The Third Bullet

Bob Lee Swagger, Book 8

By: Stephen Hunter

Narrated by: Buck Schirner

Length: 19 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

It’s not even a clue. It’s a whisper, a trace, a ghost echo, drifting down through the decades via chance connections so fragile that they would disintegrate in the puff of a breath. But it’s enough to get legendary former Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger interested in the events of November 22, 1963, and the third bullet that so decisively ended the life of John F. Kennedy and set the stage for one of the most enduring controversies of our time.

Swagger begins his slow night stalk through a much-traveled landscape. But he’s asking questions that few have asked before: Why did the third bullet explode? Why did Lee Harvey Oswald, about to become the most hunted man on Earth, risk it all by returning to his rooming house to secure a pistol he easily could have brought with him? How could a conspiracy that went unpenetrated for 50 years have been thrown together in the two and a half days between the announcement of the president’s route and the assassination itself?

As Bob investigates, another voice enters the narrative: knowing, ironic, almost familiar, that of a gifted, Yale-educated veteran of the CIA Plans Division. Hugh Meachum has secrets and the means and the will to keep them buried. When weighed against his own legacy, Swagger’s life is an insignificant expense - but to blunt the threat, he’ll first have to ambush the sniper.

As each man hunts the other across today’s globe and through the thickets of history, The Third Bullet builds to an explosive climax that will finally prove what Bob Lee Swagger has always known: It’s never too late for justice.

©2013 Stephen Hunter (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great thriller historically accurate!

I was impressed by the historical and literary depth of the work that was accomplished with great thrills! Must read for anyone with interest in the assassination.

Plausible Theory and Good Story

What is it about November 22, 1963 that so fascinates us? Thousands of books and hundreds of hours of video speculation later, we still don't really know what happened that day in Dallas. Stephen Hunter has written his theory of events around his hero, Bob Lee Swagger, and turned it into a thriller. The theory is pretty interesting but the events that surround Bob Lee are a bit stretched. Still, a very worthy story and a great narrator.

Enjoyed it !

Always enjoy this writer’s stories!!! Pretty cool how he lays a plot out and swagggert gets the job done !

Not what reader is anticipating

I am a little old lady and love Stephen Hunter and Bob Lee, but we have a problem now. Bob Lee is 66 years old: too old to do what he does best, so the story takes another path. I liked this book as a stand alone story, but it is not about our Bob Lee. Unfortunately the author has tied his books to a timeline and we have gotten to the last stages of Bob Lee's life. I would like to see the author go back and give us more adventures in years past. I did not care for the narrator. He did a decent job, but his voice does not fit my mental scenario that I created when reading all of Mr. Hunter's books through the years. I know Bob Lee is from a humble background, but he is a master, an artist in his field. He is the best. Narrator should be reading Mickey Spillane - needs to be more like Gary Cooper - smoother.

Slow-developing plot but still Bob Lee

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Although the idea of a solution to the many Kennedy assassination theories is intriguing, the story took forever to develop with long periods without the usual Swagger action. I liked it ultimately, but had I known how long it was going to take to get to the final solution, I probably would have passed on this one and listened to something more fast-paced.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen Hunter? Why or why not?

Yes, definitely. Overall the Bob Lee Swagger novels are very satisfying.

Which character – as performed by Buck Schirner – was your favorite?

Bob Lee, of course. His Russian buddy was a close second.

A fun ride

What made the experience of listening to The Third Bullet the most enjoyable?

never cared who killed JFK.
This book is a fun listen and brought 1963 to life.

Smart and edgy!

Stephen Hunter obviously does his research. This series is very well thought out. It sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved every minute of it.

Another Kennedy Assassination Scenario

Where does The Third Bullet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not meaning to sound so general, it was better than some, but not as good as some others I have listened to. Pretty much middle of the road.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Third Bullet?

The shootout in the Stalin park between Bob and the assassin squad.

What does Buck Schirner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Buck's interpretation of Bob Swagger's accent.

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

Not really. This is just another book in the Bob Swagger series. I agree with other reviewers in that Hunter should just let Bob retire and either use another character or bring a new one on board.

Any additional comments?

At one time, I would read just about any book that expostulated theories about the Kennedy assassination. Stephen King's book "11-22-63" was an interesting take on that story. But, like others, I have had my fill. I listened to this book because it was in the Bob Swagger series. Others have been better and this one was way too long. Hunter writes great action books, but I think he could have used another storyline. Otherwise I cannot say I did not enjoy it because I did. Hopefully the next one will be a tad bit better.

It's fine, but overlong.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, but the book could have used more editing.

Would you recommend The Third Bullet to your friends? Why or why not?

Only if they are intrigued by the Kennedy assassination.

What about Buck Schirner’s performance did you like?

It was fine.

Could you see The Third Bullet being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, tired ground.

Needs more Swagger.

Good concept. Needed editing / shortening in the middle. Too much narration by villain . . . Too little Swagger. Could have been excellent. Overall "good" audio book.

Another great performance by Buck Schirner.