JDCMustReadBooks

Written by: David Rosenfelt

Narrated by: Jeff Steitzer
Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
Format: Unabridged
Release Date: 04-18-14
Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.
Type: Audiobook

My Rating:  3 Stars

WITHOUT WARNING by David Rosenfelt is one with a smart serial killer in a small town of Maine, and a time capsule containing buried secrets which predict crimes in the future, which some have come true.

Jake Robbins, a war hero and police chief of this small town— after returning from Afghanistan to Wilton, where he grew up. His wife, Jenny, was murdered by Roger, the publisher of the local paper, with whom she was having an affair. Roger was murdered in prison, leaving his wife, Katie, to assume control of the paper.

After a hurricane destroys a Wilton, Maine dam and Katie, and her staff unearth a time capsule which was buried nearly five years earlier to check for water damage (was not to be opened until 50 yrs. later in the future). They are shocked to discover skeletal remains and a set of predictions about future crimes, including the murder of the wife of police chief, Jake Robbins.

Some of those murders—like Jenny's—have already taken place, but others have not, and Jake must resolve the mystery before more people are killed.

To further complicate the suspense, months after the capsule’s burial, Katie’s husband allegedly killed Jake’s wife. There are many other weird predictions about an unsolved arson case and murders. In addition, Katie and Jake were high school sweethearts so they have a past.

The clues turn to Jake, as he seems to be front and center and main suspect in the crimes (people are getting killed and the hits are targeting himself, when other people step in the way). Someone is out to frame him as he attempts to put together the cryptic clues in order to remain alive and solve this crime mystery.

While investigating these clues offer proof a murder could not be committed by the person charged, as this man was killed in prison. Some of the murders have not taken place, so a race to find the real killer before more devastation.

While this was my first book by Rosenfelt— the audiobook narrated by Jeff Steitzer was engaging; with a bit of humor mixed in. However, a negative—the women’s voices were hard to differentiate and not a lot of character depth or development, so did not connect fully. Kate was totally lacking a personality leaving it a little forced.