Probable Cause

By: Ridley Pearson

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

The setting is Carmel, California - a scenic, peaceful tourist haven where James Dewitt is the police force's only detective. His usual caseload is stolen bicycles and an occasional burglary. But things change with frightening speed when a series of apparent suicides, which soon prove to be murders, shocks the community.

Dewitt, a former forensic scientist, struggles with the minutest of clues in his quest for the killer, while departmental turf wars and local politics increase the pressures on his investigation. But his steps are dogged by renegade ex-cop Howard Lumbrowski, the man Dewitt blames for his wife's death. How is Lumbrowski connected to the killings? And why does he have information from Dewitt's confidential files?

Dewitt finds himself playing a dangerous game, breaking his own rules in his desperate search for answers. And as the case takes another murderous twist, the past comes back to haunt Dewitt. He will have to fight to save his reputation - and his life.

©2010 Ridley Pearson (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Surprisingly Good Novel

I picked this one up on a whim, having never heard of it or its author. I was surprised at how good of a story this was. It felt like it took a while to get going, but I’m glad I continued listening. This was a good listen and worth the credit.

Good Story, Wrong Narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would use a different narrator. For some reason Patrick Lawlor's voice has an irritating nasal quality and a "creepy" element. Probably be good as a villain.

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

Took me a long time to finish this because of the voice. Also not enough difference in tone of voice to always know who was speaking.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patrick Lawlor’s performances?

No thank you. This is my second audio book with his voice. The other one used two narrators which was confusing and I thought maybe that was the problem; but after this listen it wasn't.

Could you see Probable Cause being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe

Excellent!

This is one of his best. Realistic, convoluted, poignant, hard hitting - a really good read.

Why is this guy famous?

Ridley Pearson is a terrible, plodding writer. His story's ok this time out, even though it took me places I don't want to go, such as the torture death of a stray cat, and the oversexed female defense attorney (completely unbelievable). Pearson has a madonna-whore problem with women he might think about working through in therapy. But back to the main gripe: He's an awful writer. The writing clogs the stream of his story, leaving it to trickle along. Never again, for me.

Ridley Pearson

I have read all of Ridley’s books, including kingdom keepers, and have enjoyed each one!!

Wish I'd been warned....

If you love animals -- dogs and cats -- and if you don't like to see them hanged, killed and/or slaughtered, then this book isn't for you.

I have absolutely no patience for authors who have to amp the gore or heighten the evil by torturing animals.

I wish I'd known -- I'd never have bought this book.