Official Privilege

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: J. Charles

Length: 18 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

When the body of a young, black Navy lieutenant is found chained inside the boiler of a mothballed battleship in a Philadelphia shipyard, there is no question that it's murder.

Stung by past scandals, the Navy moves to control the investigation by appointing one of their own, Commander Dan Collins, to take charge of it. Dan's deputy investigator will be civilian Grace Ellen Snow from the NIS (Naval Investigative Service), the organization that should have been in control of the investigation.

Dan and Grace make a connection between this murder, the death of the man's sister (also a Navy lieutenant), and a top Naval officer, only to have the chain-of-command curtain come down around their investigation. Convinced they can uncover those responsible for the murders, they secretly continue their investigation - a search that brings them to the attention of a cunning, remorseless, and relentless man.

©2007 P. T. Deutermann (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Deutermann's third mystery, though conventionally constructed, is brought off well." (Booklist)
"J. Charles manages characterizations that superbly reflect the voice of a man whose larynx has been brutally cut. Rugged where necessary but equally capable of smooth, soothing voices, he produces an effective and exciting audio presentation." (AudioFile)

Another Engrossing Novel by Excellent Author

Truly enjoyed this book although there are a number of factual errors about Saigon - Tan San Nhut Air Base during Vietnam War. There were no MPs on Air Base; Army Provost Marshal was in Saigon; 716th MP Battalion furnished MP duty officers for Saigon. Others minor historical errors vis a vis Army commissioning and promotions during that era did not diminish wonderful storytelling.
I was with 716th MPs circa ‘67-68 as 1st lieutenant—commissioned through Infantry OCS.

Great thriller!

Deuterman writes as good a murder mystery as he does naval warfare adventures. The narrative performance was excellent too.

It was difficult to stop listening

This book has so many twists and turns. it kept me on my feet.
At each change of direction I knew where the book was headed - NOT.
A lot of books allow you to see the end early and then follow the natural progression to the end. Not so this book.
This is not the first Deutermann novel I've listened to and it won't be the last. I hope this retired naval officer keeps turning them out because I'm ready to keep listening.

This is a great novel!

This is a suspenseful novel and one you shouldn't miss. If you're not familiar with military jargon, don't let it stop you from reading on. You'll understand before you know it. It has lots of twists and turns in this story.

Inside view

Very interesting insights into naval protocol! Kept me focused and entertained...a very good listen! Enjoy...

Good Story But Not As Good As WW II Stories

A good story, perhaps a little over-described, but still good. Not wild about the dramatic emphasis the reader gives to dialogue. He’s over-dramatic! The author is not wild about Executive Assistants (EAs), the ranking officers who are the administrative assistants to the Admirals of the U.S. Navy in D.C. He calls them “horse holders.” Some of the plot of this story involves the dark background machinations of EAs.

enjoyed

another good one from P T. may end up reading all his books this year.

can't listen

I wish publishers would oversee their narrator's use of voice changes. It is amateurish acting. Some in this book are harsh, others silly-sounding like 'marbles in mouth'. I had to stop listening to the book, though I like the author, P.T. Deutermann, very much.

Deutermans books are great

If one were into the Washington scene, this one might be also. As it is, I find it horrible. I'd love to return the book, but can only see half of the Audible screen.

Can't deal with the narrator

P.T. Deutermann is one of my favorite authors. I have tried several times to listen to this book and just can't get through it. The narrator belongs to children's books. How disappointing to have wasted my money on this. I can't tell you about the story...I yank it away from my ears and it plays for no one. It is a shame, because Deutermann is a great story teller. I will just buy the book and read it myself!!!!