Swift Vengeance

By: T. Jefferson Parker

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

In this incendiary thriller from three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times best-selling author T. Jefferson Parker, Roland Ford is hunting down a mysterious killer, jockeying for position with the FBI, and risking everything to save a friend in terrible jeopardy.

Returning hero and private investigator Roland Ford is on the trail of a mysterious killer who is beheading CIA drone operators and leaving puzzling clues at each crime scene. His troubled friend Lindsay Rakes is afraid for her own life and the life of her son after a fellow flight crew member is killed in brutal fashion. Even more terrifying is the odd note the killer left behind: "Welcome to Caliphornia. This is not the last."

Ford strikes an uneasy alliance with San Diego-based FBI agent Joan Taucher, who is tough as nails but haunted by what she sees as the Bureau's failure to catch the 9/11 terrorists, many of whom spent their last days in her city. As the killer strikes again, Ford and Taucher dash into the fray, each desperate for their own reasons - each ready to risk it all to stop the killer from doing far more damage.

©2018 T. Jefferson Parker (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Roland Ford is a compelling hero: financially comfortable but not emotionally complacent, empathetic and equipped with the training and inclination to vanquish wickedness. Mr. Parker’s devotees should be well-pleased.” (Wall Street Journal)

“Non-stop action…[T. Jefferson Parker’s] new series succeeds not only in entertaining but also in challenging readers to ponder the circle of vengeance unleashed by the Iraq war and America's seemingly endless war on terror.” (Associated Press)

“Terrific...The hunt for Caliphornia is suspenseful, the backstory behind the threats is disturbingly horrible, and the denouement is scary and satisfying. Parker deepens the narrative with musings on Ford's life, the horrors and ambiguities of the war on terror, and the fine line between justice and vengeance.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Chaise Lounge?

Wasn't there anyone during the recording that could have told the narrator how to pronounce "chaise lounge"? It is not pronounced chez long. I dreaded everytime he mentioned the patio. Waiting for that became more suspenseful than who would get blown up.

Parker at his Best!

Great story. Reminds me of my first Jeff Parker book in 1991. Will Damron was the perfect voice actor! Well done.

Excellent listen.

You are never sure of the outcome. Good pace and descriptive prose. Have number three locked and loaded.

The story and character development were reasonab

The story and character development were reasonable but the narrator was a little lacking in intonation and I think this book would have impressed more with another narrator. If this series continues I'd be happy to consider the next episode if there was an improvement in narration. A second tier effort.

Such great storytelling!

This was my second Roland (Rolling Thunder) King story, and I am hooked. Well read, Will Damon! Compelling prose, T. Jefferson Parker!
Listen to this one, Audible audience!

Narrator doesn’t suite story.

The plot was engaging but narrator’s measured tone rarely distinguished the action from the mundane. I would’ve enjoyed much more if narration kept pace with the action.

Expect the Unexpected...

This book picks up on the life of Roland Ford, the protagonist from T Jefferson Parker's book "The Room of White Fire". In this book Ford is living back in Southern California. He's working as a PI. An old friend of Ford's contacts him, she's received a threatening letter. She had been a drone pilot working with others who had killed nine civilians (one of them a doctor) while killing a terrorist. Now someone who goes by the name Caliphornia is cutting off the heads of those pilots. He's not planning on stopping there, he also wants to kill civilians in the US as well.
He gets back in touch with FBI agent Joan Taucher (aka Joan Wayne) whose job includes tracking and watching active and potential terrorists. She doesn't always follow the rules but she gets things done.
The many twists and turns will leave you holding your breath waiting to see what happens next. Expect the unexpected. The ending is explosive. The epilogue poignant.
Will Damron is one of my favorites. Of course his narration is top notch!
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Terrible

Very poor reader. Hard to follow the story . Not enjoyable . Would not recommend this book.