The Butcher's Boy

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Edgar Award Winner, Best First Novel, 1983

Thomas Perry's Edgar Award-winning debut novel follows a professional hitman on the run from both the mafia and the government.

©2003 Thomas Perry (P)2008 Tantor

Great first book!

Looking forward to reading more in this series, really well done on all accounts!

Disappointing, but not a waste.

I was excited and looking forward to read this book after seeing all the positive reviews and the great ratings listed, however I found it to be rather disappointing. Mr. Perry is a good writer and the book is not bad by any means as evidenced by the fact that it is an Edgar Award-winning novel. Michael Kramer is one of my favorite narrators and I felt he did a solid job telling this story. As I write this review and list the positive aspects of the book I???m still shocked by the feelings of disappointment I experienced when I heard the phrase, ???Audible hopes you have enjoyed this program.??? I thought to myself, ???What! That is the end? Where was the intensity, the traumatic scenes or even the suspense that had appeared to be building as the story progressed???? There are some good sections of the book and I thought the story was building up to fulfill the promise the title and ratings suggested, but then it ended. Despite my disappointment I still feel ???The Butcher???s Boy??? was worth the listen and as the ratings support many other readers have found the book more enjoyable then I did. I personally will not be continuing with the series at this time.

slow to start but enjoyable

In general I like Thomas Perry's writing. It is straightforward and methodical in a way that highlights the characters analytical thinking. I am always enthralled by how Perry's bad guys think through their strategies.

There was an introduction at the beginning that I found tedious and set me up to think that this was going to be a real page turner. Instead it was slow to start and I thought, "wow, what disservice that intro did to this book."

The narration was well done. I will buy more Thomas Perry. But I don't need the commercial intro that was almost ten minutes in length!

Spare. Perfect.

I have listened recently to some of Thomas Perry's newer books and HAVE LOVED THEM and decided I couldn't let his earlier books go to waste (since I'm burning through books right now). I decided to go back to the beginning and the reviews were certainly positive. I don't know that I've ever used the word "spare" to describe the way an author writes, but it fits (and it also fits Michael Kramer's narration, which could not be more perfect). There are no extra words. No extra characters. No extra information. No extra expression in the narration. It's spare and it fits. P.S. I live in NV and although I live in modern ("modern") Nevada, the descriptions of aspects of our state still fit. I also loved the reality of how everyone operated at that time (sans cell phones, etc.) Buy this. Listen. And then buy the next one. I already have. I can "spare" the time to treat myself to the listening and escape that Audible provides.

Long and involved story

I struggled to finish this book however it ended fairly decent. I may listen again to catch some if the parts that escaped my understanding.

Great story, mediocre reader

I’ll be totally honest here, this is the first book I’ve ever listened to instead of reading, so I wasn’t sure what I expected out of the performer. I loved the story. It has great twists and turns. I even found myself audibly saying “whoa!” While listening in my car because of parts that surprised me. That being said, I was not a fan of the reader. I found his voice very monotonous and airy. As if I were interrupting his actual life every time I turned on the book in my car. His change in voices for different characters were half assed and, at times, hard to differentiate between each other. If you’re thinking about this book, I highly recommend it! Just buy or rent it and read it in your own head

Magnificent

Superbly written. Interesting plot. Subtle humour amid the carnage. I immediatly went on to Eddies Boy. They flow together.

Crime Fans? Snap This One Up!

I initially grabbed this one out of sheer fandom for the reader Michael Kramer, who was SO good on Richard Stark (Westlake)'s 'Parker' series. He doesn't disappoint here. The story too is worthy of it's accolades. In fact, it is not dissimilar to the Westlake books: a solitary (anti) hero on a relentless mission against those who wronged him. Except the focus here is not on a caper, but a hitman (and the addition of a third party - Waring from Justice Dept). Now to find out if the other 2 'Butcher' novels are available via audiobook.

What a series

I loved this entire series. What a wonderful character. Never thought I would root for a villian but here it is

Great read.

Couldn’t put it down. Great characters and plot. Reader had a hard time with female impersonation, but not a big deal.