Edge

A Novel

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Skipp Sudduth

Crafting a chilling, strategy-driven thriller packed with “nifty new tricks” (Publishers Weekly), Jeffery Deaver lifts the veil on a clandestine government agency—pitting two “ingenious” (Library Journal) opponents in a high-stakes duel of wits with deadly consequences.

Behind the well-known US security apparatus—FBI, CIA, and more—lurks a top-secret agency specializing in intelligence surveillance and witness protection through its elite operatives. When Washington, DC, police detective Ryan Kessler becomes the inexplicable target of Henry Loving, a ruthless freelance lifter who uses torture, kidnapping, and family leverage, an existential threat to life itself is unleashed.

Enter Corte, a senior federal protection officer—a “shepherd” driven by personal vendetta and decked with tactical brilliance and board-game inspired strategy. As Loving resurfaces six years after killing Corte’s mentor, the stage is set for a deadly match. Corte is entrusted to safeguard the Kessler family and unravel the mystery: who hired Loving, and why?

With assistance from investigator Claire DuBois and FBI agent Paul Fredericks, Corte must anticipate every move of the lifter. What follows is a relentless chase, escalating psychological tension, and twisting revelations as family bonds fray under pressure. Lee’s axiom—“people will do anything to anybody, if the edge is right”—defines the deadly contest.

Edge is a stand-alone government agency thriller that fuses intense psychological suspense, tactical game theory, and moral complexity. Fans of calculated espionage, modern crime thrillers, and plot-twisting suspense will relish this duel between protector and predator.

This book deserved a better narrator

Who at Simon and Shuster Audio thinks Skip Sudduth should narrate a Jeffrey Deaver novel? His narration of EDGE was perhaps the worst performance of an audio book that I can recall. A dull emotionless reading that reduced exciting dramatic sequences to mere third person observations... sort of like viewing a fish tank that was empty of fish. The voice of every character was virtually the same leaving the reader at a loss to determine who was speaking.
The story was full of so many twists and turns, however, that this is a Deaver offering not to be missed... another Jeffrey Deaver gem!

Great Story

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

HIGH

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed the twists and turns. Guessed the ending wrong several times. Liked all the action scenes.

Narrator blues

Fortunately, this book was interesting enough to make me sit through a monotonous narrator so I don't feel that I completely wasted my money and time. I agree with another reviewer who scolded Mr. Deaver (or whomever) for choosing such a poor narrator. I can only imagine how much better the experience could have been had Dick Hill (the King!!!) or Scott Brick narrated it. I can't imagine that the author actually chose this narrator or, if he did, being satisfied with the final result.

Not your Father's Deaver

As a Deaver audio fan, I found this outing a little off his stride. Writing in the first person does present some challenges in a Jeffery Deaver type novel. If you are looking for Lincoln Rymes - this ain't it. About the second or third chapter I started to realize this it was more Sam Spade than Lincoln Rymes. It is almost an updated throw-back to the pulp detective novels of yesteryear with Deaver's unique twists. To be honest, I am only half way through it, but it is growing on me. Not the Deaver I love but one I can appreciate.
The narrator was not the best choice. He gets the job done but does not add to the novel.
If my opinion changes as a finish the audio book, I will update this posting.

Good entry by Deaver

I'm going contrarian (at least to the majority view when I read the reviews a couple months back) and saying that I liked the narrator. Yes, he was very emotionless, but that's how the character was written. I thought his delivery was very good. He did say "wheppon," which was totally bizarre, I will admit... but otherwise it was just fine.

The story was very fast paced and a little more thriller-y than most of Deaver's stuff, but still with his characteristic twists. Very enjoyable.