Cached Out: A Cliff Knowles Mystery (Cliff Knowles Mysteries Book 2)

I suspect readers don't realize how difficult a task that is for a writer. This cannot possibly be only the author's second book. I am willing to bet there are a ton of short stories out there, in which he perfected the writer's craft. Or some outstanding editor. On a minor note, I appreciate the wide-margin formatting, so that the reader doesn't have to yank the book wide open to see the words near the inside margins.

Atkinson's descriptions are often very witty. Here's my favorite line in the book: A really excellent read. I look forward to reading Cliff's next adventure. Back with the FBI, or maybe a P. The author isn't saying, but I have my suspicions. Suspenseful with great characters. Geocaching lends a modern, technical backdrop to this well-plotted and realistic mystery. Joe Hempel performs well, giving distinctive voices to the characters. His performance borders on over-dramatic in a couple of instances, but overall, it's quite acceptable.

This is my kind of story and I look forward to more from this series. I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review. I picked up this book on the Kindle as a promotional free borrowing item. I heard about it previously from podcacher. It handled geocaching extremely well, especially the puzzle parts, followed by the terminology, and action of finding a cache. It was quite apparent the author was an avid cacher.

The book was not without its issues, e,g, a time lag for healing multiple broken bones on a 50 year old seemed almost inconsequential, yet reality would have I picked up this book on the Kindle as a promotional free borrowing item. The book was not without its issues, e,g, a time lag for healing multiple broken bones on a 50 year old seemed almost inconsequential, yet reality would have 8 weeks of healing and weeks of rehab. Putting that aside, the book seemed well written, tried to pick up a few other crime fighting activities on the side, and was a treat to read.

May 04, Jennifer rated it it was amazing. I loved this book for a few reasons. First, it is a crime novel with geocaching at the core. Second, it is well written and a truly enjoyable story. Lastly, it takes place on my "home turf". These are trails that I hike and cache on! I loved visualizing the action in all those familiar places. My only wish is that the caches were real if not so hard and that there will be a follow up with more caching adventure! Great read I like mysteries and crime thrillers, "Cached Out" was fun to read and kept my attention from beginning to end..

The characters were well developed, the plot held together, the ending was, indeed, a surprise. Feb 16, Joseph Thomas rated it liked it Recommends it for: Geocachers, Crime Drama fans. Cached Out is my first book by Russell Atkinson. I should note that I listened to the Audio version of this narrated by Joe Hempel , who I also enjoyed listening to narrate Heart of Gold. When it turns out the body belongs to a criminal leader of a drug cartel previously involved in a major drug bust that Cliff had been a part of, but was never arrested.

When more bodies start t Cached Out is my first book by Russell Atkinson. When more bodies start turning up near geocache sites that Cliff had visited, the investigation turns on him as a suspect. To clear his name he has to do some investigating of his own to find the only other person who has also visited the geocaching sites, the owner only known as Enigmal. Overall, I found this book enjoyable. Throughout the story, there was enough mystery and suspense to keep me engaged. The cast of characters are all distinct and well done.

The story is told from the third person perspective, and while it mainly follows Cliff it does also give the other characters quite a bit of spotlight.

If you are a geocacher, then you may enjoy this book but be forewarned: I can see how this would get old to someone who is very familiar to geocaching. If you do not know what geocaching is, you should check out https: OK, now it's time for the nit-picking. While none of these things were huge negatives they are worth mentioning. The biggest problem I had is there are a few parts where it seems some editing was missed.

Through most of the book when it comes to the crime drama, it discusses the details about things like investigative procedures and how law enforcement works together it is fairly well done. Once in a while however, there are parts that seem to be lazy or overlooked in editing. While investigating multiple murders connected together, multiple agencies supposedly cannot get a warrant to obtain identity information from a geocaching website because there is no official case?!?!

It made aparent that the Author wanted to drag out discovering the identity of this person, however it could have been more realistically done other ways such as having that person always post from internet cafe's or hotspots making his identity hard to know. There are a few times like these that feel like it breaks away from a serious approach at crime drama. Joe Hempel does an excellent job narrating in this book. All of the voices are disticnt, have character and none feel cringy, which can happen especially often when trying to depict the opposite sex.

