Trigger City

By: Sean Chercover

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The facts: A lonely woman was murdered by her disturbed coworker. The police have investigated. The case is closed. But facts are not truth.

A routine investigation of an open-and-shut case is just what PI Ray Dudgeon needs to recover from the physical and emotional consequences of confronting the Chicago Outfit - until "routine" spirals out of control. The victim was no quiet, unassuming, unlucky single woman; she lived a double life in the shadowy realm of covert intelligence...and she died for the truth.

Suddenly, Ray's ensnared in a conspiracy of darkness that weaves its way through the very fabric of the nation, and in grave danger of becoming collateral damage in America's war on terror. And his greatest enemy may be himself.

©2009 Sean Chercover (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• 2009 Dilys Award

A New Find

Would you consider the audio edition of Trigger City to be better than the print version?

Don't know.

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

Ray Dudgeon stays one step ahead of me, and I'm pretty good.

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

First time

Any additional comments?

My first, but not last, from this author.

Ray Dudgeon Is An Old Time P.I. In Chicago

A second book in the Ray Dudgeon series. It is gritty and gets Ray into some pretty unbelievable spots. A bit conspiracy theorist story but compelling all the same. Ray is a self-doubting guy who just doesn't think he's good enough. He takes on a case to find out why Joan Richmond was murdered. Her father is a former Colonel and wants to find out more. The more almost gets Ray and everyone he loves murdered. Ray involves his detective Angelo, his best friend and journalist, Terry, and his best friend, Gravedigger Peace. All in all it is a fast moving detective/murder story that anyone who likes P.I. Stories and murder mysteries will enjoy. Not clear if there will be another book in this series but I'd recommend these first two. Sean Chercover is an excellent writer and he has the background to tell these stories and make them real.

I like audible books best and Joe Barrett is an excellent narrator. He portrays the voices very well. I'll be listening to more of his narrations.

I really like books narrated by joe barret.

sometimes, the story can be great, but if I can't get into the voice, then in doesn't matter. I have started searching for books bas ed on the reader. and Joe Barrett is a new favorite. like the story here too. right amount of action.

Refreshing Detective Thriller

Any additional comments?

Chercover is fresh and original. The crime novel seems to have a formula that you see over in over in most books, but Chercover has taken a different approach to make the protagonist real. And having lived in Chicago for a number of years, I agree with the way he portrays this great city, and bemoans the loss of some of its gritty character.

Great Narrator..oh and the Story was OK

Is there anything you would change about this book?

In todays world, actively and enthusiastically promoting cigarettes as well as drinking and driving can be a buzz kill. I would recommend limiting the many lines promoting smoking to a rare few. There's nothing wrong with one or 2 characters lighting up, but when the majority does, it takes away from enjoying the book.

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

The twist as the story progresses towards the climax. The nearly constant references to cigarettes.

What about Joe Barrett’s performance did you like?

Absolutely awesome!!! He definitely has it.

Do you think Trigger City needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really, the ending says it all.

Marlowe Style First Person Hard Boiled Detective

What made the experience of listening to Trigger City the most enjoyable?

Chicago is a dirty, gritty city. There are cops on the take, and the government is corrupt. This is the background for Checover's novel, apparently the second in a series involving detective Ray Dudgeon. Chercover's first book, Big City, Bad Blood, is on my list to read next.
Ray smokes too much, drinks too much, and has awful luck with women. He has a general distaste for authority figures, but gets along well with his cop pals. He's asked to learn the "truth" of a woman's death for a grieving father, and winds up finding a lot more than he bargained for.
If you like hard boiled detective fiction, you will like Chercover's work. I liked it so much, I decided to go read the first novel in the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ray Dudgeon

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

his voice characterizations were very good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Sometimes the truth doesn't set you free....

Any additional comments?

Great book, really enjoyed it.

Loved this book

The title of this book had led me to avoid it for year. I’ve now read it almost nonstop. A story of the danger of using private companies to fight in our countries wars. Corruption reigns.

very good book

loved it. it's a great story. there are lotus if test and turns. really enjoyed

Thouroughly enjoyable.

The narrator even does a Midwest accent when he is quoting a Chicago reporter, then an Asian woman. He helped an already good writer bring the story to life. Well done!

Entertaining All the Way Through

Some books take a while to build up your interest. Some never get to that point. The last one I listened to, I had to give up on after a few hours - rare for me.

It was nice that this one was entertaining from start to finish. Joe Barrett was a new refreshing voice for me - you can get tired of hearing the same great voice over so many adventures by different authors.

I enjoyed the action, mystery, political subtext, and the ending. I can't figure out why this book is only showing as a 3.8. The ending may have something to do with it. Good doesn't always triumph over evil - but can sometimes do just enough to keep a little of it at bay.

This is a good introduction to the colorful, imperfect detective. Ray Dudgeon and the backdrop of Chicago makes this a ripping good yarn.