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  • Title: Book Case: A Murder Mystery Featuring Detective John Corey
  • Author: Nelson DeMille
  • Narrator: Scott Brick
  • Length: 02:00:00
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 01/11/2011
  • Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature, Short Stories, Action & Adventure
  • ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Hello fellow story travelers,

The moment Scott Brick’s gravelly narration began painting the streets of New York in ‘Book Case,’ I was transported back to a rainy evening in Buenos Aires, where I first discovered the magic of detective noir through a battered Raymond Chandler paperback in a dimly lit café. Nelson DeMille’s early John Corey story captures that same raw energy – the kind that makes you smell the damp pavement and taste the bitterness of bad precinct coffee.

This audiobook unfolds like a well-worn detective’s notebook, each chapter revealing another layer of Corey’s sharp wit and sharper instincts. Brick’s performance is masterful – he doesn’t just narrate Corey; he becomes him, with a delivery that carries the weight of a thousand late-night stakeouts. The way he shifts between Corey’s internal monologue (dry as a martini) and his external banter (sharp as a switchblade) creates an intimacy I haven’t experienced since those storytelling nights in Oaxaca.

DeMille gives us Corey in his formative years, before the federal task forces and international intrigue. Here, we see the detective’s trademark sarcasm being forged in the crucible of NYPD politics and back-alley murders. The mystery itself is satisfyingly complex without being convoluted – a Goldilocks zone of crime fiction that reminds me why I fell in love with the genre during those long bus rides through South America.

What makes this audiobook special is how Brick captures New York’s rhythm. His pacing mirrors the city’s heartbeat – languid when observing, frenetic during chases, always with that underlying tension. The secondary characters each get distinctive voices, from the world-weary captain to the streetwise informants. I particularly appreciated how Brick handles Corey’s humor – delivering punchlines with perfect deadpan timing that had me chuckling during my morning commute.

The production quality is excellent, with crisp audio that maintains consistency throughout. At just under an hour, it’s the perfect length for a commute or evening walk – though I found myself taking the long way home to finish chapters. My only critique is that I wanted more; this early Corey adventure feels like an amuse-bouche when you’re craving the full meal.

Compared to DeMille’s later Corey novels, this short story has a grittier, more localized feel. It shares DNA with classic police procedurals like Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct series, but with DeMille’s signature geopolitical awareness simmering beneath the surface. For audiobook enthusiasts, Brick’s performance stands alongside greats like Frank Muller’s work on Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.

If you’re new to John Corey, this is a fantastic introduction. For longtime fans, it’s like finding a lost Polaroid of your favorite uncle in his wild youth. Either way, it’s an audiobook that deserves a spot in your digital library – preferably listened to with a stiff drink and the city lights twinkling outside your window.

Until our next literary adventure, keep your passport and headphones handy.
Marcus Rivera