Proving Ground

By: Peter Blauner

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos

From New York Times bestselling author and Edgar Award winner Peter Blauner comes a gritty new audiobook.

"Ari Fliakos gives a splendid performance. His versatile voice and energy enliven the many characters in this thriller." — Library Journal

"Ari Fliakos enhances an exciting story with his expert narration. He gives everyone a unique identity, differentiating them through varying tones, voices, and accents." — AudioFile Magazine

Nathaniel Dresden never really got along with his father, an infamous civil rights lawyer who defended criminals and spearheaded protest movements. As an act of rebellion, Natty joined the U.S. Army and served in Iraq, coming back with a chest full of commendations and a head full of disturbing memories.

But when his father is found murdered near the peaceful confines of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, Natty is forced to deal with the troubled legacy of their unresolved relationship. He also has to fend off the growing suspicions of NYPD Detective Lourdes Robles, a brash Latina cop with something to prove, who thinks Natty might bear some responsibility for his father’s death. Though truth be told, the list of people—cops and criminals—who wanted David Dresden out of the way is long. The search for answers leads Natty and Lourdes into an urban labyrinth where they must confront each other—and the brutal truths that could destroy them both.

Proving Ground is Peter Blauner’s first audiobook in more than a decade. It is at once a sweeping crime narrative, an intricate story about the quest for redemption, and a vibrant portrait of contemporary New York City, all told in Blauner’s singular voice.

Critic reviews

"Ari Fliakos enhances an exciting story with his expert narration. He gives everyone a unique identity, differentiating them through varying tones, voices, and accents. ...Another example of a well-paced story that is significantly enhanced by a narration built on appropriate voices." -AudioFile

"Ari Fliakos gives a splendid performance. His versatile voice and energy enliven the many characters in this thriller. Those who like a compelling and believable thriller with more than one startling twist will find this to be a wonderful experience." -Library Journal

"Over the last 25 years Peter Blauner has proven to be a master of the urban darkside, his crime novels suffused with a knowing compassion for the bottom dogs who live in the Minotaur's maze that is New York City. Proving Ground is one of his finest efforts."
--Richard Price

"Peter Blauner’s new novel, Proving Ground, is an old-school page-turner, as war-damaged army vet Nathaniel 'Natty Dread' Dresden and police detective Lourdes Robles close in on the killer of Natty’s father…and, maybe, each other. Taut narration, spot-on dialogue, and sharply etched action sequences make this one a must read. I couldn’t put the sucker down."
—Stephen King

“A new Peter Blauner novel is cause for celebration, and Proving Ground justifies the wait. This is a thoughtful, nuanced novel of crime and war and the human heart. Blauner's authentic and powerful writing is worthy of comparison to Richard Price and Dennis Lehane, and his story is coiled with emotional impact. Not to be missed.”
—Michael Koryta

"Peter Blauner's first book in ten years, Proving Ground, is a showstopper. A tour-de-force of smart, gutsy, relentlessly entertaining storytelling that counts as one of the finest novels I've read in the past five years. Blauner has a painter's eye for detail, a playwright's ear for dialogue, and a film director's kinetic narrative vision. All combine to create a turbo-charged reading experience. Proving Ground is a masterpiece of contemporary fiction."
—Christopher Reich

"Proving Ground is a startlingly powerful tale of lost lives and lost souls with a crackling crime drama at its core. No one understands the NYPD, the backroom politics of New York, nor the heart of the city like Blauner. No one."
—Reed Farrel Coleman

first book I read in 2023, Great read!

Ari Fliakos is my very favorite narrator. I've never been disappointed in his narration. this bookkept me listening into the night. the characters were we'll developed , and complicated and wonderful. I really love the way he portrayed Natty's day today battle with PTSD and how it consumed but then guided his life and decisions.
Thank you Mr. Blauner

Moral injury, Members Sale Don’t Miss IT

If you were a big fan of Ari Fliakos As I am, don’t miss this book sale . He makes a good book come to life . In this case, he is the saving Grace. Do not pay attention to the negative reviews for this book. You have to listen to the Snark that the author writes for our heroine cop, She stands up to her fellow cops and surrounding male chauvinist. Gads, I can’t believe how much of that still goes on, hence negative review!!! The next time around, women will go out and kill the sabertooth tigers, and let the men gather berries and twigs.
Good story and real life characters that will pull you in. This author is a hit and miss for me.
Were my comments of help?

Love this author and narrator!

The main character was a tortured soul due to ptsd from the war in Iraq. I find this author to be so accurate and detailed with his descriptions of places and perception of personalities, The narrator pulls the story with his accents so seamlessly from one character to another that you don’t even realize it’s the same narrator. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to some of the reviews! This is my 2nd book from this author and narrator and I can’t wait to read another!

Just didn’t like anyone!

And I thought the plot was lame. I never felt a bit of suspense. Just a mild dread for what might come next. Although it did put me to sleep several nights and I went back to find my place only when I had nothing better to do. Definitely hope the next one is better.

Much ado about nothing.

Good narration of a not very interesting story. I was very disappointed with this purchase