Beat the Reaper

A Novel

By: Josh Bazell

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Peter Brown, a young Manhattan emergency room doctor with an unusual past that is just about to catch up with him. His morning begins with the quick disarming of a would-be mugger, followed by a steamy elevator encounter with a sexy young pharmaceutical rep, topped off by a visit with a new patient - and from there Peter's day is going to get a whole lot worse and a whole lot weirder.

Because that patient knows Peter from his other life, when he had a different name and a very different job. The only reason he's a doctor now is thanks to the Witness Protection Program-and even they can't protect him from the long reach of the New Jersey mob. Now he's got to do whatever it takes to keep his patient alive so he can buy some time...and beat the reaper.

Beat the Reaper is not just the only work that will be compared to Quentin Tarantino's films, Grey's Anatomy, and Chuck Palahniuk - it's also the most original and entertaining debut thriller you'll listen to this year.

©2009 Josh Bazell (P)2009 Josh Bazell

Fantastic read

Fast paced and gritty m. Loved it from the beginning to the end. Well worth the time.

Exciting and interesting tale. Worth the listen!

Exciting and interesting story. Some violence and gore, mostly essential to the story. Story was good enough that it was worth listening to that garbage (ie. the violence and the gore which I dislike and normally stay away from). Story started out good and just kept building and getting better. Great final struggle .... overall: very creative .... and I am glad I heard this audiobook.

AWESOME SAUCE 👌

I freakin' love this book!! In fact, this was probably the 3rd or 4th time that I have read it, it's that great! I must say that listening to the novel on Audible was wholly fantastic with the bonus musical soundtrack in the background. It's a completely new and original story and writing style that totally immerses the listener....Can't wait till the next time! LOL!!

Simple minded, Fun Antihero escapism

The book is a fun read if you don't mind the over the top profanity. Interesting idea to have a former mafia/russian mob hitman enter witness protection and become a physician. Enjoyed some of the information imparted from the good doctor but IMHO this is not worth your credit.

What the HECK!

This is a CRAZY, INTRIGUING,ENGAGING novel that just won't quit!
It is a thrill ride, without a seat-belt!
Mafia, Medicine and a dose of Witness Protection thrown in.....
just listen and enjoy!
I am a mystery and suspense lover, and this has both, but in a novel format....
Well narrated by Robert Petkoff, the next Dr. Peter Brown story is on my wish list!

Grim humor, well executed

This book grabs the listener from the start and barrels ahead at a fast clip. The commentary of the narrator is very amusing. One scene (in the aquarium) was too gory and I had to take a break, but otherwise I was riveted. The medical references were well done and sounded well-researched. The main character is interesting and sympathetic, even though he makes a lot of terrible decisions, and admits it. Lots of fun and different from your average...mafia doctor story?

Great read – Very captivating!

Would you consider the audio edition of Beat the Reaper to be better than the print version?

The audio edition was much better than the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character (Peter Brown)

Which character – as performed by Robert Petkoff – was your favorite?

Peter Brown

Any additional comments?

I love this author's unique style. Beat the Reaper was unlike anything I've ever read before – really clever, funny, exciting, imaginative, sometimes gross, and horrifying. Overall, I could not put this book down. The unexpected twists in the story kept me engaged throughout. It’s really a fast-paced, character driven, dark gritty humor thriller, with an anti-hero theme. Very interesting, full of great characters, and romance. Nicely developed main character, with an insight into a very conflicted personality (both likable and repulsive). Very great read overall!

A compelling read

I really enjoy stories told in the present mixed with flashbacks to the past. I find that it keeps the entire story feeling fresher. Beat the Reaper was a very enjoyable listen, but if you're squeamish, don't listen to the ending while driving a car. I almost lost it.

fantasy?!@#

I know this is fiction, but this starts to merge with fantasy due to the many Unbelievable parts of the story. I found myself skipping ahead because it was so ridiculous. Gave it 3 stars because it was just a little entertaining.

Hooked!

Where does Beat the Reaper rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Beat the Reaper definitely made it into the top 10. Quite possibly even the top 5.

What other book might you compare Beat the Reaper to and why?

Beat the Reaper is the first book I have listened to in this genre so I can't really say for sure what I would compare it to. I am listening to the second book in the series, Wild Thing.

What does Robert Petkoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything! Robert Petkoff really captures the character and brings this story to life. I honestly believe that he fit this role perfectly. Robert Petkoff and anything mafia is pure gold.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wouldn't say extreme but I did find some parts to be humorous. There were also parts that were quite graphic and as I visualized them I would shudder.

Any additional comments?

A great listen and perfect narrator.