Irresistible Impulse [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Robert K. Tanenbaum (Author), Connor O'Brien (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997

As head of the District Attorney's homicide bureau, Butch Karp knows two things inside out: the legal system and the mean streets of New York. Now he's going to learn about obsession, as in the obsession of a man stalking a world-famous musician, or the obsession of lawyers in his own office,some of whom would kill for a high-profile case, or of his wife, Marlene, who heads her own detective agency, and packs a Colt .380 for protection. Neither Butch nor Marlene realize that they are about to become flash points in the hottest controversy to rock the city in years.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Books On Tape (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736641343
• ISBN-13: 978-0736641340
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,152,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert K. Tanenbaum is one of the country's most successful trial lawyers -- he has never lost a felony case. He has been homicide bureau chief for the New York District Attorney's Office and deputy chief counsel to the congressional committee investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Most recently, he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure atthe University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. His previous works include the novels Escape, Malice, Fury, Hoax, Resolved, Enemy Within, and Absolute Rage and two true-crime books, The Piano Teacher: The True Story of a Psychotic Killer and Badge of the Assassin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply great!, April 23, 2003

By 

Peter Werner "peterwerner4" (Essingen, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Irresistible Impulse (Paperback)

Unlike one of the critics I find this book was written by a very intelligent and gifted author, a master of stylistic means and rich imagery that makes the reading of this book a real pleasure. But this is not the only reason why this book is perfectly written. Tanenbaum's feeling for "plot" is enormous. The constant twists in the actions, the characters' conflicts with each other and in themselves result in a remarkable novel full of suspense. And this book contains some criticism of the legal system: it is not about justice, but a legal Darwinism is described, in which the lawyer is considered a failure who is not able to play the jury as well as his opponent. Justice is of no importance. I recommend this book to everybody who appreciates a well written thriller. I will read more of Tanenbaum's books!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A top notch thriller combing PI work and courtroom drama", June 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Irresistible Impulse (Hardcover)

DETROIT FREE PRESS - December 14, 1997

"Robert K. Tanenbaum's IRRESISTIBLE IMPULSE is a top-notch thriller combining PI work with courtroom drama. The ninth in his series, it features private investigator Marlene Karp, who owns half a New York detective agency that specializes in guarding celebrities and protecting battered women. It's this latter mission that almost splits apart her marriage to Butch, a Manhattan district attorney. Marlene is prone to take risks and is unafraid of violence, including threatening and roughing up men who stalk her battered clients. But DAs can't afford the bad publicity when their wives take someone down in public, as Marlene does in an unforgettable scene, and her marriage is under considerable stress.Her life is further complicated by caring for twin newborns who make her young daughter jealous: bizarre people who enter her orbit, like the Vietnamese assassin who quotes Baudelaire and ends up as a cook-nanny; assorted low-lifes and stalkers and the ever present media jackals.The writing is tense and edgy, perfectly capturing the frenetic downtown life Marlene and her husband live, which she thrives on while Butch secretly longs for quiet, safe suburbs - along with a wife who doesn't court danger. ****"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pub Weekly: "Butch & Marlene are the Tracey & Hepburn of the, October 22, 1997

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irresistible Impulse (Hardcover)

Publishers' Weekly gave this 9th Butch Karp novel from Bob Tanenbaum a * (starred) review stating that Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi are the Tracey and Hepburn of the 90's. If you haven't read Tanenbaum yet it is time to jump on board. He's terrific.