The Preacher

By: Ted Thackrey Jr.

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The unforgetable hero who once saved souls...and now deals death

A mysterious, one-eyed stranger wanders into Farewell, New Mexico, a dusty border town rife with corruption. He's known only as The Preacher, an ex-Priest, ex-Special Forces commando, and now a professional gambler who has given up on his own salvation...but is determined to find justice for a murdered Vietnam vet...even if it means taking on the entire, God forsaken town.

©2016 Ted Thackrey Jr. (P)2017 Brash Books, LLC

Gambling, Nam, fights, relationships, and sermons

What an unexpected mix of themes which are intricately woven into a series of unexpected twists and turns. The Preacher (we never get to know his name) relies on his self-defense strategies (both physical and psychological) as a result of surviving a tour in Vietnam in th especial forces. Those experiences, combined with his biblical perspectives, set the foundation for the story. Both the story and the characters are well developed and full of surprises along the way. This listen really grew on me as it combines so many facets of human experiences that work together to create a powerful and engrossing story. The publisher's summary peaked my interest, but the story far surpassed the write up. The narration was certainly a plus, as well. I would recommend this listen to this genre. . A review copy of this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. My hope is that this review helps in your decision to obtain this book.

Greed and murder at its best!

A great whodunit with twists and turns to hold your attention throughout.
The narrator did an excellent job with the different voices for the characters. Loved the New England accent!

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good!

I really enjoyed this story! Very unique and interesting. Well developed characters, action and fantastic narration - I highly recommend this audio!


I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Best. Book. EVER.

I didn't know what I was getting into with this listen. I had no idea it would rank as one of the top audiobooks I've ever listened to!

I loved the cover design. I was intrigued by the title. The narrator's voice was melodious and captivating. And then the story. I loved it!!!

The story was steeped in a mystery that had many movable parts and in the center was the best anti-hero I've ever had the pleasure. In a word, WOW!

There are many books that become a series but only a few deserve to be such. This book screams 'MORE!' Don't get me wrong, there was a satisfying conclusion but there was so much depth to the story that I didn't want to walk away.

There were some quips, sharp banter and very vivid similes that caught my attention as well.
This listen was something special.

A Great Modern Day Western

The Preacher is just that, a defrocked priest, and former Viet Nam War Vet who lives life playing poker. A friend from back in his seminary days calls the Preacher to his town to look into a mysterious death of another mutual friend whose suicide by helicopter crash does not look legit. The suspects? The town leaders who play a regular poker game.

The story begins and does not let up. This hard to put down novel is fast paced. Both a detective story and modern day western the plot, location, and characters culminate into a delightfully fun read.

The narrator for the audio book, Shawn Compton, does a magnificent job with the text. He is not as "animated" as some readers, yet he conveys the characters and the story well. His tense vocal performance conveys well the theme of the novel he is reading. Great work! I look forward to both reading and hearing the next book in the series!

"The Preacher", You'll Love and Hate This Book

The author has a gift for writing, a poet, a word smith. There is no forced dialogue, no conjured story, nothing but great writing with a character you will love. The narration is spot on fantastic, another with the gift of gab and timing. If you don't enjoy the book, and hate the ending there is ice water in your veins.
Bravo!

A really entertaining book. Hope it's a series!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The overall premise is nothing new, but I thought this was really well executed and entertaining. It had a modern western feel with a murder mystery, vengeance seeking vigilante spin to it. I hope it becomes a series, because I'd love to see what wrongs Preacher rights next.

Good mystery with a great lead character

I really liked the main character in this book. He was an interesting man who plays poker for a living. We learn a lot about him as he goes about solving the mystery. He uses his poker skills to not only play the game but to get to know the other players. I found it interesting how much he could learn about the other players by how they played poker. Not just what cards they were likely to have but he could tell a lot about the character of the men. Mr. Compton did a fine job with the narration of this book. His performance was perfect as the preacher. He was able to bring him to life and make me "see" him as I was listening. I love when this happens! I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

One to keep an eye on.

My review title is kind of a joke as Preacher, the main character in the book, only has one eye. Both Ted Thackrey Jr., the authors of this book, and Shawn Compton, the narrator, are new to me, and both thoroughly impressed me.

Our main character is both an ex-priest and an ex-special forces solider who now makes a living playing poker. The story has him looking into the events surrounding the death of another Vietnam vet and getting sucked into a mystery. Well paced with a fair amount of action. Preacher is a unique character and as I said in the title, one to keep an eye on. As I said, it's a good story and Mr. Compton does a very good job with the narration, brining the characters and action to life. Would definitely listen to more of his work.

I received a copy of this audio title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Wa is strong in this one

I’ve always been fascinated with the game of Poker, at least on the professional level. It’s a game of learning how people tick and how to exploit their weaknesses. Although it seems almost impossible to know a person in the short few hours at a poker table “better than their spouse or mother” it’s awkwardly true. When it comes to winning and losing money, a person’s base comes out for those willing to see and recognize it.

Preacher is an interesting book in the fact that it takes a professional poker player and places him in the role of the hero-detective. The title character’s skill at the game allows him to read people on the level of Sherlock Holmes, and helps him uncover the thick plot surrounding the death of a friend-of-a-friend.

Preacher is an interesting character. The author judiciously fills in his back-story and the result is fascinating and tragic. You can’t help but marvel at the hurdles life has thrown at him, and how he has overcome them. The wa is without a doubt, strong in this one. (Having only listened to the book, I am guessing at the spelling. I can’t seem to come up with a page about it during a search, so I’m sure I spelled this wrong.)

The narrator did a fine job. At times he got a little monotonous when his voice should have reflected anger, fear, or simple excitement during a fight scene. But I have no complaints otherwise.

For the most part it’s a great book. I enjoyed the listen and for it’s length I never felt bored with it or ready to be done.

This audiobook was gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review