The Face-Changers: A Jane Whitefield Novel [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Thomas Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1998

2 cassettes / 3 hours
Read by Margaret Whitton

With this stunning new novel of suspense, one of America's best writers of thrilling fiction moves to an entirely new level of brilliance and craftsmanship. "The books keep getting better," said Lawrence Block about Thomas Perry's Shadow Woman. But now, in The Face-Changers, Perry combines in a special way the superb storytelling, rich characters, and fine writing that have made his work so highly praised.

The courageous and ingenious Jane Whitefield has worked as a "guide" for over a decade, helping people in danger disappear. Now she has promised her new husband, Dr. Carey McKinnon, that she will never work again. But then Carey's mentor, a famous plastic surgeon, seeks him out, desperate and pursued, wounded and wanted for murder. Carey asks Jane to perform her dangerous magic one last time. But as Jane tries to save her husband's friend, she uncovers the perverse activities of the Face-Changers: Using Jane Whitefield's name, reputation, and techniques, they are destroying human lives rather than saving them.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jane Whitefield, Thomas Perry's Native American "guide," has recently married Dr. Carey McKinnon and is now retired from helping people disappear from danger. But when her husband's old mentor, a world-famous plastic surgeon wanted by the police for a murder he didn't commit, turns up in Carey's emergency room, Jane steps back into the shadowy world of runners and hunters one more time. In this fourth outing in Edgar-winning Perry's fascinating and innovative series, Jane discovers that someone else is using her name and reputation to take fugitives out of the world, but for very different, and diabolical, purposes. Whitefield's Seneca heritage, plus her unique talents, make her a novel and compelling heroine, and Perry's masterful storytelling makes the most of Whitefield in this suspenseful page-turner. --Jane Adams --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Jane Whitefield, last seen in Perry's Shadow Woman, is an alluring operative of Indian heritage who helps people disappear. It is an arcane pursuit, involving myriad skills and constant vigilance. In fact, when Jane gets married to surgeon Carey McKinnon, she hopes to give it up and lead a normal life. Unfortunately, McKinnon's mentor, plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Dahlman, who is accused of murdering his assistant and has been shot and wounded by police pursuers, is in urgent need of her services; and since McKinnon is convinced he is innocent, Jane agrees to employ her expertise one more time. Thus begins Perry's latest, which soon begets layer upon layer of deception and intrigue. It seems that Dahlman himself, with a series of operations, had helped someone attain a new identity, and that he is being pursued not by the police but by men intent on killing him for what he knows. But who are they? Re-establishing some of her old creepy contacts, Jane becomes convinced the villains are in the business of frightening people into believing they are in danger, then collecting vast sums to help them vanish. And now that the FBI is after Jane for Dahlman's escape, she is beleaguered on two fronts. This is really a prolonged chase novel, enlivened by some smooth action writing and a remarkable mastery of escape techniques?one would hate to be a debt collector in search of the author. It does seem in the end, however, an overly complex structure that obliges a reader to put up with long passages filled with nothing but the minutiae of pursuit and paranoia. The effect is somewhat claustrophobic, and Jane, for all her toughness and smarts, is not a particularly enlivening companion.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (May 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375402934
• ISBN-13: 978-0375402937
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,750,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

THOMAS PERRY is the author of 19 novels including the Jane Whitefield series (Vanishing Act, Dance for the Dead, Shadow Woman, The Face Changers, Blood Money and Runner), Death Benefits, and Pursuit, the first recipient of the Gumshoe Award for best novel.
He won the Edgar for The Butcher's Boy, and Metzger's Dog was a New York Times Notable Book. The Independent Mystery Bookseller's Association included Vanishing Act in its "100 Favorite Mysteries of the 20th Century," and Nightlife was a New York Times bestseller. Metzger's Dog was voted one of NPR's 100 Killer Thrillers--Best Thrillers Ever.
Thomas Perry was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He has worked as a park maintenance man, factory laborer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and a writer and producer of prime time network television shows. He lives in Southern California.  His website: www.thomasperryauthor.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hopefully fans will go out and search for other Perry books., April 30, 1999

By 

Jules "julesagain" (Lawrenceville, Ga USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Face-Changers: A Novel of Suspense (A Jane Whitefield novel) (Hardcover)

I first read "Metzger's Dog" years ago, and had to get up out of bed to finish reading it, as I kept laughing out loud and waking my husband. It is a gripping, suspenseful, rocket-ride of a read, but with the notable difference from most thrillers in that it is a heck of a lot of fun, too. Perry manages to make the most technical subject easy to understand with his clear, concise writing, and the sly humor catches you by surprise. I'd never read anyone who could blend suspense and humor so well, and became an instant fan. Finishing one of his books always brings a sense of sadness, and anticipation for the next one.

I am always willing to travel down whatever road Thomas Perry's imagination wants to take me. The Jane Whitefield novels are wonderful, start at the beginning with "Vanishing Act".

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little disappointing for a Thomas Perry, but great anyway, May 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Face-Changers (Jane Whitefield Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Thomas Perry's novels. They are all incredible. I stumbled upon Shadow Woman, then went back and read the first two of the Jane Whitefield series. I am an AVID mystery/thriller reader, and read an average of 2-3 books a week. I've been reading for years now, and Thomas Perry is my favorite author in this genre, and he clearly stands above all the rest, when it comes to suspense, spy tricks of the trade, and intricate plot.

As with some of the other reviewers, I was THRILLED to see that Jane Whitefield hadn't retired and grabbed this book off the shelf right away. While this novel was well written and well-constructed as usual, I thought it wasn't nearly as creative or suspenseful as his other novels.

I was totally disappointed, for example, at the discovery of the identity of the "Face-Changer." It was a real let-down after all that build-up. It was no one that would make the situation more of a 'stake' for Jane.

Also, I felt that more could have been done with the "identity-tampering" theme. The final show-downs Jane had with the enemies weren't nearly as huge or intricate or exciting as her other ones.

Still, I hold Perry up to very high standards -- his own (that he has set in other Jane novels)! So this book is still excellent!!! A HIGH RECOMMENDATION to all. Beautifully written and detailed without slowing down at all.

And I agree with the latest reviewer -- THOMAS PERRY, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE DON'T RETIRE JANE!!! I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR JANE NOVELS!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, May 28, 1999

By 

Tracy Boulet (Lisbon, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Face-Changers (Jane Whitefield Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read all of the Jane Whitefield novels, and I felt this was the best one. I was worried after Shadow Woman that Jane might retire for good, and the author would find something else to write about. What a surprise when I was looking for a new book and found THE FACE CHANGERS. I was surprised to find it, and I was thrilled that Jane was still with us. I love to find an author who stays with a character. Sue Grafton's Kinsey; Patricia Cornwell's Kay; Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware--it's like renewing a friendship when a new book of theirs comes out. I hope to find more Jane Whitefield's adventures for many years to come!!