Soft Target

Ray Cruz, Book 1

By: Stephen Hunter

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Stephen Hunter is back with another breakneck thriller, in which ex-Marine sniper, Ray Kruz, must outwit a group of murderous Somali terrorists who’ve laid siege to the Mall of America.

Recently retired marine sergeant Ray Kruz has been talked into a mall trip by his fiancé, the beautiful Molly Chan. For Ray, Molly represents a way to reconnect with normal life, something his 20 years in the service and five tours in two combat zones have prevented. But now he finds himself in the middle of the softest target of all, a huge consumer mall where a self-styled “Mumbai Brigade” has come to bring massive death to the heartland. They just didn’t know Ray Cruz was in the building….

©2011 Stephen Hunter (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great terrorists vs Swagger’s son adventure

Another very enjoyable Stephen Hunter shooter thriller. In this book there is an apparent terrorist takeover of a large American mall. But they didn’t count on Ray Cruz, son of Bob Lee Swagger, being in the mall. Cruz, helped by a child care employee on her first day on the job decide to do hat they can to take out the gunmen. Great action and a fast moving plot. If you like Stephen Hunter, you’ll like this book. And yes, Hunter does take a jab at Barack Obama by basing the inept, windbag, media darling Colonel Obobo on him, but really, Obobo represents how conservatives see any liberal. In fact, this book is very relevant today (summer of 2020) in which weak-kneed and bumbling windbag liberal politicians refuse to take forceful action against rioters. If what I just wrote annoys you, you’ll be annoyed by Hunter. On the other hand, if your response is “heck yes!”, you’ll love Hunter. That said, I love Stephen Hunter’s writing style and I loved this book. Sure, it isn’t fine literature but it’s a lot of fun to read.

Another Action packed story from Hunter

When I saw this was about a Marine sniper I thought it was going to be a war story but no the hero Sargent Ray Kruz has just retired from the Corp and is in Minnesota to visit his fiancé , Molly Chan's family. They go to the Mall of America for some gifts and get caught in a take over by a group of Somali Terrorists. Now begins a fast past, action and suspense packed story. Ray's sister is a reporter in a news helicopter above the mail and uses the news copter to block a terrorist from escaping in a copter. Both siblings are hero's in the story. As the story ends a truism occurs incompetence gets promoted. Phil Gigante does a great job narrating the book. This book makes an exciting passage of time I almost read it in one session. If you like Hunter books and action packed stories this is the book for you.

Excellent writing, action from beginning to end

No "Fluff, all meat, I don't like books that go on an on............................ This book is OUTSTANDING. Mr Hunter, give us more, please.

Obobo=Obama

Would you consider the audio edition of Soft Target to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print versions.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ray Cruz, of course. He's the Hero. I liked his pragmatism and willingness to step up.

Have you listened to any of Phil Gigante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! He always does an amazing job, and this was no different. His narration serves the story well.

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

Fast-paced thriller with several points to make

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book. The action was fast-paced, and Ray Cruz is a wonderful character. I would recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers. I gave it 4 stars because overall it was worth the $$. However, a number of the characters were more vessels to make a point than individuals living the story. The most pronounced example was Obobo, who is a very thinly disguised Obama figure. Hunter does not have much respect for our president nor for "let's all just get along" liberal/pacifist thinking. I am for the most part on the same page, but his efforts to make the point were heavy handed at times so it did interfere with the story. He also busted trial lawyers (one was named "Shyster" - seriously?!).

The basic story line is that a group of Islamic fanatics take over The Mall of America with the goal of killing everyone to strike a blow in retaliation for the killing of Osama Bin Laden. The majority of the bad guys are Somali, and Hunter does make the point that they grew up very hard. Our hero, Ray Cruz, is shopping with his fiancée when the attack starts and steps up to end the situation from the inside out. Meanwhile, Obobo, the head of the state police, is so knotted up in liberal-think and cowardice that he refuses to do what needs to be done to stop the situation with least harm. A "rogue" SWAT commander steps up on the outside to do what Obobo won't. The meat of the story is how all those elements come together to bring resolution.

Many of the repeat characters in the book are non-Caucasian - Hmong, Somali, African American, half-Chinese. The ethnicities don't play a role in moving the story forward, so I found it interesting that Hunter made that choice. Perhaps to counter-balance the Obama hammering? It doesn't distract either, so it's just a "huh." moment.

Overall, a book worth your money unless you think Obama is awesome and would get your shorts in a wad reading this characterization of him.

Slow starting but right out of today's head lines

This is right out of today's headlines with Book Haram threatening to attack the Mall of America . Very good: surprising storyline.

Easy listen

Good narrator, story line held my attention though a bit of a shame he played with the setting sine the Mall of America is real and he twisted it a bit. End was a bit anti- climactic.

Soft Hunter

Stephen Hunter is great, but ... Soft Target is a little forced. Ray Cruz is a lttle too straightforward and wily at the same time. The story hovered on the verge of credibility the whole time, but I'm glad I heard it and look forward to the next Cruz book with a touch harder target.

Good story

Well read thriller that will make you drive around just to hear what happens next!!!

Ray Cruz needs to have More Adventures

If you could sum up Soft Target in three words, what would they be?

ElligantImpressiveExciting

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

Ray Cruz's skills need to be developed but it was a great Pilot book

What does Phil Gigante bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Phil is a wonderful narrator. I love listening to anything he does.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship that developed between Ray and feisty Miss Lavelva were wonderful together.

Any additional comments?

PLEASE develop Lavelva as his partner and we are good to go for a long time series. Loved the book

Introducing: Ray Kruz

The first novel by Stephen Hunter to offer s new hero: Ray Kruz...not half-bad good guy and retired Marine.

Good read!