A novella by Jeffery Deaver this started slow and grabbed my interest part way through the story. The main character Constant was quirky and a rule breaker though she was law enforcement. As the story progressed, things you thought we true flipped and unexpectedly the criminals were hard to find. I liked the character and the story and would read more books about this character and her world.

I've been a huge Jeffery Deaver fan since The Bone Collector, and I don't remember being disappointed. To me, he's the king of the twists, and even when I think I've figured something out, there's always more, even in shorter stories like this.
Constant Marlowe is a terrific character, a law enforcement whose loyalty is to justice instead of bureaucracy, so when she ends up in what looks like something very shady, she steps in to protect people. She's also great because she has an interesting background, and an interesting way of looking at things. While looking for a witness, Constant stumbles upon a conspiracy in a small town, and risks her own safety to protect a teen she thinks is being victimized by local law enforcement.
Again, this was short, but it was self-contained and satisfying. The narrator did a great job portraying this confident, unusual but very likeable character. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

Downstate by Jeffery Deaver is a novella about special agent Constant Marlowe who is in pursue of Mr.X when she stumbles across a lead that could be a bigger fish for her to take down. This was my first introduction to Agent Marlowe and at first I was skeptical I kinda felt like I was in school with all the descriptions and the storyline was not holding my interests until Skinny and Big showed up. The narrator really bought this part to life and gained my full attention throughout the rest of the book, I feel like a narrator can make or break a book regardless of the story being told. I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more of Jeffery’s character Agent Constant Marlowe.

Jeffery Deaver’s novella Downstate packs a lot of punch into a quick read, and listening to Christina Traister narrate it brought the story vividly to life. As a long-time fan of Deaver’s work, I always expect tight plotting and unexpected twists, and this one didn’t disappoint. While the premise might seem straightforward—Special Agent Constant Marlowe chasing a mystery man known only as "Mr. X"—the rural Illinois setting and a seemingly minor convenience store robbery give way to a labyrinth of conspiracy, danger, and deception.

Downstate thrives on misdirection. Every time you think you know where the story is heading, Deaver pulls the rug out from under you. He’s a master at taking seemingly small details and spinning them into something bigger, more ominous. The cornfields of Illinois are more than just a backdrop—they’re a perfect metaphor for how the truth here is always just out of sight, hidden behind something mundane yet ominous.

Constant Marlowe is a great protagonist, sharp and determined but also human. She doesn’t have the answers handed to her, and her wit and persistence carry the story forward. Deaver gives her enough depth to feel authentic, even within the novella’s shorter page count. The supporting characters add to the intrigue without overstaying their welcome. Everyone feels like they have a part to play, and it’s satisfying to see how those pieces click into place by the end.

I read the audio version and Christina Traister’s narration struck the right balance between suspense and urgency. Her delivery captured Marlowe’s intelligence and resilience while heightening the tension during pivotal moments. I found myself leaning in, eager to know what would happen next. While there were a few moments where the pacing felt a touch uneven, it didn’t detract from the overall experience.

If you’re a Deaver fan or just someone who loves a tightly woven thriller with plenty of surprises, Downstate is absolutely worth your time. It’s a short but satisfying ride that proves once again why Deaver remains one of the best in the game. And if you’re new to his work, this novella is an excellent place to get a taste of his style—just don’t expect to predict where it’ll take you.

This was a fun novella to listen to. This is my first introduction to Constant Marlowe and she’s a special agent who loves to fight. I enjoyed the mystery with police corruption and thoroughly enjoyed the action towards the end in the corn field. The narrator, Christina Traister does a good job portraying Constant but the tones and inflections used for the men were okay. I plan on going back and checking out the first book since I really enjoyed this novella. If you love mystery, police procedural, and corruption be sure to check this one out!

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing & Author Jeffery Deaver for providing me with an audiobook version of this piece for a honest review.

This novella features Special Agent Constant Marlowe as she travels to the small town of Plains in search of Mr. X. When he is captured, things takes a crazy turn where corruption, conspiracies and plot twists are entering the story.

It was clear for me that this was not the first book in a series, and I was missing quite a lot of backstory to fully understand the introduction. However, Constant Marlowe is a badass female protagonist and her character was very well written. I'm sure as hell would not want to meet her in a fist fight.

The Narriator, Christina Traister, did a great job narrating this piece. She gave the correct amount of personality, action and character development to where it was believable and easy to listen to.

I am 100% sure that I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the first book before this. Like someone else mentioned in the reviews; It's not the book, it's me!

“Downstate” by Jeffery Deaver
An Audible Original
Performed by Christina Traister

Downstate offers a modern twist on classic noir, following Special Agent Constant Marlowe into the rural heart of Illinois. Beneath the sleepy facade of a small town lies a web of conspiracy that Marlowe must unravel, making for a gripping and suspenseful read.

Pros:
• Compelling Atmosphere: The rural setting, with its expansive cornfields and isolated community, creates an eerie sense of detachment and hidden dangers.
• Engaging Plot: The narrative is brisk and suspenseful, pulling readers into Marlowe’s investigation and the unexpected twists she encounters.
• Strong Protagonist: Marlowe’s toughness and resourcefulness make her a standout, even as she faces physical and moral challenges.

Cons:
• Limited Depth: The novella format doesn’t allow for as much character or plot development as Deaver’s longer works, leading to a somewhat rushed resolution.
• Narration Issues: Christina Traister’s narration is generally solid, even excellent from time to time, but also during key moments her portrayal of Marlowe feels off, particularly in times of intensity where she sounds more like she’s scolding a misbehaving dog than embodying the iron-willed detective.
• Predictable Elements: Some plot twists are a bit too easy to anticipate, which slightly diminishes the suspense.

