The Terminal List

By: Jack Carr

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Navy SEAL has nothing left to live for and everything to kill for after he discovers that the American government is behind the deaths of his team in this ripped-from-the-headlines political thriller.

On his last combat deployment, Lieutenant Commander James Reece's entire team was killed in a catastrophic ambush that also claimed the lives of the aircrew sent in to rescue them. But when those dearest to him are murdered on the day of his homecoming, Reece discovers that this was not an act of war by a foreign enemy but a conspiracy that runs to the highest levels of government.

Now, with no family and free from the military's command structure, Reece applies the lessons that he's learned in over a decade of constant warfare toward avenging the deaths of his family and teammates. With breathless pacing and relentless suspense, Reece ruthlessly targets his enemies in the upper echelons of power without regard for the laws of combat or the rule of law.

An intoxicating thriller that cautions against the seduction of absolute power and those who would do anything to achieve it, The Terminal List is perfect for fans of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Stephen Hunter, and Nelson DeMille.

©2018 Jack Carr (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"Double the trouble, twice the action, and quadruple the enjoyment. Careful while reading this one, it could leave a mark." (Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Last Order)

Make way for Jack Carr!!!!

I listened to the sample for this book and thought the writing sounded good. Combine that with Ray Porter's wonderful narration and I thought this could be a winner.
So, I paid my credit and took a chance. The author's forward made me think this might be something on the order of a Gentry book. Instead, this is more like the early Dewey Andreas or Pike Logan characters but the writing is better. The protagonist's (James Reese) team is ambushed in Afghanistan. While recuperating he and two other members are diagnosed with brain tumors. The doctor who diagnosed gives Reese a card and tells him to contact him back in the states. When Reese arrives back in the US he finds another team member had "committed suicide" but Reese thinks it's murder. He leaves his friend's house and heads for his own home. When he arrives he finds his wife and daughter supposedly murdered by a gang who broke into their home. He calls the doctor whose card he was given and he's told the Dr was killed during an 'incident " in Afghanistan. Everyone he has involvement with is dying... prepare yourself, this is good!

Carr starts out saying that this is a novel of revenge.
The writing superb. The story is coherent and if I didn't know better I would think this was an author who's been writing for a long time.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!
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485 people found this helpful

The perfect espionage thriller!

The Terminal List had an extraordinary quantity and quality of publicity by the publisher prior to release which persuaded me to pre-order it. All of the great publicity was for a new author. Nevertheless, it far exceeds my expectations. Author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr has written an espionage thriller that is good as the first and later efforts of Vince Flynn and Ben Coes. Just get it and listen to the must-read The Terminal List! As is normal and usual for him Ray Porter narrates flawlessly.

147 people found this helpful

THANKS YEAGER, ya jerk.... single binge session

on the recommendation of James Yeager i downloaded this book, I'm not normally a fiction guy but being written by a former real world operator I figured that the "little details" would actually be correct and IT WAS! I HAD TO STAY UP TILL MIDNIGHT TO FINISH IT IN ONE DAY! HOW CAN CARR TOP THIS I DON'T KNOW BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK!

76 people found this helpful

Fantasic Military Thriller

This book, as many of the comments have already suggested, is well written. The language was easy to understand, even amidst the military jargon that was heavily used, which greatly added to the intricacy of the book. This is not something the book should be criticised for, because it was a perfect mix of technical and laymen terms that just about anyone could enjoy reading. The interaction between Reece and his friends throughout the story was so brilliantly written. It captured the human element of a guys-type of friendship so well, I couldn’t help but laugh as I was reminded of the joking conversation I have had with my friends before.

Carr does an excellent job of depicting the characters right down to every single article of clothing worn and does not shy away from simply mentioning the brands of certain items in order to fully describe to the reader what is pictured.

Ultimately the single word that comes to mind while reading this book is authentic. Obviously the story is fictional, and that is not what I am referring to, but the perspective of Reece in the story clearly indicates the author has had significant first hand experience that is reflective in the story. For that reason, this work stands out strongly as a respectable military/thriller book.

One minor criticism I encountered was that I would occasionally lose track of which character was saying what during some of the dialogue. It was not difficult to simply back track and continue with the conversations in the book. This admittedly may be entirely my fault for not paying close enough attention as I had thought I needed to.

The book is just as much an action intense thriller as it is a constant reminder of importance of those whom you truly hold close in life. Not just your parents, spouse and children, although that is a significant aspect, but your closest friends, and even acquaintances who quickly become friends and allies under trying circumstances. Not to mention the kinds of people you come across that you find yourself thinking, as Clint Smith so eloquently stated, “there are some people who just need to be shot.”

The end of the book, particularly the final chapter and epilogue, left me feeling deeply conflicted about the way things ended. At the same time, it was exactly what makes a story of retribution come to completion. I found myself moved by the urgency to see justice followed through with in a fantastic action-filled story.

Needless to say, this book was excellent and I greatly look forward to Mr. Carr’s next work. I also wanted to express my gratitude to Mr. Carr for his military service to the United States.

