Deadly Intent

Adrian Hell Series, Book 4

By: James P. Sumner

Narrated by: Gary Bennett

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

He found peace. He found happiness. Now he must find the truth.

An unseen enemy is pushing the world to the brink of war.

The greatest threat we have ever known just landed on the wrong doorstep.

For two years, Adrian Hell has enjoyed his retirement. But one night, three strangers walk into his life and set in motion a chain of events that will shatter the life he fought so hard to build.

Faces from his past and doubts about his future compel Adrian to pick up his guns once more and do what he does best. But when he finds himself in the middle of a large-scale conspiracy that threatens everyone’s freedom, he realizes his will to do the right thing might not be enough....

This is truly an epic blockbuster of a novel. An intense, gripping, intelligent storyline, filled with compelling characters and unforgettable action. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown and Lee Child.

Uncover the conspiracy today.

©2015 James P. Sumner (P)2023 James P. Sumner

Bigger and more extreme than the previous

If you are looking for something that feels like a blending of the hit TV series 24 with aspects of action taken from a Rambo movie, you will enjoy the action and adventure contained in “Deadly Intent”, which is the fourth audiobook in the Adrian Hell series. The series is brilliantly crafted by James P. Sumner and the audiobook’s narration was superbly performed by Gary Bennett. This team continues to hit the ball out of the park when it comes to new episodes in the series, each one feeling like a new chapter of a hit TV series. There is plenty of violence, loads of technology and people chases that end up touching multiple continents. This story is bigger and more exciting in many ways. If you have enjoyed the pervious tales in the series, this one is for you. If you have never listed to any of the audiobook in the series, I highly recommend them. Each is a stand-along story, so you can jump right in at any time. I can say that the way this story ends, there will be a another and one can only guess how it will go for Adrian.

The story opens with our main character is somewhat retired from his profession as an elite assassin. He is now living in a small town and wanting to settle down with a new love and a dog. However, he finds that when you are as good an assassin as he is, retirement does not last long. Also, when he is the target and the one being framed for wrongdoing, all gloves come off and the fight is on. I found the prologue details welcoming as this helps to set the stage and allows the listener to also get reacquainted with the characters. Much like with a TV series, the author did a good job of providing the “previously on” portion. I did have to say that this was the slowest start of any in this series. But that is not a bad thing. Just be aware that this is more like a smoldering dry Christmas tree that quickly ramps up to a roaring blaze in no time. Society has determined that legalizing both drugs and prostitution would help bring down the country’s debt, but with this comes other issues that need to be addressed.

I did enjoy that Adrian had a deep devotion to both his girlfriend Tori and his dog Sticks. It is good that we can continue to see the emotional side of this very hardened assassin. It has even come to the point where he is looking to settle down and becomes a family man. But this can only last a short period before Adrian is off to save the world from a group of devout terrorists. It is a revenge story which Adrian does not want to get involved, yet there is not much he can do as he is sucker punched and thrown into the ring for a fight. Lucky for him, he still maintains his true and honored best friends, his pair of shinny Berettas, and Josh of course. I always laugh at the many pop culture pokes and references such as when the group Twisted Sister is called out, such nostalgic memories. There is a vast amount of technology and destruction that takes place in this story. Quite a few bodies that need cleaning up after the fact. Overall, it is bigger and more impactful from some of the others in the series.

The audiobook’s narration is as one would expect when you bring on a professional narrator like Gary Bennett to the table. All his narration pieces, which I have listened to, have been exceptional. Characters feel alive, inflection is felt, action is fluid, and the audio is of the highest quality. A strong narrator can elevate a story from good to great, and I can say that I like this duo very much. I do not recall any audio artifacts such as pops, swallows, or background noises while listening. Mr. Bennett’s voice is easy to listen to and is well paced from start to finish.

For parents and younger listeners, this audiobook is intended for more mature listeners. It contains profanity, some adult themes, and some graphic violence that may not be completely appropriate for younger listeners. I would recommend this audiobook and the series for mature listeners only.

In summary, if you have not picked it up from the review, I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It was slower to get rolling, but that allowed the author to ramp up the action from there. The narration was solid and as expected from a professional narrator. Again, based on the end of this story, there are potentially bigger things coming in the next. Keep up the great work you two, and I look forward to the next.

A Jet-Setting High-Octane Adventure

Deadly Intent, the fourth installment in the Adrian Hell series by James P. Sumner and narrated by Gary Bennett, delivers an exhilarating and action-packed experience that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This book is an intense addition to the series, and it keeps the adrenaline pumping as we follow the intriguing life of Adrian Hell.

The most surprising aspect of Deadly Intent is the ironic beginning, with Adrian in retirement and running his own bar with a girlfriend and a stray dog that’s taken to Adrian. This humanized Adrian to a certain extent in this installment, which adds depth to his character without diminishing his deadly prowess. It makes him even more relatable and intriguing as a lead character and reminds me that he is a person behind those deadly hands. This unexpected setup adds depth to the character and offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a stark contrast to the high-octane action that follows, making it all the more exciting.

Spoiler Alert: The book evokes a John Wick vibe, with its relentless action sequences and relentless pursuit of justice, making it a must-read for fans of that franchise. However, it’s worth noting that there is a scene that could be triggering for dog lovers, so be prepared for some emotional moments.

The plot takes readers on a global adventure, with Adrian traveling to various locations, providing a thrilling change of scenery and keeping the story fresh. The story also delves into the shadowy world of the U.S. government and its covert operations, creating an atmosphere of secrecy and intrigue that keeps you guessing throughout.

James P. Sumner excels at crafting action-packed narratives, and Deadly Intent is no exception. His storytelling keeps you engaged, and the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns. As a reader, you can’t help but be captivated by the intricate web of government operatives and top-secret projects that unfold.

Deadly Intent leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, as it promises an even more riveting adventure. Sumner has masterfully created a world of action and intrigue, and I, for one, cannot wait to see where Adrian Hell’s journey takes us next. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and found myself staying up way too late to listen and eagerly starting it as soon as I woke up. If you’re a fan of action-packed thrillers and compelling characters, this series is a must-read.

The narration by Bennett shines through. He is able to become Hell and it takes an already great storyline and makes it even more realistic. I love getting to dive into his stories because Gary brings so much heart and soul to the storytelling aspect. You can really feel his love for the characters, and stories, and his respect for the authors.

Great Storyline and Narrator!

Adrian has found peace in a small Texan town with a new girlfriend and as the owner of a bar. Having reconciled physically, emotionally, and mentally with his past he has also retired his guns. Until someone kidnaps his girlfriend and puts both his community and dog in jeopardy. Now they face Hell in the flesh!

James P. Sumner, the author, skillfully weaves an action-packed thriller in the ongoing saga of Adrian Hell. The series maintains continuity between books and allows unexpected and meaningful character evolution in the main character, Adrian. Sumner allows Adrian to evolve in an authentic and meaningful manner.

The narrator, Gary Bennett’s rich and powerful voice resonates throughout the series consistently. His tonal inflections are perfect, he speaks clearly and with a passion-fueled energy that captivates the listener. With each series, Bennett easily slips into the characters like a second skin. His talents allow the listener to believe they are hearing the authentic voice of each character.

When the listener hears the closing sentence one finds disappointment, that is until it is discovered there is yet another opportunity to hear another book narrated by Gary Bennett and written by James P. Sumner just around the corner!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.