Soft Target

Ray Cruz, Book 1

By: Stephen Hunter

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Stephen Hunter is back with another breakneck thriller, in which ex-Marine sniper, Ray Kruz, must outwit a group of murderous Somali terrorists who’ve laid siege to the Mall of America.

Recently retired marine sergeant Ray Kruz has been talked into a mall trip by his fiancé, the beautiful Molly Chan. For Ray, Molly represents a way to reconnect with normal life, something his 20 years in the service and five tours in two combat zones have prevented. But now he finds himself in the middle of the softest target of all, a huge consumer mall where a self-styled “Mumbai Brigade” has come to bring massive death to the heartland. They just didn’t know Ray Cruz was in the building….

©2011 Stephen Hunter (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Good Listen but not Hunter's Best

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

Yes. The story line was timely and it had interesting characters. However, this was a weakness also. The star of the book did not stand out but the story was carried by the idea.

What about Phil Gigante’s performance did you like?

He was good but needs to work on his German accent.

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

Video Game Becomes Reality

Any additional comments?

I am glad that Hunter has begun a new series. I am wondering why Nickie was not chosen to carry the torch.

good story

As usual a good read from a good author. Seems a realistic terrorist attack plot.

Excellent glad to have a new character

First of the Ray Cruz novels I hope.
Looking forward to many more. Bob Lee has to retire at some point.

still intrigued

Not as exciting as the bob lee swagger series, unfortunately somewhere along the line I didn't know that ray is his son. still very interesting storyline!!! didn't see that at all. as soon as I finish typing this I'm gonna download the next one in the series. think this will be a solid series. check out his other works too.

Holds your attention form first word.

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

Top ten.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Main character--lots of depth

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

First one.

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

Mayhem in the mall !

Any additional comments?

Fast moving, good portrayal of police action.

The beginning was a bit slow but soon caught up

I enjoyed it, not as full action as the Gray Man which is more my style, but enjoyable and predictable

Enjoyable counterpoint to Current Events

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

This was a decent story about a retired special ops guy who decides to do more than cower while armed men take over a mall. Since I was in Omaha a couple years ago when a kid decided to start shooting up a department store, it was a way for me to ride along on a story with a better ending. This book was decently written, with a flowing story, and had good characterization which allowed me to "get to know" the characters. The narrator was skilled and easy to listen to.

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

There was tension, but without any of the awkward pauses for asides like many authors like to put in. The background info was just enough to ensure you could relate to what was going on. This book was less, to me, about "OMG, save them!" than it was about "Now get THAT one!" to me. I enjoyed descriptions of tactics, especially as the protagonist employed them.

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

I have not heard him before, but he did great on this one. I look forward to his other work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The author and narrator should stick together for other projects.

Good thriller, keeps you on the hook

Would you listen to Soft Target again? Why?

Not necessarily - i dont like hearing the same stories as i have heard before (same applies to movies, books etc)

What did you like best about this story?

Fast paced, and kept me wanting to listen to more

Which character – as performed by Phil Gigante – was your favorite?

i thought they were all well represented

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

no

A good quick story

Hunter does a nice job adding some more charactor to Cruz. I dont think Cruz can replace Swagger, but still a good story.

Addictive!

Very exciting! Never boring! Interesting characters! Made the drive to and from work fly by! Highly recommend. Will look for more by this author.