Jack and Jill
by James Patterson
Published by Hachette -- Audio
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Reviewed by Jeff Foster
(Book was published first in 1997. Now in paperback and audiobook.)
U.S. Senator Daniel Fitzpatrick is brutally murdered, no he's executed, and the audacious perpetrators of the crime film the gruesome event and submit it to CNN!
A well-known investigative journalist is next, followed by a prominent general. All are pawns in a serial rampage of murder that tears through the heart of Washington, D.C. Similarities in the characters to real-life personalities are too close to the truth for this to not be a classic Alex Cross thriller. The victims are chosen at random, through Cross and his partner Sampson are on different tangents with every new corpse that they find.
The parallel plots that we have all come to expect in Cross novels, do not disappoint and find Alex tracking a murderer through his neighborhood before the killer can strike again. The killer's targets are children at the Sojourner Truth School, the same school Alex's son Damon attends.
Where we usually talk about the writing and the spellbinding plot of a thriller, here in the audio version, it is the condensation of plot and the delivery by the readers, which contribute to the success of an audio rendition of a great story.
Blair Underwood is cast as Alex Cross, a wonderful choice in an actor who can transcend the rough streetwise dialects of the mean streets of DC to the refined and eloquent mannerisms of Alex Cross. Underwood plays various parts and genders with skill unequal to many of his large and small-screen contemporaries that have tried to bring life to famous literary characters. His tones are matched perfectly to the story and without him, Alex Cross would not come alive in Jack and Jill.
Supporting Underwood is John Rubenstein, a well-known talent in his own right, and as the voice of the killer Jack, he brings just the right edge the story needs. His delivery is mild and spooky and is more than enough to hold your attention.
Hachette audio had added just enough music in the tense moments and effects. The engineers have hit on a fine mix of talent, editing and sound to provide an entertaining thrill ride for those of us that love James Patterson in any format.
Armchair Interviews says: A very good book that's well-read on audio.