The Drifter

By: Nick Petrie

Narrated by: Stephen Mendel

The first explosive thriller featuring Peter Ash, a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren’t easily left behind...

“Lots of characters get compared to my own Jack Reacher, but Petrie’s Peter Ash is the real deal.”—Lee Child

Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his “white static,” the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars.

But when a friend from the Marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man’s widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he’s ever encountered...and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives.

As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined...and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he’d left for good.

Great lead in for a series until...

What made the experience of listening to The Drifter the most enjoyable?

Peter Ash and Mingus and the knowledge that someone else was acknowledging the plight of veterans. I have seen many PTSD sufferers in my practice with different backgrounds, not all war. I have never heard the "static" symptom, but not everyone experiences their panic attacks in the same way, and they have different triggers and enclosed spaces is believable as a trigger.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Addressed in part above - Mingus and Peter Ash. Peter because of his heart for his fellow soldiers and Mingus because he was able to learn to trust and transfer it to others.

What about Stephen Mendel’s performance did you like?

His ability to capture African-American dialect and a good voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I never have time. I listen getting ready to go to work and in my car, mostly to minimize my own static. I ruminate. I am a Vietnam and Gulf War era vet, but was never in combat and never shot at. I have listened to many who were, since I am a Clinical Psychologist and retired Air Force. I had a break in service between my Army service, but it was in the VA. I saw tears roll down the cheeks of a vet who was with Patton in WW II 40 years later. I describe PTSD as "the gift that keeps on giving".

Any additional comments?

I thought this was an excellent first book in a series - Jack Reacher with a dog and a truck. The ending ruined that. I don't think Peter can go back to what he was doing. I hope I am wrong. I will put in a plug for the Walt Longmire series. I use the paperback sales to try new authors and stumbled on the fourth novel in the series and have listened to them all. My wife says she can't listen without becoming distracted, but she has read all of the Reacher series and the Longmire series. She also reads James Patterson and Janet Evanovich, but I have given up on Patterson; his work went downhill after the first 2 books about Alex Cross and the book about the flying children. This was an excellent listen. This is the first time I have realized I could review an Audible book on my computer.

A New Author is Always a Risk:This is Worth Taking

My inclinations lean towards espionage and thrillers, more Jack Reacher than Mitch Rapp, more believable than superman. This book is the perfect meld of exceptionally likable characters, an intriguing story, and a narrator who was born to read this book. My only disappointment is that the next book in the series isn't available (at least not yet). If your inclinations are similar to mine, take a shot; you'll likely enjoy it as much as I did.

Masterful

Any additional comments?

Masterful. Petrie has masterfully created one of the best, most realistic war vet protagonists that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting within the pages of a book. Typically leery of reading any book featuring a war vet as I have personally witnessed the effect of war on a loved one, my fears were eased with the realistic portrayal of a vet who has returned from war. If it weren't already apparent within the book itself, the author notes at the end of the audio book explain why Petrie was able to capture the challenges of vets returning home from war.

Lightening paced, skillful character development and engaging dialogue make this an above average audio book. Stephen Mendel's narration pushes it into greatness. Mendel accomplishes what many narrators cannot - he is so skilled at his craft that you forget that you are listening to one actor narrating each character, calling attention solely to the story and not to his own vocal performance.

A solid mystery with a good heart

There are no spectacular elements to this story - in fact it is a little bit rough around the edges. But the protagonist is engaging, his lot in life sympathetic and topical, and the listener wholeheartedly roots for the good guy. The story has nice movement, a good measure of intrigue (and at least one big surprise) and is overall a satisfying story.

I never give 5 stars. This is the exception.

Well written. Well narrated. Absorbing, gripping story. Glad I finally was introduced to this author. I have long been considering a contribution to support veterans of our military, especially those who served overseas during foreign wars which resulted from the failure of the politicians in our government and those in the governments of other countries. I especially appreciate the afterward of this book.

To those veterans, I say thank you...and welcome home.

To those families whose loved ones didn't come back, and those who lost family members to training accidents while in military service, I hope my contributions, combined with the contributions of others, in some small way make your path easier to travel.