Source: Audiobook Review, Provided by Penguin AudioFormat: Audiobook
UNSUB by Meg Gardiner
Narrator: Hillary Huber
Length: 12 hrs
Date Read: June 2017
Genre: Police Thriller, Thriller
More Information:A riveting psychological thriller inspired by the never-caught Zodiac Killer, about a young detective determined to apprehend the serial murderer who destroyed her family and terrorized a city twenty years earlier.
Caitlin Hendrix has been a Narcotics detective for six months when the killer at the heart of all her childhood nightmares reemerges: the Prophet. An UNSUB—what the FBI calls an unknown subject—the Prophet terrorized the Bay Area in the 1990s and nearly destroyed her father, the lead investigator on the case.
The Prophet’s cryptic messages and mind games drove Detective Mack Hendrix to the brink of madness, and Mack’s failure to solve the series of ritualized murders—eleven seemingly unconnected victims left with the ancient sign for Mercury etched into their flesh—was the final nail in the coffin for a once promising career.
Twenty years later, two bodies are found bearing the haunting signature of the Prophet. Caitlin Hendrix has never escaped the shadow of her father’s failure to protect their city. But now the ruthless madman is killing again and has set his sights on her, threatening to undermine the fragile barrier she rigidly maintains for her own protection, between relentless pursuit and dangerous obsession.
Determined to decipher his twisted messages and stop the carnage, Caitlin ignores her father’s warnings as she draws closer to the killer with each new gruesome murder. Is it a copycat, or can this really be the same Prophet who haunted her childhood? Will Caitlin avoid repeating her father’s mistakes and redeem her family name, or will chasing the Prophet drag her and everyone she loves into the depths of the abyss?
Publisher: Dutton, Penguin Audio
Series: UNSUB #1
Listened for Review (PRH Audio)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75
Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not part of the overall rating)
Quick Thoughts: I am a huge fan of Meg Gardiner. She writes thrillers that deliver as the case plays out on the page. UnSub was really good at walking you through, keeping you snared, and slowly peeling back the case so that it keeps you guessing. It took me awhile to get on board for Caitlin mostly because as a rookie detective straight out of narcotics into homicide and she was just a little too good. She just didn’t stumble enough and her fellow detectives didn’t treat her like a rookie. That was probably the only thing that I didn’t buy but about half way through I just let that go. Sometimes you just have to in order to enjoy the story. It is Fiction! The last 1/4 is really chilling and well done! I enjoyed this one!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by: Hillary Huber /Length: 12 hrs
Hillary did a really good job on all levels. I thought I was going to miss Susan or Tanya (the two I have listened to the most that do Meg’s books) but Hillary fit right in. She did gritty when needed and really nailed Meg’s pacing. She brought you further into the story and didn’t miss a beat during the twists/turns. I would listen to her do a Meg book in the future!
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It DONE! Reviews
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I”m not familiar with this author, but it sounds good. I’m a huge fan of Hillary Huber. I’ve listened to her narrate PNR and UF. I think she could do a really great job with a thriller. I agree with you that letting things go and just enjoying the parts of the story you love is a good bet. Great review.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read this genre 😀 Will have to add this to my TBR
I know what you mean about having to suspend reality to make the story work.
I have not tried this genre yet on audio .)
I think this one sounds good and I like the sound of the narrator too. 🙂