If you are looking for something that feels like a blending of the hit TV series 24 with aspects of action taken from a Rambo movie, you will enjoy the action and adventure contained in “Deadly Intent”, which is the fourth audiobook in the Adrian Hell series. The series is brilliantly crafted by James P. Sumner and the audiobook’s narration was superbly performed by Gary Bennett. This team continues to hit the ball out of the park when it comes to new episodes in the series, each one feeling like a new chapter of a hit TV series. There is plenty of violence, loads of technology and people chases that end up touching multiple continents. This story is bigger and more exciting in many ways. If you have enjoyed the pervious tales in the series, this one is for you. If you have never listed to any of the audiobook in the series, I highly recommend them. Each is a stand-along story, so you can jump right in at any time. I can say that the way this story ends, there will be a another and one can only guess how it will go for Adrian.
The story opens with our main character is somewhat retired from his profession as an elite assassin. He is now living in a small town and wanting to settle down with a new love and a dog. However, he finds that when you are as good an assassin as he is, retirement does not last long. Also, when he is the target and the one being framed for wrongdoing, all gloves come off and the fight is on. I found the prologue details welcoming as this helps to set the stage and allows the listener to also get reacquainted with the characters. Much like with a TV series, the author did a good job of providing the “previously on” portion. I did have to say that this was the slowest start of any in this series. But that is not a bad thing. Just be aware that this is more like a smoldering dry Christmas tree that quickly ramps up to a roaring blaze in no time. Society has determined that legalizing both drugs and prostitution would help bring down the country’s debt, but with this comes other issues that need to be addressed.
I did enjoy that Adrian had a deep devotion to both his girlfriend Tori and his dog Sticks. It is good that we can continue to see the emotional side of this very hardened assassin. It has even come to the point where he is looking to settle down and becomes a family man. But this can only last a short period before Adrian is off to save the world from a group of devout terrorists. It is a revenge story which Adrian does not want to get involved, yet there is not much he can do as he is sucker punched and thrown into the ring for a fight. Lucky for him, he still maintains his true and honored best friends, his pair of shinny Berettas, and Josh of course. I always laugh at the many pop culture pokes and references such as when the group Twisted Sister is called out, such nostalgic memories. There is a vast amount of technology and destruction that takes place in this story. Quite a few bodies that need cleaning up after the fact. Overall, it is bigger and more impactful from some of the others in the series.
The audiobook’s narration is as one would expect when you bring on a professional narrator like Gary Bennett to the table. All his narration pieces, which I have listened to, have been exceptional. Characters feel alive, inflection is felt, action is fluid, and the audio is of the highest quality. A strong narrator can elevate a story from good to great, and I can say that I like this duo very much. I do not recall any audio artifacts such as pops, swallows, or background noises while listening. Mr. Bennett’s voice is easy to listen to and is well paced from start to finish.
For parents and younger listeners, this audiobook is intended for more mature listeners. It contains profanity, some adult themes, and some graphic violence that may not be completely appropriate for younger listeners. I would recommend this audiobook and the series for mature listeners only.
In summary, if you have not picked it up from the review, I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It was slower to get rolling, but that allowed the author to ramp up the action from there. The narration was solid and as expected from a professional narrator. Again, based on the end of this story, there are potentially bigger things coming in the next. Keep up the great work you two, and I look forward to the next.