Conclusion:

Downstate is an enjoyable, quick detective story that blends classic noir elements with a modern edge. Despite a few flaws, it’s a solid, engaging listen.
I recommend checking it out during your communute

I give it a solid B

Jeffery Deaver has always been one of my top crime authors, and Downstate further solidifies his place on that list. While it's a novella and shorter than his usual works, it doesn’t compromise on delivering an intense experience. The audio format makes the fast-paced action even more gripping and adds a layer of emotional depth. Deaver masterfully packs this story with intricate twists and suspense that keep you hooked from start to finish. It’s a testament to Deaver’s skill as a writer that even in a shorter format, he can weave a gripping tale that rivals the depth of a full-length novel. If you're a fan of crime fiction, this is a quick but thoroughly engaging read that you shouldn't miss.

This short story kept my attention well enough but the audiobook version voices were a little distracting for some reason. A cat and mouse story with main character, agent Constant Marlowe, unraveling the conspiracy and the parties involved. Not my favorite story by Jeffery Deaver. I think I like his longer stories better and they allow more development of the character and the story. Overall, a decent story.

A great novella in the Special Agent Constant Marlowe series. Jeffery Deaver always does a fantastic job of writing a mystery that keeps you engaged and it makes you never want to put it down.

Christine Traister did a great job narrating this novel and I hope they continue narrating this series.

Downstate is a novella by best-selling American author, Jeffery Deaver that features Special Agent Constant Marlowe, itinerant investigator for the Department of Criminal Investigations in the state of Illinois. The audio version is narrated by Christina Traister. As she heads downstate from Chicago to the small town of Plains, Constant Marlowe is reminded of why she hates cornfields.

She’s on the trail of an unnamed individual who has never killed anyone, never been arrested, but is well-known on the dark web for the weapon he sells: information. This Mr X can lead her to a ruthless sociopath who is on every law enforcement agency’s wanted list. He may be aware she’s coming, but has he underestimated Constant and the little sting she’s set up?

Later, in the downtime until her target is transported to the city, she somehow gets entangled in a very nasty racket going on in the town, and ends up on the run with a teenaged petty thief, a BOLO out on them both and a blanket order that endangers their lives. But Constant is not one to shy away from a challenge.

Before matters are properly resolved, Constant gets into a fist fight, Evan Quill makes an appearance, and Constant’s loathing for cornfields is strongly reinforced. More of this cast, please, Mr Deaver!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing

No matter the length, Deaver never fails to deliver. Constant Barlow is in Downstate, which is any place in Illinois other than Chicago. She gets tangled up in a situation in a sleepy "cornfield" type of town. She "breaks" out a young man in order to protect him from a ruthless sheriff. As she gets acquainted with the guy, the more she thinks not everything may not be as it seems. Very faced paced. The audiobook was great! The narrator Christina Traister narrates an excellent production.

5 stars

An enjoyable novella from Jeffrey Deaver. Always enjoy what he has written and I believe I have read them all. While the Lincoln Rhyme series is my favorite this is not far behind. The Colter Shaw books are also pushing the top.
Thanks for all of them and the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Downstate benefits from being a Novella as while a police procedural, it doesn’t get too bogged down in the day to day stuff like paperwork. A quick listen at 3hr 17min at regular speed, it was interesting enough to finish in a day over a few sessions.

Constant (yes, not Constance) heads to rural Illinois and you know nothing good happens to a city based cop in a small town. She is trying to track down someone high enough in organised crime to flip and finds him quickly, although flipping him is another story. Honestly, a little too easily for someone who is supposed to be fairly high up, intelligent and a careful planner. But she accidentally stumbles on another issue when a trip to the convenience store ends in an arrest and not knowing who she can trust.

A little obvious but still a great read/listen and the ending was a nice touch. Constant is believable as a female investigator who works alone, even if she does get into a lot of fist fights with guys much bigger than her with only some bruised knuckles and a missing carton of milk to show for it.

Narration: I have listened to a few books narrated by Christina Traister before and she is a decent narrator. This book is largely from the same POV which helps as her male voices can be a bit over the top (for example, the argument between Eddie and Slim). But a solid narrator and better than many.

She is better at slower speeds and the audio gets pitchy if sped up too much. However, she also speaks too slowly for me to listen at regular speed, so 1.25x-1.5x is the sweet spot.

This is an Audible exclusive and available on January 14th. Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advance copy for review.

Nice police procedural with two different cases and one badass female officer. Great writing style and the audiobook is performed well. No complaints.

3.5* Downstate is a ‘wham-bam’ thriller of a novella from Jeffrey Deaver which doesn’t leave much space to breathe!

Special Agent Constance Marlowe is tasked with bringing in Mr X, the man who provided research, information and data to allow others to commit crimes. The plan is to flip X to support unravelling a specific criminal. As Constance tries to work out X’s identity, she witnesses a teenager stealing gift cards from a grocery store. Little does she know that this apparent minor infraction will lead her into a much darker underbelly of rural crime and conspiracy.

Told at blistering pace and with an unrelenting plot, this is a great thrill ride. As it’s a novella there is limited space to set the scene and to really get under the skin of any of the characters, which is my usual preference, but I hugely enjoyed this caper. Constance is kick-ass and fun to be with ride alongside for a couple of hours.

I listened to the audio version which had a professional narrator who lacked a little with engagement (it was better when speeded up).

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Original Audio for an ARC

This was a quick little mystery story. I followed the plot easily and the characters all made sense but I found it all pretty boring - a lot of telling not showing and over explaining to the reader.