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The Kill Switch  By  cover art

The Kill Switch

By: James Rollins,Grant Blackwood
Narrated by: Scott Aiello
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Publisher's summary

The mission seems simple enough: Extract a pharmaceutical magnate from Russian soil. But nothing is as it appears to be. A desperate call thrusts Captain Tucker Wayne and his stalwart military dog, Kane, into a frantic race to rescue the brilliant-but-deluded Abram Bukolov from a cadre of skilled assassins. Hunted and betrayed at every turn, Tucker and Kane must discover the truth behind a horror out of the ancient past that can be weaponized to terrorize the modern world. As time rapidly runs out, the deep and intimate bond between dog and soldier will be tested to the extreme. It will take all of their skill, talent, and, most of all, trust in each other to piece together a mystery going back to the origins of life on Earth, to discover the key to an ancient peril that can destroy the heartland of America, and, with it, the world.

©2014 James Czajkowski and Grant Blackwood (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Kill Switch

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What a Great Adventure!

Any additional comments?

If you have been looking for the vacuum left by Vince Flynn and his Mitch Rapp, this book will leave you feeling that void has been filled. A non-stop action packed book with great characters, including an amazing war-dog, you won't be able to put this one down. Extremely well researched, this book also delves into obscure locations along with a blur between fact and fiction with its scientific premises. If you like this book as much as I did you'll want to also read Rollins' Sigma Series in order. You won't be disappointed!!

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A new aspect of the special ops soldier

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

Absolutely! I loved the interaction between Cain and Tucker and the interesting historical information as well as the edge of your seat, non-stop action.

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

Definitely! Lots of great twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I liked the interesting locations and characters in the book and how the plot unfolded seamlessly.

Which character – as performed by Scott Aiello – was your favorite?

I liked them all, but my favorites were Tucker and Cain.

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

No, it is quite a long story, so I listened in segments. I'm sure when I listen to it again, I'll hear details that I missed in the first listening experience.

Any additional comments?

I was very impressed with this narrator. I have never heard of him prior to this book. He does a wonderful job of portraying different ethnic accents and sexes and making each character very individual. He has a voice that is pleasant to listen to. The narrator makes such a difference in an audiobook. I've bought audiobooks in the past that have been great stories, but the narrator ruined them. Not so with this one. I look forward to more books narrated by Scott Aiello.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceeds expectations by a huge amount!

First I need to explain that James Rollins is not among the authors whose books I automatically pre-order. I've read most of his novels many of which are terrific, but too many of them are not worth reading at all. With respect to Grant Blackwood I had an even dimmer view. Most of his novels are, in my opinion, mediocre or worse. For example, the Jack Ryan Jr novel he co-wrote with Tom Clancy was a poor effort. His solo Ryan Jr. novels written since Clancy's death have been very disappointing (I hope the upcoming one, Tom Clancy's Duty and Honor released on June 14, 2016 is better).. Mark Greaney has also written Ryan novels since Clancy's death and all are better than Clancy's best. I pre-order all Mark Greaney novels because he NEVER releases less than stellar work. Greaney is, in my view, the best living author of espionage thrillers.

James Czajkowski, using the pen names James Rollins and James Clemens, first published in 1998. He is more prolific than most writers of the mystery/thriller genres. He has released 35 full length novels and several novellas (not all of the mystery/thriller genres) during the last 19 years.

The Kill Switch is a thoroughly fascinating novel which is a spin off of Rollins' SIgma Force franchise. It is an espionage thriller. It is also a contemporary science fiction thriller. LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor) is the material around which the entire novel is built. Evolutionary/biological theory holds that there was approximately 3.5 billion years ago a life form, neither plant nor animal, that spawned both the first plant and animal kingdoms. Conditions on earth at the time were much hotter and the atmosphere would have been deadly to most current higher forms of life. The Kill Switch theorizes that (1) LUCA has not gone totally extinct and (2) if LUCA were released into today's world it would become a weapon of mass destruction. They are fascinating conjectures; although both are very likely untrue, it does make for great science fiction.

Another interesting aspect of The Kill Switch is Kane, the dog we all wish we had as a companion. The breed is Belgian Malinois, which is very intelligent and highly trainable. Kane, who saves Tucker Wayne's life several times, is as much the protagonist of The Kill Switch as Tucker Wayne.

The Kill Switch is an extraordinary novel and a great listen. The audiobook is very well narrated. Great job by Rollins and Blackwood! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Being an old sailor I do wish the narrators would pronounce the nautical terminology correctly. Most do not. Any sailor knows the word "Forecastle" is pronounced "Foksle" and "Boatswain" is pronounced "Bosin". There were more words like "Spanker" and "Capn" to but that doesn't spoil the story. Start this book and you won't want to take a break.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding!

What did you love best about The Kill Switch?

The interaction between Capt. Trotter and Kane.

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

Yes! Always wondering who Trotter and Kane could trust.

What does Scott Aiello bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott Aiello was spot on.

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

The story of Kane's litter mate will stay with me forever.

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth listening to again. I look forward to more adventures of Trotter and Kane.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Magnificent!!

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

Yes indeed! If you thrive on being pulled from one thrill to the next while enjoying the excellent picture /plot being narrated by a true pro...you'll love this book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tucker, hands down. His confidence and abilities as well as his deep loyalty and love for Caine is awesome!

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

No, but I am soooo glad I got to experience his talent in narration. He truly knows how to bring each character to life in their own unique way...even Caine the canine.

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

Every time Tucker expressed his deep devotion to Caine, I felt a certain kinship. I too have two wonderful German Shepards I feel the same love and devotion.

Any additional comments?

To the author I say...Excellent book and I look forward to the next Tucker/Caine adventure. To the narrator I say...Well done and then some!

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fun but not great - Kane the dog best part

The beginning was fantastic, Boer war, action, illness. Then Tucker the agent and his dog Kane in Russia protecting against assassination attempt. Unfortunately the story then began to drag a bit with predictable action scenes and enemies that continue to appear. Fun but not great.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Not as good as Sigma books

I was disappointed in the narrator. He didn't seem to have the right kind of emotion for the story. I have read all of James Rollins books and listen to many of the on Audible and have learn that the narrator makes a big difference with the book. I prefer Mr. Fernandez who has done other Rollins books and makes them exciting and interesting. This book drags in some spots. I do like Tucker and Kane and just happen to listen to Bloodline right before I got this book where they are introduced with the Sigma team.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • A
  • 07-06-14

The deadly plant

Where does The Kill Switch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Decent book, nice start of a series that I would listen to the follow up. I would not rank this as others as outstanding.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kill Switch?

The explosion inside the cave in which Tucker escapes.

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

It took a bit to get into his narration. Surly not the best, but did a decent job as the story went along.

Any additional comments?

Make sure you carefully listen to the beginning which will clearify the ending.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A new team is formed. A man and his dog

Where does The Kill Switch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This ranks in the top 80% of my library

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

A modern day Rin Tin Tin

Any additional comments?

An action filled story that kept me listening when I should be doing other things. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the storyline.

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5 people found this helpful