The Dread Merchant

The Posh Prepper Trilogy, Book 2

By: Todd Knight

Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

An apocalyptic virus. A stolen cure. A life-or-death decision.

Two weeks after the mysterious "Scratch 'n Sniff" outbreak began in Boston, the world has descended into darkness.

Nick Ritter, an expert crisis consultant, shelters with his newfound family at a camp near the Canadian border. A harsh winter is coming, and time is running out to reach his survival ranch in New Zealand.

But Nick holds the key to stopping the pandemic: a stolen vial of Dr. Teddy Monroe's vaccine. Now the group faces a life-or-death decision: save themselves or save the world.

As the deadly virus and frigid winter close in, the family grapples with their new world:

• Abby Blackwell, a postpartum teen mother, reels from the arrival of her newborn twins, Max and Lily. When they bring an unexpected surprise, Abby considers the unthinkable: returning her babies to Dr. Monroe.
• Brian Donahue, a reawakened warrior, and his wife and daughter, Tracy and Zoe, thrive from their fresh start. But a powerful ally forces them to choose: a lonely future or a haunted past.
• Dana Foster, a battle-scarred doctor, accepts the broken world and opens her heart to Nick. But when she uncovers a dark secret, she questions if Nick is really the man she hoped.
• T.J. Chandra, a humbled startup CEO, worries the monstrous Kurt Hunziker will return for a violent revenge. An old friend offers T.J. a choice: the easy life or the good life.
• Herman and Mikey Reed, grandfather and grandson handymen, settle into the family they so desperately needed. Until a surprise arrival unleashes the harsh world they hoped to leave behind.

Now Nick must call on his disaster-planning skills to survive, facing off against the enraged Dr. Monroe, who will stop at nothing to reclaim his newborn twins. As Nick unravels Monroe's plan, he awakens something bigger and more sinister than he ever imagined.

©2024 Meadowlake Press (P)2025 Meadowlake Press

action packed

He did it again! A provocative continuation of the first book in the series. It's hard to believe that book 2 is literally Todd Knight's second book. I really enjoyed the development of the characters. Their bond as a family continues to grow as they face challenge after challenge. They laugh together, fight together and for each other. But can they really navigate morally gray ethical dilemmas while trying to save themselves and the world? I can't wait for the next installment (and hopefully more of Tom Taylorson).

Great series

Book 2 picks up where book 1 finished. It was a long time ago I listened to book 1 I didn’t remember what had happened. Once I started listening to this one it all came back. Nick is having a really hard time but he keeps bouncing back. I am looking forward to the next book I want him to take down the evil doctor. Listen to this series you won’t be disappointed.

outstanding wrap around job.

Ted Knight scored 2 home runs with this audiobook.

First, the book was a fantastic story, well done, expertly produced with a great story line and the details and nuances to bring it to life.

Second, the narrator achieved the hard to capture attributes of bringing every character to life. each individual character had his/her own personality - something that is rare. it really increased the enjoyment and capture level!

if you want to be taken into the book and into the characters while enjoying a 5 star story, choose the Dread Merchant.

Another Winner!

Fantastic second book in "The Posh Prepper" trilogy. Another roller coaster ride between sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next to shutting my eyes and saying, "I don't want to know." As others have said, character development was great, bringing said characters to life. Although catastrophes happened quickly one right after another, it did not seem contrived. Everything flowed smoothly, except for the beating of my heart. Bronson Pinchot was stellar in his narrating. Will be impatiently waiting for the third book.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Character development

Fun and fast paced book. I am very much looking forward to the next one.

Post- Apocalyptic

The Dread Merchant by Todd Knight is an excellent post- apocalyptic thriller. Tom Taylorson did an amazing job with the narration. The story is entertaining, interesting, engaging, suspenseful, well written, enjoyable, thrilling, fast paced, though provoking, and more. The Dread Merchant is the second book in The Posh Prepper series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. highly recommended

Refreshing post-apocalyptic trilogy!

The Dread Merchant, perfectly narrated by Tom Taylorson, is a relentless and emotionally charged continuation of The Posh Prepper Trilogy. Nick Ritter and his makeshift family battle freezing elements, moral dilemmas, and the peril of a stolen vaccine with humanity’s fate hanging in the balance. The pacing is breakneck, the characters are richly developed, and their choices feel both heroic and heartbreakingly real. While Nick can at times seem overly trusting for a seasoned strategist, the suspense, emotional depth, and high-stakes drama more than compensate. This is a gripping, high-octane sequel that not only honors its predecessor but leaves you eager for the trilogy’s conclusion.

2nd in series does not disappoint!

I was waiting for about a year for this book to come out. I wrote a review for book one and mentioned in that review how this is such a unique concept for the genre - a "posh prepper" and his group of virtual strangers turned family trying to survive in a world devastated by a virus. In this 2nd installment there is even more of a focus on the main character Nick and we get a little more of his back story. Nick becomes more committed to his family but things are spiraling out of his control. His normal channels for resources stop working and he has to get more creative and rely on his relationships for help. This book kept me fully engaged and has so much action. I care about the characters and am invested in their lives. I keep wanting the group to get the New Zealand to see what happens there!

Book 2

Do you love post apocalyptic stories? This is the one for you. Book two takes you further into the Posh Preppers journey to save his new found family. Beautifully written and excellently preformed. Start this series NOW. Cannot wait for book 3!

Not your normal post-apocalyptic book!

I am a fan of the post apocalyptic genre and avid reader. I was pleasantly surprised by this author’s fresh perspective. Characters were well developed and interesting. The plot kept you glued to the edge of your seat trying to guess what came next. I highly recommend this book and am anxiously awaiting the next one!