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The Blackbird Papers (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.14) - 204 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A rainy night . . . A stranded motorist . . . A Good Samaritan passerby … a Nobel Prize–winning professor . . . The setup for a shocking murder designed to cover up an even more sinister crime . . .
The Blackbird Papers marks the debut of Ian Smith, a major new talent in crime fiction, and of Sterling Bledsoe, his smart and occasionally combative sleuth.
World-renowned Dartmouth professor Wilson Bledsoe is returning from a party celebrating his latest honor when he encounters a broken-down pickup on the secluded country road to his home. The next day, the discovery of his body with a vicious racist epithet carved into his chest leads to the quick arrest of two loathsome white supremacists. The local authorities seem ready to accept the case at face value as a racial hate crime. But the murdered professor’s brother, FBI agent Sterling Bledsoe, has inserted himself into the investigation and isn’t ready to buy into this pat solution. A look around his brother’s lab and brief interviews with his students and colleagues pique Sterling’s curiosity about Wilson’s pet project: a nearly completed paper on the mysterious deaths of hundreds of local blackbirds.
Fast-paced and cleverly constructed, The Blackbird Papers introduces a major new talent in mystery and crime fiction.
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"This was a very good book! Before this I only knew of Ian Smith as Dr. Ian Smith on Celebrity Fit Club but he took this book to a new level. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a good exciting read. "
— Kanesha (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Ian Smith’s debut novel, The Blackbird Papers, is exceptional on all levels: the characters and setting are fresh, the plot is riveting, and you feel like you are in totally new territory. Take note of a career about to soar.
— Harlan Coben, author of No Second Chance
The Blackbird Papers Listener Reviews
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" what a great book...lot of intrigue around campus and real world "
— Markw, 1/19/2014 -
" I didn't want to put this book down! A well-written story with very believable characters. "
— Kate, 12/10/2013 -
" Great thriller from a new writer "
— Heather, 7/22/2013 -
" Come on Dr. Smith! This was a phenomenal read! Where's the next book???? "
— Daphne, 5/12/2013 -
" Good debut mystery,worth a read. "
— Jay, 3/31/2013 -
" This was a very good book! Before this I only knew of Ian Smith as Dr. Ian Smith on Celebrity Fit Club but he took this book to a new level. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a good exciting read. "
— Kanesha, 3/1/2013 -
" This book was a well written and exciting mystery with lots of twists and turns. "
— June, 8/14/2012 -
" Excellent murder mystery; a page turner. "
— Eddie, 7/24/2012 -
" Excellent murder suspense! Definitely did not expect the ending and hate there has not been a follow up to this book. "
— Eboni, 4/12/2012 -
" Loved it; page turner. The characters are so fresh and vivid. I enjoyed this debut novel and hoping Ian Smith writes another follow up one. It was refreshing to see a well written, thought out plot. "
— Michelle, 4/9/2012 -
" An entertaining "whodunit" with elements of corporate conspiracy. This is author Ian Smith's debut novel and that showed at times in that plot movement and character development was occasionally clunky, but I would definitely be interested in more novels from this author like "The Blackbird Papers." "
— Ben, 3/5/2012 -
" this was ok to good. had your murder, rogue fbi agent, chases, etc "
— Cindy, 3/2/2012 -
" good 1st. some typos in arc, some dangling scenarios, but overall good popcorn. wonder about some of the factual info re redwing blackbirds, sunflower oil corps, etc. "
— K, 10/7/2011 -
" I wish the author would try his hand at another work of fictionl I really enjoyed this story. "
— Melina, 8/17/2011 -
" Nice read, some unusual, unexpexted turns in a classical "whodunnit". Really nice setting. "
— Tom, 3/16/2011 -
" Read this book in one weekend. Very good book, although the ending kind of sucks. Would recommend to anyone. "
— Erik, 2/6/2011 -
" Kept my interest to the very end "
— Teresa, 1/25/2011 -
" Really good book worth reading. Highly recommend. "
— Sam, 1/8/2011 -
" Seems the only draw is the descriptions of the Upper Valley, and those don't really ring true from my experience. I think I made it to page 15 or something. Life is short and there are tons of great books out there.... "
— Sholeen, 7/7/2010 -
" Nice read, some unusual, unexpexted turns in a classical "whodunnit". Really nice setting. "
— Tom, 12/16/2009 -
" I didn't want to put this book down! A well-written story with very believable characters. "
— Kate, 10/17/2009 -
" Loved it; page turner. The characters are so fresh and vivid. I enjoyed this debut novel and hoping Ian Smith writes another follow up one. It was refreshing to see a well written, thought out plot. "
— Michelle, 8/26/2009 -
" I wish the author would try his hand at another work of fictionl I really enjoyed this story. "
— Melina, 3/16/2009 -
" Kept my interest to the very end "
— Teresa, 1/8/2009 -
" this was ok to good. had your murder, rogue fbi agent, chases, etc "
— Cindy, 9/8/2008 -
" Great thriller from a new writer "
— Heather, 6/20/2008 -
" Come on Dr. Smith! This was a phenomenal read! Where's the next book???? "
— Daphne, 3/9/2008 -
" what a great book...lot of intrigue around campus and real world "
— Markw, 1/28/2008 -
" Ian Smith is a creative writer. <br/>I read this book in two days. <br/>This books is full of suspense, detailed plots, and very intense. <br/>Easy to read! <br/>A well writing book..... "
— Carol, 10/7/2007 -
" Read this book in one weekend. Very good book, although the ending kind of sucks. Would recommend to anyone. "
— Erik, 6/8/2007