Throughout your life, you’ve probably noticed that there are two kinds of people: those who are late, and those who are not.

The late ones stroll casually in to a lunch, party, meeting or appointment 20 minutes after they’re supposed to be there, surprised to see you waiting.

The on-time people are punctual to a fault, maybe even a little early.

Some people will be late to their own funerals. The rest would rather die than dally.

 

But if Detective Jacqueline Daniels is late, the dead body won’t be hers. In the new audiobook “Cherry Bomb,” by J.A. Konrath, a little procrastination on Jack’s part may instead mean the demise of the people she loves.

As funerals go, this one wouldn’t have been unusual had it not been for the phone call that Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels received graveside.

The call was from Alexandra Kork — the original reason for the funeral — and she wasn’t phoning with condolences. Alex had killed one of Jack’s loved ones, and she had more murder on her mind.

Hours later, a photo of a bloody, duct-taped, tortured man was sent to Jack via a cell phone that Alex had furnished. The man had a wild look in his eyes, burns on his chest and a rigged shotgun pointed at his head. And Jack had 12 hours to find the identity of the man and save his life.

 

But it didn’t end there.

Another man and two hours … this one personal. And very gruesome.

And another, with just a minute’s warning. This one, almost killing one of the people closest and most important to Lieutenant Jack Daniels.

But with the help of former partner (and possible half-brother) Harry McGlade, bank robber and part-time hustler; Phin Trout, a Crimebago (mobile crime lab + Winnebago); and a few friendly fellow Chicago Police Department officers, Jack Daniels won’t let Alex Kork get away with murder.

Even if it kills her.

First, let me say this: if you haven’t read or listened to author J.A. Konrath’s previous novels, stop right here and go get them, particularly the last one, “Fuzzy Navel.” Reading that book will make the experience of hearing this one so much better. You probably could listen to “Cherry Bomb” by itself, but going back one book will be more than worth your while.

Now, for fans of Konrath: be prepared.

 

Be prepared for Alex Kork on steriods. Alex is about a 100 percent nastier, which means her crimes are crueler and squirmier. Prepare yourself for several heart-in-your-throat moments of knowing what will happen but never being sure.

Be ready for at least three big sock-in-the-eye surprises and a double-twist ending that will make you cheer — and howl.

Get ready for sadness, laughter, gasps and desperately wanting the next book.

Vacation warning: “Cherry Bomb” is definitely, absolutely not appropriate listening for kids under the age of 17 nor is it an audiobook for the weak of heart.

But if you’re a Konrath fan or if you love detective novels, “Cherry Bomb” is explosive.

 

 

“Cherry Bomb” by J.A. Konrath,

read by Susie Breck and Dick Hill

c.2009, Brilliance Audio

$29.99 / $41.95 Canada

8 CDs / 9 hrs, 10 min.