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    The Short Drop
    The Short Drop
    The Short Drop
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Short Drop

    Written by Matthew FitzSimmons

    Narrated by James Patrick Cronin

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    An Amazon Charts Bestseller.

    A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.

    For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him. On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.

    Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team. With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateDec 1, 2015
    ISBN9781511320757
    The Short Drop
    Author

    Matthew FitzSimmons

    Matthew FitzSimmons is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling Gibson Vaughn Series, which includes Debris Line, Cold Harbor, Poisonfeather, and The Short Drop. Born in Illinois and raised in London, he now lives in Washington, DC, where he taught English literature and theater at a private high school for more than a decade. Visit him at www.matthewfitzsimmons.com.

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    Reviews for The Short Drop

    4/5

    210 ratings22 reviews

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    • 2/5
      Breathy, raspy narration with a dramatic pause at the end of every sentence ruined this one for me. (Someone on Audible described it as "I'm Batman!" narration). Maybe it would have been a 3 or a 4 otherwise, but I had to keep distancing myself from the mannerism so as to not be distracted by it. That resulted in my losing focus on the plot. I actually had to listen to the final 60 minutes twice in order to be sure I hadn't missed anything. And yes, the ending was still unsatisfying the 2nd time through. Your results may differ if you are reading a paper/eCopy.
    • 5/5
      This story involves a young man, Gibson Vaughn, who is enlisted to help find out what happened to a girl he knew, and went missing 10 years earlier. That, in itself, would make an interesting story in the hands of a good mystery writer. Author Fitzsimmons ups the ante by adding: Gibson was very fond of the girl, several years his junior; the girl was the daughter of a U.S. Senator who has since gone on to become Vice President - and is campaigning to be POTUS; Gibson's father was the senator's chief of staff, and committed suicide before the girl went missing; Gibson hacked the Senator's computer and found out the Senator had misspent campaign money - a crime that was ultimately traced to Gibson's father.If it sounds like I'm throwing a lot of spoilers at you, never fear - that stuff is revealed in the first chapter.And it just gets juicier.Fitzsimmons gives us a nicely written, nicely paced, mystery/suspense story that actually would make for a nice miniseries. The reader is kept guessing all along, and even though some sordid details may be deduced 75% of the way through, the whole story takes the whole book. I have added Matthew Fitzsimmons to my list of authors to follow.
    • 5/5
      An excellent debut novel! A story about the lengths people will take to keep and/or hide their secrets, as well as the power of love and hope to try and find a positive outcome to a sad story... of a teenage girl who either runs away or is kidnapped -- no one knows since she has never resurfaced -- and the people who try to find out the truth... along with lots of political intrigue. Good storytelling, even letting the characters miss some potential clues along the way, but I thought it took a bit too long for the main group of characters to fully catch on to what was happening. Still, a great first effort -- and looking forward to the author's next novel.
    • 5/5
      GIbson Vaughn was a legendary teenage hacker involved in a serious political scandal, which ultimately lead to his public disgrace and his father's suicide. Now, ten years later, Gibson is contacted by a George Abe, ex-CIA, who is privately reopening an investigation into the disappearance of Gibson's childhood friend, Suzanne Lombard, who went missing at the age of 14. Suzanne was also the daughter of Vice President Benjamin Lombard, a current presidential hopeful and his father's ex-boss. Gibson had always blamed himself for Suzanne going missing and so, when given the opportunity to help find her, he quickly becomes involved, even though signs point to mounting danger for himself and the rest of the team.This was a fast paced thriller fusing the worlds of cyber intelligence, politics, and hacking. With fewer characters than a Steig Larsson book, this debut is a less complex but no less thrilling novel than the Dragon Tattoo series. Gibson is a likable but flawed character, with a good relationship with his ex-wife and passion for his daughter. I was very surprised that this novel was free through Amazon's "Kindle Firsts" program, as the writing was fantastic and the fast paced narrative kept me on the edge of myself. Highly recommended!!!
    • 4/5
      Nice Thriller

      It was a nice thriller after a long time. At times it was felt stretched, but overall a nice story.
    • 2/5
      The technobabble is not the worst I've read, clearly someone at least tried to give it a once over but Neal Stephenson it is not. Frankly I don't care if it's not crucial to the plot but here it is half the plot. I don't expect realism or scientific accuracy from my fiction (although when books manage that they are usually superb in other ways too) but the book doesn't really have anything to offset it. It wants to be hardboiled but ends up edgy instead. The characters are almost all caricature stereotypes.

