Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Minders  By  cover art

The Minders

By: John Marrs
Narrated by: Katherine Press,Oliver J. Hembrough
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.80

Buy for $17.80

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

The new high-concept thriller from the author of the word-of-mouth sensation The One.

Five strangers guard our secrets. Only four can be trusted....

In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into - so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders - the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country's most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads. 

Together, the five know every secret - the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover-up. In return, they’re given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew. 

But not everyone should be trusted, especially when they each have secrets of their own they’ll do anything to protect....

©2020 John Marrs (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Marrs is brilliant at twists and for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides." (Peter James)

"One of the most exciting, original thriller writers out there. I never miss one of his books." (Simon Kernick)

What listeners say about The Minders

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

John Marrs!

As with all his books, couldn’t put it down!
Had me on the edge of my seat from page 1.
Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read this!!!!!

The One by John Marrs is one of my all time favorite books and The Minders did not disappoint! Thank you John Marrs and please continue to write more books like this. This book will keep you HOOKED. I found myself listening to The Minders every chance I had.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for K Winfield
  • K Winfield
  • 04-22-21

Not john marrs best work

Please read The passengers and The one before this one due to loads of Spoilers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Gadgeteria
  • Gadgeteria
  • 05-06-21

An Interesting Read

I really like John Marrs writing and have already enjoyed a lot of his books.. this was no exception. Really great concept. Once I remembered who the different characters were.. I was Ok. Futuristic, slightly dystopian with a touch of hope.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nicks
  • Nicks
  • 09-27-20

Too complicated

The underlying story is good, but i just found it too complicated to remember who was who and what was happening. Writing this review now... I realise I couldn't tell anyone about the plot (lucky for some).

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 09-19-20

The Minders

Wow it's been a while since a book has captured my attention so intensely. Wonderful characters each one and such an intricately crafted story. A true talent keep them coming Mr Marrs.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tiger Massey
  • Tiger Massey
  • 09-18-20

Strong scfi thriller once again!

Everything John Marrs writes is full of twists and turns blending human empathy with killer twists.
The Minders is no disappointment. It follows more of his scfi style like ' The One' and 'The Passengers' which I enjoyed immensely.
Narration is very good with good expressions.
Enjoy the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Maureen
  • Maureen
  • 12-04-23

Brilliant

Another fantastic book by John Marrs. He has fast become my favourite author. Great narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Samantha Sweet
  • Samantha Sweet
  • 12-03-23

Excellent

Do half I’m reading them in order as they make more sense to me although it’s not necessary. Some thought provoking stuff. A little confusing as many characters and it’s harder to process on audible but still, great narrators and story line!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Audiobooks Nest Reviews
  • Audiobooks Nest Reviews
  • 08-17-23

A mind-tangling thrill ride

🧡 Another intriguing thriller and thought provoking premise set in the world of Marr’s previous books, The One and The Marriage Act. Recommend reading in order, not least because, if you like those, you’ll enjoy this.
__________________________________________________
SOUNDBITE

🎧 We have an intricate plot, several narratives and many a twisty turn. Whilst this makes for a great story, it does raise issues for the audio format. To the producers’ credit, they did have two narrators. Without this, it would have been impossible to follow. As it was, I was able to keep up, but it could have been seamless with one narrator per character.

🎧 Chapter listings needed some work. For example, what is listed as “Chapter 2” is actually Part 1.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Miss M. E. Smith
  • Miss M. E. Smith
  • 08-05-23

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant

Love this author.
Such complex characters, Thought provoking storylines.
Couldn’t put it down. Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Gillian
  • Gillian
  • 04-30-23

Not his best work

John Marrs has produced some brilliant work, such as The Samaritan, but I found this book to be a bit slow and the denouement a bit implausible. One narrator would have been better, especially with voice characterisations and the sound quality was patchy. Still a good book though.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Onyajay
  • Onyajay
  • 12-10-20

Clever - inventive, cerebral.

If you love books that tread the line between science fact and science fiction, you'll love this....which is less science fiction than part political drama, part relationships, part mystery and a whole lot of thriller.

Loved it, and the solution at the end was unguessable, a huge plus for me. I appreciate the satisfying tying up of ends, and I love really inventive, creative storylines that make me think, HARD. Above all it was entertaining.
Loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Leish Dodds
  • Leish Dodds
  • 04-09-22

Interesting

I found it hard to get into at first with all the different point of views but it got easier as the story went on. It was a bit slow and it was hard to stay interested but it did pick up more towards the end. Narration was good besides a few muffled moments on the females recording

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for B Livesey
  • B Livesey
  • 03-28-22

Still not totally sure…

It took a good…35 chapters before I even vaguely knew what was happening in this book. I remain however, a John Marra fan.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Caz
  • Caz
  • 03-17-22

Not John Marrs' best work, but entertaining

Usually I love a John Marrs book and know I will be hopelessly lost in it until the end. This one though, predictable plot and a bit blah. If you have not read John Marrs other works "The One" or "Passengers" then I suggest you read those before reading this book, as the plot refers to the concepts explored in each of those earlier works and contains some spoilers.

This novel explores "Synesthesia" which is a condition that results in a joining or merging of senses that aren’t normally connected. Synesthetes may “see” music as colours when they hear it, and “taste” textures like “round” or “pointy” when they eat foods, or associate days of the week with a particular colour or smell.

There are five Synesthetes, who after passing an online 'test' are recruited by the government and used as supposedly unhackable storage devices for sensitive information, however using humans for such work is predictably fallible.

The story follows each of the five of them switching points of view in each chapter. First up, is Emilia, who woke up with amnesia, and then was taken home by her husband but she has absolutely no memory of him or their life before her amnesia. Flick, once ran a successful restaurant but then became reclusive when she found out her match "The One" was a serial killer. Charlie is depressed after feeling left behind by his friends as they all found their "The One" matches and he hadn't been matched. Sinead, trapped in an emotionally abusive and controlling marriage by her husband and finally, Bruno, a single father with anger issues, to his autistic son.

I read somewhere that "an average Marrs book is still better than most authors at their best" and I have to agree. Not his best work, but still worth a credit.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!