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The Providence Rider  By  cover art

The Providence Rider

By: Robert R. McCammon
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Publisher's summary

The Providence Rider is the fourth installment in the extraordinary series of historical thrillers featuring Matthew Corbett, professional problem solver. The narrative begins in the winter of 1703, with Matthew still haunted by his lethal encounter with notorious mass murderer Tyranthus Slaughter. When an unexplained series of explosions rocks his Manhattan neighborhood, Matthew finds himself forced to confront a new and unexpected problem. Someone is trying - and trying very hard - to get his attention. That someone is a shadowy figure from out of Matthew's past: the elusive Dr. Fell.

The doctor, it turns out, has a problem of his own, one that requires the exclusive services of Matthew Corbett.The ensuing narrative moves swiftly and gracefully from the emerging metropolis of New York City to Pendulum Island in the remote Bermudas. In the course of his journey, Matthew encounters a truly Dickensian assortment of memorable, often grotesque, antagonists. These include Sirki, the giant, deceptively soft-spoken East Indian killer, Dr. Jonathan Gentry, an expert in exotic potions with a substance abuse problem of his own, the beautiful but murderous Aria Chillany, and, of course, the master manipulator and "Emperor of Crime" on two continents, Dr. Fell himself. The result is both an exquisitely constructed novel of suspense and a meticulous recreation of a bygone era.

Filled with danger, narrative surprises, and an almost tangible sense of place, The Providence Rider is historical fiction at its finest and most developed. It is the novel that McCammon's many devoted readers have been waiting for. They will not be disappointed.

©2012 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Providence Rider

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

MAGNIFICENT!!!

The Providence Rider is Robert McCammon's 4th novel in his fantastic "Matthew Corbitt" series. (No prior series reading required)

Set in Manhattan in the early 18th Century, Matthew Corbitt is a professional "problem solver" working for the London-based Herrald Agency. Corbitt is equal parts intelligent, cowardly, witty, and moronic—a unique character, indeed. However, the cornerstone of these incredible novels isn't necessarily Corbitt; it's the magnificent adventures and mysteries, aka "problems", in of themselves, and McCammon's superb writing skills that bind them into genuine works of art—masterpieces.

The Providence Rider gives us Corbitt's first face-to-face introduction to the infamous Professor Fell. Chaos ensues, interesting characters join the gang, and the mysteries grow deeper. A fabulous continuation of a fabulous series.

Overall: 5 stars!
Performance: 5 stars! Edoardo Ballerini is AUDIBLE's BEST NARRATOR! PERIOD.
Story: 5 stars! (This is my favorite story in this series)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great one in the series

Again, I really enjoyed listening to the continuing sagas of Matthew. So well written, so well narrated. The plot was pretty much exciting from beginning to end.
My only concern is that the story is still not done, and the reviews for the book that follow this one are not stellar.
But, this book was a fantastic listen!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Getting harder to believe

What did you love best about The Providence Rider?

The perfect match between the narrator and the language. I just love the listen to the cadence.

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert McCammon? Why or why not?

Yes since I loved the first three but I am getting frustrated by the growing implausibility of the situation, the historical inconsistencies and throughly irritated by the author not advancing the story line in several of the sub-plots through the series. At times the same conversation is repeated. And how many times can Mr. Corbett be taken advantage of sexually? How many times can Corbett be concussed and damaged but has the endurance to go on for endless hours without sleep? I'm actually quite disappointed in Greathouse. He started off as a great character with tons of experience. Instead of being a mentor to Corbett, he's turning into quite the buffoon.

Which scene was your favorite?

Though it was gross, I like the visual of the giant octopus in the bottom of the castle.

If you could take any character from The Providence Rider out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Catherine Herrald...she's a strong character and highly underused.

Any additional comments?

