The Frumious Bandersnatch cover

The Frumious Bandersnatch

87th Precinct • Book 53

by Ed McBain

Narrated by Michael Arkin

3.58 ABR Score (1.1K ratings)
★ 3.66 Goodreads (1.1K) ★ 3.56 Audible (25)
10h 23m Released 2011 Mystery

About This Audiobook

Pop star Tamar Valparaiso is kidnapped mid-performance from a luxury yacht during her debut album's launch party, in front of dozens of witnesses and cameras. The brazen operation leaves the detectives of the 87th Precinct with more witnesses than useful information, and a ticking clock: kidnap victims rarely survive long after the initial demand. Steve Carella leads the investigation as the 87th's most reliable detective faces one of the precinct's most public cases.

Michael Arkin navigates Ed McBain's characteristic procedural rhythm, the rotation through the precinct's ensemble cast, with practiced ease. His narration gives the celebrity kidnapping premise its proper balance between the spectacular public event and the quieter investigative work that actually solves cases. The audiobook captures McBain's essential insight about police work: it is less about inspiration than about methodically eliminating the wrong answers until only one remains.

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