Such a good job was done with this novel, I have bookmarked other Audiobooks narrated by Joe to listen to in the future. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast. Mar 23, Regina rated it liked it. Is more like it. A retired FBI agent, forced into retirement and who lost his wife to a drunk driver takes up geocashing to fill his time. While he is being investigated for this likely murder, Cliff stumbles upon another dead body at a different cache. The bodies start piling up and Cliff becomes a more likely suspect with each one.

He helps the investigators out at times and at times does his own investigating because it becomes increasingly clear with each body that the local police, state police, and FBI are not getting the investigation done to the point of clearing his name.

Buy for others

Add to this other police officers that could be suspects and you have the makings of a fun mystery on your hands. This listen was just OK for me, though. I enjoyed getting to know certain characters and learning about geocaching and different investigation procedures from a real life ex-FBI agent. At times, he seemed brilliant, and other times he seemed a little incompetent. There are no car chases, shootouts, or even James Bondian duplicity. If you are interested in how real life investigating happens and some of the insider politics between agencies and within those agencies, there is a lot to learn from this audiobook.

Another area heavily detailed is geocaching. From how to do it, what goes into solving a puzzle cache, the equipment, and the culture of the geocaching crowd, there is a lot to learn and if you were interested to know what it is and how to do it, there is a lot packed into this listen. Joel Hempel gives another great performance and is able to keep this rather large cast of characters distinct so you always know who is speaking.

His narration is nice, too, and he rarely does anything to take you out of the listen. I usually listen on 1. It seemed the perfect speed for my ears. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! Must go back and read the first book. Being an avid geocacher My only criticism was the continual acronyms used; they may have been necessary, but annoying all the same.

The story line was great as were the characters, some likeable and some not. Can't wait to read the first book. Retired FBI agent working hard to prove he was not a serial killer. Police agencies bickering as they try to work together to solve the case. Geocaching info in the mix. An ending written so you simply have to finish in one sitting. Interesting but too wordy Interesting but too wordy If it had been more condensed, I would have given it 4 stars. I liked the geocaching references and ending. Deadly Geocaching Being a geocacher myself certainly made this book intriguing but aside from that it was a fascinating yarn.

Lots of suspects and exciting situations. I enjoyed it very much. This book is really good. Well written and addictive. I want to read another one. I could not guess who did it until the very end. Feb 28, Norma rated it it was amazing Shelves: Audiobook Overall Performance Story ""Solving mysteries, investigating crimes The reader can enter into the location searches vicariously by trying to decipher the cryptic clues given in full and so match their solutions against the skills of the protagonist.

Retired after 25 successful years with the FBI, Clifford Knowles is in the desert, pursuing a hidden geocach site when he finds a skull, quickly followed by an old skeleton. With no phone signal, he bikes back to the nearest Rangers office to report it to a somewhat hostile officer. Turns out, the ten years old skeleton was that of a known drugs dealer who had disappeared around the time of an FBI raid in which Knowles himself had taken part. He immediately comes under suspicion, even more so when other bodies, also at geocach sites turn up.

But these are much more recent. With no other obvious suspects, Knowles needs all of his investigative powers, and the help of a few friends, to prove his innocence. This is a fairly long book, filled with dramatic twists and turns, adventures including the battle for life against a most unusual aggressor, and the dangers of being in hidden locations without the ability to summon assistance by phone.

The characterisations of the numerous protagonists are good, and the detail of the geocaching tracking is both fascinating and full of danger. Long, yes, but never once boring, especially for puzzle solvers. Throughout it all, Joe Hempel does an outstanding job, really becoming the main protagonist, Knowles, as well as expertly voicing everyone else in a clear and identifiable manner. His easy to listen to narration adds to the tensions as Cliff tries to find an alternative suspect and so prove, if not his innocence, at least another person of interest.

He carries the whole story effortlessly to maintain the underlying interest to the very last words. My profound thanks to the rights holder from whom I received the gift of Cached Out, via Audiobook Boom.

