Imprisoned

Jason King Series, Book 2

De: Matt Rogers

Narrado por: Roger Wayne

Venezuela's overcrowded prison system is hell on earth. Murders, corruption, and gang wars are nothing out of the ordinary. On a humid summer's day in the state of Vargas, a new prisoner arrives at "El Infierno", the country's most notorious gulag. Newcomers are subject to savage beatings. They're treated as slaves by the general prison population.

But not this time....

Because the fresh arrival is ex-US black ops mercenary Jason King, locked up without a trial, determined to work out who falsely charged him with murder - and why. He wonders which inmate will provoke him first and unleash who he used to be....

©2016 Matt Rogers (P)2017 Tantor

Surprisingly Good

I was really prepared to dislike this book. I only downloaded it because I like to read a series in order. When King got thrown in prison I honestly thought it was going to be one of those books where the protagonist is continually getting beat half to death and is struggling to survive, getting beat down every time he tries to get ahead. I should have known better. Not with this character. Good plot, lots of interesting twists. Well worth a listen. The whole series is.

Jason gives me FlashJacks

Do you remember when you loved reading Jack Reacher books? You know, waaaaaaaay back, before Lee Child started writing every book as though Hollywood would drool all over each book spine and beg him to write a screenplay, so to save time and effort, Child just started writing screenplays and calling them Jack Reacher novels?
Yeah, that was when Reacher was a legit badass, owned his messed up nature and did not get wrapped around the emotional axel when the “lizard part” of his brain activated resulting in casualties.

So, the reason I bring this up is because Jason King has the Old Reacher vibe, and >I Like It>.
Specifically, King is reluctant to wield his physical power and expertise on others but does it anyway in strategic ways and with malice. King gives bad actors a chance to reconsider their evil ways and do the right thing before he opens a mostly non-lethal, yet highly painful and for sure disfiguring can of Whoopass. King has old buddies from his career he would rather not discuss and makes friends as he moves through all the bad luck and trouble, holds everyone at arms distance, because he actively wrestles with the viciousness of his true nature and a seriously black, untidy past.

What makes the events that unfold all the more riveting is the writing style the author uses; gritty, descriptive, and with sufficient variety in word choice and scene composition to keep a listener engaged, thinking, and satisfied. Thankfully no overt advertising of brands or frivolous preference for a certain knife, gun, coffee, shoe, etc. (authors who do this, please stop, it’s annoying AF)
Last, the performance is spectacular. Masterful accents, nuance that carries a big bundle of background, the degree of variation in pace and tone to carry one forward with intent, and omits the “said Jason”, “said Rico”, that is exactly unnecessary when a vocal actor has the chops to distinguish each character with rich distinction using only auditory queues. And, all that without being over-the-top-theatrical. Thanks for that.

Suffice to say I have a new favorite basass lead character, it’s Jason King. Bing listening the whole series, and Save As Favorite for future dry spells in the Audible plus membership assortment of thrillers.

Fingers crossed the author remains true to the character and only adds to complexity and depth over the course of the series. I’m not at all sure I can take another complete character implosion, as is the case with Reacher.

Just one thing after another

Never does the book slow down. Interesting and unusual story line. First book we have listened to by this author. Looking to get the next one.

Another jack reacher wannabe

It seems to be the only story line out there: retired military special forces goes around the world getting into trouble and miraculously always saving the day. But you will like king I have to admit because the author does not waste time explaining the military stuff and goes straight into the story. I am on book three. He is worth reading.

just ok

the story was good cause King is a bad azz, the king & slater series is much better.