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The Nightmare Thief: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 522 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Autumn Reiniger expects something special for her twenty-first birthday. Daddy’s already bought her the sports car, the apartment, and admission to the private college where she parties away her weekends. Now she wants excitement, and she’s going to get it.
Her father signs up Autumn and five friends for an “ultimate urban reality” game: a simulated drug deal, manhunt, and jailbreak. It’s a high-priced version of cops and robbers, played with fake guns and fast cars on the streets of San Francisco. Edge Adventures alerts the SFPD ahead of time that a “crime simulation” is underway, so the authorities can ignore the squealing tires and desperate cries for help.
Which is convenient for the gang of real kidnappers zeroing in on their target and a mammoth payday. Because Daddy doesn’t know that someone has spotted his hedge fund’s bulging profits, and the path to those riches runs right through Daddy’s Little Girl.
Working on a case nearby is forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett and her partner, Gabe Quintana. When the pair encounters a suspicious group of men carting six sullen college kids to the woods for a supposed wilderness adventure, alarm bells ring. Jo takes a closer look and winds up with an invite to Autumn Reiniger’s twenty-first birthday party—a party she may never leave.
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"Scary stuff! Very wealthy dad gives spoiled daughter an "ultimate urban reality" game for her 21st birthday. She & 5 friends will participate in a game where there's a simulated drug deal, manhunt & jailbreak. The police have been alerted it's a game, so when the kids are kidnapped, no one knows they're missing! Things go from bad to worse & other people become involved. Several twists & turns throughout."
— Sue (4 out of 5 stars)
The Nightmare Thief Listener Reviews
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" I really enjoyed this book. It sucked you right in and never stopped with twists, turns and surprises. I kept reading because I needed to find out what was going to happen next and how it was going to turn out!! Great book. "
— Tammy, 2/17/2014 -
" Another great Gardiner thriller, which manages to combine her Jo Beckett and Evan Delaney characters (resolving one of the unanswered plot threads from Kill Chain). Nice twist on a well-used kidnapping story in that the criminals hijack what appears to be a fake-kidnapping-as-adventure-party to disguise their crimes. "
— B.G.M., 2/6/2014 -
" A little hard to get into at first, but creative story. "
— Books, 1/23/2014 -
" I thought the book started out poorly, but I had not read other books in the series and was not invested in the characters. It got better, but it was never great. "
— Lorie, 1/19/2014 -
" This was my first Jo Beckett novel but won't be the last. The first few chapters, I washn't sure if I would be able to get into the story but after the scene was set, I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for something with action pick up this book. "
— Bridget, 1/8/2014 -
" Not my favorite in this series. As much as I love the scenery this story took place in, it was too much of the story in just one location. Still made me have to know what happens in the end and a good ending it was :-). "
— Lynn, 12/14/2013 -
" Very complex and interesting story, a real page turner. Lots of plots and twists with interesting characters who grow with their experiences "
— Nancy, 12/11/2013 -
" Despite the interesting plot and assorted twists and turns, I never really got caught up in the whole story. Perhaps being on vacation had something to do with it. "
— Jan, 11/4/2013 -
" For her 21st birthday a spoiled rich girl receives an "urban reality game" experience for herself & 5 friends. This proves exciting all right, but real murder & mayhem ensue, & the spoiled rich kids find they are able to rise to the occasion. "
— Mary, 10/31/2013 -
" An OK action / adventure book, but not one I'd put at the top of your list. Story about a reality adventure game becoming too real. One positive was some very strong and tenacious female characters. "
— Anne, 2/20/2013 -
" Maybe 3 1/2. Exciting, but implausible in the sense a medical doctor and a paramedic are together, and the paramedic does all the medical stuff. "
— John, 12/17/2012 -
" a total disappointment in comparison to her others. "
— Kelly, 10/18/2012 -
" I liked this one better than the last one I read by this author. A high stakes survival/kidnapping plot plays out in the Sierra Nevadas of California. I wouldn't say I cared a lot about the non-main characters, but Jo Beckett and her boyfriend Gabe Quintana were great and the plot was absorbing. "
— Zella, 9/8/2012 -
" The Nightmare Thief was a good suspense/thriller, and I enjoyed reading it. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the spoiled teenagers could really grow and mature. I recommend it. "
— Alison, 8/11/2012 -
" Couldn't get past 50 on this one. Too many characters. Very confusing. "
— Paula, 6/13/2012 -
" Good fast paced adventure. Would make a great movie. Plans for a birthday adventure turn deadly. "
— Cheryl, 6/3/2012 -
" Tried author twice,not trying again "
— Mara, 4/3/2012 -
" trashy crime thriller about young rich girl on an organised 'kidnap'game for her 21st birthday which goes wrong "
— Jodie, 3/18/2012 -
" pretty unbelievable, but fast, fun read "
— Jane, 12/15/2011 -
" Pretty good read. Lots of suspense, quite a bit of violence, but the plot has a good twist to it. "
— Terri, 10/14/2011 -
" Interesting premise: 21-year-old rich girl gets a reality game for her birthday. But from the beginning things don’t seem right. This is a thrill ride and a half. Who are the real game facilitators and who are the bad guys? "
— Heather, 10/3/2011 -
" Despite the interesting plot and assorted twists and turns, I never really got caught up in the whole story. Perhaps being on vacation had something to do with it. "
— Jan, 9/16/2011 -
" Gripping. Also, there were some gorgeous poetic moments in the midst of danger and turmoil. "
— Mollie, 9/12/2011 -
" I thought the book started out poorly, but I had not read other books in the series and was not invested in the characters. It got better, but it was never great. "
— Lorie, 9/3/2011 -
" Expected more from this book based on reviews. It was pretty good but not a great thriller or mystery. "
— Wendi, 8/9/2011 -
" Glad to see Evan Delaney back in a novel... now she just needs to be the main character. Decent thriller. "
— Mia, 7/31/2011 -
" Gripping until the end. I loved it! "
— Stacy, 7/30/2011 -
" This was a good book, but not as good as the previous Beckett novels. It was great that the author brought Beckett and Evan Delaney together on a case. I liked the Delaney novels and it was good to have her back but there wasn't much substance to the return. More of an action book than anything. "
— Steve, 7/27/2011
About Meg Gardiner
Meg Gardiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of a number of critically acclaimed novels. Her thrillers have won the Edgar Award and been summer reading picks by the Today show and O, the Oprah Magazine. In August 2022 her novel, Heat 2, coauthored with Michael Mann, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. A former lawyer and three-time Jeopardy! champion, Gardiner lives in Austin, Texas.
About Susan Ericksen
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.