Ray Porter was outstanding with the delivery of the story

38 people found this helpful

Interesting if you can get past the obvious anti-Dem pedantry

Love Ray Peter’s narration regardless of the content. The story was entertaining but I always have a bit of a hard time as a Canadian, swallowing the Rah Rah America overtones. That and the very heavy handed and thinly veiled dig at Hilary Clinton in his patently obvious characterization of the villain made it less than stellar. Felt like he was using this story just to take potshots at the Dems.

5 people found this helpful

Fun but forgettable

This was a fun listen (Ray Porter is great), but everything felt too easy. There were no clever or interesting resolutions. After the brutal and exciting first act, everything goes according to plan and nothing bad happens to the good guys. I was expecting a revenge plot where the main character doesn’t care who gets hurt.... this is more like “assassin doing assassin things.”

8 people found this helpful

James Reece = Paul Kersey ("Death Wish")

Coincidentally I saw the latest movie "Death Wish" the same week I listened to this book. Lt Col. Reece is a bit more creative in his vengeance than Dr Kersey (Bruce Willis). ... I figured this story would have an underlying political theme. Jack Carr and I seem to share the same "politics" so no problem for me. .... I figured out the "who dunnit" about 2/3 thru, but I read a LOT of this genre. ... Without revealing a spoiler, I look forward to the likelihood of a 2nd similar book.

.... IMO, Ray Porter is the BEST narrator going. Joe Barrett is 2nd. Mr Carr... Keep Ray as your narrator!

26 people found this helpful

the terminal list is terminally bad

Mr. Carr clearly knows his military tactics and his weapons. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to construct a believable story or creat believable characters. The villains are less than one-dimensional; there only function is to be set up as clay pigeon targets for the hero to knock down and kill. Even by the standards of military thrillers, the plot is completely unbelievable. To say more would give away spoilers. I'm going to return this book and I urge you not to buy it. I hope Carr's second book is better; I'll wait for a trusted friend to recommend it. The performance was excellent.

3 people found this helpful

Best Book I've ever heard on Audible!!!

I've been a member since 2006 and never written a review, but this book deserved it!!!! Thank you Jack for your service with the Seals. You are one hell writer. Keep them coming......

18 people found this helpful

Impossible to pause!!!

As a combat veteran, husband to the most incredible and fiercely loyal woman on Earth, and father of a precious 7 month old little girl who's whole world revolves around her daddy this book struck several distinct chords in me. The accuracy, ranging from military to geographical and beyond, with which Jack Carr writes blew my mind. I found myself on an emotional roller coaster while listening. I laughed, I got angry, and I cried multiple times. A connection was formed between myself and this story's principle character, James Reese, and was solidified by the small innocuous details that can only be validated by experiencing war firsthand and surviving combat. If you want a love story, this book has it. If you want a military thriller, this book has it. If you want a tale wrought with political corruption, you guessed it, this book has it. If you want to know the story of a man, guided by a love for the people he holds dearest to his heart and driven by a rage that burns hotter with each turn of events I implore you to give this book a listen. You will not regret it.

14 people found this helpful

Pretty good.

Story was ok if a little heavy on the overwrought machismo (what is it with Americans? - they can't just be highly trained soldiers they have to be 'elite warriors' - it always sounds a bit fragile ego to me - like bin men who insist on being called 'sanitary disposal engineers') .. I thought the narrator was very good though and really brought the story to life.

3 people found this helpful

The NRA publishing

Reading and enjoying this book requires a solid military practice, knowledge, experience in guns.
Did not read it to the end. The idea is not new, the story is not written in way to keep the suspense. However if you like guns, support the NRA and affiliates and you are denying the man made global climate change it is your book.

5 people found this helpful

Brilliant!

Hope we see more of this author, great story and well narrated. Enjoyed very much

1 person found this helpful

This should be made into a movie.

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time. Start to finish a thrilling ride.

1 person found this helpful

Epic book

I didn’t expect much from this book but the book keeps you gripped from beginning all the way to the end.

Jack Carr did an amazing job putting this together.

Gripping! struggled to take a break

Gripping! struggled to take a break. enthralled from beginning to the end. great piece of work

Not the finished article

The author has a good core idea of what he’s trying to achieve. The main character is well flushed out and can easily be expanded upon in future books. Similarly, the personal knowledge of the author’s military background is apparent. However, sometimes he falls into a lazy streak in the text. I.e., Over-focusing on small details that doesn’t help the flow of the text, but rather acts as an stopping block; the exaggeration of the villains motives which makes them flat; and apparent personal biases in the text. A better editor would have observed these problems, adjusted them and improved the end result. Similar problems are present in both Brad Thor and Vince Flynn’s early work, so the author can improve in the future.

New Hero

I really liked this novel and the performance was geat.
James Reece is a classic American Hero in the vain of Jack Reacher. I'm looking to the next installment..

Great listen

Well written, detailed story with a great plot. Clearly written by a subject expert which shines though.
Looking forward to the next one.

Really, really good

Exceeded narration. Good story. Described so well it was like watching a movie. 10/10