Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Series) [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

J. A. Konrath (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Series | Publication Date: July 7, 2009

At the end of Fuzzy Navel, J. A. Konrath surprised listeners with an agonizing cliff-hanger: One of Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels’s loved ones is dead. But who? Listeners were left clamoring to know more. Cherry Bomb, the sixth Jack Daniels mystery, opens at the funeral. While Jack stands graveside, tears in her eyes, her cell phone rings. It’s the killer, escaped maniac Alex Kork, taunting Jack, drawing her ever further into a twisted game of cat and mouse. Because while Alex is more than willing to kill random victims, Jack is her true prey. But which woman wants revenge more? Cherry Bomb is J. A. Konrath’s most gripping novel of suspense yet – filled with twists and turns that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. “One part murder, two parts mayhem, with a generous splash of humor and garnished with some of the most interesting characters in current fiction.” – Bookreporter.com

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of Konrath's brisk and breezy sixth Jack Daniels mystery, the guilt-ridden Chicago cop, who's attending the funeral of a loved one, takes a call from Alexandra Kork, the sadistic psychopath who did in the loved one at the end of 2008's Fuzzy Navel (I checked the Weather Channel.... It's raining in Chicago. That's appropriate, don't you think? Funerals on sunny days seem so wrong). Barred from the official hunt for Kork because she's personally involved in the case, Daniels soon finds herself on the wrong side of the law with few of the usual resources to call on. Meanwhile, the wily Kork, who's stopped counting her victims (after 50 they blur), strews bodies over a wide area as part of a scheme to lead Daniels to a slow and painful death. Konrath leavens the violence with offbeat humor, including a feces-throwing monkey in love with a cashmere sweater. The slam-bang ending is sure to satisfy series fans. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

J.A. Konrath is the author of the Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels series that includes “Whiskey Sour,” “Bloody Mary,” “Rusty Nail,” “Dirty Martini,” “Fuzzy Navel” and “Cherry Bomb.”

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on CD (July 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423312686
• ISBN-13: 978-1423312680
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,062,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CHERRY BOMB seems to be a bit darker than some of the previous novels in this series, September 16, 2009

By 

Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline) (Hardcover)

J. A. Konrath is a very funny guy, friendly and likable. That's why I think he has an evil twin who writes the Jack Daniels series. How else could you explain the accuracy with which he depicts one of fiction's most disturbing serial killers? Alex Kork must be every cop's worst nightmare --- a psychotic, highly intelligent, strong monster who kills people with the detachment of someone stepping on an ant. The methods that she devises are straight out of Satan's handbook.

In CHERRY BOMB, Alex is piling up bodies in an attempt to get back at Jack for disfiguring her and to avenge the death of her one true love. It's hard, though, to imagine her ever loving anyone; she is completely heartless. This fact, coupled with her relentless pursuit of her quarry, makes it even more difficult to anticipate her moves. She is not motivated by normal values and desires. Yet the police and those who are trying to stop her are subject to both legal and moral constraints.

As Jack evaluates her situation, in frustration she thinks, "Life had no meaning. It had no point. I'd chosen a career to do good. To prevent cruelty, and death, and suffering. To right wrongs. To fight for something important. But nothing I did mattered. I didn't change anything. And I'd brought upon myself the very things I'd tried to prevent." That's how dealing with evil effects good people. It makes them question themselves, and doubt sets in. It can even lead them to bend the rules and become more like their adversary.

And, while Jack agonizes over her responsibility, Alex simply follows the typical psycho method of coping: "When in pain, the best way to take your mind off of it is to cause pain." It works for her.

While CHERRY BOMB seems to be a bit darker than some of the previous novels in this series, it is not without Konrath's signature wit and sense of irony. These serve not only to relieve some of the tension, but also to provide simple enjoyment to those of us who appreciate words. For example, when Jack's partner Herb is trying to convince her to turn in a piece of evidence, Jack thinks, "We'd been partners for over a decade, and often played conscience for each other. But right now I needed an enabler." Like that. However, I must say that I for one could have lived without quite so much of Slappy. But you'll have to decide for yourself.

With a little help from her friends --- the ambiguously annoying/lovable Harry McGlade, the ambiguously honest/bank robber Phineas Troutt, and her consistently wise partner, Herb Benedict --- Jack is able to confront her sworn enemy in a deliciously satisfying resolution.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Jack Daniels Mystery, September 3, 2009

By 

J. Saul - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline) (Hardcover)

If you have read the last book then you will be thrilled that in the first paragraph you find out who was killed in the last one. Cherry Bomb picks up and continues the hunt for Alex Kork. The twists and edge of the seat tension just keeps on coming in the one. With comic relief given by one crazy monkey, yes a monkey. This is a must read for all J. A. Konrath fans! At the end of this one the only cliff hanger is where will Jack go next and how will it work into the next book in the series. As a fan of Jack Daniels mystery's I sure hope this isn't the end of her. I really can't tell you much more of the plot without giving away the cliff hanger at the end of Fuzzy Navel. I hate that myself, so I won't do it in my review. Buy this book and enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, Fast-paced Thriller. Konrath RULES!, March 20, 2010

By 

L. Jenkins "Laurie-J" (Murchison, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline) (Kindle Edition)

I love the Jack Daniels series and all the characters. This story line took Jack to a deeper, darker level as the bodies just kept piling up around her. Somehow, though she always manages to pluck herself back up and keep after the evil Alex. I adore Konrath's writing style - his stories always take on a life of their own and are amusing and/or touching at the most unexpected times.

I also read the short story/Novella collection Suckers in Kindle format on my Blackberry right after reading Cherry Bomb. It's a delightful compilation by J.A. Konrath and Jeff Strand that features more exploits of Harry McGlade (Konrath character) and Andrew Mayhem (Jeff Strand character). If you like Funny Horror, you'll love Suckers.

I was first introduced to Andrew Mayhem a few years ago when I read Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary) and Casket For Sale (Only Used Once), An Andrew Mayhem Thriller. These books are available now in Kindle format, also. It just doesn't get any better than that.