The setting of the story in is some Atlantic island that is prone to major earthquakes. But also has 60 foot cliffs and dense topical forests and swamps with snakes and no coral reefs nor volcanic soil. I'm just not sure where that would be. And lastly, going down a dark staircase with the villain at the bottom and the castle about to collapse around you, is just as stupid as when those old victorian heroines went down them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great writing great story

This series has been a wonderful experience. Great writing great characters great story and great narration. This book is every bit as good as the first three that I gave five stars too. A new Matthew Corbett would be purchased by me as soon as I saw it on audible.
I am however worried that the new book in the series is half the length of any of the first four and has many poor reviews. Not sure when I will listen to book five. Should it disappoint I would feel like I had lost a good friend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Professor Fell meet Matthew Corbett

Where does The Providence Rider rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Oh, tough question, right at the very top next to the other gems in this series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sirki, the East Indian Giant. Sirki while physically imposing, was quite intelligent and seemed to possess an incredible amount of discipline. He was the most fitting "second in command" to the all powerful Professor Fell.

Which character – as performed by Edoardo Ballerini – was your favorite?

Sirki. The Indian accent was unforgettable. Bellerini is a Master at his craft.

Who was the most memorable character of The Providence Rider and why?

Matthew Corbett. Headstrong and stubborn Corbett knows no fear.

Any additional comments?

Book 5 cannot get here soon enough. Thank You Mr. McCammons for an incredible journey with so many memorable characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

EXTREME EVIL IN A CASTLE ON A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND

Alas, I listened to this one third and was treated to details of the actual third book in the series, Mr. Slaughter. It appears the four novels can be enjoyed separately if need be, but go down best in order from the beginning. It crossed my mind that the first book was long and wonderful, so why are we getting so fewer words in the subsequent books? Never fear, those words are top quality and I for one did not find anything missing.

This book has only a little sex -- that is, a lot in one night! And once again as in the first book, a woman comes to Matthew in the dark and he is not sure who it was or how it happened. Good grief, Matthew! But this book is extremely violent, cruel, mean, sickening, bloody and nasty. There is enjoyment of torture and killing. In fact the whole book is most uncomfortable. One of the main female characters runs around for weeks dressed in a navy blue nightgown! People go for days without eating or bathing or any of the usual comforts.

I appreciate that this author describes the costumes. When the suit is said to be green satin, one remembers this was a long time ago and this suit probably had calf-length silk stockings and a ruffled shirt -- oh, my! Mention of tricorn hats always brought me back to the right century. He also describes the menu. Plates of muffins are left out for guests in the castle who got into fights or nearly drowned and so missed their dinner. He describes a special appetizer and how the evil redheaded twins snatched up the whole plate for themselves! Like Books 2 and 3, this book starts out at any rate in 1702 New York City which sounds about as folksy as Weed, California today. Not knowing the city, myself, I can only imagine others will enjoy the street names and other details.

This series has helped me forget my challenges as I got involved in Matthew's challenges. Moving on from the bus accident, popping pain pills and getting better every day, I was wonderfully taken up with how Matthew will get out of the next predicament. Yes, there are passages that sound old-fashioned, smarmy, quaint, tacky -- but I am not proofreading or editing or teaching English! Being retired, I am in the business of enjoying, so I keep listening to this bright author who enjoys using his mind. There have to be more books as Matthew is still single and he is being a real ass with regard to the interesting redhead named Bery.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hopeful to hear more of Matthew Corbett

This series was so good I was disappointed when book 4 ended. Bummed. I want more.
I hope there is a book 5 in the works or perhaps the author is writing similar novels. Book 4 ended as if there could be a book 5. I hope so. The series was excellent in my opinion. I want more!!!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining and fun

Where does The Providence Rider rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Please write another Matthew Corbett problem solving book ASAP, Robert. That is all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matthew Corbett has a charmed and random life, not unlike Sherlock Holmes as played by Robert Downey Jr.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I can't wait to hear more!

What made the experience of listening to The Providence Rider the most enjoyable?

Edoardo Ballerini continues to bring McCammon's words to life. McCammon, of course, never fails to paint a rich, vivid picture with his descriptions, but in the hands of the wrong narrator the words would lose some of their raw magnificence.

Any additional comments?

Another reviewer stated that Berry behaves like a silly, shallow, empty headed little girl in this book, and while she is very willful and obstinant (and certainly caused Matthew no end of problems), I think she behaves as any 18 year old girl in love would.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great installment in a wonderful series

I have loved all the books in this series. The narration is excellent as well.

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