Suspect

By: Robert Crais

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014

For 25 years, Robert Crais has written extraordinary novels of crime and suspense. He is "a master of crime fiction" (Associated Press); "his novels get better with every new book" (Portland Oregonian); "Crais is hands-down the world’s greatest crime writer" (The Huffington Post).

But in Suspect, he may have written his most remarkable novel of all.

LAPD cop Scott James is not doing so well, not since a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner, Stephanie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty - until he meets his new partner.

Maggie is not doing so well, either. The German shepherd survived three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan sniffing explosives before she lost her handler to an IED and sniper attack, and her PTSD is as bad as Scott’s.

They are each other’s last chance. He was a young cop on the rise; she was bred to guard and protect. Now they are shunned and shunted to the side. They are suspect. And together they will set out to investigate the one case that no one wants them to touch: the identity of the men who murdered Stephanie.

Nine months and sixteen days later, they remained free. They were still out there.

What they begin to find is nothing like what Scott has been told, and where it will lead them will take them both through the darkest moments of their own personal hells. Whether they will make it out again, no one can say.

Thrilling, emotional, intense, with some of the best characters and well-crafted writing in all of crime fiction, Suspect is further proof that "Crais just keeps getting better" (Publishers Weekly).

©2013 Robert Crais (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

German Shepherd Lovers - this is for you!

This book ticks lots of boxes for me and I expect we will see a movie made from it. Quite a bit of gun violence, some characters with profanity... but not too intense, no sex. Heartwarming relationship as wounded police officer with PTSD is partnered with Iraq military dog who had similar trauma... they help each other heal while solving major case. A little more head-hopping type point of view than I like... but don't think it could be written without it. Love that Maggie dog.

Rivoting from the very first chapter.

Would you consider the audio edition of Suspect to be better than the print version?

I used immersion on the Kindle fire hd (which syncronizes the audio and print). So I can't say which is better. However, if I had to choose, I think I liked the audio version so much I would have to choose the audio over the print version. MacLeod Andrews did such a great job of pacing the entire book. There was nothing lost in the narration.

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

I loved Maggie. From the first chapter when we are introduced to the connection between Pete and Maggie to the very last page, I was pulling for Maggie.
In addition, I liked the interaction between Scott James and Leland.

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

I did listen/read to this audiobook in one sitting. It was raining here today and it was such a great read on such a gloomy day.

Dog lovers will love

If you love dogs, you're very likely to love this book. Much of it is written from the perspective of the dog. You'll hear what she's thinking, smelling, seeing. And the love that grows between her and her handler is incredibly moving. I must have choked up 50 times listening to it. The folks at the gym must have wondered about me!

Unexpected to see the story from the dogs perspect

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

Terrific story that switches between the canine and officer point-of-view. Not overdone; it's well done.

Gripping

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book got me right away...having two children in the service, I could related to the dogs reaction and wanted to save the soldier myself.
It was an interesting turn of events the lead you to cheer for the characters.

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

Wonderful plot, very different

A Lassie for our century....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I loved all of the details given about dogs in the police and military, oh and I AM a dog lover, so how could I not.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Suspect?

Usually, I can thing of one that stands out in a book, but this whole book was full of heartwarming memorable moments.

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

I never just read anymore, well almost never, but I'd say he brought another special kind of voice to life in this particular book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As I said I found the whole book moving but particularly when Maggie out thought the humans.

Any additional comments?

Would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves and respects animals.

Decent crime novel for dog people

Not knowing a thing about dog training or service dogs, I can't comment on the accuracy of the author's portrayal of K9 in this book. But I do love and (I think ) know dogs, including one of my current dogs that had some kind of unknown trauma before living with me. In my opinion the descriptions of the dog's behavior in this story are believable, and enjoyable for anyone who spends a lot of time talking to their dog. The crime that sets the scene for this story is pretty convoluted, and you have to be OK with suspending your belief a bit. Personally, when reading crime fiction, I no longer put too much effort into making sure all the pieces fit together seamlessly. This story works fine if you just let your eyes go a little blurry and enjoy the ride. Narrator is a good choice.

dog's perspective mixed in with a top thriller

This thriller ranks with the best of them. What's so unique is that the book is so integral of the dog/man relationship; but takes it even further by writing parts of the story as experienced through the dog.

The only other book or books that I've found that tell part or all of the story through the perspective of the dog is 'The Book of Riley 1 & 2' by Mark Tufo. Though the books are very different in genres, it means so much to experience a story through how a dog would perceive it as these animals are so important and meaningful in our lives.

This is a must-listen for sure- hope there are more to come like this.

If you like 'The Walking Dead' type of stories & really want more of the 'dog perspective' stories, check out 'The Book of Riley 1 & 2'. While not as amazing as 'Suspect' and not meant to be as realistic, they are definitely great listens worth the time.

Animals are Our Greatest Gifts

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to everyone and each has loved it as much as I.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was the German Shepherd, Of Course!!

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

The German Shepherd, Of Course!!

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

I started out in tears and falling in love with this dog. Throughout the story I found my self smiling - laughing - in tears again!

Any additional comments?

This book was one of the best I have listened to in a long time! I have listened to it over and over! The story of what this special creature has went through with his handler dying in war and returning to the states emotionally lost hit me hard. I love animals so much more then most people. I wanted to reach out and embrace this precious baby! The connection with the police officer who took claim of him was emotional and touching. He found his purpose once more and happiness. I recommend this book to every animal lover out there. WOW - what a book!!!

First Robert Crais book I've listened to...

...but it won't be the last. I loved this book, and I'm a cat person!