Split Second: An FBI Thriller, Book 15

By: Catherine Coulter

Narrated by: Renee Raudman, Paul Costanzo

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

#1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter returns with another pulse-pounding thriller featuring FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock...

A serial killer is on the loose, and it's up to FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock to bring him down. They soon discover that the killer has blood ties to an infamous and now long-dead monster. Savich and Sherlock are joined by agents Lucy Carlyle and Cooper McKnight, and the chase is on.

At the same time, Agent Carlyle learns from her dying father that her grandfather didn't simply walk away from his family twenty-two years ago: he was, in fact, murdered by his wife, Lucy's grandmother. Determined to find the truth, Lucy moves into her grandmother's Chevy Chase mansion. What she finds, however, is a nightmare. Not only does she discover the truth of what happened all those years ago, but she faces a new mystery, one that has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations.

As the hunt for the serial killer escalates, Savich realizes he's become the killer's focus, and perhaps the next victim. It's up to Lucy to stop this madness before it's too late.

©2011 Catherine Coulter (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Story good, female reader almost ruined it.

As with Catherine Coulter's other FBI series stories, this was excellent. I gave it only three stars because the woman who read part of the story made the women characters sound so weak and ridiculous that it almost ruined the story for me. The childish voices, the shaky characterizations were demeaning, not sensitive. Hopefully, if Catherine Coulter had listened to this she would have stopped the production. I've listened to other stories of hers with other readers and found them enjoyable. Please don't ruin another of her stories by engaging this reader.

3 storylines, but they connect.

Where does Split Second rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to this. It was really good.

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

Yes...esp. since the book had 3 plots going at the same time. Somehow they all joined together, but was confusing at first.

What about Renee Raudman and Paul Costanzo ’s performance did you like?

I did like the performances...but I wish there was more difference in the sound of each of the characters. Many books that are put into audio truly distinguish the difference characters and it makes it easier to follow. These two performers did not do that.

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

Sure, but who has the time.

Any additional comments?

I always like the FBI series. This one was not disappointing. It is odd to have Savich and Sherlock on the sidelines now. I liked it when they were the main characters involved in the books stories.

Meh

Female commentator's voice was annoying at times when trying to convey emotion. Story was inter-woven well, but tied up in a bow too easily. Left hanging with Knob Hill connection.

Split Second by Catherine Coulter

This was my first book by the author, highly recommended by my wife. I was disappointed with both the implausible story line(s) and the narration. The book seemed to consist of two unrelated stories (a magic ring and a serial murderer) unsuccessfully knitted together for no apparent reason. I found the dialog stilted and unnatural, made worse by the use of female and male narrators. I expected the female narrator to do the female voices and the male reader to do the male voices, of course, but this was not always the case. The male narrator often sounded like he was simply reading the words without actually being involved in the story. The female narrator was much better as an "audio actress." I enjoy crime fiction by authors such as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Vince Flynn and Brad Thor.

Not so much

I really love Catherine Coulter's FBI thrillers with Sherlock and Savich. This time, the book didn't flow well and was very complex, confusing and hard to follow. I do not need the voices and accents with the readers and would much rather someone just read it well. I was very disappointed with this book compared to her usual writing style.

Too Many Plots

I found it very hard to care about the first plot, the others were harder to concentrate on with all of the flip flopping. I couldn't wait for this book to end!

Author lost site of retaining readers interest

There is no nice way to give this critique- I feel annoyed, frustrated at the hours I wasted - hours and hours of listening to a book seeming to have its own mental breakdown! Why? far too many convoluted plots, unbelievably complicated scenarios, making no sense-
Did an Editor truly read this book before sending to production! I must salute the performers for being able to 'read' the content. This author should have considered writing 3 entirely separate novels or wait, is it 4 or 5 novels? Yep- There are that many "plots"

Didn't Finish It

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Seemed disjointed and slow. Did not like the narrator got bored and quit listening.

Would you ever listen to anything by Catherine Coulter again?

Yes, I love most of her other books.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Renee Raudman and Paul Costanzo ?

sandra burr, or one of the earlier narrators.

Do you think Split Second: An FBI Thriller needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

Any additional comments?

I just didn't like it.

Magic rings in a detective novel...Ugh!

Edges into fantasy and romance novel territory read with a very saccharine voice. Magic rings that help solve the crime. NO,no,no.

Sort of a mediocre TV mini-series

Pretty much a waste of time, but maybe that's why we read books like this.