Never Ask Me

By: Jeff Abbott

Narrated by: Erin Bennett, Will Collyer, Peter Giles, Christine Lakin, Tracey Leigh, Tessa Netting, Rena-Marie Villano

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Each of us has a question we dread. When the simple community of Lakehaven is shaken by a violent crime, doubts begin to arise among the locals about whom they can trust.

In a quiet neighborhood in the wealthy Austin suburb of Lakehaven, the body of Danielle Roberts is discovered on a park bench. Danielle was a beloved member of the community, an adoption consultant who delivered the joy of parenthood to a number of local families. Her murder shocks Lakehaven.

Perhaps no other family is as crushed as the Pollitts, who lived two houses down from Danielle and thought of her almost like family. Her death becomes the catalyst for a maelstrom of suspicion and intrigue. You have been told a huge lie, an anonymous email charges the son, Grant. No one can learn the truth now, thinks the father, Kyle. Never ask me what I'd do to protect my family, resolves the wife, Iris. I'll do whatever it takes to save him, vows the daughter, Julia, of Danielle's grieving teenage son.

The Pollitts always thought they'd always be there for each other. When each begins to suspect the others of the unimaginable, the strength of their bonds will be tested in extraordinary new ways. The latest from New York Times best-selling author Jeff Abbott is his most suspenseful thriller yet: a riveting tale of the dangerous secrets one family has concealed - and what happens when the question each Pollitt hoped they'd never be asked threatens to expose their darkest truths.

©2020 Jeff Abbott (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Cunning and complex." (Publishers Weekly)

Wow What a Roller Coaster!

It was my first book by this author and now I have got to discover his other books! This novel was so fascinating and kept me on edge the whole entire time! After the initial finding of a dead body in this close knit neighborhood, all of the questions start. I could not guess all of the ups and downs and surprises that would be unveiled throughout the novel. I loved the different narrators and thought they all did such a good job to make the story so real and intense. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Whew!!!!!

Omg! This book had me on the edge of my seat to the very end!!! Never ask a mother how far she will go to protect her family! I’m a lot like Iris (the main character) so I get it! A mother will do what’s necessary so don’t let the necessary occur ya heard! Damn this was such a good book and he shouted out another good author in here too! Great job author! Great job narrators! This one is a keeper!

Pretty good

Well written. Superbly performed. Some parts of the plot were implausible but it was definitely entertaining. I look forward to listen to another novel by this author.

Whew!!

I agree with one of the other reviewers, WHAT A RIDE! Good book, keeps you guessing ... what else can I say?? Just a darned good book if you like mysteries and thrillers!

Good Read

A lot of twist and turns, and all tied together seamlessly at the end. Check this one out!

Unbelievable Mishmash

Characters are ill-defined and the plot is convoluted and messy. Seemed very much like an inexperienced group got together and did some stream of consciousness writing? Perhaps fun for the writers but not so much for the reader. I bought this on sale-Thank goodness! and the crazy incoherence was amusing at times but you’ve been warned:)

Contrived and Convoluted

I listened to the end because I really wanted to find out how all of the characters and events were tied together only to be smacked with a protracted exposition in the final chapter. The construction of the audio version with different readers reading different parts was clever and kept things interesting but not enough to mitigate the flaws in the plot construction.

An utter waste of time

So promising and such a stupid ending Pity there are no minus stars I could not believe such a stupid ending

I was totally bored

I really wanted to like this mystery. A small-town murder with many secrets should be engaging. I also like multi-generational stories. I like novels that move between adult and teen worlds. The problem is that none of the characters were developed or came alive at all. This novel is all plot. Even the excellent narration couldn't keep my interest. I lasted for two hours, hoping it would engage. Then I quit.

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?

This was a strange book for me. It seemed to be written as a stinging indictment of the American pursuit of success at any cost... and yet, I come away unsure if that was the author’s intent. I mean, every issue encountered by the characters came down to a choice: to choose yourself (your education [gaw, what an idol that is in this book], your desires, and your safety) above every other person and at the cost of TRUTH and character. It was wild to read because I can’t fathom that a story should hold together under the premise that we would lie-lie-lie and obfuscate and manipulate because we’re afraid our daughter won’t make it to college? That people would “protect” their family at the expense of human decency and honesty? What the what? You want an educated child above a truthful one? One who values a scholarship above the life of another person? One whose end goal is Ivy League and ends with a soul beleaguered, for what? Perhaps the author’s intent was, in fact, to highlight the despicable graft and greed of the modern world, and the unfortunate loss of morality. If so, perhaps my rating should be higher. But I think it was meant more to be a Rah-rah for a powerful family who refuses to let minor issues (like loss of life, immorality, dishonesty) derail them from their selfish pursuits, and that I cannot get on board with.