Breakout

By: Stephen Leather

Narrated by: Paul Thornley

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

A friend in need is a friend indeed. And no one is a better friend than hitman-for-hire Lex Harper. 

When a mate from his past ends up in a Bolivian prison, Harper doesn’t think twice about going to his aid. Beatings, rapes and murders are an everyday occurrence in the prison. But the only way to break his friend out is for Harper to put his own life on the line, in a place where death comes quickly and only the strong survive. Getting into the prison is easy enough – but can Harper get out? And how many people will he have to kill to make it back?

©2020 Stephen Leather (P)2020 Isis Publishing Ltd

Stephen could do better

I love Stephen Leather’s books and listened to almost all of them.
This one unfortunately does not live up to expectations, I kept waiting for the crux of the story, the thing that would change it from an predictable amble into a Stephen Leather book.
It’s only due to Paul Thornley’s excellent (as always) narration that I made it a decent way through the book but about an hour to go I will be giving up. It’s just not worth the time. Stephen can do better.

Very disappointing!

Most definitely not Mr. Leather’s finest work.
I am a great fan of all his other works but this was atrocious...boring and drawn out. On the plus side the narration was the normal quality of Paul Thornley.

Dammit!

After the brilliant first LH novel, I have been really disappointed by such a lame follow up. This story is not the vehicle for Lex's character and the large plot holes and weak basis on which the story hinge, are resonant of a contractual obligation by SL rather than any real ping of inspiration to drag Lex out of Thailand. At one point, having met two paper thin accomplices for 5 minutes, they burst from a coffee shop into firefight with essentially unknown assailants with an unknown agenda. As good as putting a .45 caliber round through the skin of an open car door into a Sicario's chest is, substance is better than style and this story is sadly lacking in both. If nothing else, I am now unlikely to ever venture to Bolivia!

Lex is, to my mind, SL's best character but after the brilliance of Takedown (and Plausible Deniability) this was a letdown. Anyone reading this who's as hooked on Harper as I am will still want to listen to it, but do get it in a sale! Can't wait for the phone reverberation in Lex's hip pack with a message reading: You've got mail.

Thriiler or travel guide?????

Paul Thornley is excellent as always, the first three quarters of this book are an average listen but during the last quarter it reads like a very poor travel guide book. In my opinion the last quarter of this book is just fleshed out with words to make the story longer, (are you being paid by the word Stephen?). Could have been really good but lost it's way.

Hmmm

Paul as always does the job but even he struggled to bring this one to life .

Good story

Having been brought up on Dan Shepherd I looked forward to Harper's appearance. Its ok, Paul Thornley delivered the book well. Harper is an interesting operator I just couldn't associate myself with 'Scouse".

Lex Harper, the darker and grittier Character from the spider series

Love love love the stand alone Lex novels and this one is the best so far.

Can’t wait for more Lex stories….. stand alone or in the spider series.

Epic story.

The master

Another great listen from the master who is Stephen Leather, fast paced, edge of the seat stuff. Brilliantly narrated by yet another master of his craft Paul Thornley, highly recommended listen. *****

Full of excitement

From start to finish gripping thrilling twists and turns.Difficult to stop listening.The reader’s voice is very relaxing even put my dog to sleep .Must find another Stephen Leather if narrator is Paul Thornley.

Rubbish it must be the worst book of all Stephen L

The story line is totally unbelievably poor not worth the time and effort to finish it