      ...and I always love when books and films dredge up the classic line about IRCs being these anonymous places where hackers meet to discuss their super secret world domination plans.
    • 4/5
      Missing daughter of politician.
    • 4/5
      This was a very well done story. I have had a copy of this book for years and finally decided to give it a try. I am finding that I have overlooked a lot of great novels over the years and this book is one of them. This book was able to grab me right away and I, along with everyone in the story, wanted to know what really happened to Suzanne. I really enjoyed the time I spent listening to this story. 14-year-old Suzanne Lombard disappeared ten years ago. At the time, her father was a well-known senator but he is now the vice president and is currently running for president. There was one surveillance video of Suzanne that surfaced shortly after she disappeared but nobody has seen her since. Everyone wants to know what happened and where she is now.Gibson Vaughn knew Suzanne when they were kids. Gibson's father worked for Lombard and as a result, Gibson and Suzanna spent a lot of time together when they were children. Gibson has his own issues from the past to deal with and is no longer on good terms with Lombard. He decides to sign on with a group trying to finally get to the bottom of Suzanne's disappearance. I liked Gibson a lot and had a good feeling that he would be able to find out what really happened. This was a very well thought out mystery. Every piece of information that comes up could become important later in the story. I really enjoyed seeing all of the pieces of the puzzle come together to show the full picture. There is a lot going on in this story but I thought that it worked very well. Everything really made sense and the story felt very possible. I liked that the mystery was able to keep me guessing. There were some pretty big surprises and some excitement that really kept the story moving forward. I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story. Some of the voices that he used were very similar and I found that I really had to pay attention to determine who was speaking. He had a very soothing voice that I found easy to listen to for hours at a time. I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a wonderfully layered and detailed mystery that was able to really make me think. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author in the future. I received a digital review copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley and I purchased a copy of the audiobook.
    • 5/5
      I found this to be a well-written thriller, with lots of surprises and well-drawn characters. Suspense is maintained throughout the book and clearly, FitzSimmons is knowledgeable about cyber-hacking which is at the heart of the novel. A worthwhile read.
    • 4/5
      haven't turned the pages this fast since Johnny Shaw's Big Maria - this is a bit like if an episode or two of 24 were a novel but somehow it is better as as a book and the action, well it'll keep you turning the pages
    • 4/5
      Somehow my review got lost but suffice it to say that this is the first of a three part series and it is extraordinary. Matthew Fitzsimmons has displayed an ability to catch and hold the reader’s attention. The writing and plot are fast paced, heart pumping sweaty palm good. Read The Short Drop and then take a breath and read the other two novels. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting my wish.
    • 5/5
      Excellent start to a potentially fine series. Well drawn characters, a plot that hums with a classic and appropriate ending.
    • 5/5
      I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Wow! Another great book by Matthew Fitzsimmons. I couldn’t put it down. This is a story about a ruthless politician who is willing to do anything to cover up his sordid past and what really happened to his daughter in order to become president of the United States. This is an exceptionally well-written conspiracy thriller with well-developed characters and an amazing plot that is full of twists and turns. The action and suspense pull the reader in right from the beginning and never let go. Matthew Fitzsimmons reminds me of David Baldacci and is well on his way to being a great author. I’m looking forward to reading more about Gibson Vaughn. This book is a keeper and well worth the read.
    • 5/5
      What a fortunate find. A spectacular mystery wit enough movng parts and parallel plots to make it interesting without being difficult to follow. The book does take place in the present and ten years in the past but this doesn't complicate following the plot. A thriller, based mainly around DC, with political (power corrupts ...) overtones. The ending, not a spoiler, isn't a particularly happy one but satisfactory. Got it fr a song from Amazon Kindle and so grateful!
    • 4/5
      Ten years ago, Suzanne Lombard intended to run away from home; she’s not been seen since. She was only fourteen-years-old. Within the last ten years, the playing field has drastically changed. Suzanne was the daughter of then Senator Benjamin Lombard. More recently, he’s been the VP, and now running for the US presidency. Her close friend, Gibson Vaughn, was in jail at the age of sixteen when she disappeared. He’d hacked into the Senator’s computer detailing a supposedly criminal diversion of campaign funds to banks in the Cayman Islands. Instead of a longer jail time, he’d agreed to serve in the Marine Corps. Now an ex-Marine, he was an IT guy … before just being laid off from that job. George Abe had been the head of Lombard’s security team. Now, he’s seeking Gibson Vaughn’s help. They have a new viable lead. Gibson reluctantly agrees to become involved again, having been disappointed in all of the false leads of the past. But, he still loves Suzanne like a sister, and ultimately begins working with Abe’s contacts – an ex-CIA officer and an L.A. police detective.This is an unbelievably well-written debut thriller by Matthew FitzSimmons. He developed scarred characters you will grow to care about, and hope they’ll succeed against what seems like impossible odds. Good luck putting this suspenseful, but rather gritty, novel down. Among the plot themes are Suzanne’s cold case; shameful politics; computer hacking; and a creepy hired killer. This is the first book in what appears to be a fantastic start of a new series. The 2nd book in the Gibson Vaughn series, Poisonfeather, is set to be released September, 2016. Rating: 4 out of 5.
    • 4/5
      In this fast-paced thriller, 28-year-old Gibson Vaughn is drawn into a renewed effort to solve the decade-old disappearance of a childhood friend, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard. She was the daughter of prominent political figure and now presidential candidate Benjamin Lombard, and the impending tenth anniversary of when she went missing is bringing up painful memories.As a teenager, Gibson hacked into Ben Lombard’s computers in an attempted campaign financing expose and traded a potential prison sentence for a stint in the Marines. Now he’s home and having difficulty finding work. Despite his skills, he carries too much baggage.George Abe, Lombard’s former chief of security—a man Gibson has every reason not to trust—dangles the possibility Suzanne is alive or at least that they can finally learn her fate. He ensures Gibson’s participation with the one statement he knows will be irresistible: Suzanne loved you better than anyone.Abe shows Gibson clever new electronic evidence that has surfaced, and with two members of Abe’s team, Gibson sets out to track it down. They end up in Somerset, Pennsylvania, on the trail of another hacker who stays one step ahead.The timing couldn’t be worse, with Ben Lombard—whom Richard Lipez in The Washington Post calls the book’s “least interesting character”—about to be picked as his party’s presidential nominee. Would resurrecting Suzanne’s case influence the election? Would it garner Lombard the sympathy vote? A lot is at stake, and the political players are ruthless. Among the people trying to stop Gibson and crew are a sociopath who makes one mistake with shoes and the kind of political junkie only Washington can breed.Gibson is an engaging protagonist, and, as Lipez says, “One of FitzSimmons’s many skills is making the ins and outs of Internet technology more or less comprehensible for techno-klutzy readers, a true public service.”A debut novelist, FitzSimmons has handled his complex plot deftly, and although there are numerous characters, the excellence of James Patrick Cronin’s reading kept them all straight for me. This was both an Amazon and a GoodReads Best Book of December 2015. Oh, and “the short drop”? You probably don’t want to know what that is.
    • 4/5
      A hacker son of a political yes man gets too involved with some very powerful people who destroy his family and his life. A bit like 24 meets House of Cards. It's a page turner, entertaining but very predictable once you're halfway in.
    • 4/5
      One of the better tech-based thrillers I've read this year. A senator's daughter was kidnapped a decade ago, and a private company has been hired to find out what happened to her. The company enlists the help of a hacker who knew the girl well, but previously had been convicted of hacking the senator's computer in an attempt to expose the senator's unscrupulous behavior.The author does an excellent job of staying focused on the human elements of the story while weaving in technical plot twists as one hacker attempts to outwit another. The elements of social engineering are deftly used to show how these types gain confidence and information from one another.A great intellectual and emotional ride for people who love suspense.Noe: I was given a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      4.5 starsExcellent read. Old family secrets, political intrigue & redemption blend to give this thriller a gordian plot that doesn't let you go 'til the final page. Highly recommend as a smart, character driven suspense story.
