Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank

Suzanne Brockmann’s Out of Control, book 4 in the Troubleshooters series, is appropriately titled. The lightning pace of this romantic suspense with multiple story lines and intriguing characters can leave one rather breathless.

The main romance is between Ken “Wildcard” Karmody, US Navy SEAL, and Savannah von Hopf. Chic heiress/lawyer Savannah has been asked by her uncle to deliver $250,000 to him in Indonesia. Savannah—who happens to be friends with Ken’s ex-fiancee—seeks Ken out for help.

She’s always had a crush on Ken, however, so when they meet, there’s alcohol, and one thing leads to another. In the light of day, Ken is understandably disappointed to find another woman who just wants him for what he can do for her. But being the good guy he is, Ken escorts Savannah to Indonesia anyway. Nonstop action ensues the moment Ken and Savannah hit the ground in Jakarta, with them having to evade Russians, local rebels, and jungle wildlife. By the time they leave the rainforest, they are irrevocably in love.

Just like the rest of the Troubleshooters series, there are at least two other interwoven story lines. Savannah’s grandmother Rose had been a double-agent for the FBI during the Second World War, and Rose’s love affair with an Austrian Prince is told through her memoir that multiple characters are intermittently reading. Mysterious smuggler Dave Jones (clearly an alias) and missionary Molly Anderson read Rose’s autobiography while falling in love. Even FBI agent Alyssa is found reading Rose’s book, and we are just as frustrated as Alyssa is to not find as happy an ending for her with Sam. Readers of the series know that story line is to come.

While the action seems out of control, Ms. Brockmann’s skilled hand is very much there weaving the interconnecting threads. Plot lines are initially told in parallel, then each scene becomes shorter as the action and tension pick up, and finally there is one continuous thread at the pinnacle of danger. Characters are also slowly unraveled. Most memorable was getting to know Jones through Molly’s eyes. Ken is an adorable hero. He so just wants to love and be loved. His view of love is particularly, adorably geeky.

Can you tell that this was one of my favorites in the Troubleshooter series? The ending seems rather abrupt, but that’s such a minor complaint.

I’ve said before that Lawlor and Ewbank are a must-listen especially when matched with Brockmann’s active writing. Brockmann doesn’t just tell you about these characters; she shows you who they are. With its build-up then lightning pace, Out of Control is as good and entertaining an audiobook as one can get.

Lawlor and Ewbank’s team just perform the story. They don’t drop a single thread as they shift from multiple point-of-view characters. Ken is socially awkward and rude, and initially comes across as a jerk. His team calls him “Wildcard”; he’s an out-of-the-box thinker tech-geek who won’t hesitate to say what comes to mind. These personality nuances come through in the narration, whether we hear Wildcard described by one of his teammates or from Savannah’s view.

Lawlor and Ewbank’s transitions are seamless, and through nuances in cadence, pitch, intonation, you feel like that person has come alive. Savannah is controlled in her dialogue, but not in her internal conversations. The narrative pacing and change in tones somehow convey Ken and Savannah getting past their initial prejudices about each other, to rediscovering their attraction as they trek through the jungle.

Bottom line: Lawler and Ewbank’s team really shines with the action, dialogue, and characters of Brockmann’s Troubleshooter series.

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Megan

AUDIOBOOK INFORMATION

TITLE: Out of Control

AUTHOR: Suzanne Brockmann

NARRATED BY: Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

STEAM FACTOR: For your burning ears only

REVIEWER: Megan [button type=’link’ link=’http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OGLZQEO/?tag=audiogalsnet-20′ size=’btn-lg’ variation=’btn-default’ target=’blank’]Buy Out of Control by Suzanne Brockmann on Amazon[/button]