Roulette

The Search for the Sunrise Killer

By: Don Pendleton, Linda Pendleton

Narrated by: Johnny Peppers

Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Police Detective Rebecca Storme, and her husband, veteran Detective Sergeant Peter Storme, both married more to the badge than each other, have inevitable conflict within their marriage, and their careers are put to the test when a psychopathic killer invades their peaceful Southern California community and turns it into a hotbed of fear and outrage.

Rebecca Storme, the only woman in the detective bureau, and the sole member of the Sex Crimes Unit, finds that the Sunrise Killer will not only challenge her career, her marriage, but her very life.

Her husband, Detective Sergeant Storme, has been caught up in the infighting of the police department and city management, and is drawn deeper into his career battles and challenges as the Sunrise Killer makes his appearance in their city. As the Sunrise Killer increases his maniacal assault on the innocent women and children of San Remo, his reach goes far beyond his actual victims and their families. The lives of those dedicated to preserving peace within the city are challenged to the limits, both in their personal lives and in their professional careers.

This award-winning story is fast-moving, often riveting, often disturbing, as the cops are repeatedly challenged by a serial killer who has them all in his tight grip. Will the cops be able to break his grip and stop his horrific killings?

©2012 Linda Pendleton (P)2014 Linda Pendleton

Murder,suspense and twists!

What did you love best about Roulette?

It moved at a good pace & I liked the twist at the end!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rebecca Storm is a strong, determined cop.

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

N/A

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

Be very afraid.

Any additional comments?

I received this book free from the author if I wrote a review.

Great writing!

Predictable Outcome

I do feel like there was some potential here, even though it was evident 1/4 of the way through who was responsible for the murders.

Two of the primary characters were extremely annoying with their seemingly throwaway marriage. Well, it was treated that way by one of them and sometimes both. Constant talk (inner dialogue and flirting) about cheating... just kind of added a sad element rather than making the story more involved.

Maybe if there was no potential cheating element and just focused on the couple working on their marriage and the reason they were having issues. (Not sure if it's just me, but if your eyes and your mind start straying that much- you clearly are not in love with your spouse and there isn't much there without love and loyalty.) Or- leave the couple element out all together.

Overall, definite potential but unnecessary personal drama got in the way of what I felt was the 'real' story. I'd rate it more of a 2.5 story-wise, but the narration is decent.

I was provided with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Just ok

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

It is not the best story and although I might not recommend it I would not go so far to recommend someone not read it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

There were several aspects of this story that was distracting: I was pretty sure I had it figured out early on (which I did). Although, sometimes I find a story somewhat more enjoyable to know who the bad guy is to see the turn of events from a different perspective. I felt the attacks were overly gruesome and would have found more emphasis on the psychological nature of the attacks rather than the physical to be more intriguing. The relationship between Rebecca and Pete was odd in that they were married but she seems to always want just about every other man and every man wanted her. The ending was so abrupt and I was left with the thought that all of this build up and just like that, it was over and done.

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

Peppers was the right pick for this book and felt his narration was quite good. I don't think I would have enjoyed the story as much in written form.

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

No, I felt the story was complete.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided at no charge by the narrator for an honest review.

IT WAS WORTH A LISTEN!

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

ALWAYS IS!

Would you recommend Roulette to your friends? Why or why not?

If they liked mysteries, sure!

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

He actually made this book worth listening to..the writer really should have edited more....is it a crime story.is it a rocky marriage love story...I was bored at times..

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There was some suspense nearer the end...and I did feel bad for the victims...especially the first one....that poor mom!

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

It was an ok listen, the narrator is pretty good and he helped me get through it...all though it could have been a super exciting mystery there was a lot of conflict with the main characters that took away from the story...and it kind of diminished this books potential...the who done it factor did keep me guessing though!

Thank You Audiobookblast(dot)com

Death stalks a small town

This book competently tells 2 stories that are, by their natures, incompatible. First, it is the story of a manhunt for a vicious, organized and intelligent killer. The 2nd story is of a marriage in trouble, and of how the couple deals with their issues under pressure. Things are complicated because, flying in the face of established police department policy, the couple find themselves on the same task force, hunting the same killer.

