Matthew

Because so many of the reviews of this piece were less than stellar, I ordered it with lowered expectations. Much of the criticism was valid but I still found it to be an enjoyable listen. The main flaw was continuing the Wolf's character. There was no plausible explanation for him evolving into a Super Terrorist. Good fiction still needs a certain amount of believability. I think a new villain performing the same misdeeds would have made the work more credible. I think Mr. Patterson wrote this with the noble intention of giving his loyal readers a sense of closure. In many ways he accomplished this...but in the end I found myself asking the same question that I had after the final episode of Seinfeld, “Did he really have to go there?”

This was my first experience with this writer and narrator. The writing is enthralling and entertaining. The flow feels like one of the great older James Bond movies... Sean Connery of course. The characters are a little clich? but this actually works as positive instead of a negative. There are a few unneeded twists and turns and maybe a few unnecessary characters but the overall strength of the writing makes it all worth while. You will laugh out loud, get mad at the bad guys and cheer for the heroes.

The narrator instantly became one of my favorites. His deft handling of so many different accents is something I'll look forward to every time I listen to him in the future. You will also find that he had an interesting tendency to maintain the characters speaking voice after the quotation marks ended. I think it added to the performance. It created a kind of faux first person perspective. I will be downloading other works by both this writer and narrator. Count on it.

This book is filled with well developed characters whose arrays of virtues and flaws makes you both cheer them and scold them. The story evolves at a pace that is never too hurried or too slow. I mostly listen while commuting. I was so enthralled on one commute that I truly did not remember driving home. Please also note that Scott Brick's narration is often flawless. This performance does not disappoint. His juggling of so many voices often makes me think he must be afflicted (or blessed) with a multiple personality disorder. He is that good.

Seldom have I ever been so captivated by a work of fiction. The level of detail, the character development and the near-perfect pace made it a joy for both ear and mind. Mr. Eisler has instantly moved to the top my list as an author. Mr. Brick’s narration was also equal to the task by adding just enough and not trying improve a well crafted work. I found myself sitting in the car after reaching my destination just to listen to this wonderful book. I highly recommend it. Take a listen.