The Third Bullet

Bob Lee Swagger, Book 8

De: Stephen Hunter

Narrado por: Buck Schirner

It’s not even a clue. It’s a whisper, a trace, a ghost echo, drifting down through the decades via chance connections so fragile that they would disintegrate in the puff of a breath. But it’s enough to get legendary former Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger interested in the events of November 22, 1963, and the third bullet that so decisively ended the life of John F. Kennedy and set the stage for one of the most enduring controversies of our time.

Swagger begins his slow night stalk through a much-traveled landscape. But he’s asking questions that few have asked before: Why did the third bullet explode? Why did Lee Harvey Oswald, about to become the most hunted man on Earth, risk it all by returning to his rooming house to secure a pistol he easily could have brought with him? How could a conspiracy that went unpenetrated for 50 years have been thrown together in the two and a half days between the announcement of the president’s route and the assassination itself?

As Bob investigates, another voice enters the narrative: knowing, ironic, almost familiar, that of a gifted, Yale-educated veteran of the CIA Plans Division. Hugh Meachum has secrets and the means and the will to keep them buried. When weighed against his own legacy, Swagger’s life is an insignificant expense - but to blunt the threat, he’ll first have to ambush the sniper.

As each man hunts the other across today’s globe and through the thickets of history, The Third Bullet builds to an explosive climax that will finally prove what Bob Lee Swagger has always known: It’s never too late for justice.

©2013 Stephen Hunter (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

One of my go to favorite reads

Absolutely fantastic book. Perfect narrator for the material, plausible historical fiction, and action packed. I’ve listened to this book 4-5 times and always find something new. I am a Stephen Hunter fan and in my mind, this is his best. Just enough fun stuff, just enough tough guy.

I'm A Stephen Hunter Fan, But. . .

This one just didn't move very much. Too many long, boring recitations and story very slow to progress. The premise is well-thought out, but the story never engaged me and I'm old enough to remember the events of November 22, 1963.

Very good.

I enjoyed it very much. So full of facts I did not know about the Kennedy assassination.

On Par to be One Of His Best Works

If you could sum up The Third Bullet in three words, what would they be?

At first glance, I was less than intrigued. Another JFK story? Having been a fan of Mr. Hunter for many years, I decided I'd give it a shot, pun intended. The opening of the book made me question whether this was indeed a Hunter novel or not. It wasn't written in his usual style, but the departure ends up being one of many enjoyable aspects to this piece.

The reader who is familiar with Mr. Hunter will immediately notice a bit of wit in the opening chapter, and will most likely enjoy the similarities, but that's all I can say for fear of ruining it.

As for the story itself, all I can say is that it is a unique take on the events of that day, and those leading up to it. A credit to Mr. Hunter, as it's not only a unique take, but it's also a highly plausible theory... which only serves to add to the intrigue. At times, I found myself wondering if, perhaps, this wasn't a fictional tale after all.

Our beloved, and respected Bob Lee plays an almost trivial part in the entirety of the story. While he is the main character, his role is made less noticeable in this novel, at least for the first two parts. Sure, he's there, but he takes on more of a investigative role than that of the actionable shooter we so cherish him for being. He's old though, so what do you expect? I did enjoy the overseas action scene with another aged shooter, however.

All things being equal, this is easily one of his 3 or 4 best works. DEFINITE BUY.

Have you listened to any of Buck Schirner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've not heard any of Mr. Schirner's works, but I will be more than happy to purchase more works wherein he narrates. Unlike some of the more notable narrators, such as Scott Brick, Dick Hill, and George Guidall, (though I enjoy them all) Mr. Schirner doesn't go to obviously strained lengths to differentiate between characters in the story. He deftly manages to make clear distinctions between speaking characters, without working so hard at it that it becomes unbelievable.

My first Swagger novel and it was enjoyable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Third Bullet to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version, but I always prefer audio editions.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hugh Meachum was my flagrant abuse of prescription drugs at such an old age. Better living though chemistry!

What does Buck Schirner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I appreciated the narrator's characterization of Hugh Meachum and Richard, but especially Jimmy with his thick Boston accent.

Any additional comments?

The author's take on the assassination on JFK is an interesting viewpoint that could be a possible set of circumstance.