Flat Spin

A Cordell Logan Mystery, Book 1

By: David Freed

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Flat Spin is the first installment in David Freed’s acclaimed thriller series featuring Cordell Logan, a sardonic pilot with dwindling savings and a shadowy past.

Flying out of California’s sunny Rancho Bonita, Cordell Logan is a flight instructor and aspiring Buddhist whose attempt at a quiet(er) life is shattered when his ex-wife Savannah arrives on his doorstep. Her new husband—and Logan’s former comrade-in-arms—Arlo Echevarria, has been murdered and she needs his help.

Logan and Echevarria used to be members of a top-secret military assassination team known as Alpha. Savannah begs him to tell the police what he knows in order to help them solve the murder, but sharing that sort of information raises both ethical and practical concerns. After an attempt on Logan’s own life it becomes clear that this goes deeper than he thought, and that solving the murder himself may be the only way to ensure his—and Savannah’s—safety.

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Freed brings his own experience to bare in this brilliant binge-worthy mystery perfect for fans of Robert B. Parker and Robert Rotstein.

©2012 David Freed (P)2012 Blackstone Publishing

Good first novel by a journalist

This is book 1 of the 4 novel Cordell Logan series by David Freed. Freed is a long time journalist. Flat Spin is an action thriller written in a wise cracking informal manner. The author attempts to replicate the style of Nelson DeMille in his John Corey series, but many of the jokes fall flat. Nevertheless,Flat Spin is a very good first effort. Ray Porter's narration is exceptionally good.

Wunnerful: But... why the plane stuff?

Dick Francis's got his horses, David Rosenfelt's got his doggies, so I guess David Feed wanted a series hook with aircraft. And while his use of a plane in Flat Spin has an authentic feel, none of it has anything to do with the plot or even the character development.

That said, I totally enjoyed "Flat Spin". Freed is laugh out loud funny and his plotting (with the exception of the airplane non-sequiturs) is tight and smooth as a low flight on a sunny day. I'll buy the next in the Cordell Logan series... I look forward to this reluctant detective's next flight. Oh, and of course the talented David Freed is the invisible man... which is my highest compliment to an actor who disappears into the ensemble he creates.

We'll always have Paris

Oh my god I loved this book. The narrator, Ray Porter did an excellent job. Listening to him read was like eaves dropping on a conversation. The words flowed smoothly from his mouth the sarcasm was timed perfectly with just the right amount of rudeness and humor. However, I did wish for a better ending involving Savannah. This is definitely a must read / listen. Your enjoyment is guaranteed.

Funny - Adventure - Flying

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

Excellent reader - will search out more books read by Porter.

Any additional comments?

Reminds me of the DeMille John Corry stories - which are also favorites.

Kind of "Travis McGee"

Cordell Logan has a lot of "Travis McGee" in him. Scruffy ex- Spec Ops guy trying to muddle thru mid-life. Ray Porter is Ray Porter. Excellent cast of odd ball characters. I've read all four Logan Adventures... ready for more!

But for a few problems

This book should have 5-stars, but there were problems I couldn't overlook. The story is good, the characters are interesting and well-developed, and the narrator is a masterful performer.

The two things that made this difficult to listen to:

The narrator needs to learn how to pronounce Spanish words. The name of the dead man is used so often that the mispronunciation becomes more pronounced.

And since the protagonist is supposed to be an AF Academy graduate in literature, he should know the difference between "lie" and "lay".

If it werent for Ray Porter...

This book was pretty generic, kina cheesy, typical "macho man" type ex spy story with racist and misogynistic undertones that overall created a sort of enjoyable listen (though forgettable) if for any one reason, because Ray Porter (aka Audible Narrating god) read it. I myself would not have finished the story if reading myself or if anyone else was tasked with the job. All of this said it did have generally enjoyable story ( if maybe a lil goofy and generic like i mentioned), some cringe worth jokes throughout and generally likeable characters. Worth a listen if your looking and have nothing better in your library and dont mind a both thats a lil basic ( which with the amount of books i read and listen to i dont too much.) In short I feels its safe to call it a poor mans retired Jason Bourne

Witty funny badinage!

I’m a former private pilot and enjoy the aviation aspects. The author and narrator have created entertaining protagonists, head scratching mystery, and plenty of hook to desire more. Congratulations on a job well done!

If you like elvis Cole, You'll love Cordell

Where does Flat Spin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 80 out of 100

What other book might you compare Flat Spin to and why?

the guy IS Elvis Cole, only More wise cracking, if that's possible....It would be good if there was a Pike ..

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

He transitioned from character to character seamlessly. Had a different image for each one.

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

Now, lets just suppose....

Any additional comments?

This is the typical stereo type of the wise cracking, self destructive, always broke, detective.
The only disappointment is that He doesn't drink. I am a fan of the character, and He DID have me laughing out loud more than once. Excellent narration in that I rarely found my self aware of the narrator. I plan to check out more of this series, Hope this helps

A new crime solver is introduced with adult humor

I enjoyed both this new character (Cordell Logan) and all the rather interesting, individual, quirky other characters that Freed introduces in this clever mystery. Logan is smart but unwise, clever but careless, interesting and unpredictable. His supporting cast of characters, including his landlord, his ex-wife and his cat add depth and humor and insight to both Logan's life and character, and the mystery.

I don't want to offer any spoilers, but I will say that the central mystery was not a "give-away" at all, but working it out along with Logan was both interesting and fun.

Ray Porter did a very nice job, although, as with most male narrators, his womens' voices are not great but are OK. His pacing is very good and he does succeed very well in giving each individual his or her own voice.