The Panther

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 21 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Nelson DeMille returns with another heart-pounding John Corey thriller—this time including Corey’s FBI agent wife Kate Mayfield...and their mission is to catch an elusive terrorist mastermind before he catches them.

Anti-terrorist Task Force agent John Corey and his wife, FBI agent Kate Mayfield, have been posted overseas to Sana'a, Yemen—one of the most dangerous places in the Middle East. While there, they will be working with a small team to track down one of the masterminds behind the USS Cole bombing: A high-ranking Al Qaeda operative known as The Panther. Ruthless and elusive, he's wanted for multiple terrorist acts and murders—and the US Government is determined to bring him down, no matter the cost. As latecomers to a deadly game, John and Kate don't know the rules, the players, or the score. What they do know is that there is more to their assignment than meets the eye—and that the hunters are about to become the hunted.

Filled with breathtaking plot turns and told in John Corey's inimitable voice, The Panther is a brilliant depiction of one of the most treacherous countries in the world and raises disturbing questions about whether we can ever know who our enemies—or our allies—really are.

©2012 Nelson DeMille (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Corey is in line for a reboot right about now

The John Corey series by Nelson DeMille has been a dependable listen. While The Panther is classic DeMille/Corey and the story is very good, this one lacks anything new and different to really engage the listener (at least to those familiar with other Corey tales). In this plot, John and Kate venture to Yemen to hunt down the latest feline terrorist that is believed to have planned the Cole bombing. As usual, John suspects there is more than meets the eye (or at least more than what he has been told). As is typical, John follows his own hunches and salvages what would have been a huge US disaster while cracking Corey jokes along the way.

So what's the problem? Basically, the story is too formulaic for those familiar with the series. In spite of all the past investigative success in the past, John is still regarded as a simpleton by his boss, there's a new CIA agent that appears to be just a resurrected Ted Nash, another cocky feline themed terrorist, all around general ineptitude by everyone around John, and a familiar denouement. At the same time, the story drags for the initial two thirds with little actions and too much emphasis of repeating polysyllabic terrorist names. There's a bit of time disequilibrium with a close relationship to the Cole bombing that is now over a decade old, but appears more proximal.

Don't misinterpret these comments; the story is still good, just not fresh anymore. John needs a change of pace, another friendly nemesis rather than the CIA, a different boss who recognizes that he can't fool this guy, and perhaps different enemies, like North Koreans.

Scott Brick as usual is superb with range and tone that sets the mood and makes the listening easy and enjoyable.

Thrillers do not get better than this!

At the end of The Lion, the prior novel in the series, ATTF officials were unhappy with John Corey so they punished him by sending him to Sana'a, Yemen for one year. His work partner and wife FBI Special Agent Kate Mayfield decides to join him. While there they seek to bring to justice the terrorist called the panther who was responsible for bombing the US Cole. In this great espionage thriller Corey and Mayfield are joined by Army Criminal Investigative Division's Paul Brenner who is the primary protagonist in two other DeMille novels (the wonderful The General's Daughter and Up Country). The Panther is one of DeMille's best. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Another Fabulous Entry in this Series

Not only is the John Corey series by Nelson DeMille a first class thriller, but the personality traits of this unique character would be so very hard to duplicate. Irreverent to the extreme, sexy as hell, and the one guy you want at your back in any tough situation. Poor FBI Agent, Kate Mayfield (long suffering Mrs. Corey) – you do have your hands full, but on the other hand what a hand-full!

It seems only John had any inkling of what might be the reason why they (John and Kate) would be the ‘perfect team’ to be sent to Yemen on a special op to bring down the remaining mastermind (aka The Panther) of the notorious and deadly attack on the USS Cole. Naturally, since John had taken out the last bad-ass terrorist – the Lion – there was a a huge bounty on his head from Al Queda. With that in mind, they might not have to search too hard to discover the whereabouts of the Panther, the thought is that the Panther would be looking for them!

Narrated by Scott Brick, and told in the first person with all the wit and sarcasm that author DeMille has sunk into John Corey’s character - the narration is fast paced and the action non-stop. Filled with twists and turns, with an assortment of interesting and numerous characters, one definitely gets the sense of how dangerous the world and the terrorist organizations - along with supposed police truly are. It’s a different world, and betrayals run rampant including and not limited to friends and foes.

Bottom line: Brilliant wordsmithing; high action and a highly irreverent and lovable curmudgeon of a hero - THE PANTHER is just one more excellent entry into DeMille’s series.

Marilyn Rondeau

Constant profanity and crude language

if you think that profanity and crude language make the book better then go ahead and read it. The book was relatively clean for the first few chapters and then I was bombarded by constant profanity and crude language. Knowing what I know now I would not listen to it, nor read it.

John Corey is Back

I'm always anxious for more of John Corey. While some comment that they get tired of the wisecracks, I'm just the opposite. I personally enjoy the jokes. And I might add, Scott Brick IS John Corey. I can't imagine anyone else in the role and Scott is just outstanding as always.

You can read a synopsis of the story anywhere so let me just say that as with many of DeMille's books, there are fast and exciting moments, slower background moments and periods that kind of drag with filler. I think 1/3 of The Panther could have been edited out and you wouldn't have missed any of the story... but you would have missed the fun and wisecracks from Corey!. THAT is why I listen to this series. There are a lot of interesting characters in The Panther and again, Scott Brick brings them to life.

Frankly, the plot is simple and the resolution expected but there's just something about the way DeMille told the story that kept me into it. Although predictable, I found the story fun and engrossing if for no other reasons than to hear Corey's opinions and to learn a little more about Yemen so that I don't feel the need to ever have to visit... and that's probably a good thing.

If you haven't read the other John Corey stories in the series, you probably don't want to start here but if you're a DeMille/Corey fan, you don't want to miss this one. I got exactly what I expect from Mr. DeMille: Another great read!

My first John Corey Story

I love the way he tells the story and holds your attention. I enjoy he sarcasm and it is timed just right.

Great read!

As usual I thoroughly enjoyed Nelson Demille's book and recommend it to anyone seeking entertainment.

Wonderful,

Not only does DeMille bring you an action packed John Corey/Kate Mayfield story, you get an incredible history lesson of Yenen. As always, Corey is ruthless and quite amusing. Scott Brick is the only one to read this! Twenty one hours and I hated to see it end!

The Panther kept me completely engaged the entire time.

This is the first review that I have taken the time to write. I listen to 1-2 Audible books a week but this is my first commentary. THIS BOOK IS A MUST LISTEN. I do not normally listen to these types of books (military- type storylines), however, I am glad I did. The storyline kept me engrossed and wanting more. The quick wit of the main character was captured brilliantly by the narrator. I don’t know if this book would have had the same effect on me, had it been narrated by someone else. Please overlook any not-so-positive reviews and LISTEN to this book. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Too much filler, not enough action and surprise

Would you try another book from Nelson DeMille and/or Scott Brick?

Funny passages, yes; slow and tedious at times, yes; Scott Brick good; Nelson deMills: not his best, by far

Has The Panther turned you off from other books in this genre?

I am looking for something new and fresh

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

Few memorable characters

Do you think The Panther needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, please