Times best-selling author Michael Connelly.

Like his father before him, Brian Holloway is a safe man. That is, his specialty is opening safes. Every job is a little mystery, and he has yet to encounter a lock he can't break or a box he can't crack. But the day Holloway gets called in to open a rare, antique safe in a famous author's library, his skills open a door that should have remained closed.

In this haunting and singular story, previously published anonymously, Michael Connelly proves once again that he is "superb at building suspense.... the reader can never be sure what sudden turns the plot may take" (Wall Street Journal).

©2012 Michael Connelly (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Neat Little Story

"Box Man" -- a man who opens safes. There's a legitimate market for this work, apparently. The locksmiths skilled in safe-opening without the (presumably lost) keys even have a website and can post tips to each other.

Our hero is a box man, and the problem safe has not been opened for a very long time. What is in it?

The reading is somewhat wooden; I would avoid this reader in general. However, it's still very easy to listen to and understand, and the plot is most interesting. I recommend this audiostory.

Terrific writing, excellent narration, BUT…

Not so happy with the woo-woo spooky element, however. I like Connelly's writing a lot, and David Collins was a good reader. I'd rather have had a more realistic tale, or (better) one that looked weird but was then explained naturally rather than supernaturally.

This was good

This is a short story. It was good. The title states that it is "a ghost story". That gave me the impression that it might be spooky. It is not. When i figured out what the twist was, i was a little surprised but nothing more. I recommend this for just a time filler but don't expect anything more.

Narration: David W. Collins did an ok job. I could listen to something else he narrates.

Ideal for Halloween

Any additional comments?

Although a little predictable, The Safe Man kept me listening in one sitting to the end. I was looking for something a little eerie but not blood-curdling, and this filled the bill perfectly. Thank you to Audible for providing a just-spooky-enough Halloween listen!As previous reviewers cautioned, the length is more like a short story than book (I read somewhere it's an excerpt). Might not want to use a credit. An excerpt from The Black Box is also included.

my only complaint is I wish it was longer

great story. it'd be awesome to see it fleshed out into a full novel. worth the 3 bucks easy

Eerie Michael Connelly short story

THE SAFE MAN was released anonymously by Michael Connelly in 2005 and re-released by him in 2012. The title refers to a locksmith who also opens safes. I do not usually care for ghost stories but this one is special.

Wish it was a novel

Any additional comments?

This is such a fantastic premis for a great full thriller. Micheal could have realy taken this there and back.

Oh, so different!

The Safe Man is a quick book but is jam-packed with good writing, an excellent narration, and the conclusion - well, it knocked my socks off. Truly, one of the best books on Audible.com and I wish ten stars were available because I would cheat and and add one extra, for a total of 11.

Not Michael Connelly's Best Effort

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If you like Michael Connelly, you'll probably enjoy this, but don't look for Harry Bosch to save the day. Story line a little thin, even for a short story/novella. Better than Connelly's book of crime articles from the LA Times taken from his reporter days.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ending was appropriate with adequate suspense leading up to it but not a huge surprise .

Have you listened to any of David W. Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

don't know

Was The Safe Man worth the listening time?

yes

Any additional comments?

no

Dont expect an usual in depth story.

Would you try another book from Michael Connelly and/or David W. Collins?

yew

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

the details of the work of the opening of the locker.

What does David W. Collins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the work of a lock smith.

Was The Safe Man worth the listening time?

yes

Any additional comments?

no