• Phantom

  • Alex Hawke, Book 7
  • By: Ted Bell
  • Narrated by: John Shea
  • Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (788 ratings)

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Phantom  By  cover art

Phantom

By: Ted Bell
Narrated by: John Shea
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Publisher's summary

The first and most bizarre event nearly becomes a monumental catastrophe when something goes awry at an American theme park, wreaking havoc on visitors looking for nothing more than a sun-splashed holiday.

In a different part of the country, a USAF F-15 pilot, escorting another jet in the skies over the Midwest, inexplicably loses control of his plane, endangering the lives of several people and deeply puzzling those following his mission on the ground.

Then, in the misty calm of a coastal California evening, the world’s premier scientist on the subject of artificial intelligence gets a strange phone call. When he hangs up, he quietly grabs his coat and leaves for an after-dinner stroll from which he never returns.

It’s up to Hawke and the brilliant former inspector Ambrose Congreve to find out what could possibly be happening. But how does one identify—and fight—an enemy one can’t see, a real phantom? Even these seasoned operatives are mystified. Is there really such a thing as an ultra-intelligent machine, a cyberweapon that can shift the geopolitical balance of power?

In a hunt that takes him from Palo Alto, California, to the Russian frontier, to Cambridge University and the glistening Mediterranean aboard his newly christened and armed super-yacht Blackhawke, Alex Hawke is joined by the unstoppable Stokely Jones and his ex-CIA buddy Harry Brock. As he moves closer to unmasking the scientist behind these extraordinary events, he goes nose-to-nose with an enemy unlike any he’s fought before—and may never again.

©2012 Ted Bell (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A hero to rival Bond by an author to rival Cussler.” ( The Bookseller)

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What listeners say about Phantom

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Alex saves the world again with a lot of class

I think this is Ted Bell's best book yet. Alex has become more arrogant and a bit pompus, even for an elite Brit character. He has absolutely no qualms about killing or being the bad guy, but is a pussycat with now having a family! It is a very interesting mix. I loved every minute and the narration was again superb. John Shea is the perfect narrator for this series. I'd like to listen to more of his books. Don't pass this one up if you like thrillers!!
It is excellent :-)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

AI Gone Amok

I found the plot of this book extraordinarily unbelievable. Yes, I realize it is fiction. But, I really don't think artificial intelligence is anywhere near the capabilities described. The story, based on the improbably AI gone amok premise is very hard to get in to. I listened to the entire novel but frankly, couldn't wait for it to end. The narration is terrible and sleep inducing. Don't recommend this one.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Narrated Well, too bad the story ruined it

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better Story

Any additional comments?

A big big disappointment here. Frankly, while I am used to and generally enjoy Ted Bell's vivid descriptions and clever plots, this one is too far out there to put me in the edge of my seat wanting more.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Hawk entertaining,mostly Cliche,Narrator is STRONG

All of Hawke books are kinda cliché & although he may have some cool toys no one beats the original bond, especially when the character involved is based off of him!? This particular book brings a bit of a twist but many books it seems have been using a technology based Armageddon as part of the draw... for Bell's book this makes this book a bit better compared to all the other ones which are entertaining if your into the 'good guy' winning all the time with incredible weapons & wealth beyond economic imagination then these books are for u

Overall though, thru all the books I find his supporting characters to be much more enjoyable to hear then Hawke himself... like Stokley Jones for sure, Congrieve (wanna be Sherlock who worked for Scotland yard), & Brock who is the USA's CIA NOC. Without them the books would not have the same appeal. Some books have great supporting characters in this case he NEEDs the characters to help create a better story

I use all of Bell's books as a substitute for Bond now because that's basically what it is, except Bond was ALL about Queen & England while there is more of an international taste to all the stories, I might be forgetting about an Israeli team member but I read one of the funnier things another critic wrote & that was about one of Bells earlier books, I think it was is 'Warlord' or 'Spy' but when he beats up a professional sumo wrestler.... um... yeaaaa, its parts like that which keep Bell in the entertaining, candy isle instead of moving anywhere near a work of art/Novel category... fun, just fun. As usual though the Narrator 'Shea' who only has a handful of books he's done is fantastic & wish he was used for more books

