Mister Slaughter

A Matthew Corbett Novel, Book 3

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The world of Colonial America comes vibrantly to life in this masterful new historical thriller by Robert McCammon. The latest entry in the popular Matthew Corbett series, which began with Speaks the Nightbird and continued in The Queen of Bedlam, Mister Slaughter opens in the emerging metropolis of New York City in 1702, and proceeds to take both Matthew and the reader on an unforgettable journey of horror, violence, and personal discovery.

The journey begins when Matthew, now an apprentice problem solver for the London-based Herrald Agency, accepts an unusual and hazardous commission. Together with his colleague, Hudson Greathouse, he agrees to escort the notorious mass murderer Tyranthus Slaughter from an asylum outside Philadelphia to the docks of New York. Along the way, Slaughter makes his captors a surprising - and extremely tempting - offer. Their response to this offer will alter the course of the novel, setting in motion a series of astonishing, ultimately catastrophic events.

Mister Slaughter is at once a classic portrait of an archetypal serial killer and an exquisitely detailed account of a fledgling nation still in the process of inventing itself. Suspenseful, illuminating, never less than compulsively readable, it is, by any measure, an extraordinary achievement, the largest accomplishment to date from one of our most gifted - and necessary - writers.

©2010 Robert McCammon (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Not My Favorite in the Series

Don't want to spoil anything, but I found the "through the woods" part long and tedious. Still recommend the book, as it fits with the previous books and lays groundwork for the fourth, I just didn't enjoy it as much as the first two in the series.

I liked this story,

Any additional comments?

Mr Corbett is human and has flaws. His decisions have consequences. This is nicely presented in this story. Too many heroes do not display failings, and their consequences. In previous books, Mr Corbett's choices were always correct, heroic, and had good outcomes. It really endears him to me to watch him go through his acts of redemption. Slaughter, is indeed a villain. The historicity of the family on the frontier is so vividly portrayed along with their character strengths and the hazards they faced. Surprising twists and betrayals toward the end. I like this series.

Total Entertainment

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

I would highly recommend this audiobook which never dragged or faltered from the first chapter to the last, and kept me guessing. The narration is fantastic and the storyline excellent. It had me intermittently horrified and then laughing out loud. Robert McCammon is an excellent author, and Edoardo Ballerini is one of the best narrators I have encountered in audiobooks.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's hard to say - I really like ALL the characters in this book.... I guess I would have to go with Matthew, but Hudson Greathouse is always a winner and even the terrible Mr Slaughter is extremely amusing at times with his sly comments and observations.

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

His narration is wonderful. He creates the different characters seemingly without effort. He made me break out laughing so many times, he really knows how to deliver a line.... and other times I was cringing in horror and could hardly bear to listen!

Who was the most memorable character of Mister Slaughter and why?

I think Mr Slaughter has to be the most memorable character as he is just such an evil person and quite a complicated man as well. The way the story all ties in together at the end is wonderful, and leaves you wanting to get on to the next book immediately. So many unanswered questions!

Any additional comments?

Great book, great narration. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

A Bit too Much!

Where does Mister Slaughter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The story is a good story but it amazes me how long this story went. I became more and more disenchanted with Matthew as well the story because it seemed to convey hopelessness, over and over again and there did not seem to be any real hope in this story. I just think it went too long.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lark was my favorite character because despite the odds she persevered.

What about Edoardo Ballerini’s performance did you like?

Edoardo Ballerina is a great performer!

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

The death Peter's family was particularly difficult to deal with.

Too Long

I like the Matthew Corbett series, the characters and the historical information.....but....its individual books do tend to go on too long. This one in particular could have been about 1 hour shorter. The anti-hero, Slaughter, was depicted as having such super-human ability to survive and create mayhem, that it became a parody of itself. Mr. McCammon, please restrain yourself. If I were reading this book, instead of listening to it, I would have quit about 3/4 through it.

Mister Slaughter

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

Yes, I would recommend this book. Good story and great narration.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mister Slaughter?

In the first half of the story, Mister Slaughter is a fairly enjoyable "villain." Most of his dialogue is entertaining.

Have you listened to any of Edoardo Ballerini’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to the whole Matthew Corbett series to date and Edoardo Ballerini is at his best in this book.

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

Due to some actions of certain characters there were some aggravating parts of the book.

Fear and Gore

Very suspenseful up through the end! but a little too much like Sweeney Todd for my taste, pardon the pun.

Another great novel --

I've become a huge fan of this series, especially in audiobook form. I've never been that into American history, but what McCammon does with the Colonial period is absolutely fascinating. The story is good -- somewhat different from the first two, in that it's not really a mystery -- but it certainly kept my attention. Highly recommended (and yes, it's violent, moreso than the first two).

Mr Slaughter is one bad man!!!!

In book three Matthew Corbett has a tough road ahead. Matthew and Greathouse has a easy job of taking a man known as Mr Slaughter to meet his maker but one thing for sure Slaughter has different plans.Slaughter comes up with a plan to make both men from the Herald Agency rich beyond there wildest dreams and the only thing he wants in return is his freedom.Matthew of course wants nothing to do with this plan but his partner Greathouse needs the money to free Zed the third man they would like to hire to the agency.The only problem is Zed is a slave and Matthew already has the money to free ten slaves unbeknownst to Greathouse. With greed in Matthews mind they go down the long black road with Slaughter and they find out how dangerous Mr Slaughter is.With everyday and every turn Matthew Corbett is growing into a detective to be reckoned with and when his back is against the wall Matthew is at his best. The great thing about this book is the punches keep coming from every direction. Must read

Really enjoyed!

Such a wonderful listen. Loved every minute of it! Can’t wait to continue with further stories.