Fatal Odds: A Novel

A Knight and Devlin Thriller

By: John F. Dobbyn

Narrated by: Bill Nevitt

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Danger escalates as Michael Knight and Lex Devlin enter into the defense of a Puerto Rican jockey charged with felony murder as a result of a fixed race at Boston's Suffolk Downs.

As their investigation exposes the jockey's role, they become embroiled in a conflict between two Puerto Rican crime gangs. One of these gangs is aligned for the first time with Boston's Italian mafia in tapping into almost limitless profits from the illicit trade of exotic and endangered species of wild animals captured in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and smuggled through the shoreline of the Florida Keys.

Working to free their client and to prevent the brutal abuse of these vulnerable animals, Michael and Lex find themselves squarely in the crossfire of rival organized crime gangs, from the barrio of Jamaica Plain, Boston, to the gang-dominated streets of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

©2016 John F. Dobbyn (P)2017 John F. Dobbyn

Exciting and intense legal thriller...............

Fatal Odds is a fast paced, exciting and intense legal thriller. It is the fifth book in the series, but this was my first exposure to Knight and Devlin, and I had no trouble following the characters. Michael Knight is the protagonist in almost all the scenes with his law partner and mentor, Lex Devlin, playing a smaller role. The book starts with a serious horse racing accident leading to a death that is inexplicably labeled as murder. Michael is quickly caught up in the investigation as it was one of his cousin's that dies and the other cousin accused of committing the crime. From that point forward, this book is almost non-stop action and plot twists. This book really keeps you guessing at what is going to hit you next as you progress from chapter to chapter. Michael's investigation leads him into the world of organized crime, animal trafficking, and international gangs. We get a glimpse into Michael's childhood and the events that molded him into the man of integrity and courage that he is today. Now that I have seen the legal team of Knight and Devlin in action, I am going to back to the beginning and read the first four books in the series.

Bill Nevitt always does a terrific job narrating, and this book is no exception. I especially enjoyed his Bostonian accent for Devlin, and I thought he did well with the Puerto Rican accents of the various gang members. His delivery is flawless and his pacing and timing perfect to add excitement to an already thrilling story.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

Overall good listen

If you are an animal lover some of it may be hard to listen to.


There's solid research/decent knowledge about the topic as it is used in this story line.

I am always glad to find an author KNOWS the background of what they are writing about, be it subject matter or the locations. Mr. Dobbyn has a solid feel for everything he writes about. His descriptions of a location, the locals and the tangled subjects matter are that of someone who has either lived in/with what is being told or has done some solid deep dive research.

As someone who grew up around horses, rodeo sports/circuit and on the fringe of horse racing, unfortunately the story rings true in the how the animals can be mistreated. I've known a couple of jockeys over my almost 60 years and again, the theme rings true for the most part. Same goes with the exotic animal (trafficking) market. It's on the mark enough to make a person feel sad/angry/disgusted with some of the events described.

The narrator, at points, annoyed me. I can't put my finger on why, just something about some of the accents felt too forced. Having lived on the east coast there were inflections that seemed out of sorts, but it wasn't enough to stop me from listening to the end.

This was my first listen with this author, Enjoyed this story enough I will seek out other books from Mr. Dobbyn

I got the book free, at my request, (thru Audiobook Boom) with promise of leaving an honest review .

Enthralling thriller

This story is a thrilling story that will pull at any animal lovers heart and make you angry at the disregard of authorities where poaching and illegal animal trade is concerned. This story grabs you from the first page and keeps you captive until the last. The narrator of the audiobook really brought the book to life, making you experience all the emotions and suspense in the story. From organized crime, gang warfare, poaching of endangers species, drugs, fixing of horse racing, murder, intrigue and deception; this story combines the authors vast knowledge of thoroughbred racing with that of the illegal wild animal trade to form a nail-biting, fast paced thriller that will keep you engrossed, and educate you at the same time.

GREAT READ!

I loved it! This book was full of action, drama, suspense and relevant information! The narration was great and kept me entertained! The author did a great job with the character builds and plot. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last. I look forward to reading more of his books. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

wow

This book started off as race horse fixing and ended in a complete surprise. Exciting all the way.
The narration was excellent

Its a Shame How Easily Some Things Get Overlooked

This book points out through the main character's own stumblings how easily many things get overlooked. Even though the author brings to the fore the issue that inspired this book, the writing is skillful enough not to push a social agenda. Further, just when you think you understand where the book is going, another domino gets added to the pile.

Since this book contains many ethnic and economic cultures the narrator has to run a full scale of accents. Thankfully, he does each beautifully and flawlessly with differentiation.

A frequent saying in the book is the axiom 'The lawyer always goes home'. Depending on your perspective, the efforts of the main character to try to live up to this phrase can either look like a heroic triumph, a case of 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire... out of the fire and into the volcano....out of the volcano and what comes next?' or anywhere in between. Throughout the book the author drags into the light many things that people have heard about but would rather ignore. He also shows how people can be marginalized and isolated even within their native cultures. Conversely, he also shows what dedication, loyalty, and the earning of respect from the right people can do for a man, especially in times of need. This book is definitely worth listening to.

Just Ok

The narration for the book was good but I found the story hard to follow. I was provided this book at no charge but submitted this review on my own.

Thrill ride!

organized-crime, thriller, suspense, conspiracy, lawyers, smuggling

From horse racing and Italian organized crime in Boston, to the origins of certain gangs in Puerto Rico, to smuggling endangered animals from the Amazon Rainforest this fast paced thriller grabbed me by the imagination and just wouldn't let go. And it's all driven by a risk taking defense attorney who drives expensive cars. Loved the thrill ride!
Narrator Bill Nevitt is brilliant in both the narrative as well as differentiating the multitude of very diverse characters.

Great read and educational too!

This was not your typical thriller/mystery! The plot was very different and involved horse racing (maybe typical), the mafia (very typical), and international wild animal smuggling (WHAT??) - an industry of which I was basically ignorant. Michael Knight is a wholesome detective that you just can't help but like and the book unfolds with so many quirks and niggles that you're left holding your breath waiting to see what happens next. This book had me listening far into the night, hoping Michael would be okay and things would work out all right but not sure how they could! The story was quite engrossing. Even though this book was fiction, I did learn a lot about illegal animal trafficking and how that trade is affecting the planet. It certainly opened my eyes to a heinous practice that I was unaware of before reading this book! Bravo to Mr. Dobbyn for entertaining and educating at the same time!

Great Story Read by a Great Narrator

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is for the audio copy of Fatal Odds: A Novel, A Knight and Devlin Thriller by John F. Dobbyn and narrated by Bill Nevitt. This was an unexpected opportunity to listen to a gem of a story! Action and adventure with a well thought out story line. A great mystery/pseudo-detective/good guys/bad guys/etc., book. I took the offer of being able to listen to the book since it was narrated by Bill Nevitt. It was not in my normal genre of books. He can read anything and make it easy to listen to. But this story was very well written and interesting. So much so that I listened to it every free moment that I had. I highly recommend this entertaining novel.