The intertwining of these stories is so close to successful that it is difficult to define why, for me, it didn’t quite work. Perhaps it was a matter of timing or event placement …events from one story line occasionally distracted from the other, and interfered with the established tension in one important area to draw attention to another. Despite this, this is, essentially, a well written book, and a well told story. It is meticulously detailed, and gives insight into how such task forces work, and what peripheral pressures they must deal with when racing against time to end the career of a serial killer. In this area, the author excels. We fully understand all the forces at play, and all the distractions created by having not just their own task force, but a Police Department from another State *and* the FBI to deal with and cooperate with.

I will admit I didn’t figure out who the killer was until almost the end of the book, although, thinking back, I always felt that person wasn’t quite …right, somehow. I put it down to awkward character development, but it wasn’t at all. In fact, the author developed *that* character very carefully, indeed.

His other characterizations were good, too, if a bit simplistic. I could see each of them clearly in my mind, understand their motivations, and identify with them. The writing style was appropriate for the material, too. It is direct and straightforward, although occasionally I felt that the married couple agonized a bit too much. Still, that was a minor issue, and others might not agree.

The narration was competent, as well, although I noticed more than one mispronunciation, which the editors should have caught. And one phrase, which, had it been my book, would have sent me looking for a new editor! I understood how it crept in, because it is one of those ubiquitous clichés that are so apt they spill out of the mind and on to the page almost instinctively. But “it was a dark and stormy night????” I read that, rewound, and read it again just to be sure, then had to stop the book to laugh out loud. As it happens, it did describe the weather at the time, but that phrase has become weighted with so much critical baggage it should never appear in a serious book!

Even so, this is a book well worth reading, so I can give it, and the narrator both 3.9 stars. My issues with it are minor, true, but even minor issues, especially when they include less than excellent editing, mount up.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this unbiased review from AudioBookBlast dot com.

Roulette

Any additional comments?

It is a good audiobook but mystery was solved about 1/4 way through book. Rebecca's character is hardly believable .I think writer was trying for a romantic mystery but didn't get to it.
This audiobook was provided at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Good Narration

I enjoy the narrator and being this was a mystery would try the author. Was good and had a possible of being more developed if a series. The conflict in their marriage and then the added of being together on the job, the killer, didn’t help them.
The audio was good, he has a nice clear voice for narration
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Pretty decent whodunit

Would you recommend Roulette to your friends? Why or why not?

I would. It was a somewhat fun whodunit and I didn't predict the ending.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I think so.

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

Sure. A movie or miniseries.

Any additional comments?

I think a prequel book would be interesting with more backstory on the characters.

Peppers gives this book "salt"

I think this is the third time in my 60 reviews i begin with the narrator! Johnny Peppers is my top 3 of all time in Audible! There you have it! He is that good. In my First Deadly Conspiracy - Box Set i have 26 hrs and 2 mins and i enjoyed ALL 26 hrs and 2 mins because of him! So if you have mediocre book, get Johnny Peppers to read it for me! It was so good to have a man that "lives" the book out! He voice work, pacing, and just pure professional mind is what a book like this needs! He made this 6 hrs and 11 mins go fast on, and i am really happy about that, because i had some problems with the book it self!

Before i sit down to make this i make sure i have no others books by the people that wrote the book, or narrator. So i can compeer, and see what i have said before! Both Don Pendleton and Linda Pendleton is new in my books, and i cant say it was the best "hallo" ever! Roulette: The Search for the Sunrise Killer is boring! There you have it! I was not sure if this book was under the 2,5 or over the 2, 5 magic border, and if it is under it would have been a 2 star rating. It is the weakest 2,5 i have given in my life! And i think both Don Pendleton and Linda Pendleton should be happy Johnny Peppers is on this, or it would maybe get under 2,5! I cant recommend the book, but its not the worst ever!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

Police Thriller with Predictable Outcome

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

Yes I would to some one who likes this genre

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I was able to figure out who the villain was less than half way through the book. That was way too easy and obvious.

I do like being able to figure out the who done, but not so easily or early in the book.

Which character – as performed by Johnny Peppers – was your favorite?

The female detective.

Was Roulette worth the listening time?

Yes it was an enjoyable listen.

Any additional comments?

Other than being too predictable it was a good police thriller.

“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”