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Publisher:
Time Warner Audio Major
Release Date: February 2004
ISBN: 1586215930
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Audio CD (Abridged edition) Book format available
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Genre: Thriller [Washington / New York]
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Brenda Weeaks

Reviewer Notes: Review one

Review two

The First 48
By Tim Green

Read by Stephen Lang

     Green’s latest thriller begins with Tom Redmond, a poor lawyer, promising to sue some large conglomerates for a poor family with an ill child. His secretary wants him to take a case that pays. Later, Tom and his friend, Mike, meet up. Mike is a special kind of friend, one willing to go the extra, unusual yard. He is also one to set up Tom in a humorous situation, just because he can. Even under stress, Tom can forgive Mike for his tricks, which signifies their special friendship. This is the kind of friendship Tom needs when life gets dangerous. The camaraderie of these two keeps the story moving once the action begins.

      The other person in Tom’s life is his daughter, Jane. Jane is a Washington, DC, journalist. She uncovers a story about a corrupt senator, the very senator who destroyed her father’s career years ago. Jane’s investigative skills put her in harm’s way, and lucky for her -- though not for others -- her Dad is willing to do what’s necessary to find and save his daughter’s life. Jane is one tough lady and adds a lot to the storyline.

      Who else is in Tom’s life? His late wife. Tom still sees her and heeds her advice. Her words at the beginning of the story are prophetic.

    The First 48 doesn’t have the intensity of Green’s earlier novel, The Fifth Angel, but it does have a suspenseful plot, blow-by-blow scenes and interesting twists. Green gives his readers a world of reality with some added embellishments -- perfect for the reader looking for an engaging thriller.

     Actor Stephen Lang reads The First 48. Lang’s uses his voice well in portraying the typical emotional range, and when Lang’s tone drops an octave, he invokes shades of the more sinister, from ornery to bone chilling.