The Devil's Gunman

By: Philip S. Bolger

Narrated by: KC Johnston

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Working as a hit man for the devil of paperwork is a pretty good gig. Until you settle your obligation and don’t have the job anymore. Then what do you do?

For Nick Soren, it was the best of times and the worst of times. Having made more money working for the devil than he could ever spend, he lived it up in a haze of booze and drugs. Until the devil put a hit out on him.

On the run, Nick finds help from someone he never expected - another of the devil’s previous hit men - who wants Nick to kill the devil. But there are vampires and hell hounds on his tail, and that is going to make things...difficult. Can Nick get clear of the supernatural creatures hunting him long enough to take his shot and get revenge on the devil?

He’s not alone in his mission - a jiangshi mage and a chimera are along for the ride, and may help even the odds...or just get him killed all the faster.

Time is running out and the vampires are closing in...is this the end for the devil’s gunman?

©2019 Philip S. Bolger (P)2019 Philip S. Bolger

Excellent debut novel!

The Devil's Gunman by Philip S. Bolger and narrated by K. C. Johnston is an awesome debut novel! And I’m not just saying that because the story takes place in my home state or because he spelled Gunderson correctly 😊 Would recommend if you’re looking for something fresh in this genre. 4 ½ stars for story. 5 stars for narration.

What’s it about? The summary is spot on, not sure what more I can add without giving spoilers away, but here goes nothing...Nick who was once a hit man for the Duke of Hell, is the second person ever to be let out of a contract and from there, his life becomes more challenging. You’ll get hell hounds, a chimera, a jiangshi, vampire covens, magic, a romantic interest, humor, plot twists, action, and more. At one point the main character says “I’m a former gunman to the devil being pursued by BDSM hell hounds and a vampire coven who own a convenience store chain.” The book does wrap up nicely and can be left as a stand alone but I hope this is not the case. I’d like to see some more of Nick and Lotus- maybe she could have her own spin-off book?

I enjoyed the vampire covens were different and not the typical one type fits all. The descriptions of the areas and people are right on- I assure you Philip is not making up the hipster comments (I laughed several times at these). I also enjoyed the local references/places- Hotel Ivy, Lake Minnetonka (Mille Lacs Lake is better though Philip), Jucy Lucy’s, Uptown, etc.

The narrator, KC Johnston, was absolutely fantastic! Nice to see his range of voices in this book. He sounds like he’s from WAY up north, or gasp- Fargo! KC is one of three narrators I’m following because he is remarkable with his craft- can’t wait to see what’s next for him.

Overall, I recommend, especially if you’re looking for something fresh in the genre and something that will hold your interest.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: death, talk of war/slur- J@p scum used once, burning of school children and then shooting them during the war, suicide by hanging mentioned once, killing of spouse with knife by slashing throat, sex (not too graphic, more so mentions of what toys they used), some religion talk (very minimal given the subject matter and not preachy), mention of drugs (heroin/cocaine), mention of prostitution, fighting/violence, swearing throughout. The MC is a hit man so you can expect violent adult themes.

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

Really hope this becomes a series!

This appears to be a first novel, but it's written well enough that I wouldn't be surprised if it's not and the others just aren't in audio. I've read the print version to this as well, and the audio holds up. I'm not sure how this author wrote a story about a hitman for the devil that you can still root for! Loved all the characters and hope there is more in this universe. Genuinely unique take on the arcane underworld.

The narration is just top notch, and KC just keeps getting better! I've become a huge fan! His accents and voices are so good! Everyone is so distinct and consistent. Over the course of this year, i've found myself constantly checking his facebook for new release updates!

This book is self contained, but I do hope Mr Bolger will write a second one and more in this universe. seems like a universe prime for expanding.

Best of 2019!

Seriously! This is the best Audiobook i've listened to in 2019!

One of the few truly unique stories i've read in a long time. Nick is an executive turned Hitman for the devil of bureaucracy and does it so well, he gets out of his contract with the duke of hell. He does unthinkable things and is callous from it. Through the story, he gains friendships and teams up with some really interesting characters and while the story is self contained, the bond the characters formed makes you hope there will be more in the devils gunman world! KC really dose a fantastic job once again with accents and the vocal range. He's really become one of my favorites and someone I find myself searching to see if he has any new audiobooks out.

5 Stars all around and my favorite audiobook thus far this year, possibly in the past few years! If you like urban fantasy, fantasy or speculative fiction in general, this is a story for you! (violence warning, but nothing over the top)

great for lovers of Noirs, Fantasy, or High Action

if you enjoy Noirs, Fantasy, or John Wick style action. this is the book for you.

It is well researched for any gun enthusiast, lover of obscure militaria, or the Noir genre. Definitely great addition to Urban Fantasy.

Good story

Narrator did a good job and the story on this one really caught my imagination. I did find it was kind of hard to find sympathy for a main charter who is basically didn't have any remorse for doing horrible things but over all it doesn't effect the main story line.

amazing

This was an exceptional piece of work. The story is well written and brilliant. The voice acting is impressive and engaging. If you are on the fence, take the leap and be swept away by excellent storytelling.

Excellent

Fantastic listen and great narration totally enjoyed. Would recommend this to all my friends. Enjoy!

Couldn’t stop listening!

I applaud Philip S. Bolger for this story. Truly, I did not want to stop listening at any point! Much as Robert Ludlum has Jason Bourne, Bolger now has Nick Soren, a not-so-good guy and former hitman in service to the underworld whose retirement finds him grappling with morality from all sides in an edge-of-your-seat, pedal to the metal story. The action is great, the characters are fun, and what I like best of all is the possibility (and hopefully inevitability) of multiple Soren stories down the road.

K.C. Johnston delivers a fantastic recounting of the story, and as per usual, his use of unique character voices allows me to close my eyes and visualize dialog between characters as if I am there with them.

5 stars all around - highly recommended!

Gritty and Unrelenting

Overall this is a book that takes fantasy in a gritty and unrelenting direction. Bolger vividly describes the violence of fictional creatures fighting with modern means. The detail is not merely sufficient, but also never overbearing or superfluous. Soren is larger than life without being a caricature, and manages to be funny at times without coming across as clownish. Interestingly, Bolger touches on the morality of his character with the same brutal honesty he deals with his other characters. Soren is flawed without being a sanitized action hero, and manages to find his own agency in the plot so he's not being simply shuttled along by circumstances.

K.C. Johnston's performance was fantastic. His inflection is spot on and easy to listen to. Each character is given a voice, and he performs female voices well without trying too hard.

The story is a wild ride that gives the right amount of exposition, so you're not spending hours learning about things that aren't relevant to the matter at hand. Bolger also manages to strike the balance of making the story arc a struggle where the hero isn't simply rescued by a McGuffin at the last second. At least, more than once.

If you like Shadowrun-like fantasy set in modern day, mythological creatures with guns, jumping Chinese vampires, and an anti-hero with self-awareness, then this is a good read.

Interesting take on demons, hell etc

This was a very interesting story of a man who is a killer for the devil at first it was a bit off but if you forget everything you heard of hell, the devil, vampires and etc you will enjoy this audible. You find all kinds of creatures from myth and legends being real. Also you meet a Cowboy who married the devils wife and their children. You find battles with demon dogs, vampires and other creatures.
I highly recommend this auibal I am sure you will enjoy it

Cracking book

Great book, well written story, has action, has funnies and flows well. Narrator was an excellent choice and does the tale justice, would defo recommend.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Tracey Allan

Great listen

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

I really enjoyed listening to this it was well written and full of action.
This is the first book by this author and narrator I have listened too and will be looking out for more from them both.

Great!

Not much to say, it’s fun, it’s fast, full of action; it’s just a great, easy listen!
Love the narration, it’s read so well. Unfortunately the foreign accents let it down slightly or it’d be the full 5 stars, but not enough to let the storytelling down!
Hope there’s more coming in this series!!
This is my honest opinion of a free review copy.

☺

This is my first book by Philip Bolger 4 out of 5 and my first narrated by if of kc Johnston 5 out of 5

great story

Time is running out and the vampires are closing in...is this the end for the devil’s gunman?
full of actions from start to finish

The Devil's Gunman

This audio book is full of action It is well written, well constructed, keeps up with plot twists and enjoyed listening from beginning to end.