The Cliff Knowles Mystery Series in Order - Russell Atkinson - FictionDB

As well as thoroughly enjoying the story, I have had a glimpse into a world, that of geocaching, previously unknown to me. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of geocaching. It sounds such fun - Sadly, I am no longer in a position to take part myself but I received such vicarious pleasure in the exploits here presented I will certainly be looking into it further. A great investigative adventure with a twist that I can happily recommend wholeheartedly Feb 10, Hal Huntley rated it it was amazing.

See a Problem?

My preferred genre of books is not mysteries, but the series by Russell Atkinson have been excellent reads. I read this book a few years ago and liked it not just because it had geocaching in it, but it is very well written. This review also includes the "reading" of the audio book that has been recently released.

The legalese that we are told to put in our review: Cliff Knowles is a retired FBI agent who comes under suspicion of murder just because he finds a body in the leaves near a cache that he was looking for. Gee, it could happen to anybody. Cliff has to use all his resources in assisting informally in the investigation because he is the only one who knows anything about geocaching, but he also does not want himself to be a suspect. One of the things I enjoyed hearing was the detail and minute observations that Cliff has to pay attention to in his discussions with each person he interacts with.

He is always aware of what might be the right or wrong thing to say in any interview or conversation. Especially interesting is the ending where Cliff learns about what happened to the "bad guy" who had him captive for a time. I also enjoyed the analysis of the puzzle caches that are used in the book. Generally, I am not very good at puzzle or mystery caches, but I can succeed at the easier ones. Hopefully I'll remember some point revealed in the book to assist in figuring out some future puzzle cache that I see.

The narrator of the audio book is Joe Hempel. He is an excellent reader. His style brings to life the tension and suspense of all the scenes. I highly recommend the book. No, nor had I, but this is how it goes: If you read this book you will find out more, much more, so very much more about this, well, how do I describe it, hobby? I think you get my drift, the author is an obvious enthusiast, actually, probably an expert, and he likes to let yo Audiobook Edition http: I think you get my drift, the author is an obvious enthusiast, actually, probably an expert, and he likes to let you know, everything, far too much for me, I just lost interest.

I broke my rule for this book by reading a few reviews prior to posting my own, seems all these to me endless details go down a treat with some of the readers. Audiothing, what do I know? The author also happens to be an ex Federal Special Agent, so yes, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to crime and criminals. Now I do love a procedural, I really do, but again I felt overwhelmed by details, just too many details.

When I come across these lengthy explanations in a work of fiction, it makes me feel that the author underestimates the readers' ability to understand anything, unless given a lengthy and detailed lesson.

However, apart from these criticisms, the book does contain a cracking good story full of interesting characters, exciting moments, cliffhangers and lots of good old mystery. Now here's the rub! Review sites expect a star rating and I can only go with 3 for the story. A smart editor could knock 4 hours of the length of this listen simply by weeding out extraneous material, then it would be a 5 star for sure, but that's just my opinion.

Narrator Narrated by Joe Hempel who has been blessed with a pleasant and easy to listen to voice. Character definition is good, I had no trouble in identifying the male characters of the story. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the female characters, it takes a bit more than simply raising the pitch of the voice.

I reckon if he worked on that a bit, then he'd be a top notch narrator. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com Nov 21, Sarah Stevens rated it really liked it Shelves: Cliff is really into a hobby called Geocaching. When people find the cache, they get to log their initials on it and then they have bragging rights in their online community. A cache sounds like its basically a bunch of random stuff, and knowing what was in the box helps one prove they found it.

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While engaging in his hobby, Cliff stumbles into a dead body and becomes a murder suspect. Due to the abundance of info and enthusiasm about geocaching in this book, I strongly suspect the author has a geocaching hobby. I have to say, it does sound like a lot of fun. The first half of the book is good but is a little redundant because it lays the groundwork about how the FBI eliminates suspects, and information about how geocaching works. This element was good, but I felt there was a bit too much of it, dragging the story out.

