Overwatch

By: Marc Guggenheim

Narrated by: Will Collyer

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A young CIA lawyer uncovers a dangerous worldwide conspiracy, masterminded by forces within the US intelligence community.

Alex Garnett has spent his life in the shadow of his father, a former Chief of Staff and Solicitor General to two presidents who's been responsible for getting Alex every job he ever had, including his latest: attorney for the CIA. However, a seemingly routine litigation leads to a series of unexpected events, including poison, kidnapping, torture, and murder. As casualties pile up, it becomes clear Alex is the final target in someone's blood-soaked attempts to cover their tracks.

With the help of a neurotic hacker, Alex unravels a conspiracy older than the CIA itself. The trail of clues reveals the presence of unseen forces that are bringing this nation to the brink of war - and Alex's life is only one of many in danger.

©2014 Marc Guggenheim (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Over the years I've used many hyphenated adjectives to describe lawyers (i.e., "soul-sucking," "bottom-feeding"). Now, thanks to Marc Guggenheim's debut novel, I can add a new one to the list: "bad-ass." Overwatch is a brilliantly-paced novel with the brains of a legal thriller, the testosterone of an action movie, and white-hot paranoia of a 70s conspiracy flick. Not only is Alex Garnett one of my favorite new heroes, but Guggenheim has also created a seriously warped villain - frightening not only because of what he does, but because you get the sinking feeling he might be alive and working in D.C. right now." (Duane Swierczynski, author of the Point & Shoot

Hope this is the first in a series

A young, rash lawyer, Alex Garnett, takes a position with the CIA, an opportunity that Alex later learns was orchestrated by his father, a powerful Washington insider. Alex’s employment history is speckled with self-sabotage and impetuous behavior because of his wish to prove himself and not benefit from his father’s influence.

His complicated relationship with his father seems to be the reason behind his actions that cause trouble in his new job as Alex probes into secretes beyond his security clearance. With intelligence (and recklessness), Alex learns of a long-hidden Washington power that manipulates the government and events around the world – and that power is determined to stay hidden.

The premise stretches plausibility, but the story is well-paced and includes some fun action. Guggenheim’s writing reminds me of Tom Clancy. Guggenheim is a competent author, although I would like to see more originality in this story. Even so, I will look for more from him.

Performance – very good.

Overall, I recommend giving this a try.

What a ride!

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

Yes diffidently

What did you like best about this story?

The details makes it seem so real

Which character – as performed by Will Collyer – was your favorite?

Alex

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

Intense

Any additional comments?

This is like Vince Flynn and Michael Connelly rolled into one

Is this all it takes????

Is this all it takes to feed the mind anymore? Mine's starving!

The good things 1. I really enjoyed the narrator - He did a great job. I wouldn't have lasted 2 hours if it wasn't for him 2. Overall - I liked the character base. I thought they were all very good. 3. They idea for the story was really good.

The bad. 1. Getting there was totally unbelievable - For awhile I could only think that this is the CUA - The Central Unintelligent Agency. Let me go backwards 1. I thought of Eddie Murphy saying that only white people would stay in a house to investigate after a poltergeist screamed from the great beyond "GET OUT". When black people would say "Let's get the blank out of here". The main character knows 3 people who get assassinated & He's the only one left & He goes looking for the reason.? Pushing everyones buttons. Surviving the impossible. Near the end he's all of a sudden the proffesor of the Davinci code? With the whole filing cabinet thing - Come on man! By the way - How did the computer guy get out of the office after going in the vent? Way too much was unexplained in this book. ...

Like I said - The premise is good. If your brain is hungry and you don't mind cheetos - Get this book. I need meat! Sorry vegetarians =0)