Shadow Man

Violent, gory, but ultimately emotionally satisfying, this debut novel about a serial killer and the FBI unit chasing him is made all the better by the performance of narrator Kate Reading. Special Agent Smoky Barrett's last case cost her both her husband and her daughter. Reading expertly captures Barrett's pain and anxiety as she is forced back into action by the murderer, who believes he's a descendant of Jack the Ripper. The final confrontation portrayed by Reading may cause some listeners to pull off the road to keep from missing each delicious emotion. While not for every listener, this is one book you shouldn't miss if you're a fan of the thriller genre. R.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

April 17, 2006
This disturbing serial killer drama set in California marks a promising debut for McFadyen, who combines many conventions of the genre but with far more exquisite, intricate results than the norm. FBI agent Smoky Barrett, a haunted, complicated woman, leads a team of investigators assigned to a serial killer task force. Barrett, who escaped the clutches of a different serial killer a year earlier but lost her husband and daughter in the attack, is now tracking a madman known as "Jack Jr.," who believes he's a descendant of Jack the Ripper. He mauls women, mostly prostitutes with Web sites, then sends the videotapes of the killings to Barrett and her crew. The plot follows a typical arc, complete with some nauseating details and predictable twists. There's also a romance between Barrett and a bodyguard that seems tacked on for future installments. Yet McFadyen's writing is crisp and smart, and his scenes pack a visceral punch without being cheap or exploitative. Barrett, for her part, is a memorable protagonist, a deeply troubled woman trying to move on from tragedy, yet possessing special insight into the criminal mind.

A killer who believes he is a descendant of Jack the Ripper is terrorizing Los Angeles by killing "cyber-whores" he finds on the Internet. The only person smart enough to stop him is FBI Agent Smoky Barrett, a woman who was badly scarred by another serial killer. Carolyn McCormick's delivery is rich, though occasionally clinical. When she gives in to the emotion of a scene, she's strong, but she does not always do so. Still, the performance is good, and the writing powerful. Smoky Barrett's back story is so convincing I looked for previous novels featuring her. But this is Mcfadyen's first novel and the character's first appearance. Prequel anyone? M.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine