The Survivor

By: Gregg Hurwitz

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Nate Overbay, a former soldier suffering from PTSD and ALS, goes to an 11th-floor bank and climbs out the bathroom window onto the ledge, ready to end it all. But as he’s steeling himself to jump, a crew of gunmen bursts into the bank and begins viciously shooting employees and customers. With nothing to lose, Nate climbs back inside, confronts the robbers, and with his military training, starts taking them out, one by one. The last man standing leaves Nate with a cryptic warning: “He will make you pay in ways you can’t imagine.” Soon enough, Nate learns what this means.

He is kidnapped by Pavlo, a savage Ukrainian mobster and mastermind of the failed heist. Now blocked from getting into the bank vault to retrieve the critical item inside, Pavlo gives Nate a horrifying ultimatum: Either break in and acquire the item or watch Pavlo slowly kill the people Nate loves most - his estranged wife, Janie, and his teenaged daughter, Cielle. Nate lost them both when he came back from Iraq broken and confused. Now he’s got one chance to protect the people he loves, even if it’s the last thing he is able to do.

©2012 Gregg Hurwitz (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

OMG Horrifying, Realistic, Thriller!

Loved this one beginning to end . . . as a mom with two sons who have deployed to the "sand box", I'm very familiar with PTSD and what it does to a person . . . the skeletons that soldiers bring home with them, the guilt that survivors feel long after they are safe on American soil . . . I've heard first hand the stories, from my own young sons, of carrying wounded, dying boys to the waiting helicopters only to have them die in their arms . . . of cleaning up body parts from vehicles, only to send the vehicles out the next day to have another friend blown up . . . This is only PART of this audio book . . . but a big part . . . because war turns out to be not just a handicap that Nate Overbay struggles with, but also a hidden strength. You will grow to love the young Nate, whose mother dies when he is only a boy, the Nate that saves a beautiful young woman's life at the beach . . . and the not-so-perfect, wounded soul Nate . . . The horrors he saw in Afghanistan will prove to be only a prelude to what he faces in LA . . . Evil lurks where you least expect it . . . Don't miss this one . . .

Writes the BEST bad guys

I think I've concluded that Gregg Hurwitz's secret to success is not in writing great stories or great heroes, it's in writing truly fully fleshed out and sinister bad guys! The one in Survivor is perfect! Terrifying and human at the same time - - such a unique character. This book was pretty good at not being formulaic in all of its aspects - - not an easy accomplishment with thrillers. But, I've listened to three of the author's stories in a row and I'm hooked. These are excellent standalone titles (Orphan X is a series) that really keep you engaged and guessing. Just well done.

This book grabs you by the throat

On the first page and doesn't let go. We are drawn in from the moment our hero climbs on the ledge to jump, and suddenly we're hip-deep in Ukranian bad guys who sound like a chorus of Boris Badenovs and enough plot twists to make us dizzy. You could bring your critical eye here and find many Oh Please moments, but it's much more fun to just go with it and enjoy the ride.

Surprisingly Good

I am not a huge Gregg Hurwitz fan and bought this book when it was on sale fully expecting to return it based upon a few of his other books I read. Shockingly, this book was really good and one I would recommend. It kept me engaged and wondering what would happen next. Wasn't horribly predictable and not totally unrealistic. If you are easily offended by profane language then be warned; there are several "F" bombs. Not a ton, but more than enough, and sadly most completely unneeded. If you can get past that then the book is quite good.

I hated for it to be done.

Scott Brick has become one of my favorite narrators. He is always engaging in the way he presents the material. I think he did a very good job with foreign accents. Well done.

The story was very interesting. We went back and picked up some history and the flow was good bringing us back to the present.

In amongst the mystery, suspense and action we had scattered touching family stuff. I am an old softy, a father, grandfather and great grandfather to girls. And these stories touched me deeply.

Excellent Narration and Not Your Typical Ending

This is a very good listen with an unusual twist. The hero is going to die in the end and you know that from almost the first page. Forced into an act of heroism as he is contemplating his suicide, Nate Overbay is your typical ex marine who knows how to use a gun, but is reluctant to do so. Since he knows he is dying there is not much that can really scare him, and he actually prefers a sudden end over a long painful death from illness. When the bad guys threaten him, he could care less, and it is only when they threaten his family that he becomes violent. If you like Jack Reacher books, you will probably like this. As usual Scott Brick does a great job at narration.

Arresting

i could not stop listening so I didn't, I listened non stop. Greg and Scot are an unbeatable pair.

Completely Enjoyed

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

Near the top of the list

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

Nate, the main character.

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

Just the internal struggle the character had to do the right thing.

Any additional comments?

In life, we hate to see anyone get the short end of the stick....Nate definitely was that person. Even his best laid plans went wrong but luck found him in the strangest of ways.

Terrific book !!!

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

Yes, and I have, to everyone !!

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

OMG!!! What a book. I laughed, cried, gasped, cursed. It was an exciting ride. Probably the best mystery/thriller I have EVER read!! And I have read a lot. Just when you think it's all figured out, now let's wrap it up, something else happens. HIGHLY recommended. I wish there were more than 5 stars to give it.

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

He is just a fabulous narrator. He shows such emotion. He is an actor and not just a reader.

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

I NEVER want to lose sleep over a book, no matter how good it is. But i found myself going to bed much later just so I could see how this book ended. It was THAT GOOD !!

Any additional comments?

HIGHLY recommended, Get this book !! Very much worth the credit.

great read!

this was a well written story! really enjoyed the dialog and characters. ending was well done