Title: A Caller’s Game
Author: J.D. Barker
Narrator: Brian Hutchinson, Mia Barron
Published: March 2021, Recorded Books
Length: 12 hours 25 minutes
Source: Netgalley
Summary:
Die Hard meets Talk Radio in this heart-pounding, relentlessly fast-paced thriller from the New York Times best-selling author of The Fourth Monkey – master of suspense, J.D. Barker.
“I’m going to offer you a choice.”
Controversial satellite radio talk show host, Jordan Briggs, has clawed her way to the top of the broadcast world. She doesn’t hold back, doesn’t spare feelings, and has no trouble sharing what’s on her mind. Her rigorous pursuit of success has come at a price, though. Her marriage is in ruins, she hasn’t spoken to her mother in years, and she’s distanced herself from all those close to her. If not for her young daughter, Charlotte, her personal life would be in complete shambles.
When a subdued man calls into the show and asks to play a game, she sees it as nothing more than a way to kick-start the morning, breathe life into the beginnings of drive-time for her listeners. Against her producer’s advice, she agrees, and unwittingly opens a door to the past.
Live on the air with an audience of millions, what starts out as a game quickly turns deadly – events long thought buried resurface and Jordan Briggs is forced to reconcile with one simple fact – all decisions have consequences.
My thoughts: J.D. Barker has been on my list to read for quite some time now and I got a taste for his writing when I picked up a book he co-wrote with James Patterson earlier this year, The Coast-to-Coast Murders. So when I saw this audiobook available on Netgalley, I immediately requested it…and I’m so glad I did. It was quite the thrilling read and now I’ll definitely be adding the rest of J.D. Barker’s books to my shelf!
This book grabbed me from the get-go and never let up. Talk about a book that keeps you guessing…this one was non-stop on that front. I never knew what to expect next and I absolutely loved that! It is one adrenaline-filled read that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you desperately try to work out what is going on and what might possibly come next.
What I found most incredible is that even though there is someone killing all these people, for some crazy reason, you end up feeling bad for them. It’s so hard to even put into words how that even happens, but you end up feeling for the guy…or maybe that’s just my empathy coming into play.
I’m so glad I grabbed this one. It really kept me going and I am now a fan of this author. I did find out there is going to be another collab between J.D. and James Patterson, out in August, but in the meantime, I’ll be trying to squeeze in J.D.’s 4MK Thriller series. If you are a fan of fast-moving, action-packed thrillers, I highly recommend this one.
Audio thoughts: This was a great book to listen to…both narrators did an excellent job with their parts and really brought this audio to life. The pacing and intonation was spot on and they both infused just the right amount of tension and emotion into their voices as needed. I loved listening to this one and found I just could not put it down until I finished it!
Kristin, I don't read a lot of thrillers, but this one does sound compelling. Terrific review!