Cold Hit

COLD HIT is a classic example of a book that is far better on audio because of its reader. The latest Shane Scully novel is an entertaining yet convoluted story that is particularly timely in light of recent revelations about the dangers of unchecked governmental power. As usual, Scott Brick is thoroughly entertaining, supplying Scully with such an enormous dose of cynicism that the reader can almost ignore the story's conclusion, which barely ties all of the pieces together. But in the end, it is Brick's intense portrayal of Scully's alcoholic partner, Zack Farrell, and the understated style he provides for FBI Special Agent Underwood that make the book most memorable. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

October 3, 2005
After a successful career as a television writer-producer (The Rockford Files
; Wiseguy
), Cannell is carving a strong second, thanks mainly to the series featuring LAPD homicide sleuth Shane Scully. In this outing, Scully's partner has slipped into an angry, alcoholic funk and their high-priority case—the search for a serial slayer who snips the digits of his homeless victims—is usurped by a task force headed by an arrogant FBI profiler. Cannell's strong suit has always been unique characters, and Scully's world-weary cop and family man is no exception. Add to that an intriguing mystery, authentic cop jargon (smoothly translated), snapshot descriptions of Southern California locales and a couple of tense and amusing LAPD–Homeland Security face-offs. Brick's rendition is clear, precise and effective in adding accent touches. While he knows how to build tension when a buzz saw is pressed to Scully's hand, his voice is too youthful and newsreader perfect to stand in for a disillusioned veteran cop. Scully narrates the novel, and a deeper, darker timbre would have turned this entertaining audio into an exceptional one. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover.

Cannell tackles the dilemma faced by police when they tangle with Homeland Security. Detective Shane Scully butts up against Robert Allen Virtue, the regional director of DHS, in the investigation of a serial killer who removes his victims' fingertips. When the fourth murder doesn't fit the pattern of the series, Scully runs smack into Homeland Security AND the FBI. Scott Brick performs this police procedural with his usual precision, while driving the details to the fore. Brick's portrays the federal agents as stony and hard-nosed and the local police as driven to find the truth behind the lies and obfuscation of the Feds' secrecy. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine