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    The Accident: A Novel
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    The Accident: A Novel
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    The Accident: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Accident: A Novel

    Written by Chris Pavone

    Narrated by Mozhan Marno

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    From the author of the New York Times-bestselling and Edgar Award-winning The Expats

    As dawn approaches in New York, literary agent Isabel Reed is turning the final pages of a mysterious, anonymous manuscript, racing through the explosive revelations about powerful people, as well as long-hidden secrets about her own past. In Copenhagen, veteran CIA operative Hayden Gray, determined that this sweeping story be buried, is suddenly staring down the barrel of an unexpected gun. And in Zurich, the author himself is hiding in a shadowy expat life, trying to atone for a lifetime's worth of lies and betrayals with publication of The Accident, while always looking over his shoulder.

    Over the course of one long, desperate, increasingly perilous day, these lives collide as the book begins its dangerous march toward publication, toward saving or ruining careers and companies, placing everything at risk-and everyone in mortal peril.  The rich cast of characters-in publishing and film, politics and espionage-are all forced to confront the consequences of their ambitions, the schisms between their ideal selves and the people they actually became.

    The action rockets around Europe and across America, with an intricate web of duplicities stretching back a quarter-century to a dark winding road in upstate New York, where the shocking truth about the accident itself is buried.

    Gripping, sophisticated, layered, and impossible to put down, The Accident proves once again that Chris Pavone is a true master of suspense.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMar 11, 2014
    ISBN9780804165983
    Unavailable
    The Accident: A Novel
    Author

    Chris Pavone

    Chris Pavone is the author of The Paris Diversion, The Travelers, The Accident, and The Expats. His novels have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal; have won both the Edgar and Anthony awards; are in development for film and television; and have been translated into two dozen languages. Chris grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Cornell, and worked as a book editor for nearly two decades. He lives in New York City and on the North Fork of Long Island with his family.

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    Reviews for The Accident

    3.5/5

    237 ratings42 reviews

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    • 3/5
      This thriller features some of the characters from Pavone’s earlier book, The Expats, although it is not a “sequel” per se.The story, taking place over one day, is focused on a manuscript called “The Accident” submitted to a literary agent by an “anonymous” author. (Alternate chapters are narrated by this author, who continues to be referred to as “the author” even though we learn his identify very soon in the book.) “The Accident” contains some shocking revelations about Charlie Wolfe, a (fictional) media mogul who now wants to run for the Senate. Thus this unauthorized biography details a number of crimes that Wolfe does not want to see the light of day; intriguingly, nor does the CIA.Therefore, a number of people are looking to destroy any and all copies of the manuscript. The “thriller” aspect of the book involves chasing down the manuscript and anyone who has read it, and the danger posed to those who have seen the contents of the book.In the process, we learn a great deal about various aspects and politics of the publishing business, which is probably the best written part of the book.Occasionally a couple of characters, while narrating, act as if they don’t know the identity of another person they refer to, even though the readers know they know, so what purpose does that serve? It certainly can’t be to throw out red herrings, so it only serves to suggest that Pavone may have had another plot scheme in mind, but abandoned it and forgot to edit it out. Other red herrings aren’t quite as clumsy but still are awkwardly constructed, and never as cleverly done as in his first novel.Additionally, many of the “bombshell” details in the manuscript, especially those involving the CIA, are not shared with the readers, so we never know exactly in what ways the information could be damaging. Without a clue as to what could possibly justify murder, the plot never is convincing in that regard.Discussion: A sub-theme of the book concerns the type of media organization run by Charlie Wolfe: “Wolfe Worldwide Media’s implicit mission was to de-news the news, to legitimize sensationalism. They instituted a system of news-gathering by amateurs who had no legal relationship or responsibility to the publishers, with a content bias toward gossip and innuendo, voyeurism and scandal, openly espousing unabashedly partisan rhetoric.”Charlie explains:“I came to the realization that all events, all facts, were to some extent negotiable. . . . I’ve spent the past two decades negotiating reality. Manipulating other people’s perceptions of it.”That is to say, Wolfe’s organization is a bit of a play on Fox or Breitbart News. But this theme is very underdeveloped; almost thrown into the mix as if the author thought oh-yeah-there’s-this-other-issue-in-publishing too. That same theme is much better handled, and better integrated into the story, in the book Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (see my review here).Pavone would have almost been better off leaving it out altogether instead of just covering it half-heartedly.Evaluation: I enjoyed this author’s first book, The Expats, so much that I was quite disappointed with the inept execution of this one. For those who want an inside look at the book publishing world though, it is quite elucidating.
    • 3/5
      Not as good as the "previous" book. Sometimes, a story has too many twists at the end and the reader can't help but doubt their likelihood or veracity.
    • 4/5
      I don't read many books of this genre, so I'm no expert. That said, it really gripped me. It is the story about an anonymous "tell all" manuscript about a media mogul that is delivered in an unusual manner to a literary agent. As she begins to shop it to publishing houses, fatal consequences arise for many people. It took me a while to get into the story. There were many short, seemingly unrelated, threads at the beginning, But I persevered and think that the author brought everything together well. For people interested in the publishing industry, and a side-theme on "fake news", this would be a good choice.
    • 5/5
      I liked this one just as much as The Expats---I can't wait to read his new book coming out!
    • 4/5
      Chris Pavone's 'The Accident' is a top-notch thriller with lots of layers that'll have you guessing right until the end. It begins with the receipt at a publishing house of a biography of a Ted Turner-esque figure containing details so explosive that whoever goes near it seems to have trouble continuing to draw breath. The book's subject is so well-connected and intent on impeding its publication that he'll stop at nothing, and I mean nothing, to kill it.One thing I really liked about The Accident is that it goes into some detail about how the publishing industry works. I enjoy learning new stuff as I go along, even in a fiction novel, and with as much as I read I'm painfully ignorant about how a book is born. Now I know a little more about it.I've heard Pavone's writing style described as 'breezy'. This is the third of his books I've read and I could go along with that description. His writing is certainly distinctive- well crafted and fast-moving with strong dialogue. As with his other efforts, there's not a linear progression from points A to B. Lots of characters are introduced and you're constantly jumping back and forth in time and place, but it's tied up nicely at the end with a surprise or 2 on the way. The Accident is a fast moving, thought provoking novel that'll hook you early and will keep you on the line until its tricky end. Highly recommended!
    • 5/5
      This book is a fast-paced, exciting thriller that takes place over the course of a single day, with some extremely relevant flashbacks. The inner workings of the publishing business are revealed when a literary agent receives a manuscript for a book called "The Accident". The manuscript was hand delivered from an anonymous author. It is a biographical account of a media mogul and his involvement with both the CIA and a previously undisclosed accident. Secrets revealed in the biography would be very damaging to everyone involved. The biography is sure to be a best seller and is alluring to many people in the book and movie businesses, but it proves to be both professionally and physically dangerous to have knowledge or possession of this manuscript. The mogul and his shadowy cohorts will do anything to prevent publication of this biography. The action moves back and forth between two continents. Money is no object to either the mogul or the author of the biography as they use various sophisticated techniques to achieve their goals. It is a thrilling sparring match between two intelligent and motivated combatants.The characters and their actions were believable, with the exception of one action by the author of the biography (which I obviously won't reveal) that I found unbelievably stupid for such an intelligent person. I loved the slow leak of facts as the contents of the manuscript are gradually revealed and the relationships of the literary agent and her friends and colleagues are explored. Attempts to keep the manuscript a secret were like trying to contain a fast spreading and lethal virus. This book grabbed me from the beginning and the short chapters propelled the story along. I kept reading to see who the "virus" would fell next and the ending was very satisfying.I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
    • 3/5
      I didn't really connect with the characters. However, the plot's twists and turns kept me turning the pages. Ironically, I think it could have used additional editing. Some of the descriptive passages were repetitive. Not sure if I'd pick up another one by the author though.
    • 4/5
      As dawn approaches in New York, literary agent Isabel Reed is turning the final pages of a mysterious, anonymous manuscript, racing through the explosives revelations about powerful people, as well as long-hidden secrets about her own past. In Copenhagen veteran CIA operative, Hayden Gray, determined that this sweeping story be buried, is suddenly staring down the barrel of a gun. And in Zurich, the author himself is hiding in a shadowy expat life, trying to atone for a lifetime's worth of lies and betrayals with the publication of The Accident, while always looking over his shoulder.
    • 5/5
      One of the best Mystery Thrillers I have read in a long time. In some ways it got out of hand and became somewhat non believable but kept me on the edge of my seat and didn't predict the ending. Makes me want to read the Expats. My 1st Chris Pavone and won't be my last.
    • 4/5
      The Accident by Chris Pavone follows one explosive day after a inflammatory and disturbing unauthorized biography of global media mogul Charlie Wolfe is dropped off at literary agent Isabel Reed's office. The author of the expose' is anonymous, but Isabel thinks she knows the identity of the person. In the meantime deadly forces come into play to try and stop anyone from reading the material. Hayden Gray (and Kate from The Expats makes an appearance too) is being paid very well to make sure the story is never released.

      Isabel stays up almost all night reading the manuscript titled The Accident, and immediately contacts editor Jeffrey Fielder. This is the kind of book that can make careers and keep the publisher behind it in the black. She warns Jeff to keep it quiet because it is dangerous. She tells him that it's about some incredibly bad things done by one of the most powerful, well-known men in the world, the media mogul Charlie Wolfe. Wolfe has made millions by legitimizing sensationalism on his news network, but if this book is released he will be the one whose reputation is ruined.

      The actions Isabel takes to prevent any leak of the material aren't enough. It soon becomes evident that anyone who has managed to obtain an illicit look at the material is turning up dead. Clearly someone will go to whatever means it takes to ensure that the book never sees the light of day and, in fact, that anyone who has even read any part of the manuscript is eliminated. Isabel is on the run with Jeff but a deadly game of cat and mouse has already been set into motion.

      "Is it possible to succeed without any act of betrayal?" Who could have ever guessed that the world of publishing is so cut throat? It's chilling and fascinating to see all the back-biting and clandestine maneuvers behind the scenes by all of those employed in the publishing industry.

      The nail-biting suspense Pavone sets into motion is palpable for the majority of the novel, but there are a few parts where the action slows. The plot is intricate again which makes for a satisfyingly complex story. There are also numerous characters to follow, but I didn't find it difficult as Pavone did a nice job making his characters stand out as individuals. There is a surprise at the ending that was hinted at earlier in the book. While I wasn't surprised with the big secrets revealed, Pavone did another fine job writing this thoroughly entertaining novel. Highly Recommended.

      Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from Crown Publishing for review purposes.
    • 3/5
      If you were a literary agent, and an anonymous manuscript, which has the potential to reveal secrets about a powerful media mogul appeared on your desk one day, would you risk your life to get it published? Apparently the answer is yes. And, apparently, the answer is yes for others who get their hands on the manuscript legitimately or by subterfuge, creating targets to acquire and a huge body count racked up for those who wish to block the release.All of this should make good reading, especially for someone who likes thrillers with an international flair, but it didn't find the sweet spot in my personal reading tastes. Though I usually like alternating story lines, I found myself getting the characters confused and was annoyed by the shifting perspectives and the third person present tense narrative. It would have been easier had I actually liked any of the characters, but none ever reached the cockles of my heart to warm. I kept reading, though, because I'd liked more than disliked Pavone's first novel, was interested in the tidbits about publishing, and because I'd been sent this book via LibraryThing's early reviewer program, and feel a commitment to finish a book, when it's been sent to me. I finished the book, though, relatively unsurprised by any of the revelations that come out as the book progressed. Will I read another Pavone book? Probably. There have been elements I liked in each, and things I've learned from each. Did I like this enough to give it three stars out of 5? Not really. But 2.5 works for me.Thank you to LibraryThing and the publisher for sending a copy of the book my way.
    • 4/5
      I received The Accident by Chris Pavone from The LibraryThing Early Reviewers. It is a thriller set in the publishing world which was very interesting to me. I enjoyed the perhaps not so fictional insight into book publishing, in addition to the intrigue and murders. There were lots of twists and turns and surprises and in my opinion a very good read. I'm glad I've been introduced to this author and look forward to reading his previous book as well as any future books he writes.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed reading The Accident. The pace was perfect and consistent throughout. The characters were believable and revealed gradually as the plot was revealed. I would just say that I am looking forward to reading more from Chris Pavone as his books get better and better!
    • 4/5
      Isabel Reed is a literary agent who believes she may be past her prime until a secret manuscript arrives on her desk and she stays up all night reading in orer to finish it. By morning, she is convinced the unauthorized biography about Charlie Wolfe, a media mogul, absolutely must be published and she contacts her publishing friend, Jeffrey Fielder, to pass on the manuscript. Unfortunately, soon after their meeting, Isabel discovers that they are being followed and that her assistant has been killed. As the manuscript continuously changes hands and gets copied along the way, others in the publishing world are tracked down and killed for possessing the manuscript. This literary thriller is particularly engaging because it involves the world of book publishing, which most readers will probably enjoy learning more about. Although there are a few too many characters to keep track of in this story, I thought it was a fun roller-coaster ride with well-developed suspense and action. I also enjoyed how the author brought in current technology to explore our vulnerabilities.
    • 4/5
      I liked the Expats and I liked this book as well. It moves quickly with a cast of characters interacting over the publication of a book. Oh, the publishing industry, if this is accurate, you need to clean up your act!
    • 4/5
      The Accident is author Chris Pavones follow up to 2013's the Expats. The Accident is the title of a manuscript, written by Anonymous, detailing the sordid details and scandal involving a powerful media mogul, and his illegal activities in cahoots with the CIA. Early in his life this mogul,Charles Wolfe, along with Anonymous, was responsible for the death of a young women. This Accident was covered up by the Wolfes powerful, father, and Wolfe goes on to become a Rupert Murdoch like figure. The story follows the manuscript as its passed along from a literary agent Isabel Reed, our main character, to editor Jeffrey, publisher on the edge of bankruptcy Brad, and ambitious acquisitions person Camilla, who steals the manuscripts with visions of a Hollywood executive producer gig in mind. Veteran CIA operative Hayden is the man tasked by Wolfe to retrieve the manuscript, assuring that Wolfes Senate ambitions aren't derailed. Hayden is running an "off the books " operation towards that goal. Kate Moore, the protagonist in Expats is a member of Haydens team, but inhabits a minor role in this novel.The bodies start piling up when the manuscript is procured by those who shouldn't have access, and Pavone, a long time editor, demonstrates his insider knowledge of the publishing industry. Copenhagen, Zurich, New York, Washington and Los Angeles provide the backdrop for this well written story, which provides several twists that are for the most part predictable, but satisfying. Pavones is an excellent writer, and fleshes out his characters well. I'm not sure if espionage, or political thriller is appropriate for the Accident. It did keep me awake rather late though. Based on his first two novels, I'm curious to see what Pavone produces next.
    • 4/5
      Isabel Reed is a reader for an independent New York literary agency. Her long-term friend Jeffrey is a reader for an ailing publishing house that has come under threat of takeover by a burgeoning multimedia empire. Charlie Wolfe is a multi-millionaire who owns the media giant and he dreams of seeking public office. Out of the blue Isabel receives a hard copy of an anonymous biography of Wolfe which makes some devastating, potentially career-wrecking allegations.As the novel opens Isabel has just finished reading the draft and is amazed at the potential of this book, and starts to think in terms of seven-, or even eight-, figure advances for publication rights. She also realises that such a valuable publishing property, susceptible to legal intervention, must be kept secret for as long as possible. She has the manuscript and her assistant has what she believes is the only photocopy, and she wants to keep it that way for as long as possible. The manuscript had been delivered by a courier, and the only contact detail provided for the author is an email address. This, however, appears to have been disabled, and Isabel's attempts to write to the author bounce back as 'undeliverable'. And then events take a sinister turn, and it becomes clear that someone is very anxious to ensure that the book is never published. The novel flits between Isabel, the anonymous author and the nefarious agent who is striving to recover the manuscript before its contents can reach the public domain. These ingredients lend themselves to a taut thriller as the hunt for the manuscript moves at lightning speed between Europe and America. We are drip fed nuggets from the biography, though Pavone tantalises the reader with a series of unexpected twists. I congratulated myself on seeing through one of the major turns but was completely sold the dummy over a couple of others.The writing is taut and stark, which supports the build-up of the tension. There is little flamboyancy in the prose, but none is needed - the plot generates, and sustains, enough excitement to hold the reader's attention throughout, and despite the intricacy of the layered storylines, I don't think that there were any loose ends left dangling at the conclusion.
    • 4/5
      The Accident, by Chris Pavone, was like riding a wave. To me the book started slow, but picked up as the chapters went on. It then dragged a little in the middle, but finished with a flurry. Overall I enjoyed the book and gave it four stars. I thought the character description was good, the story interesting, and the book had a certain magnetism that brought me back quickly until the book was finished. I also thought it unique that the book took place over the course of 24 hours. Quick interesting read.
    • 4/5
      Pavone's book tells the story of an anonymous man delivering a manuscript to a literary agent. When she reads it she realizes that it has information that will take down one of the most influential men in the world as well as many others in the residual damage. There are people out there who are willing to kill so that the book is not published. The man in his youth in a drunken state hit a young lady with his car and it was covered up. The book tells the "real" story of what happened that night. I was fully engage with the characters and there were many surprises at the end. This is a book well worth reading.
    • 4/5
      This is a race against time thriller A manuscript naming a leading politician in an accident that happened 25 years ago killed a young woman.The author of this manuscript was the best mate of the murderer they covered up this crime, author fakes his death then releases the manuscript. A shady CIA team are trying to stop this book being published.People turn up dead. Will the manuscript see the light of day. Fast paced good book.
    • 4/5
      This was a well-put together suspenseful tale by Chris Pavone. With roots in the publishing industry, he seems especially equipped to write such a story. The action takes place over the course of one day when literary agent Isabel Reed receives an anonymous offering, on paper, no less. The ambiguous, yet strident instructions are to involve no one, but soon, the chapters fly by with more and more characters involved with what could be a critical expose on a very wealthy man named Charlie Wolfe. Not to give anything away, my only quibble was that I wasn't sure I was supposed to figure out as much as I did, when I did.
    • 4/5
      At first I did not think I would like this book(I listened to it on CD - excellent reader)but the further in I got the more I became intrigued by the story line & invested in the characters. Just like the manuscript that is at the center of the story, this is a page-turner. Excellent writing, very complicated plot with lots of twists & turns & plenty of nail-biting action; altogether an exciting, enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      I received this book from the Early Reviewers program. I had read The Ex-Pats by the author and enjoyed it, so I was eager to read this book. I won't go into the basic plot line of the book as that is available in many other places; I will say that I am not normally a reader of thrillers or spy stories, but I enjoyed Pavone's books because they are carefully constructed and they are quite suspenseful. The last few chapters made the book one I could not easily put down. His plot twists are thoughtful, and I was often surprised by the connections between characters as well as their motivations. I would like to see what happens as I do not believe this is the last time we hear of Isabel Reed (just as it was not the last time we heard of Kate and Hayden from The Ex-Pats, who show up here, too). In any case, I would say that if you do not generally like spy thrillers, you might want to give this book a chance.I will not say it is a perfect mystery. Readers will have questions about why certain characters don't take what might be obvious steps to protect themselves. I just went along with the plot to see where it led me without worrying too much about that. I do think The Ex-Pats was a better book, but this is a good follow-up. I would/will read his next book.
    • 4/5
      Chris Pavone wrote a very solid thriller here. The Accident offers a very interesting behind the scenes reveal of the publishing industry as it carries you along on a much delayed murder investigation. While teasing quite a bit about who wrote a secretive manuscript, we follow the action as parties unknown try to erase the manuscript from existence. The body count mounts quickly as we're drawn into the action. It's a lot of fun and I really liked the details about the publishing biz.
    • 4/5
      I received a e-copy of this book for an honest review from Edelweiss; I received a hardcopy from Blogging for Books.

      Somehow this book slid down my to-read list and I just found it again a couple of days ago. Having read the Expat by this author and really enjoying it, I leapt at the opportunity to get my hands on an early copy of the Accident; and then promptly forgot I had it.

      After I finished the book, I remembered that the book began as Isabelle Reed had finished reading the anonymous manuscript. I flipped back to the first page of Chapter 1 to re-read a paragraph that I had flagged in my notes.

      Isabelle is "astounded, at the enormity of the story. Disappointed, at the absence of the confirmation she was hoping for. Furious, at what it means. Terrified, at the dangers it presents. And, above all, heartbroken, at the immensity of the betrayal. Betrayals."

      That says it all. Every character, large and small in this book displays personal weaknesses that alter their futures good or bad. There is powerful International intrigue. Human frailty and lack of judgment abounds and results in serious repercussions. Powerfully connected people can lose their humanness and their souls. Greed, in all its manifestations, can corrupt and destroy. Trust and trustworthiness is finite and indistinguishable from truth. Any you are never truly alone with your secrets.

      The story lines flip between past and present for each major character. With each digression, a few more tantalizing facts draw the individual stories together.

      I found the story fascinating and reflected on the relevance to aspects of our own lives and the privacy we think we have and the truth that we are exposed in so many more ways than we can possibly imagine. Someone is always watching.

      The story ended rather abruptly for me. There were many story lines left unraveled. Hoping there is a sequel in the works. A very entertaining story and definitely worth a recommend.
    • 5/5
      If you like Coben, Child, and Deaver, you're going to love this. Twisting, tense, and terribly good. I dare anyone to guess the ending. This is writing that will make you stay up all night to finish.
    • 4/5
      Very complex mystery about a manuscript that someone is determined to keep from being published.
    • 4/5
      The Accident by Chis Pavone is a faced paced thriller, which kept me turning the pages, wanting to know more. Pavone weaves together several plotlines, twists, and a multitude of characters, which makes the book all that more intriguing, however there is just something missing. It is quite possible I am comparing The Accident to Pavone's previous book, The Expats, and in that regard, I preferred his previous work; however, The Accident will easily keep the reader engaged and I look forward to seeing what Pavone comes up with next.
    • 4/5
      Read from January 16 to 20, 2014A thriller involving a controversial manuscript that someone very powerful does not want published. A suspensful book about a book. Fantastic!(And Kate from The Expats even makes an appearance...)
    • 4/5
      Chris Pavone won the Edgar Award for his first novel last year, The Expats, which I read and enjoyed. It featured Kate, a former CIA operative who moves to Europe with her husband and son and finds herself caught up in a dangerous situation that her nerdy husband created. It was a fast-paced read, with lots of twists and turns, a real page-turner.His newest novel, The Accident, has as one of it's main characters, Hayden, a mysterious CIA operative (is there any other kind?) who worked with Kate in The Expats. (Kate makes a cameo appearance here, which is fun.)Pavone worked in the publishing business, which plays a big role in The Accident. Isabel Reed, a literary agent, receives a mysterious manuscript at her office. It is a biography of media mogul Charlie Wolfe, one of the most powerful people on the planet, who just happens to be planning a Senate run.The author is "Anonymous", and this person has some bombshell revelations about Mr. Wolfe, including the fact that he accidentally killed a college coed and, with his father, a deputy CIA director, and his best friend David, who was with him, got rid of the body. Oh, and he also helped the CIA destroy reputations and influence elections in other countries.It would seem that the author is David, but David committed suicide by flying his plane into the sea after getting a terminal cancer diagnosis. But did he really die? They found the plane, but no body.Hayden is tasked with finding the real author and retrieving every copy of the manuscript that exists. When people who have made copies of the manuscript end up dead, Isabel Reed must go on the run and try to outwit the killer.Just like The Expats, The Accident is a real barn burner. You must be prepared to set aside enough time to read it in one sitting, because you will not be able to put it down. I find it interesting that Pavone writes such fascinating female characters, first Kate, and now Isabel, as the protagonists in his thrillers. They are the real stars of these action-packed novels.If you are interested in the publishing world, Pavone gives you a real insider's look. I only hope that it is not as dangerous as it appears here. In his Acknowledgements, he lists many of the people who don't always get a thank you, including the sales and marketing team, and the copy editors and proofreaders at Crown Publishing, which was a nice touch.Fans of John Grisham will enjoy Pavone's books, as they are heavy on plot twists, with a few jaw-dropping revelations that had me nearly dropping my book. I highly recommend both of Pavone's books, and was happy to see that in this book, I wasn't as confused by the ending as I was by The Expats. I could see both of these books as films, and if they haven't been optioned yet, they should be.