Play Audiobook Sample
Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness A Novel Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.10) - 179 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
In his bestselling legal thrillers, William Bernhardt has explored the dark side of contemporary politics, power, and the law. Now Bernhardt turns back the clock to the city of Cleveland, Ohio, in the fall of 1935. Based on true events and new discoveries about Eliot Ness, Nemesis is a brilliantly told story featuring this legendary lawman’s fateful duel with a terrifyingly new kind of criminal: America’s first serial killer. In Chicago, Eliot Ness had created “the Untouchables,” the fabled team of federal agents who were beyond corruption and who finally put Al Capone behind bars. The headline-grabbing Ness has now been moved to Cleveland, where a new mayor desperately needs some positive publicity. The heroic, squeaky-clean Fed is the perfect man to become the city’s director of public safety, but by the time Ness starts his new job, a killer has started a career of his own. And this man is as obsessed with blood and mayhem as Eliot Ness is obsessed with justice. Though it’s not his turf, Ness is forced to cross bureaucratic boundaries and take over the case, working with a dogged, street-smart detective and making enemies every step of the way. The more energy Ness pours into the investigation, the more it takes over his life, his marriage, even his untouchable reputation. Because in Cleveland, there is only one true untouchable: a killer who has the perfect hiding place and the perfect plan for destroying Eliot Ness.
Download and start listening now!
"A great murder mystery with a variety of interesting people. A touch gory. Highly recommended. FYI - I was born and raise in Chicago, and enjoyed watching the TV Series, "The Untouchables," in my youth. This might make the story more entertaining for me than for others. "
— Owen (5 out of 5 stars)
Nemesis Listener Reviews
-
" Based upon the true story of Eliot Ness trying to catch a serial killer in Cleveland. The whole time I am reading it I thought I was watching a bad film noir movie. Cliches abound, so much so that you felt like you read the page already. "
— Kim, 2/16/2014 -
" I have read alot this author's "justice" books, and really enjoyed them. This was a great blend of fact and fiction. The ending was a little abrupt. It gave a better picture of Ness,and the case he couldn't solve, and how it haunted him for the rest of his life. A very enjoyable read. "
— Lisa, 2/11/2014 -
" Interesting, based on true incidences in the life of Elliot Ness after Chicago and Al Capone. "
— Rick, 1/14/2014 -
" Stinks. Written by a non-writer. Waste of time. "
— Sally, 11/25/2013 -
" Based on true fact, Eliot Ness of Al Capone fame, tracks the first serial killer in Cleveland in the fall of 1935. A chilling, fast rread full of excitement. "
— Dkeslin, 11/22/2013 -
" There was one case that Eliot Ness was unable to solve: the Torso Murders case in Cleveland, OH. It haunted him for the remainder of his life. Fast paced but the ending was on the unrealistic side. "
— Nancy, 7/19/2013 -
" Very informative novel based on fact about the life of Elliot Ness after his involvement with the Al Capone case. "
— Annette, 7/11/2013 -
" To enjoy this novel, it helps to be a fan of Elliot Ness as the author undoubtedly is. The story follows the last case of Ness with a few added surmises from the author. If the pace could have been faster as at the end, this would have been better. 4 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 5/5/2013 -
" Okay, I'm giving it 4 stars b/c I felt like it was an accurate portrayal of Eliot and dismissing the fact that the ending was shocking and disappointing. The book was so well assembled in its near realism that hitting such a fictitious ending was like being slapped in the face. "
— Chrissy, 1/24/2013 -
" A fictionalized tale of Eliot Ness's last years, but based on actual events. Stalking what is perported to be the first serial killer in the US, did Ness get him or not? It's worth reading the book to find out. "
— Joanne, 12/7/2012 -
" This was a fascinating read! It's fiction, but so plausible that you forget it's made up! I heartily recommend it for mystery fans! "
— Carroll, 8/18/2012 -
" Good crime story based on historical events, though not as good as some others I have read. "
