The gripping sequel to Amazon bestselling thriller, The Scribe.
Kramer and Carver are back…
Madeline Kramer has finally got her life back on track at top City law firm Sullivan, Blake, Monroe. But when two armed, masked men burst into a conference room one lunchtime, kidnapping a trainee and a partner, Maddy’s life is plunged into disarray once more—particularly when charismatic DCI Jake Carver, who caught a heartless killer when they last met and with whom Maddy shared a mutual chemistry, is called to the scene.
Things become more complicated when a disturbing video reveals two more trainees have been taken. What initially appears as a random kidnapping for mercenary gain soon evolves into something far more complex, the horrifying events of thirty years ago motivating the abductors and having colossal implications for those in the present...
Against a backdrop of sleaze, sex, lies and murder in The Abduction, Maddy and Carver must work together to unravel the truth, and ensure that no crimes—past or present—are left unpunished.
What did I think?
I listened to The Abduction, the second book in the Kramer & Carver series, straight after I'd listened to the first book, The Scribe. Although you could listen to The Abduction as a standalone, it does contain plot spoilers from The Scribe so I would advise that you listen to them in order. They are both brilliant, so you will definitely want to listen to them both.
To try to put events from The Scribe behind her, Maddy Kramer has got a new job as an associate in a different London law firm. It seems like her bad luck has followed her when three trainees and a partner are kidnapped in broad daylight and held to ransom. Every cloud has a silver lining though and it brings DCI Carver back into her life.
Kramer and Carver are such a great pairing; Carver is a natural investigator and Maddy is so nosy but she's as sharp as a tack. I loved seeing how the characters developed and hearing their voices rather than reading about them really made me feel as if I know them. There was definite chemistry between them last time but, with a seventeen year age gap, neither of them acted upon it. Now that they are back in touch, we may finally get an answer to the question of will they/won't they?
I was completely intrigued and gripped by the thrilling and razor-sharp plot. Nothing is as it seems and it contains more backstabbing and deception than an entire season of Dynasty. Secrets and lies always make for a good story so I was on the edge of my (bicycle) seat and couldn't listen fast enough. I listen to audiobooks while exercising and the fast pacing sure did make me pedal faster!
Once again, David Thorpe's narration is outstanding. The narration is so good that the characters don't really need to be announced as I could recognise them by their voices. David 'multi-voiced' Thorpe really brings not only the characters but the whole book to life and I'm not ashamed to admit that I found myself actually speaking out loud to the characters on more than one occasion.
The partnering of A. A. Chaudhuri's compelling writing and David Thorpe's expressive narration is as perfect as the Kramer and Carver pairing in the book. Outstanding from beginning to end, The Abduction is thrilling, gripping and filled with deception. I absolutely loved it and unreservedly recommend it. 5 huge stars!
I chose to listen to an audiobook ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.