Wolf

A Jack Caffery Thriller, Book 7

By: Mo Hayder

Narrated by: Jot Davies

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

When a vagrant - the Walking Man - finds a dog wandering alone with the words Help Us written on its collar, he's sure it's a desperate plea from someone in trouble and calls on Detective Inspector Jack Caffery to investigate. Caffery has no idea who or what he is searching for, but one thing he is sure of: it's a race against time. Meanwhile, the Anchor-Ferrers, a wealthy local family, are fighting for their lives in their remote home 10 miles away. Two men have tricked their way into the house and are holding the family for ransom. Yet as the captors' demands become increasingly bizarre and humiliating, it becomes clear that this is more than a random crime - it's a personal vendetta.

©2014 Mo Hayder (P)2014 Random House Audiobooks (UK)

Unexpected Twists and Turns

The late Mo Hayder was an excellent writer. The first book I ever read of hers was called Pig Island and I was hooked on her style and characters.

It’s such a bummer that she died so young - fifty nine. It’s a real loss to the writing community that has made me cherish her books more.

Wolf is the seventh book in her Jack Caffery thriller series. I listened to it as an audio book (Thank you Audible!). It was narrated by Jot Davies who does all of the Jack Caffery books (I think). Excellent narration of an excellently written book.

As some of you know, I am an author myself. I feel like that gives me an insider’s view of stories which makes it super surprising to me that I didn’t expect the twists Mo did with this book.

Personally, I hate the spoilers I find in some reviews. Sometimes it’s like those movie trailers where they show you every good part of the movie. So, I will try to tell you how great this book is without telling you about what happens in it.

The book seems to be heading one direction with the bad guys doing bad things to the good guys and then, bada bing, something truly unexpected and surprising happens to change the situation. And then it happens again. I know, I know - that’s not saying much. But trust me, the shuffling that happens during the third act is pulled off masterfully. If you like British crime thrillers with realistic and flawed characters, you will love this book.

Highly recommended.

Different narrator than the other novels

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I have enjoyed the entire Jack Caffrey series with a combination of reading and listening. I've liked them all, and was especially captivated by the narrator for the other audio books. This recent novel has a new narrator that I didn't care for, although it's difficult to replace a narrator that you've really come to appreciate.

As for the story itself I must also say that I'm sure it was just as good as the other books in the series. I, however, couldn't continue once I realized part of the story involved a dog being tortured. I want to emphasize that this is not a bad review- it's just a personal viewpoint and a caution for animal (particularly dog) lovers with sensitivity to animal cruelty.

Gripping!

What did you love best about Wolf?

Very exciting with numerous plot twists

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolf?

The surprising ending!

What about Jot Davies’s performance did you like?

Phenomenal voice - every character was different and authentic

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

No one is bright enough to escape fate

Excellent Mystery and Suspense

This is 7th Jack Rafferty book, but my first experience with this author. It's a terrific story with great characters, even with the sad undercurrent of ,child abuse flowing throughout the book.

The walking man is fascinating, an ex-con and father of a murdered daughter who took revenge on his daughter's killer. While serving time he learned all he could from the imprisoned pedophiles, their motivations, fantasies, networks, etc. Now he's a nomad, searching carefully for the grave of his long dead daughter. He becomes a colorful, mysterious and valuable source for Jack Rafferty to help find a kidnapped family.

It's well written and read. Ive already tried another Mo Hayder book and plan on listening to several more.

Intense!

The violence in this book is graphic and disturbing. I fast forwarded through one of the earliest scenes because I saw no need for the violence aimed at an innocent animal. It really wasnt necessary to the storyline. All in all, however, I could not put the book down.

love love love all the jack Caffery books

I do not like that the narrative keeps changing and he doesn't pronounce the names the same as other books and also in this story.... but still a great book.

Can't Wait For The Next One

What made the experience of listening to Wolf the most enjoyable?

As with all of her books in this series, I love Jack Caffery, and how he views the world. There is plenty of detail about what the characters are thinking, she also sets the scene well, its the little things she writes describing a scene and situation, and I think wow, I can really see that. I like the detail.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wolf?

The twists and turns, nothing is ever what it seems. You are travelling down one path, you see the ending clearly then there is that twist that just sets it apart from a lot of other books. A great thriller, you wont be disappointed.

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

I am always amazed when one person can bring so many characters to life and you believe you are listening to the actual characters talking.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Wolf - I think this is the best title.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy thrillers and the unexpected you will enjoy this.

Morbid Curiosity lead me to this series!

If you could sum up Wolf in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, mystical, horrific

Who was your favorite character and why?

The little girl and Bear. They kept the faith.

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

I have read the entire series from book 1 to book 7 - Wolf. He is the fourth narrator and in my opinion, the best. Takes you slowly through the story and his many character voices are magical.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, intensely provocative ... I can't wait for Jack Caffery to return in book 8 ... please, Ms. Hayder?

Any additional comments?

I read the reviews of WOLF and decided for once, to start this series in sequence . Beginning book 1, I have non-stop listened to all 7 this past week. I highly recommend - to understand and maximize Mo Hayder's incredible talent, you meet the cast of characters from inception. They are entwined and often mentioned, during the past decade of Jack Caffery's career.

So very slowwwwwwwwwwwww

7 Books in and Jack is still looking for the bones of his brother. Move it or loose it/me already.There's always some obscure connection to something (I have no idea how many pieces there are to this puzzle) An hour in and it's so convoluted - I really don't have time for it to get good. I'm all about a long story if it stays on point to get to a point. I've listed to Bird man - It was o.k.. I like the shock value from Mo. Ritual had the worst narrator - But I thought I was liking the story - so I hung in there. It was ehhhh by the end... I can see this long road and I doubt it will floor me at the end. I'm not a Publix shopper that will eat all but one shrimp and return the one and ask for my money back. I am an hour in and I am returning now. Probably my last Mo book.

Overlong, dreary, ugly

I did read the entire book, although it was a slog. This was the first Hayder book I've read. I was interested in the characters, the detective's story was interesting and fairly compelling. The interludes of him pursuing the mystery were the most engaging parts of the book. The majority of the book, though, consists of LONG periods spent on the horrors of the family being held hostage. I guess the author was going for shock and horror, which I don't like for their own sake. I always feel like I need something redemptive if you're going to lay a lot of horror on me, and there just wasn't anything but a long, ugly story. I also found it fairly predictable - that's not always necessarily a problem, but I think the surprise was supposed to be the payoff in reading through all of that.