The Night Ranger

A John Wells Novel, Book 7

By: Alex Berenson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

John Wells enters new territory, as he goes underground in East Africa to track four kidnapped Americans and the Somali bandits who snatched them, in the tough, thoughtful, electrifying new novel from the #1 New York Times best-selling author.

Four friends, recent college graduates, travel to Kenya to work at a giant refugee camp for Somalis. Two men, two women, each with their own reasons for being there. But after twelve weeks, they’re ready for a break and pile into a Land Cruiser for an adventure.

They get more than they bargained for. Bandits hijack them. They wake up in a hut, hooded, bound, no food or water. Hostages. As a personal favor, John Wells is asked to try to find them, but he does so reluctantly. East Africa isn’t his usual playing field. And when he arrives, he finds that the truth behind the kidnappings is far more complex than he imagined.

The clock is ticking. The White House is edging closer to an invasion of Somalia. Wells has a unique ability to go undercover, and to make things happen, but if he can’t find the hostages soon, they’ll be dead - and the U.S. may be in a war it never should have begun.

©2013 Alex Berenson (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Don't miss this one.” (The Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

“A tense thriller that relies equally on bravery, wit, and 21st-century American firepower.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Taut prose, plausible action, and plenty of plot surprises.” (Publishers Weekly)

Great story

This was hard to put down. Looking forward to the next one. Don't skip it in the series.

Terrific perfornance

Great performance..as I've become used to. interesting setting. credible portrayal of Somali militia. Enjoyed the book

Berenson is the best

Berenson's John Wells series is outstanding, and Secret Soldier is no exception. Berenson tells a great story, has a sophisticated writing style, and his research is unbelievable. Berenson continues to be the best spy novelist on the horizon.

another great John Wells story

the story is so good I don't even realize I've been listening for that long. again... I'm sad the story ended... time to grab the next one.

Top Notch Storytelling

highly recommend this kudnapping thriller . You won't be disappointed. it's the complete package. Great narration too.

Curious as to how much of this is story true

After one of these books, I wonder how much of the information in it is true. In this case, I wonder if the USA would actually work with a terrorist group in order to achieve an end favorable to the USA. Also, how much of the drone technology revealed is accurate. Knowing how much money the USA gives to countries with bad actors (e.g., Iran and Pakistan) and the fact we no longer capture our enemies, we just drone them, I wouldn't be surprised to find that something similar to this book has actually happened.

Fun and thrilling

With such gems as “the mosquito netting was stretched as thin as a drag queen’s pantyhose,” how can you not love it? That line notwithstanding (no doubt written in a moment of pique), the book is very well-written and the story tight and riveting. Mr. Berenson is a master of balancing details with big-picture story elements. It brings us close into the action while never losing pace with the story. Mr. Guidall is a great choice for Mr. Berenson’s books. I cannot imagine the books being as enjoyable without him. Loved it! I hope we will get more asap.

George and John..... What more needs to be said

I hunt anything George Guidall narrates. To that end I am always satisfied with the book.

Wells is finally moving out of the desert

Berenson's 7th John Wells installment is another solid effort that delivers. This time around Wells is contacted by his estranged son to assist in the rescue of kidnapped Americans in Africa. While the world believes a terrorist plot, Wells pieces together a more complex and sinister evolving series of motivations. As is typical, Wells struggles with his own unique brand of morality and ethical conduct. In the end Wells functions as a microcosm of the confusing mix of US intent and policy all while out-thinking everyone else.

The pacing is excellent with a gradual buildup, leading to an almost non-stop, but unclear where this is headed ending. This time out Wells is not officially CIA, but has their crucial support. At the same time, Berenson throws in numerous plot twists as well as doing an excellent job of interjecting contradictory governmental aims. In addition, the geographical translocation to Africa is refreshing to see Wells out of his element, but still quite capable. Berenson appears ready to move Wells in new directions, both personally as well as operationally.

George Guidall's narration is simply outstanding as would be expected. His range of voices is breathtaking. His flow and tone perfectly match the mood of the story.

A transparent, high-tech thriller, well read.

This is the first of Berenson's novels I've read. If you like the sort of thrillers in which the only suspense is how the (super)hero will defeat his adversaries, then you probably will enjoy Night Ranger. I prefer stories with mystery in addition to adventure in which the identity of the villain and other adversaries isn't known. It was clear from the outset that Wells would somehow succeed; it is only a question of how. In this case, the high-tech superiority of the USA combines with Wells's cleverness and fighting skills to overwhelm relatively primitive, youthful Somalian militia. It is sort of believable but not at all surprising. The narrator George Guidall is one of my favorites.