What You Break, Reed Farrel Coleman
What You Break, Reed Farrel Coleman
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What You Break

Author: Reed Farrel Coleman

Narrator: Keith Szarabajka

Unabridged: 10 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/07/2017

Synopsis

Former Suffolk County cop Gus Murphy returns to prowl the meaner streets of Long Island’s darkest precincts with a Russian mercenary at his back in the stunning second installment of Reed Farrel Coleman’s critically acclaimed series.Gus Murphy and his girlfriend, Magdalena, are put in harm’s way when Gus is caught up in the distant aftershocks of heinous crimes committed decades ago in Vietnam and Russia. Gus’ ex-priest pal, Bill Kilkenny, introduces him to a wealthy businessman anxious to have someone look more deeply into the brutal murder of his granddaughter. Though the police already have the girl’s murderer in custody, they have been unable to provide a reason for the killing. The businessman, Spears, offers big incentives if Gus can supply him with what the cops cannot—a motive. Later that same day, Gus witnesses the execution of a man who has just met with his friend Slava. As Gus looks into the girl’s murder and tries to protect Slava from the executioner’s bullet, he must navigate a minefield populated by hostile cops, street gangs, and a Russian mercenary who will stop at nothing to do his master’s bidding. But in trying to solve the girl’s murder and save his friend, Gus may be opening a door into a past that was best left forgotten. Can he fix the damage done, or is it true that what you break you forever own?

About Reed Farrel Coleman

Reed Farrel Coleman, called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan, is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-three novels including six in Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series. He is a four-time recipient of the Shamus Award and a four-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories. He has also won the Audie, Scribe, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards. Reed lives with his wife on Long Island.

About Keith Szarabajka

Keith Szarabajka has appeared in many films, including The Dark Knight, Missing, and A Perfect World, and on such television shows as The Equalizer, Angel, Cold Case, Golden Years, and Profit. Szarabajka has also appeared in several episodes of Selected Shorts for National Public Radio. He won the 2001 Audie Award for Unabridged Fiction for his reading of Tom Robbins’s Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates and has won several Earphones Awards.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Andrew on May 25, 2022

I like the way Coleman writes: he consistently delivers no nonsense, hardboiled crime fiction. But following the conclusion of his successful Moe Prager series, I was slightly nervous as to how he would follow it up. I shouldn't have been. His first book introducing his new front man Gus Murphy, Wh......more

Goodreads review by Alex on January 18, 2018

With the El tracks, the little shops at street level, and two stories of rental apartments above them, the streets crowded with people, I felt I was looking into the past at old New York. But in the past, the signs would have been in English or maybe Italian or Yiddish. Not the signs here now, Not n......more

Goodreads review by Art on April 20, 2017

The second book in the Gus Murphy series is another dark take on life after loss. This regional series paints a very dim picture of life on the raw side of Long Island. The death of his son has shattered Gus's life. His job, his wife, his family and his professional relationships as a former Suffolk......more

Goodreads review by J.R. on December 02, 2016

The sudden death of his son ended the life Gus Murphy had as a husband/father and Suffolk County police officer. Now, besotted with grief and regrets, he ekes out a living as house dick/van driver for an airport hotel and bouncer at a sleazy club. All that changes and not for the better when Gus relu......more

Goodreads review by Lori L on February 12, 2017

What You Break by Reed Farrel Coleman is a very highly recommended second detective novel featuring ex-cop Gus Murphy. Gus is still working as security for the Paragon Hotel in Suffolk County and part time courtesy driver to Long Island’s MacArthur Airport. Gus is asked by his friend Bill Kilkenny, a......more

Quotes

“I hereby crown Reed Farrel Coleman the king of Long Island noir for his wonderfully raw novels featuring Gus Murphy.” New York Times Book Review

“A gripping and beautifully crafted novel about a fascinating character whose complexities and observations about life elevate the novel beyond its genre.” Huffington Post

“Gracefully gritty…impressive…Coleman is a talented writer.” Washington Post

“Coleman doesn’t pull any punches or settle for pat character arcs in presenting a realistically flawed Gus.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Coleman’s second series outing is part police procedural, part human interest story, part philosophical monolog, and totally fun reading.” Library Journal

“Coleman writes some of the best prose in modern crime fiction.” Booklist

“Soulful.” Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • Amazon Best Book of the Month
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