The Equalizer

By: Michael Sloan

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Sloan, co-creator of the classic 1980s TV show The Equalizer—now reimagined in a series starring Queen Latifah—presents an original story of the mysterious, former covert intelligence officer who helps desperate people who are in need of his unique and deadly skills.

“Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer.”

Robert McCall is a former covert operations officer for the CIA who tries to atone for past sins by offering, free of charge, his services as a protector, an investigator, and a troubleshooter—often literally. Aided by a group of sometimes-mysterious contacts, some of whom date back to his spying days, McCall traverses the streets of New York City, visiting justice upon those who prey upon the weak.

A woman finds herself the target of a Chechen nightclub owner. The club is actually a front for an elite assassination service—run by an old enemy of McCall’s. To save his client’s life, the Equalizer is going to have to confront the sins of his past…

©2014 Michael Sloan (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“[In] this intense thriller...even the Equalizer might have his hands full. Sloan is a talented writer, and one can only hope there are more Equalizer novels in the future.” —Booklist

“Michael Sloan is a creative force to be reckoned with.” —William Shatner

“Michael Sloan's book, The Equalizer, is one of the best novels I have read in years. I was very drawn into the hero's backstory and what he ends up doing in New York City. The Equalizer is very much a hero for today's world. Jack Reacher make room, Robert McCall is in town.” —Karl Moore, author of The Postmoderns

Great Read

Loved this story. Way more interesting than the movie which was fun, The book is more detailed and complex. Lots of fun to listen to. Great narrator. Waiting for part 2.

Enjoyed the book but not the audio

The audio skipped throughout the entire book. I am an avid audio book listener and this is only maybe the 2nd or 3 RD book I have had this problem with. But I did enjoy the novel storyline and the reader

A good story but...

A great hero story... however too many bodies... makes it a touch unbelievable, a shame cos the author makes you care about what happens too his hero bobby.

A Modern Retelling of the Television Series

Michael Sloan's Equalizer is not an adaption of the recent Denzel Washington movie but is instead a modern retelling of the characters from the 1980 television series. The novel focuses on McCall's recent history and how he eventually develops his "Equalizer" persona. If you watched enough of the original series, you'll recognize recurring characters such as Control, Kostmeyer, Jimmy, and so on (laughed at the comment how Brahms looked like George Costanza's dad as he was actually played by Jerry Stiller in the pilot episode).
The basic story works well, placing the protagonist in modern NYC trying to put his life back together. The primary problem is that that there are too many antagonists and/or story threads, and all had to be resolved by the end of the book. There is a very long flashback story covering McCall's last mission in Russia. While this is supposed to provide us with more information about McCall's motivations, it feels like it belongs in another novel. Also, a lot of time is spent with the "underground" characters, which created too much of a distraction from the central story.
That being said, I did enjoy revisiting the updated world of McCall, and I will be purchasing the next book in the series to see if it has a more straight-forward story and deeper view of the characters.

First half good

I enjoyed the first half of the book more than I thought I would. I am not a big spy novel reader. If it had ended there I would have been satisfied. However it just keeps going and going and the writer actually needs to remind the reader what the heck is going on after long past and present gun fights that last an hour. Yawn. -kdc

Great Listen!!

Bought this audiobook on a whim because I used to love the show and I enjoyed the movies, and I do not regret the purchase. Loved the storyline and the narration was spot on. I have already purchased the next book and will be working my way through the entire series!!

Great story but some factual errors

Love the story. Love the characters. Loved the show when I was younger.

Only problem I have is with the equipment mentioned. No one with actual firearms training that needs to trust their life with a pistol would use the Smith and Wesson sigma.

Roller coaster fun ride

The book provided a good break each day,. It was fast-paced and the hero seemed a mix of James Bond and Chuck Norris.

The movie was better than the book

While the story was interesting, the narrative was so detailed as to detract from the action. I really dont need to know the make and model of every gun that shows up.

Also, I hope the author got something for product placement. It's amazing that there are Starbucks coffee shops everywhere Robert looks.

Call The Equalizer

This is a top notch thriller novel featuring Robert McCall, an ex-C.I.A. operative, who evens the odds for innocent victims of heinous crimes. If you are old enough to remember the television series, The Equalizer, you will already be a leg up on this book, written by the co-creator of the show. Your mental image will be of the great actor, Edward Woodward, whose powerful portrayal defined the role of the Equalizer. McCall is skilled, confident, unflappable, seemingly aloof, yet with a soft spot for the underdog. If you are new to the character you have a a great opportunity to learn the origins of one of the coolest ex-secret agents to walk the streets of New York. After too many missions, too many lost friends, and lovers, McCall has quit the C.I.A. He is trying to blend in, lose himself, and maybe even settle down in New York. The more he learns about the community he has chosen to live in, the more crime and corruption he comes across. Although he tries, he just can’t turn his head and ignore the plight of the innocents around him. McCall has to step in even if it means he will be caught on the radar of the C.I.A. It seems the agency doesn’t take kindly to it’s agents walking out on them. McCall soon finds himself embroiled with a Chechen mob running nightclubs and forcing young women to prostitute themselves to gain information from influential clients. Little does McCall know that the people heading the Chechen mob are also involved in assassinations throughout the world and are under surveillance by the C.I. A. The Chechens may have been involved in the murder of McCall’s girl friend, who was also a C.I.A. agent. This is a great book resurrecting a character who has been in retirement too long.