The Drifter

A Peter Ash Novel

By: Nick Petrie

Narrated by: Stephen Mendel

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Thriller Award winner, Best First Novel, 2017.

An explosive thriller debut introducing Peter Ash, a veteran who finds that the demons of war aren't easily left behind....

Peter Ash came home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with only one souvenir: what he calls his "white static", the buzzing claustrophobia due to post-traumatic stress that has driven him to spend a year roaming in nature, sleeping under the stars. But when a friend from the marines commits suicide, Ash returns to civilization to help the man's widow with some home repairs. Under her dilapidated porch, he finds more than he bargained for: the largest, ugliest, meanest dog he's ever encountered...and a Samsonite suitcase stuffed with cash and explosives. As Ash begins to investigate this unexpected discovery, he finds himself at the center of a plot that is far larger than he could have imagined...and it may lead straight back to the world he thought he'd left for good.

Suspenseful and thrilling, and featuring a compelling new hero, The Drifter is an exciting debut from a fresh voice in crime fiction.

©2016 Nicholas Petrie (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A powerful, empathetic, and entertaining tale about the plight many combat veterans face when they come home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Top-notch storytelling.” (Kirkus Reviews [starred review])

“[Ash’s] sharply intelligent, witty voice strikes the right tone for an honest exploration of the challenges returning veterans face, and while this wandering veteran will remind some of Jack Reacher, Peter’s struggle to overcome PTSD sets him apart. An absorbing thriller debut with heart.” (Booklist)

"Petrie’s expertly paced plot sets a colorful array of characters on a collision course. Readers will look forward to seeing more of the resourceful Ash.” (Publishers Weekly)

A Hero with Post Traumatic Stress

Very interesting, fresh with a former marine, a dog, two cute boys and a gangster sidekick. Throw in a mad bomb team and you have a fresh story. Loved it.

Hope to see more from this author

This was a hard book to stop listening to. It had a good plot with also highlighting the problem with how our country treats our returning vets.

Excellent Orphan X Rival

I’m a huge fan of the Orphan X series, and Scott Brick. When I finished the last book I went to work trying to find an equal or better. Turns out, that was much harder than I anticipated. I started a number of books that I thought would fit the bill, only to be disappointed by the book, narrator, or both......mostly the narrator.

Finding this book was an excellent surprise. Not only is it equally as good as the Orphan X series, but it hit my heart strings on my other love, our military and their families.

I can’t say enough good about this book and it’s narrator, Stephen Mendel. Simply put, it’s excellent. And the attention to returning military and their well-being is a fantastic bonus.

outstanding

The saving of the dog was the key to a hard life story that brings a smile here and there.

A feel good book.

I truly enjoyed this novel. The characters were all very likable our heroes were true heroes and the bad guys well not as much. The authors inexperience showed many places but it’s easy to see how as he matures, his skills will only improve. I for one intend to continue reading the series. If you want an easy to follow enjoyable book with just enough detail to keep it interesting I believe you will enjoy this new hero.

Skills With Heart

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

Above average read for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist. I empathized with his approach to ptsd. Many times I have longed to camp out - escape.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end game

Good drifter, so so story.

2.5 stars ? This was not bad. Actually good until the last quarter of it; got overextended, wordy and labored. Characters are interesting, but not a great story now that I'm done with it.

Good read

I didn't like all the emphasis put on the "white noise." It was too distracting from an otherwise good story.

Pretty okay

First, you'd better download a sample to make sure the narrative doesn't bother you. The narrator tried to do some accents, but it was mostly monotone. It's a PG-13 version of most of the Jack Reacher books, plus it's more believable because of the protagonist carried clothes, drove a beat-up pickup truck, yet still was able to be a loner.

Artful thriller

Well-drawn, sympathetic characters in a well-orchestrated plot. Petrie shows real feeling for the plight of American vets.