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The Poet

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The Poet

Written by: Michael Connelly
Narrated by: Buck Schirner
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Buy Now for $32.00

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About this listen

FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE HARRY BOSCH AND LINCOLN LAWYER SERIES

An electrifying standalone thriller that breaks all the rules!

Death is reporter Jack McEvoy's beat: his calling, his obsession. But this time, death brings McEvoy the story he never wanted to write - and the mystery he desperately needs to solve. A serial killer of unprecedented savagery and cunning is at large. His targets: homicide cops, each haunted by a murder case he couldn't crack. The killer's calling card: a quotation from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. His latest victim is McEvoy's own brother. And his last...may be McEvoy himself.

©1996 by Michael Connelly. (P)1996 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Crime Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Fiction Murder Detective
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..but not as "Cookie-Cutter" as I had feared. Michael Connelly is no James Patterson but writes a *ton* of Mystery novels and Legal Thrillers. This book admittedly includes familiar patterns (way too much dialogue over the phone, sex that doesn't go anywhere, and an insider/early-revealed perpetrator), but has enough of the unique to distinguish it from his 'usual' array of Procedurals.
Connelly's protagonist (Denver Investigative Reporter Jack McEvoy) uses his press credentials and connections with law enforcement to get the lowdown on a series of vicious crimes - in this book, a cop-killer who makes the murders look like suicides, but leaves Edgar Allen Poe quotes at the scenes. It's a bizarre M.O.

Yes, the "intrepid reporter" trope has been done before, but Connelly is quite good at it.. and his interpretation of the Newsroom has a couple of novel features - he's critical but not brutal towards the clickbait media, for example.
In addition, the characters are interesting (sometimes helpful; often hostile), the dialogue is realistic (albeit occasionally implausible), and the plot is sinuous (plenty of twists & turns).
In general, 'The Poet' is well-planned, gritty and well-written.

Unfortunately, Buck Schirner's narration lets the story down somewhat. His diction, timbre, cadence, and tone are creditable, but he reads far too slowly (listen at 1.20X for the optimal experience) and his voice-acting sounds like he's trying to portray a "central-casting" interpretation of the dramatis personae.. Hollywood Stereotypes overwhelm the performance.

This moderately unoriginal book is definitely still worth a download for fans of fast-paced Crime Fiction. It was a free offering as a monthly 'Editor's Pick', but I rate it 9 stars out of 10. You would be justified to spend a Credit on it.

[I personally won't be continuing in the 'Jack McEvoy' series but can suggest that you give this audiobook a try - it's a fine way to spend a couple of afternoons (and who knows.. it might grab you).]

A Little Formulaic..

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I had a really good time listening to this book. Great story. Connelly is a master of thrillers.

Fantastic thriller

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The story is good, but it sort of bumps and clunks along in parts; a little awkward in its delivery. Still worth the read.

Good but a little clunky

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I did not enjoy this as much as the Bosch stories. It wasn't terrible, but I won't continue on with this series.

Good

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This is the first outing of reporter/investigator Jack McEvoy, and this story is as well structured as other Connelly's books. Again, great character development and a page turner of a plot.

The narration by Buck Schirner is very good.

I really enjoy books by Michael Connelly

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