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

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.

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!

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)

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

Narration elevation.

The narration really brings the best out in this book. For the most part it's standard Urban Fantasy. If you feel an itch for Dresden you can't scratch this'll do it. It won't blow your mind, but the performance makes it worth a listen.

I do love an awkward gunman

This was a fun story. Good pace, interesting plot with colorful characters, and we'll presented. KC as a narrator is coming along nicely. Though my Swedish roots took a hit every time the patron spoke. Scandinavian accents are not easy to get along with. (I will contact you about a source of reference.)

My to be listened to collection is vast, but I think I will carry on with this series. I genuinely like the characters, and want to know what they get up to next.

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!

Interesting plot

A great story with sarcastic humor that kept me chuckling and waiting for more. I'm loking forward to more.

Taking aim at the Devil

Philip S. Bolger's "The Devil's Gunman" offers a uniquely engaging experience by seamlessly weaving elements of fantasy, action, and humor into a compelling narrative. Expertly narrated by KC Johnston, this audiobook whisks listeners into a fantastical world where bureaucracy collides with the supernatural, thrusting the devil's hitman, Nick Soren, into a web of danger and intrigue.

Central to the story is Nick Soren, a former hitman for the Duke of Hell, granted the rare privilege of liberation from his infernal contract. As his life takes a tumultuous turn, listeners are taken on a thrilling journey involving hell hounds, chimeras, jiangshi mages, vampire covens, magic, humor, and unexpected plot twists. Bolger's storytelling prowess is evident in vibrant descriptions of characters and locales, grounding fantastical elements in a palpable reality. Incorporating local references such as Hotel Ivy, Lake Minnetonka, Jucy Lucy's, and Uptown adds an extra layer of authenticity, resonating with the audience.

While the star of the audiobook is unquestionably KC Johnston, whose narration breathes life into the narrative, there are limitations in his portrayal of female characters. Struggling to diversify voices for women, Johnston's renditions at times echo the sound of men attempting to emulate the subtleties of a woman's voice. By that, I mean his range of voices, for men, is wide and expansive. For females, it is limited to a growling man trying to sound like a woman, an old man trying to sound like a woman, and a man trying to sound like a woman. He really struggles with female voices. A lot.
Despite this minor setback, Johnston's overall performance remains stellar, captivating the audience with regional accents and expressive delivery.

The narrative unfolds seamlessly, blending action, humor, and unexpected plot twists to keep listeners engaged from beginning to end. Although the story can stand alone, the strong bonds formed between characters fuel a desire for additional tales from the devil's gunman world, with potential spin-offs perhaps centered around the enigmatic character, Lotus.

A notable strength of the audiobook lies in its refreshing portrayal of vampire covens, deviating from the conventional mold and offering a unique perspective. Bolger's astute observations of hipster culture, injected with humor, provide moments of levity that expertly balance the darker themes woven into the narrative.

The central character, Nick, presents a challenge for some listeners, lacking remorse and appearing morally ambiguous in his callous actions. However, Bolger's unapologetically honest approach paints a character with a redemption arc far from predictable. The certainty of Nick's survival in perilous situations does little to diminish the overall tension and excitement of the plot.

Bolger's exploration of morality within the protagonist's actions adds depth to the narrative, challenging listeners to ponder the choices Nick will make free from the devil's ultimatum. K.C. Johnston's outstanding performance, combined with Bolger's masterful storytelling, positions "The Devil's Gunman" as a standout choice for audiobook enthusiasts. The fusion of Shadowrun-like fantasy, modern-day settings, mythical creatures armed with guns, and a self-aware anti-hero creates an enthralling and entertaining experience.

"The Devil's Gunman" proves to be a devilish delight for those seeking a fresh and immersive journey within the fantasy genre. Bolger's unapologetic storytelling and Johnston's captivating narration collaborate to make this audiobook a memorable exploration of a world where the boundary between good and evil blurs, and the devil's gunman takes center stage in a gripping tale of redemption and revenge. The incorporation of real locations adds an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience for listeners.