The Competition

By: Marcia Clark

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Marcia Clark's most electrifying thriller yet, Los Angeles District Attorney Rachel Knight investigates a horrifying high school massacre.

A Columbine-style shooting at a high school in the San Fernando Valley has left a community shaken to its core. Two students are identified as the killers. Both are dead, believed to have committed a mutual suicide.

In the aftermath of the shooting, LA Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight teams up with her best girlfriend, LAPD detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey interview students at the high school, they realize that the facts don't add up. Could it be that the students suspected of being the shooters are actually victims? And if so, does that mean that the real killers are still on the loose?

A dramatic leap forward in Marcia Clark's highly acclaimed Rachel Knight series, The Competition is an unforgettable story that will stay with listeners long after the book ends.

©2014 Marcia Clark (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Excellent novel!

Marcia Clark has written an excellent story with interesting and believable characters. The narrator did a good job with this audiobook.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

Where does The Competition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is up there! Definitely top 10 (and I have listened to A LOT of audiobooks)

What did you like best about this story?

I like the concept behind the story and how it was presented. The first chapter was really hard to get through, which I did not expect, but it hit very close to home. I almost had to stop listening to it. But then how the rest unfurled. It was amazing! Such incredible writing.

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

I have not listened to any of the other ones, but I might start. There were some things in this book that I felt like were just catch up for people who had never read the other books. I dont know if those other story lines would interest me much.

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

Yes! Definitely.

Any additional comments?

I felt the end was rushed. That is the ONLY downside. I don't want to say too much without ruining it, but I do not like where the book ended. And the epilogue seemed excessive and unnecessary.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Gripping

There has been a mass murder at a high school. L.A. prosecutor Rachel Knight has been called to the scene by L. A. detective Bailey Keller. At first it is thought the two killers killed each other but soon the police realize they may have two or more killers on the loose and threatening to commit even more mass killings.

The book is well written, intelligent, and it kept me reading late into the night. The story comes right out of the headlines. Clark does a good job with various plots threads, keeping suspense high. Every time I think I know how this will end Clark sends me down another path. The author tends to focus more on the psychology behind a mass shooting with Keller and Knight in frequent meetings with the two consulting police psychologist.

I know I have made this comment in the other books in this series, but I question why the prosecutor is acting as a detective. I do realize the Marcia Clarke was a well known prosecutor and knows the job. But in real life, does the prosecutor perform the detective role to this extent? If you enjoy a good mystery this is a book for you. January LaVoy does a good job narrating the book.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Part of a series

This is not the author's fault, so I will not take away from my review of this book, but it would have been nice to know this was part of a larger series of books involving these same characters. Had I known this, I would have started with book #1. Overall, this story was really good. I didn't figure it out until the main characters did who the bad guy was!! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this but I do wish the author wrote more about both characters and their lives instead of just the crime.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

absolutely awesome Knight and Bailey rule

I loved this audio book . Aghast 1 moment laughing outloud the next. Clark brilliant.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Captures your attention!!

I Really enjoyed this storyline. The twists and turns kept you guessing on who it might be and what might happen next. I love the narrator and the characters that Marcia Clark had chosen for her stories. Can't wait for the next one!!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good but not her best

I've read and enjoy all books in this series. This is not Clark's best.
The book is entirely about a manhunt. There is no legal drama.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another EXCELLENT Marcia Clark thriller

If you could sum up The Competition in three words, what would they be?

Full of twists

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Competition?

Probably when they discover who the second shooter is. It is not who I expected at all. I also found when they interview some of the kids from the shooting it felt extremely real and made me think of school shootings that have happened in the past

Which character – as performed by January LaVoy – was your favorite?

I really like Rachel and Bailey. They interact in such a great way and compliment eachother's personalities.

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

I certainly laughed in parts - that's what I love about Marcia Clark's books - yes it is a mystery and the topic being a school shooting is no laughing matter, but she lightens it up at times, often with the witty conversations between Bailey and Rachel.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for another Rachel Knight mystery book!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Like chasing a snake

It was a great book, but the suspect kept changing just when you thought you had it figured out, one was dead and another one had to be found. Definitely kept you on your toes. Marcia Clark is now one of my new favorite authors. I have read two now, and I love the cop and prosecutor team. They are great. Keep them coming.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book

I love the characters in the Rachel Knight stories. The narrator has a wonderful voice and is easy to listen to.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful