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The Beast: Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, Book 21 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged
Throughout his years with the LAPD, Peter Decker has handled a number of tough cases and strange killers. But few of his previous assignments compare to his latest case. When Hobart Penny is found dead in his apartment, the cops think that his pet cat - an adult female tiger - attacked the reclusive elderly billionaire. But it soon becomes clear that the beast that killed the eccentric inventor is all too human.
Digging into the victim's life, Decker and his colleagues discover that Penny was an exceptionally peculiar man with exotic tastes, including kinky sex with call girls. Following a trail of clues that leads from a wildlife sanctuary in the San Bernardino Mountains to the wild nightlife of Las Vegas, the LAPD detectives are left juggling too many suspects and too few answers. To break open the case, Decker wrestles with a difficult choice: turning to Chris Donatti, the dangerous man who also happens to be the father of Decker's foster son, Gabriel Whitman.
As their work and intimate worlds collide, Decker and his wife, Rina, find themselves facing tough questions. And when all these shocking truths comes out, exactly how well will Decker and Rina cope, and survive?
- Listening Length11 hours and 47 minutes
- Audible release dateAugust 6, 2013
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB00DG7VCJ2
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Product details
Listening Length | 11 hours and 47 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Faye Kellerman |
Narrator | Mitchell Greenberg |
Whispersync for Voice | Ready |
Audible.com Release Date | August 06, 2013 |
Publisher | HarperAudio |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B00DG7VCJ2 |
Best Sellers Rank | #60,919 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1,481 in Police Procedural Mysteries #2,346 in Women's Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) #4,345 in Suspense (Audible Books & Originals) |
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They praise the compelling plot and great characters that keep them hooked. The writing quality is praised as well-written and enjoyable. Many readers describe the book as entertaining and educational, with just enough violence and sexual content. They appreciate the fast pace and consider it a great holiday read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book. They find it an entertaining holiday read with realistic and memorable characters. The author does a good job with the story and characters.
"...IS PROFOUNDLY HARD TO BEAT, AND THIS BOOK DOESN'T/THOUGH IT IS A GOOD BOOK. TO QUOTE A WEALTH OF MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED INFORMATION FROM..." Read more
"...On the Jewish front, Kellerman has never dissatisfied, even as her characters have aged and the books have focused more on the crimes than the..." Read more
"...OK book, so far, with some stuff I think I read somewhere before..." Read more
"I thought Faye Kellerman did a great job with the book and story. I was very impressed with the story and the characters...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the compelling plot and engaging characters. They found the story exciting and well-written, mentioning it was an easy read that kept their interest throughout. The chilling premise set up future novels, and the mystery was a great addition to the story. Overall, readers found the book satisfying and refreshing.
"...I love the Deckers and their deep and satisfying love and respect and friendship for each other." Read more
"...by wrapping up the mess left after 'Gun Games." The transition is interesting because it focuses not so much on the past, but on the present..." Read more
"...of the Jewish element, but the murder itself is so outrageous and so compelling that I loved the book just as much as all the rest in the series…and..." Read more
"...And, I wasn't disappointed. It was a chilling premise with a true beast of a man as the central character, who, thankfully, is killed in the..." Read more
Customers enjoy the characters' development. They find the plot engaging and appreciate the continuity between books. Readers also mention that Kellerman's characterization is brilliant, keeping them guessing until the end.
"...The unwinding of who done it, and why is fascinating. The cast of characters is wild, figuratively and literally! Enjoy. I did." Read more
"...I was very impressed with the story and the characters. This was an easy read and it maintained my interest throughout the book...." Read more
"...As usual, Kellerman's characterization is brilliant, and you keep guessing whodunit almost straight to the end...." Read more
"...If you want a book with good characters, a very interesting plot and a good read to boot - then this is the boot you want in your library." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find it well-written with depth to the characters and storyline. Readers appreciate Faye Kellerman's writing style, describing it as compelling, easy to read, and interesting.
"...I was very impressed with the story and the characters. This was an easy read and it maintained my interest throughout the book...." Read more
"...Her attention to details, the showing of the story rather than telling is what I love...." Read more
"Another in the Lazeras/Decker series very well written however there seems to be a bunch of books between where I left the series to this piece, so..." Read more
"...A prolific writer, she has truly enriched my life with Peter Decker and his family. I'm always so excited for the next book to come out!" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find the stories entertaining and educational, with just enough sex and violence to keep them engaged. The writing style is well-done, and the book never becomes boring.
"Faye Kellerman never fails to entertain...." Read more
"...not quite as riveting as some others in the series, but nevertheless entertaining... a great holiday read!" Read more
"...supports wild animal preserves, is elderly but still maintains a healthy sex appetite. The mix keep Decker & staff busy!" Read more
"As usual Ms Kellerman has written a book that is thoroughly entertaining without detailed sex, violence and fowl language further proving it is..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's fast pace. They find it entertaining and say it starts out quickly from the beginning.
"...I wasn't really impressed with the story line but it was a very quick and satisfying read...." Read more
"I enjoyed his book very much. It was interesting and fast moving...." Read more
"This book moves along at a good pace and keeps your interest. The only fault I have is with the side story...." Read more
"...Kellerman's writings compelling, so much so that I often read the book in a very short time." Read more
Customers have different views on the graphic style. Some find it realistic and memorably drawn, combining the tough policeman image with a deeply religious, softer female character. Others feel it's too gory and graphic, a little more graphic than usual.
"...An unusual situation in this book. A bit gruesome, but why read a mystery if you don't expect a bit of gore?!..." Read more
"...The cast of characters is wild, figuratively and literally! Enjoy. I did." Read more
"This was the second time around for THE BEAST. While some areas were edgy, it was a Faye Kellerman, and with a Kellerman, you can't lose!..." Read more
"...a high point of this otherwise mediocre book, because they were drawn realistically and memorably, if a bit too treacly at times...." Read more
Customers have different views on the religious background. Some appreciate learning about the Jewish faith and Orthodox families' living out their faith. Others feel the motivations are unclear, the subject is a bit far-fetched, and the story lacks clear direction or relevance.
"...The series has evolved over the last three decades, becoming less focused on religious issues and becoming more of a true police procedural...." Read more
"...However, none of the motivations were really clearly laid out, and there were a bunch of characters with more interest than we were told in the..." Read more
"...Plus, you learn about the Jewish culture in the process- a little here and there. She remains one of my all-time favorite crime writers!" Read more
"...what "person", it is the dialogue and how it draws one in by its familiarity...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2014THE GABE WHITMAN SAGA, THOUGH HONESTLY, GUN GAMES IS PROFOUNDLY HARD TO BEAT, AND THIS BOOK DOESN'T/THOUGH IT IS A GOOD BOOK. TO QUOTE A WEALTH OF MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED INFORMATION FROM
D. Bell "Imzadi": "I found it difficult to put this book down; every page intrigued me more and more. I really can't say whose books I enjoy more--Faye Kellerman's or her husband Jonathan Kellerman's. And there was a bit of a crossover in this book, as Dr. Delaware made two brief appearances in the form of phone conversations with Peter Decker.
The titular beast would appear to be a full-grown female Bengal tiger, which is found in the apartment of a man who has been murdered. He was a rich recluse a la Howard Hughes with two grown and very rich children and their stepmother, who divorced him a long time ago and still despised him after all these years? Why? As it turns out, she has very good reason.
As Peter, Marge, and Scott delve farther into the case, we begin to wonder which is really the beast--the tiger or the dead man.
The children, ex-wife, and a woman named Vignette are very colorful characters who stand out; Vignette is a unique woman who cares more for the exotic animals she tends to in her sanctuary that the dead man largely funded than she does for people. She operates on a bear's paw and later saves Decker's life. Is she a suspect? Yes. More suspects from the world of massage/kinky sex turn up.
There are two subplots. One revolves around the Romeo and Juliet couple from The Gun, brilliant 17-year-old concert pianist Gabe, the Deckers' foster son, and 16-year-old Persian Jewish Yasmine, whose fierce mother does everything but lock her up in a tower and does not want her to develop her gorgeous coloratura voice. Decker finds it necessary to consult Gabe's estranged father, a nasty gangster, who does come through with vital information.
The other subplot revolves around Decker's thoughts about his and Rina's future, but I don't want to spoil anything so that's all I'll add.
Of course the truth is revealed, but the book ends on a note of oncoming change. I don't know how this will affect any future books, but I'll be interested to see if it does.
Again, this book was an excellent addition to Faye Kellerman's bibliography. I love the Deckers and their deep and satisfying love and respect and friendship for each other.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2014"The Beast " by Faye Kellerman is the newest entry in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series. This is a refreshing step up for Faye Kellerman. The last two books in the series were not up to her earlier standard. In" The Beast' she seems to found renewed interest in her characters.
The book opens by wrapping up the mess left after 'Gun Games." The transition is interesting because it focuses not so much on the past, but on the present relationship between the Decker's "adopted" son Gabriel and his younger girl friend Jasmine. As this situation detangles, amid emotional clashes between families and cultures, Decker is drawn into a ghastly murder case.
A reclusive billionaire has been murdered. He lives in a eerie manner, housing all sorts of strange and dangerous animals in his abode. He is also into kinky sex rituals and has many questionable associates. This a thoroughly reprehensible victim. As Decker, Marge Dunne and Scott Oliver unravel the case, the dynamic of their interpersonal relationship also goes through changes. These changes will deeply affect Decker's wife and partner, Rina Lazarus.
The juxtaposition of the professional and the personal has long been the hallmark of this series. This volume harkens back to the early days of the series, when Decker was courting Rina and learning how to be Jewish. The winds of change are blowing in the air for all of the characters of this series. By introducing these changes, Faye Kellerman has breathed new life into her franchise.
If you are a fan of the series, I recommend this book. After the tedium of "Gun Games." you will be pleased with this one.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2014I fell in love with Faye Kellerman and her Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series from the first word I read, long, long ago. The earlier books, especially, truly relied on the couple’s Jewish roots, and that was a plus, for I’ve been fascinated with the Jewish culture ever since I saw Robbie Benson in The Chosen and subsequently read all of Chaim Potok’s books within a three week period. On the Jewish front, Kellerman has never dissatisfied, even as her characters have aged and the books have focused more on the crimes than the cultural elements. Peter and Rina are still Orthodox, and Peter, as a police lieutenant, sometimes has a hard time honoring Shabbos because murderers don’t follow a schedule with their murders (well, I guess, some do if they are serial killers or have a reason to do so.) The Beast is almost all murder-solving and has very little of the Jewish element, but the murder itself is so outrageous and so compelling that I loved the book just as much as all the rest in the series…and even more than a couple of the others. This book also continues the story of Gabriel, the foster son/concert pianist/still teenager that Peter and Rina “acquired.” Gabriel’s father is one-time hit man Peter Donatti, now a pimp in Las Vegas with a stable of brothels. Gabe’s mother fell in love and just up and left her son to move to India and start another family. So Gabriel has responded to Peter and Rina’s love and support, and in this novel, is dealing with the aftermath of a beating he took in the previous novel. Gabe also is trying to continue his relationship with his much younger girlfriend who also was a victim in the previous violent incident, but her mother is completely against her daughter having a relationship outside of her faith, also Jewish, and her ethnicity, Persian. So the drama of young love is a perfect respite from the developments in the murder case, one involving a fabulously wealthy Howard Hughes-type recluse who keeps a Bengal tiger in a small apartment. I will say no more so those who like murder mysteries and particularly those who love Peter and Rina as I do will will not be crying “spoiler alert.”
Top reviews from other countries
- Diana JanReviewed in Canada on August 24, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Kellerman's Decker is a great character!
The Beast is a great read with well developed characters. I enjoy writers that continue to use & grow characters that we as readers have known for a long time.
Kellerman also ended the book letting us know there would be a follow-up book in the works.
Anyone who likes detective/mysteries will love this one.
- Ed BainesReviewed in Spain on June 7, 2014
4.0 out of 5 stars Predator
I really enjoy all of Faye Kellerman's books with Peter Decker as the detective. This one does not disappoint. When you follow a series, the characters become as well loved as a family member.
- Constant BookwormReviewed in Germany on September 23, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars More in the series and better than average.
Another month in the life of Decker and Lazarus, with a brief update of each of their children, and a bit more action from the adopted Gabriel (who is much more interesting than the others - I think Gabriel should have a series of his own).
As ever, Kellerman shows mastery of plotting and story-telling. She just keeps getting better. In this book she doesn't go on about Rina's appearance quite so much. There are plenty of well-drawn and rounded characters. It just gets more and more interesting, with a few major plot twists.
It's good to have a series about people who change as they grow older. I won't spoil your fun, but there are some big changes in this one.
I shall continue to buy and read this series.
- Margaret PowerReviewed in Canada on October 31, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read. I love the characters.
An unusual subject/setting. Once I started could not put it down. Cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
- Miss FReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2014
4.0 out of 5 stars My first one!
This was the first book I read from the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series and I enjoyed it immensely. For me, this was the ideal holiday read. There was a nice story line, a nice sense of humour displayed, I loved the teasing dialogues of the main characters and the side story of Peter's adopted sun was a bonus. Now I just have to decide how far back I will go with the rest of the Decker/Lazarus books? All the way back to no. 1?