The Sixteenth Man

By: Thomas Sawyer, Thomas B. Sawyer

Narrated by: Steven Roy Grimsley

Fast-paced, sexy, full of action, vivid, uncommon characters and surprising twists, The Sixteenth Man plays out in two parallel, interwoven stories that come together in an exciting climax on a desolate ledge high above Moab, Utah.

In late 1963, Reno Private Investigator Charlie Callan embarks on a routine domestic surveillance case. When it sends him instead into a labyrinth of deception, mortal danger-and the murder-conspirac y of the last century, Charlie is faced with moral and personal decisions for which there are no right answers.

In present time, in the mountains near Moab, Archaeologist Matthew Packard unearths an ancient tomb containing 16 male skeletons. Fifteen of them are dramatically older than any human remains ever found in the Americas. But it's the more recent, anonymous 16th skeleton that triggers alarms from D.C. to Langley to New Orleans - plunging Packard into a web of vicious killers and long-hidden secrets. He finds himself falling in love with a beautiful young woman, and to save her life and his own, Packard must solve the mystery of the Sixteenth Man and its astonishing connection to the murder of President John F. Kennedy.

©2002, 2011 Thomas B. Sawyer (P)2013 Thomas B. Sawyer

Critic reviews

"If many more thrillers this good appear in the books-on-demand format, the world of publishing will be turned upside down – or do I mean right side up?" (Jon Breen, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine)

"Brilliantly juggling past and present, Sawyer brings a skeleton out of the closet (in this case a burial site) and sets in motion his stunning story. Hip, hypnotic,filled with believable characters and a riveting zig-zag of a plot, The Sixteenth Man is the suspense-thriller genre at its zenith. (William Link, Co-creator of Columbo and Murder, She Wrote)

"...[A] brilliantly plotted thriller...blisteringpace…brings a new dimension to the most compelling true murder mystery of thepast century." (Pam Linn, The Malibu Times)

Wow - Awesome Read!

Would you listen to The Sixteenth Man again? Why?

Loved every character and thrilling moment in this book - yes, I'd listen again!

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

Sawyer tells two parallel stories - present time and 1963. Each is compelling and filled with exciting twists and surprises.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't want to spoil the surprise - but the scene where we-the-reader discovers the secret from 1963 that has propelled this story from the outset - well, it made me gasp out loud with amazement. And go back to listen a second time, just to be sure.

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

There is one especially tragic killing that reminds us of just how desperate the "bad guys" can be.

Any additional comments?

I recommend The Sixteenth Man wholeheartedly!

Wait... What???

This was the constant reaction I was experiencing while listening to this book. I like the idea and the publisher's summary sounded interesting, but I don't think Mr. Sawyer pulled it off well. It's cool to start with two timelines and link them together as you go along, but it got to feeling drawn out with the backstory that, after so much, became boring. I would hear something interesting and catch myself trying to remember what was going on in the story. Some of the injected info about historical sporting event outcomes was overly cliche. The narration was alright and I listened comfortably at 1.5X speed to save some time. It does contain constant vulgarity and some gruesome scenes. I wouldn't use a credit on this one. The Dan Brown stuff is among the best thrillers I have read. If any of this was helpful, please click YES below. Later.