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

Easy enjoyable listen

This book is not going to win any literary awards but the action and story are fantastic and kept me listening.

Completely entertaining!

This book started out slow and I almost asked for my money back. I am so
glad I didn't. The further I got into the book the less I wanted to put it down. It's different from what usually read and is very funny.

Excellent and fast moving

This was a great book that keep you interested and wanting more not a dull moment!

Loved it from start to finish

How rare a find is a book that is a thrill-packed action ride, a riveting lesson in history AND anatomy, and a hilarious introduction to the finest anti-hero in American literature? Josh Bazell, by all accounts, is a real-life med student, but one can only hope he pays slightly less-attention to his studies than he ought, and gives us more books like this one, soon! I also ordered BEAT THE REAPER on my Kindle and am sharing it with my whole family.

Good at first

First, this book is gruesome at points. There were times that I had to stop listening and fast forward it. But the first four hours were fun to listen to.

Fantastic

I absolutely loved this book. The authors writing style definitely struck fertile ground with me from the start, and I was hooked. I was disappointed I could not find something else by him.

Loved it

I loved the writing and the narration, yes a bit over the top with stuff, but the stuff is what makes it a great listen. Didn't want it to end actually. The pace was the way I like it and the descriptions were awesome.

Simply enjoyed the book and recommend it!

Quite A Thrill Ride

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, but I would warn them first of the profanity and some gruesome parts. But overall, the story was enjoyable and fast paced.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The part of the story that was in the present day definitely did. There was a lot of action and twists and turns.

What about Robert Petkoff’s performance did you like?

I particularly enjoyed the accent he did for the mob members!

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

There were a few parts that I think could've been taken out and the story still would have been fine. There were multiple parts in the book when I laughed.

Good book to wake you up

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If my friend needed a jolt to change up the pace of the books they were reading this would be perfect. It starts with a bang and ends with a bang. It was loud and energetic, with a building momentum. I usually don't listen to thrillers, so i was pleasantly surprised.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

As in changing the physical writing of the book, i don't think i would do much. This was a made up world with made up characters (i hope), so i think it existed pretty well as it is. The author must have done a lot of research as he made me a believer with all of his medical jargon as well as his mob jargon. Maybe I would ask the narrator to take it easy on his sexy female voices though. I loved his variety and ease of voices, but the "sexy woman" or "young ingenue" voices got a little silly. That being said, the narrators a man. I'll give him a pass.

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

I think the main character himself was the best, Peter Brown. I really think that the casting did a great job finding the perfect match for the voice of this youngish, troubled, in-too-deep guy. It made the sometimes over-the-top situations seem more believable and really kept my attention and the story moving along full steam ahead.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Beat the Reaper: A punch in the face!

Tried really hard

This book tries to play itself out like a Sopranos spinoff episode or a fan made Goodfellas sequel. Enjoyable enough, though a white narrator doing a Middle Eastern accent as Indian is pretty off-putting.