What a way to be introduced to True Crime!

What did you love best about Predator?

Everything. The way it started hooked me, the way it built the twisted family life of Mac Smith was so enthralling that you sometimes felt bad for the guy and wanted him to get off. He was so sympathetic at times, but then you realize...this REALLY HAPPENED! He's a horrible person and should be punished to the extreme!

What other book might you compare Predator to and why?

Any fictional thriller, but fact is always more horrifying than fiction.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene I can't really talk about. It's because I think if I did, and people read this review, it might have taken away the emotional impact of the situation. Needless to say, it shook me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was. The pacing was perfect, the narration was absolutely engrossing, and the story was better than fiction.

Any additional comments?

Overall just a flat out, well rounded true crime. Going in not knowing what to expect I sure didn't expect to be listening to it like a fiction work, and definitely didn't expect to feel sympathetic to a horrible criminal at times.

*received in exchange for an honest review

31 people found this helpful

Great read, sad story

If you could sum up Predator in three words, what would they be?

This is a disturbing tale of a sick sick man. This man happens to be my second cousin and this is how I had to read about it because no one in our family talks about it.

28 people found this helpful

More than just a story of a serial rapist

I downloaded this book more on the strength of the narrator's skill, than for any other reason, and very nearly gave up on it about a third of the way through it (something I almost never do). From a disappointing beginning, the book became overwhelmingly compelling as a consequence of what was something of a side-plot... but became the focus of fascination for me.

The story of Macdonald Smith, a psychopathic serial rapist, began with a lengthy, detailed narrative of his upbringing in a family impoverished both in finances and morality. The author's attention to detail was both excruciating and disturbing in many ways, but stretched credulity and struck me as very highly contrived, with far too many details and characterizations that seemed likely to have been extracted from the author's interviews with the subjects. I almost felt, at times, that I was reading thinly disguised fiction.

However, the book completely turned around, for me, at the point where an innocent man was wrongly arrested, tried, and convicted for one of Smith's rapes. The story of this poor man's struggle, the way in which the efforts to clear his name so destroyed his personality and relationships, was so compelling, that I found myself sitting in my parked car in my own driveway for several hours because I just couldn't set it aside for the next day's commute. The narrative of his eventual exoneration was tinged with tragedy, as well; but I don't want to be a spoiler. Suffice it to say that the middle third of the book was some of the best true crime I've listened to in quite a while.

Kevin Pierce does an excellent job in the narration; as I mentioned, I selected this book partially on the basis of his performance in another audiobook. His voice lends itself remarkably well to crime stories, with it's plain-speaking, almost 'cop-like' character.

22 people found this helpful

Got To Love Olsen!

The master does it again! If you were held riveted by SON and DOC or GIVE A BOY A GUN, Jack Olsen's latest, PREDATOR, will not disappoint! In his usual enthralling style, Olsen tells the thrilling tale of Mac Smith, a Seattle based serial rapist who terroried the emerald city for more than a decade and how the Seattle police department originally bungled the case, arresting the wrong man for the crimes. Just as with his other books, we get not only the heart-pounding details, but a story full of integrity to the facts and the psychology of a sociopath. A must read for the Olsen fan!

17 people found this helpful

Great True Cime

Would you consider the audio edition of Predator to be better than the print version?

I enjoy audio better than written and Kevin Pierce does a great job narrating.

What did you like best about this story?

That it is a true example of the mistakes that can happen in our justice system, I think everyone who sits on a jury should have to read this book. I felt sickened, saddened and downright angry reading this. Thank you Mr Olsen for writing this book !!

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pierce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Murder of a Mafia Daughter. He did a great with both. His voice is perfect for true crime.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Everything that Steve had to endure. It is scary how flawed and unjust our system can be. How do you give back all that was taken from someone unfairly?

Any additional comments?

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

12 people found this helpful

Gripping!

I just couldn't wait to hear "what's next". I would call it 'grippingly disturbing'.

10 people found this helpful

Predators

Any additional comments?

Jack Olsen is one of the best True Crime writers around. Not only will this book keep you on the edge of your seat, but it will also enrage you at the injustice put up by people. Predator is one of the best True Crime audiobook.

8 people found this helpful

Made me so angry I could just spit!

Although I absolutely hated the story, hated the circumstances, hated the outcome, I loved listening to it. From the very beginning I could have thrown the book at every police and lawyer in this mess. Just the thought that something like this could actually happen turns my stomach. A perfectly wonderful family man, with no bad qualities that I could see, is railroaded and sent to prison for a horrific crime that he did not commit. He loses everything, people turn against him, he begins to become one of the bad guys and even I started thinking maybe I was wrong. I could not put the book down. It is a perfect story It will get your thought moving and your opinions will change several times during the story. I had to listen to the ending twice just to make sure I didn't miss something!

8 people found this helpful

Olsen/Pierce combo nails it again

A great book here. Lots of twists and turns and interesting plotting. Also, I really liked the fact that Mr. Olsen follows the victims plights as opposed to just documenting atrocities. I listen to true crime often and have been saving this one for a while when I really needed a good book. This one delivered big time.

6 people found this helpful

thoroughly enjoyable...

If you could sum up Predator in three words, what would they be?

superb story & narration...love olsen's work and pierce's narration...

What did you like best about this story?

olsen does a great job connecting the various dots in this tragic story...

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pierce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

pierce is awesome...my favorite narrator thus far...he doesn't try too hard...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

pretty much...

Any additional comments?

highly recommended...

5 people found this helpful