— Olivia, 10/4/2011 -
" slow start, but interesting reading. "
— Ian, 6/29/2011 -
" Very entertaining and factual to a degree "
— Dave, 5/20/2011 -
" Another local Okie writer. Cleaning up Ness's final mess. Nicely done, but can't stop seeing Kevin Costner as Ness. Where is Robert Stack when you need him? "
— OK, 3/23/2011 -
" Good historical fiction, and makes you wonder what really happened in this unsolved mystery. "
— Chris, 9/10/2010 -
" Breezy fast read, but has some depth (other than the case itself) to it. I won't spoil your fun by telling you any details of the story, but if you only know EN from the Robert Stack portrayal the book and the afternotes are an eye-opener "
— Mike, 8/29/2010 -
" Loved it--I would call it "historical fiction". Fictionalized account of the case that ruined Eliot Ness' reputation and career. But Bernhardt does a great job of redeeming Ness' reputation in this hard to put down book! Well researched, well written! "
— Cheryl, 4/25/2010 -
" This was a fascinating read! It's fiction, but so plausible that you forget it's made up! I heartily recommend it for mystery fans! "
— Carroll, 2/5/2010 -
" There was one case that Eliot Ness was unable to solve: the Torso Murders case in Cleveland, OH. It haunted him for the remainder of his life. Fast paced but the ending was on the unrealistic side. "
— Nancy, 1/27/2010 -
" Okay, I'm giving it 4 stars b/c I felt like it was an accurate portrayal of Eliot and dismissing the fact that the ending was shocking and disappointing. The book was so well assembled in its near realism that hitting such a fictitious ending was like being slapped in the face. "
— Madelyne, 1/14/2010 -
" slow start, but interesting reading. <br/> "
— Ian, 12/18/2009 -
" Another local Okie writer. Cleaning up Ness's final mess. Nicely done, but can't stop seeing Kevin Costner as Ness. Where is Robert Stack when you need him? "
— OK, 6/13/2009 -
" A fictionalized tale of Eliot Ness's last years, but based on actual events. Stalking what is perported to be the first serial killer in the US, did Ness get him or not? It's worth reading the book to find out. "
— Joanne, 4/14/2009 -
" Breezy fast read, but has some depth (other than the case itself) to it. I won't spoil your fun by telling you any details of the story, but if you only know EN from the Robert Stack portrayal the book and the afternotes are an eye-opener "
— Mike, 4/11/2009 -
" Based on true fact, Eliot Ness of Al Capone fame, tracks the first serial killer in Cleveland in the fall of 1935. A chilling, fast rread full of excitement. "
— Dkeslin, 4/11/2009 -
" Very informative novel based on fact about the life of Elliot Ness after his involvement with the Al Capone case. "
— Annette, 4/9/2009 -
" Interesting, based on true incidences in the life of Elliot Ness after Chicago and Al Capone. "
— Rick, 4/8/2009 -
" Based upon the true story of Eliot Ness trying to catch a serial killer in Cleveland. The whole time I am reading it I thought I was watching a bad film noir movie. Cliches abound, so much so that you felt like you read the page already. "
— Kim, 4/6/2009 -
" First, I had no idea there was a serial killer in Cleveland. <br/>Secondly, I had no idea Eliot Ness ended his career on such a downward slide. <br/>Great story. "
— Polly, 3/24/2009 -
" Loved it--I would call it "historical fiction". Fictionalized account of the case that ruined Eliot Ness' reputation and career. But Bernhardt does a great job of redeeming Ness' reputation in this hard to put down book! Well researched, well written! <br/> "
— Cheryl, 3/16/2009
About William Bernhardt
William Bernhardt is the author of many novels and has twice won the Oklahoma Book Award for Best Fiction, and in 2000 he was presented the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award “in recognition of an outstanding body of work in which we understand ourselves and American society at large.” A former trial attorney, Bernhardt has received several awards for his public service. He lives in Tulsa with his three children.
About Mark Deakins
Mark Deakins is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and actor whose television appearances include Head Case, Star Trek: Voyager, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Intervention, Star Trek: Insurrection, and The Devil’s Advocate. He wrote, directed, and produced the short film The Smith Interviews.