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

PHANTOM "appears" as a new Alex Hawke #1bestseller

Ted Bell has done it again! Ever since reading ASSASSIN, & developing a "Bromance" for Alex Hawke, I have been fearful of the series dying, getting stale, or running out of quality plot themes. I have instead been delighted with subsequent "Hawke-novels": Pirate, Spy, Tsar, Warlord, & now Phantom!! Phantom plunges Hawke into dual battles. He must lead the fight against an evil Quantum Computer, before it sends mankind, the way of the Dodo Bird (Raphus Cuculatus) & the Dinosaurs. (Can you say "Hal-2012"?). Hawke must also learn "How to become an instant Father" after his supposed deceased wife from Tsar pitches his (also thought dead in utero) son to him as his train departs from a frozen KGB stronghold in Siberia. Fortunately he has his familiar "cast of characters" to help: Inspector (Godfather) Cosgrove, (Uncle) Stokely Jones, & the pugnacious CIA agent, Harry Brock. There is also another surprise new edition to Alex's little clan. (read the book)
I have rushed to write my review, prior to listening to the final (Act V) battle for two reasons. #1- I wanted to share my discovery of a Great new audiobook with Audible-members; #2- I am trying to draw out my enjoyment of this book. It is truly one of those rare engrossing novels that I could easily listen to start-to-finish! But, then I would have to start fearing (again) that Ted Bell won't write another new, engrossing Alex Hawke novel for me to devour. (Ted, I hope you are listening!).Being an original James Bond fan (1963-From Russia with Love), I feel qualified stating that the persistent quality of Ted Bell's Alex Hawke novels are on par with Ian Fleming's indomitable hero (James Bond) novels of the ColdWar years.
While, there remain villains in Moscow for our hero to defeat, Bell ushers us into the 21st century with "Cyber War" combat. This audiobook is excellently narrated by John Shea, who has created for me a fantastic "alternate reality" that I would love escaping to.
PHANTOM is a definite 5-star offering.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow! Scary times!

So glad Hawke is at the helm of this science fiction adventure! Man vs machine! Crazy times that are coming into realty soon - great read!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another excellent well written and verbose novel

Intrigue and suspense a very well thought out story, A great midwinter action novel
for those long hours of interior living. Ted Bell keeps this rollercoaster rolling by plotting steadfast and headlong into one action unto another, While John Shea's performance articulates the total drama of each written word, the novels imagery comes to life.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting mix of true technology and an evil dr.

as long as you understand technology then you will be fine with this novel. a very good book - ted bell story

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heart Racing action packed page turner!

What did you love best about Phantom?

The pace of the story and the character of Alex Hawke.

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

Yes - presents aspects of Alex Hawke that weren't revealed until a unique part of his past catches him by surprise! The story combines today's technology with ancient fears and grudges as Alex, once again, must save us from destruction.

What about John Shea’s performance did you like?

Loved the accents, the cadence and the timbre of his voice. Felt it added to the vibrancy of the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Was surprised by an unexpected revelation and the impact it has on Alex Hawke.

Any additional comments?

Great addition to the series, one of the most evenly paced action thrillers I have enjoyed in a long time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ted Bell's Phantom another winner

Would you listen to Phantom again? Why?


No. Hate to listen to ANY book more than once.
Ther are too many books I have NOT listened too even though I have listened to ove 1800 books in the last 25 years (have a list of every single one).
Nothing I hated more than to get an hour into a book and discover I had already heard it.
Therefore, I started an alphabetical list.

What did you like best about this story?

Action packed

What about John Shea’s performance did you like?

Great performance by John

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Action packed cyber film

Any additional comments?

What a great bunch of characters

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