• By a Thread

  • Elemental Assassin, Book 6
  • By: Jennifer Estep
  • Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
  • Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,698 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
By a Thread  By  cover art

By a Thread

By: Jennifer Estep
Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

"When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation. Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis, Mab Monroe, a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco.

"So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all.

"Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently."

©2012 Jennifer Estep (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Gin Blanco is one of the most intriguing heroines on the scene.... If you have not gotten on the Gin bandwagon yet, do so today!” ( RT Book Reviews)

What listeners say about By a Thread

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,015
  • 4 Stars
    537
  • 3 Stars
    123
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,050
  • 4 Stars
    382
  • 3 Stars
    74
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    896
  • 4 Stars
    462
  • 3 Stars
    128
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Series!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Often, I get bored with a series by the 5th or 6th book but I can't get enough of Jennifer Estep's characters in the Elemental Assassin Series! Jennifer captures your attention again in By A Thread.

Which character – as performed by Lauren Fortgang – was your favorite?

Gin of course!

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

Gin's wit makes me smile.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The Spider Returns

By A Thread is a good addition to the series. A change in venue appears to have helped both Gin and the pacing of the storyline. A new baddie along with fresh faces tests Gin and the gang. Along the way, we deal with some lingering baggage. Overall, a very satisfying ride for the reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Have been enjoying the series but.......

If you could sum up By a Thread in three words, what would they be?

easy to follow

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

Nice to see strong female characters, but could do without the graphic sex (not a prude, just does not add to the story and actually distracts from it). also why does author need to constantly tell us "that she can cure anything but death" or "puts on condom even though i always take my little white pill" or "smell of chicory always reminds me of"

What about Lauren Fortgang’s performance did you like?

Easy to hear and a nice voice

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

its not a good thing that I do, books are short for the price

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent series

I have just finished listening to this series for a second time. Despite being on the shady side of the law, Gin and her friends are very likable characters. Who hasn't wanted to despense a little justice and to hell with the consequences. I'd sure like her on my side should I find myself in trouble with the wrong sort. Each book develops the story line a bit more and adds to our understanding of the past. I'll be saving a credit for the next installment.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story and narration

I absolutely enjoyed this book. So many earlier situations are finally resolved. The narration is excellent and the story kept me amused, surprised and not able to put it down until the story was over.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved It

Any additional comments?

Great narration. I like to list this first as it can make or break a story.

Loved this story. Easy listerning and very entertaining. Will be impatiently waiting for any new books in audio from this author.

I really enjoy it when readers with similar reading interests list their favourite authors and series. It really helps me find new authors too follow. Mine are Charlaine Harris, Jeaniene Frost, Jennifer Estep, Faith Hunter, Molly Harper, Ilona Andrews, Kresley Cole, Deborah Harkness, Nalini Singh, Coreene Callahan and Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Happy Reading

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This if quickly becoming one of my favorite series

This was a great book. I could not wait for it to come out. I was afraid it would be a let down after the first 5 book dealt with one main character that dies. But, Jennifer, nicely transition from one crisis to another. I love the characters Gin. This series is so worth the credits. Start at book one and you will be hooked. Hurry with book 7...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gin is IN....

Where does By a Thread rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love the story of Gin aka the spider, the naration of this series is masterful. This is a series I can listen to over and over..

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

her voice..

Any additional comments?

I hope to be hearing more from the spider

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great series and narrator

Excellent continuation in the Elemental Assassin series, and wonderfully performed by Lauren Fortang. Plenty of action and romance, and all the favorite characters are back. Gin's relationships with her sister and Owen continue to develop nicely and an old love finally gets what he deserves. Very satisfying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Donovan Caine - UGH!!!

I was very happy when Donovan Caine left Ashland. The fact that Gin had 2 encounters with him (one in a closet and another in a car) and is still so hung up on him, makes me grind my teeth. Especially, when she has such a wonderful relationship with Owen Gracin. I am currently having a difficult time getting through this story as it appears to be gang up on Gin, from the idiot cop to her "beloved" sister cop. Gin is such a strong character, except for these issues with Donovan, who is a giant pain in the a**.

I'll keep going to hopefully put this character to bed once and for all and will write a follow-up review when I finish.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful