The Temporary Agent

The Agent Series, Book 1

By: Daniel Judson

Narrated by: Pete Simonelli

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Scarred by war, former Navy Seabee Tom Sexton vows to leave his violent past behind, only to be drawn back into that life when a deadly conspiracy forces him to face an agonizing choice no man should ever have to make.

Five years after his life was saved in Afghanistan by Marine Force Recon Leader Charlie Cahill, Tom lives a bleak, nomadic existence, haunted by the debt he can never repay. Salvation appears in Stella - a woman as damaged, and resourceful, as he. But when a coded distress call from his former CO leads him to a shadowy NSA operative, Tom is recruited for a "black op" to bring back the now-rogue man who saved his life.

As he searches for Cahill, Tom quickly uncovers a much larger web of treason and betrayal that calls his entire world into question - and forces him into the ultimate no-win scenario.

©2016 Daniel Judson. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Couldn’t Finish It

Narration was great. But the book wasn’t. It was difficult to get into the story. It was disjointed. One minute we’re hanging upside down in a car that has been attacked by the bad guys, and the next we’re watching tv with our girlfriend—who is surprising okay with the abrupt jump from Regular Joe to secret agent. I restarted it three times to try and like it, but I couldn’t. I returned it without getting past the first hour.

Good, quick read

It was more of a political thriller than a military/paramilitary action story and I liked that (although I like military action novels too). The characters were interesting and the mystery was really good. I also liked the revolutionary war info, though it was sometimes awkwardly placed.

The minutiae of gun specs was excessive and boring, though. And the drumbeat of patriotism was repetitive. We get it, Mr. Judson; the characters were elite soldiers and sailors. Less flag-waving and more story, please.

enjoyable listen

I enjoyed this one in particular because, unlike some other in the genre, it's not overly political.

Strong start

Good introduction to the series. Nothing revolutionary but it swerves some of the standard tropes.

Confusing plot, uninspired narration

In a sense this is a classic "whodunit" as the plot revolves around who is actually the rogue agent in this book. The two main protagonists are both ex-military, one a recon marine and the other a CB (a US Navy member of a Construction Battalion), who once served together and are still emotionally tied together because one of them took the major part of a hand grenade blast to save the other. OK. Perhaps I can buy that. The problem is that it gets very confusing after that is accepted.

Why is the marine who took the blast willing to trust the guy he saved when the going gets rough? Should it not be the other way around? And exactly who is the rogue agent who is causing all of the trouble? And exactly how credible is the entire scenario that they are trying to stop? And why is one group first trying to kill one of them and then, the next moment, trying to save him?

I am quite prepared to suspend reality while reading a book like this, but there has to be some order and sense to the plot to make me be able to continue suspending belief, and that just seems to be missing for me in this book. Fortunately it is a relatively short book and I did manage to hang on to the end. There is a second book in the series, but I believe I will pass on it.

Good

This audio book is good to hear and it's enjoyed by most of the readers.

Special forces bring lots of special training for a large number of trials Tom had been through this but had had enough!

There is a story to this but the detail outweighs the presentation. There is presented in. my opinion, too much detail and violence.

Surprisingly entertaining

I very seldom write a review on any book.This one was surprisingly entertaining. Characters were believable and for once, we’re not hearing the story of a Navy SEAL gone bad or a bulletproof Navy SEAL. Who would’ve thought a modern story would be made about the forgotten heroics of a Navy Seabee.

Jack Ryan meets Jack Reacher

I loved this book . It reminded me of Lee Child's Jack Reacher. Tom Sexton is a navy veteran and has been used to a nomadic lifestyle - much like Jack Reacher. The author does a tremendous job of bringing the Characters to life. I could not stop listening. No politics , just non-stop action. a great read!

Not bad

The book was ok just seems like it was missing something found my self having rewind the book when it lost my attention.