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The Killing Time

Shannon Ames, Book 1

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The Killing Time

Written by: T.J. Brearton
Narrated by: Bailey Carr
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They have been judged. The verdict—guilty. The sentence—death.

Two beautiful young women are found strangled, their bodies meticulously washed and groomed. The only thing they have in common: Both worked as reporters for local TV stations.

A coincidence? Or something more sinister?

Rookie Special Agent Shannon Ames is assigned to the case and soon impresses with her brilliant intuition and startling ability to think outside the box. But as Shannon takes a more prominent role in the investigation, she finds herself drawn into a deadly dance with a master of deception, a serial killer whose victims all work in media—journalists, influencers, reporters.

Shannon’s superiors are convinced it’s part of some grand attack on the free press, but she has a hunch these killings are much more targeted. And she follows that hunch straight into the heart of darkness....

Into Darkness is a gripping mystery thriller that will keep you up all night as it races toward its shocking conclusion. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Robert Dugoni, and Lisa Regan.

©2021 T.J. Brearton (P)2021 Podium Audio Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Thriller
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T.J. Brearton introduces an interest-piquing protagonist: rookie frontline FBI Agent 'Shannon Ames'. She is a very realistic mix of self-assured/intuitive/assertive and self-questioning/vulnerable (demanding to be taken seriously by superiors and fiercely independent - living happily with her cat 'Jasper' - but also wondering if her bosses are right & she's wrong, after all.. and flirting with an NYPD colleague). Her inner dialogue is some of the best that I have read in a long time.
Unfortunately, Brearton combines that with explosions, gunfights, murders in plain sight, kidnappings, and a ludicrous vengeful villain. You really need to be able to set aside reservations to accept this case as believable.

Likewise unfortunate, dreadful narration from Bailey Carr renders this audiobook a difficult listen. Her whispery timbre (intended to invoke a sense of tension) is irritatingly overdramatic, she reads far too slowly, and her male characters all have the same cartoonishly "husky" voice interpretation.. which both annoys and eliminates any semblance of distinctiveness between speakers.

If you can get this 5/10-star recording as a 'Plus' selection, it's not a crazy way to spend a few quiet hours, I guess. The book is undeniably "Hollywood-Screenplay" fun. Should they ask for a Credit, however, you can find better options.

Over-The-Top.. But Entertaining

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