Three Shirt Deal

A Shane Scully Novel (Shane Scully, Book 7)

By: Stephen J. Cannell

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Truit Hickman is a small-time crook doing life in California's notoriously brutal Corcoran State Prison for the murder of his mother. He admitted to the crime, but now Hickman claims his confession was coerced by the cops. A beautiful Internal Affairs detective, Secada "Scout" Llevar, asks Shane Scully to help investigate, and he agrees after learning the original homicide detective was Brian Devine, a ruthless cop with whom Scully has a bad history.

What begins as a routine review quickly turns into something much more deadly. The case is abruptly shut down by an LAPD deputy chief, and Shane begins to suspect that, for unknown reasons, Hickman really may have been framed by the police. But some things, once started, cannot be stopped, and the investigation spirals dangerously out of control, implicating a violent Hispanic gang, a millionaire power broker, and the front-runner in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

Meanwhile, Shane and Alexa struggle to save their marriage, which has come perilously close to disintegration since Alexa's near-fatal shooting in White Sister - just as Shane finds himself attracted to his new partner. Could the answer to their marital troubles be tied to the case he's investigating?

In Cannell's heart-pounding thriller, Shane is tried in ways he has never been, risking his family, his job, and his life.

Don't miss other titles in the Shane Scully series.©2008 Stephen J. Cannell (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Scott Brick brings his usual expert voice to this production." (AudioFile)

Plausibility problems

This was a barn-burner, as are all Cannell's novels, and I enjoyed the story. However, by about two thirds of the way through belief was stretched to the breaking point, and resolution was "Deus ex Machina" several times over - I actually wondered when it would end. Having read all of Cannell's previous novels and enjoyed them enormously, I expected better, and was disappointed in the lack of credibility in the plot of this novel.

Another great John Scully story

Good plot line, although often the circumstances require you to suspend disbelief.
But I guess it's the incredible bad luck of our heroes that makes the story interesting, and keeps you on the marathon read track.

One thing I really like about Cannell stories, is that you typically know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. I hate spoilers, so will only say that's not the case in this story...

Stephen Cannell knows how to grab the reader at the start of the book and keep you listening.

No one does a better crime thriller read than Scott Brick. In Three Shirt Deal, he turns in yet another stellar performance.

Intelligent & interesting - absolutely terrific!

What did you love best about Three Shirt Deal?

The storyline is interesting and manages be suspenseful and hold your attention without gratuitous violence and sadistic murders. The plot is intelligent, nuanced, twisting and doesn't seem to fall into the trap of cliche; the characters are well developed. I have enjoyed listening to Scully & Co immensely - finished the book in two days. I have listened to the first Scully book (Tin Collector) but can't remember anything and bought this books because it was on sale. What a great surprise. Hope the other Sully books are as interesting! Absolutely worth your credit - don't miss it!

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I used to pick books because he narrated them, then went totally off him because I started to find his reading affected and thought he turned his reading into a performance instead of being simply the narrator and letting the story take center stage. I recently started listening to him again (sale books) and once I got over the slightly excessive way he reads - it was thoroughly enjoyable! He reads women's voices well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

absolutely!!!!!

Any additional comments?

More books like this one please!

Far-fetched

This story line is pretty far-fetched. From the explanation about how "rares" are sold, to events in a theme park, I just kept shaking my head. This book series is fun as an average distraction, but this book is not Cannell's best.

Read by Good Guy & a Bad Guy named Scott Brick

Brick sold the storyline as real & feasible. Shared his emotive style in an underplayed performance. Story was a bit thin/unlikely but it was easily overlooked. Southern CA locations were real and also supported the plot circumstances. Audiobook was better than my paperback/hardback reading. Credit worthy!