The second half of the book was fantastic, things picked up and all that plot building from the first half payed off. All that talk turned into action, action, action! The narrator, Joe Hempel, did a good job. He has a good reading voice, clear and engaging, and he had one voice pitched a bit higher for women and another for men. Cliff Knowles is a likable, relatable guy caught in a bad situation: Cliff's FBI agent wife, Ellen Kennedy, returns to work after her maternity leave ready to pursue criminals of all stripes.

Instead she finds that she is assigned to a convicted drug dealer and heroin addict who once attacked Cliff, but to investigate her for an entirely unexpected reason - to help her get a presidential pardon! Once again Cliff and Ellen end up working together pursuing justice and geocaches in their own inimitable style. Gut Shot by Russell Atkinson. Book 5 in the Cliff Knowles series. Cliff Knowles swore he'd never help a defense attorney free a murder suspect, certainly not one who shot an FBI agent point blank in front of witnesses while yelling obscenities.

But then he never expected that an FBI agent he worked with would be the defendant. For the first time, Cliff tells the story in his own words. Cliff must face the scorn of his former colleagues for turning to the "dark side" of criminal defense while trying to keep his wife from falling into the abyss of postpartum depression.

When he is attacked by muggers he escapes more or less unscathed Once again, Cliff finds himself putting his life on the line. A Cliff Knowles Mystery. Trade paperback sold in U. May be available from Amazon in foreign countries. Book 4 in the Cliff Knowles series. When a court ruling once again halts the carrying out of the death sentences of hundreds of condemned murderers, a frustrated vigilante organization decides to take matters into its own hands.

In a mysterious and grisly act of horror, San Quentin's entire population of condemned prisoners is executed in the dark of night. And who are these vigilantes? His lover, Special Agent Ellen Kennedy, is intent on completing a geocaching challenge known as the Fizzy Challenge, but inadvertently turns Cliff into suspect number one by going for one cache too many. She has no doubt Cliff is innocent, but he's kept a secret from her. He's kept a secret from everyone and he knows that her faith in him is misplaced.

His only chance of keeping Ellen in his life, perhaps even of staying off death row himself, is to get to the critical evidence before the FBI does. Book 3 in the Cliff Knowles series. X-rays can kill cancer cells and save lives when administered properly. They can also kill people when things go wrong a fact learned the hard way by retired FBI agent Cliff Knowles. Hired to unravel the cause of some mysterious overdoses, he gets too close to the truth and finds his own life on the line. Inspired by actual cases he worked as an FBI agent in Silicon Valley, the author weaves an absorbing tale of greed, technology, and terrorism in this high-tech legal thriller.

After reading Fatal Dose youll never look at an X-ray machine the same way. Book 2 in the Cliff Knowles series. Newly retired from the FBI and alone after the tragic death of his wife, Cliff Knowles takes up geocaching. While looking for a cache in the mountains he comes across a human skeleton and reports it to the sheriff's office. Then a second body is found - a fresh corpse this time - right after Cliff found another geocache nearby. When it turns out the first remains are those of a fugitive he was supposed to arrest years earlier, he becomes a suspect in a multiple homicide investigation.

He has no choice but to use his sleuthing skills to identify the mysterious cache owner, known only as Enigmal, and free himself from suspicion. Trade paperback Sold in U. Held for Ransom by Russell Atkinson.

Book 1 in the Cliff Knowles series. The President of Claritiva Software is kidnapped at gunpoint. But the report is suspicious in many ways and the front office is skeptical the kidnapping is real. Knowles must fight his own bureaucracy while trying to rescue the victim and catch the kidnappers. This gripping novel will have you on the edge of your chair from the first chapter.

Editorial Reviews

The author, a retired year FBI veteran Special Agent, draws heavily on his experiences working high-technology and violent crimes cases in Silicon Valley to provide an unprecedentedly candid look at what it is like to work a high-profile kidnap case and what a kidnapping victim experiences. If you have considered becoming an FBI agent, or you have wondered what you would face as a kidnap victim and the decisions you would have to make, this book is a must-read. This is the real story, not the TV version you've seen a thousand times.

It isn't always pretty, but it is what happens when lives are at stake.