    • 5/5
      A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My #1 Debut Novel of 2015! Matthew FitzSimmons delivers a solid debut, THE SHORT DROP — crossing many genres: a riveting action crime thriller--psycho, political, techno, and mystery, packed with suspense and wit, hooking you from the first page to the last; an intense page-turner!Based in Virginia, Gibson Vaughn (loved his character) a computer hacker, is in search of his childhood friend, Suzanne Lombard--the daughter of the American vice president. Her disappearance has haunted Gibson since he was a troubled teenager. Now, nearing the tenth anniversary of her death, he has been offered a chance to help solve the mystery. George Abe, with a consulting group, who once worked for Lombard, is now working on his own and wants Gibson’s help. In addition, there is also an ex-CIA and an ex-LA police detective to make things even more interesting. Of course, there is also a professional hired killer always running in the background, and another person sending out clues.Suzanne, well liked, an avid reader-- was only fourteen years old when she went missing. Even the $10MM reward (offered by godmother) was never claimed. All leads turned cold. While in high school he hacked into the Senator’s computer to bring down a conspiracy which proved costly for his entire family. Gibson has a past, as his dad was Lombard’s right hand man and chief of staff. The children grew up together and spent time at each other homes. There is a history which ties into the storyline of the past, and Gibson becomes obsessed with drawing out the killer. Who kidnapped her, and is she still alive? While viewing old videos, he feels she was trying to leave him a clue. WR8TH, the faceless guy who befriended Suzanne in a chat room before she vanished, has resurfaced online. However, nothing is as it appears. Gibson proves a hero, and one step ahead of his team. (loved his diner office). From hidden dark secrets, politics, hangings, power, cover-ups, ruthless killers, hackers, a pedophile, chat rooms, danger, murder, betrayal, and a race against time chasing another hacker with clues to Gibson. From twists, turns, revenge, and past crimes to the present, with sophisticated technology and plenty of Wow factor!I loved Gibson’s character, a father, and lover of his daughter and a supportive ex-wife. Cannot wait for the next book, and more from the main man. Stay tuned for the second book in this exciting new series, coming Sept 6, 2016. Poisonfeather (The Gibson Vaughn Series Book 2). WOW, FitzSimmons can write--hard to believe this is a debut! If this is a debut, cannot wait to see what comes next. Fans of Daniel Palmer, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci will enjoy this mix of complexity—a well-written plot, character-driven emotional suspense- political intrigue thriller. A fantastic Kindle First Pick. Would love to hear an audio version narrated by Peter Berkrot!JDCMustReadBooks
    • 4/5
      THE SHORT DROP was a taut, fast-paced and twisty thriller. Gibson Vaughn gets caught up when new evidence surfaces regarding the disappearance of Suzanne Lombard who was almost like a sister to him. Ten years have gone by and Gibson is still wondering what happened to his childhood friend. During those ten years he has married, divorced, and has a six-year-old daughter. He also has a checkered past since he was convicted of hacking into Benjamin Lombard's files and finding evidence of corruption. However, Lombard - then a senator and now vice president campaigning for the nomination for the presidency, is not a forgiving man and has made Gibson's job hunting as an IT guy nearly impossible.Gibson is called in by the former head of Lombard's security when the new evidence is found. He needs to use his computer skills to track down who sent it. He is hoping to finally get some answers about the fate of his friend. But there are equally powerful forces who want information about Suzanne to stay buried and they are willing to leave a trail of bodies behind to preserve the secret.I liked Gibson who was determined to find answers despite being out of his depth and in danger from a variety of enemies. I stayed up quite late because I couldn't put this book down until I found out what had happened to Suzanne and learned if Gibson would survive. Fans of political thrillers will enjoy this fast-paced thriller.
    • 5/5
      The disappearance of Suzanne Lombard has haunted Gibson Vaughn since he was a troubled teenager. Ten years later, he’s been given the chance to solve the mystery of what happened to his childhood friend and daughter of the vice president of the United States. Where is Suzanne Lombard? The answer could reshape his future and alter the course of an election. Starts slowly as Gibson is recruited, then as the story of Suzanne's disappearance is revealed and someone with inside knowledge reveals themselves, the plot & action go into overdrive. Great thriller around US politics.