Flat Spin

A Cordell Logan Mystery, Book 1

By: David Freed

Narrated by: Ray Porter

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!