The Wild One

By: Nick Petrie

Narrated by: Stephen Mendel

War veteran Peter Ash tracks a murderer and his criminal family through the most forbidding and stark landscape he has ever encountered, in the latest thriller from the bestselling author of The Drifter.

Losing ground in his fight against post-traumatic claustrophobia, war veteran Peter Ash has no intention of getting on an airplane--until a grieving woman asks Peter to find her eight-year-old grandson. The woman's daughter has been murdered. Erik, the dead daughter's husband, is the sole suspect, and he has taken his young son and fled to Iceland for the protection of Erik's lawless family.

Finding the boy becomes more complicated when Peter is met at the airport by a man from the United States Embassy. For reasons both unknown and unofficial, it seems that Peter's own government doesn't want him in Iceland. The police give Peter two days of sightseeing in Reykjavik before he must report back for the first available seat home. . . and when they realize Peter isn't going home until he accomplishes his mission, they start hunting him, too.

From the northernmost European capital to a rustbound fishing vessel to a remote farm a stone's throw from the arctic, Peter must confront his growing PTSD and the most powerful Icelandic snowstorm in a generation to find a killer, save an eight-year-old boy, and keep himself out of an Icelandic prison--or a cold Icelandic grave.

Critic reviews

"If you’re not already on the #PeterAsh train, jump aboard now. #TheWildOne is a beautifully written novel, rich with deep, complex characters, full-throttle action, and a superbly realized setting. @_NickPetrie_ is doing headliner work.”—Robert Crais, author of A Dangerous Man

"Nick Petrie's exceptional writing has earned him comparisons to many of the thriller-genre greats, but The Wild One announces that period has come to an end: Petrie is setting the bar, not reaching for it."—Michael Koryta, New York Times-bestselling author of Those Who Wish Me Dead

“Thrilling….A powerfully wrought addition to the series.”—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“This kinetic, breathless masterpiece illustrates why Petrie is here to stay.”—Publishers Weekly

“Lots of authors want to be the next Lee Child, but only Petrie has a real shot at that title. His Peter Ash series is every bit as good as the Jack Reacher books, and his latest—the first set outside of the United States—is his finest work to date. I read this one in one sitting and was hooked from the very first page.”—The Real Book Spy

"Novelist Lee Child has blessed Ash as a character who merits comparison to his own Jack Reacher. What further distinguishes Petrie's novels is the depth of care he brings to writing about Ash's significant PTSD…The Wild One is also a love letter to Iceland and its people…Petrie's novel characterizes it as a beautiful and civilized country. If Ash must have a dark night of the soul somewhere, he couldn't have picked a better place.”—The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

“Nick Petrie once again proves himself to be a maestro, wielding his keyboard with all the deftness of a master conductor’s baton, in The Wild One…This seems to be the month for terrific action thrillers, and Petrie is on comfortable, familiar ground there. The Wild One is one wild ride that races along at breakneck speed toward a shattering conclusion.”—Providence Journal

One of my favorite books in a long time

I don't think I've ever said this about a mystery/thriller novel, but this book is absolutely beautifully written. I don't really know how else to describe it. Nick Petrie's books and writing continues to get better and better, and the plot and characters keep growing, improving, and developing. Petrie's writing, at times, almost feel like reading poetry or Shakespeare, with his vivid descriptions, allowing the reader see, smell, hear, or feel exactly what's happening in the scene. This novel is largely set in Iceland, and Petrie makes you feel as if you are there, sitting right next to Peter Ash on this adventure. To do this also takes, I imagine, a large amount of research, which is so evident by the descriptions. This novel felt like a combination of amazing authors all coming together. Peter Ash feels like Jack Reacher, the setting and description is like a cross between the back country of C.J. Box's novels with a detail intricacies like Clancy. It keeps you locked in like Vince Flynn or Brad Thor.

I can't begin to describe how much I loved this book. I imagine it will be one of my favorites of 2020, although it's a little early to say. This series quickly rocketed up to one of my favorites out there. I applaud Nick Petrie for his ability to develop this amazing, in-depth character, who isn't necessarily this can-do-no-wrong gunslinger that we see lots of nowadays. This character feels real, and his stories are amazing. Highly, highly recommend this book and series.

Although you could easily read this as a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading the series first. It will provide some backstory to the character that you don't want to miss out on.

The narration by Stephen Mendel was amazing, and the fact that he has done the whole series makes it even more enjoyable to listen to. It was extra impressive in this novel, with the Icelandic and Irish accents.

Sorry, Lee Child...

The Nick Petrie's Peter Ash series is better than Lee Child's Jack Reacher. Peter Ash just seems more real. The stories seem more relevant and believable as well.

Best book in this series to date

I have liked the Peter Ash series from the start, and this was the best book of all. The Iceland settings and characters were fascinating.

Good Read

I enjoyed the story and the narrator. Keep up the good work Nick Petrie and Stephen Mendel!

Icelanders and action

Nice fast-paced story. Very well narrate. Likable hero. Good Peter Ash story.
(15 word minimum for reviews is annoying, but here's some text to fulfill that requirement.)