Hunter's Games

Adrian Hell Series, Book 2

De: James P. Sumner

Narrado por: Gary Bennett

What happens when two deadly killers collide?

It’s been a year since the explosive events in Nevada. Adrian Hell has kept a low profile, continuing to earn good money killing bad people. But a simple job in San Francisco is about to turn his world upside down.

The city is under siege. A dangerous psychopath is terrorizing the city, leaving the authorities overwhelmed and the people scared. After a series of devastating attacks, the terrorist makes contact with the FBI. Their only demand:

Bring me Adrian Hell.

This pulse-pounding thriller is the second novel in the award-winning Adrian Hell series, and features some of the most intense blockbuster action sequences ever written. If you're a fan of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne or Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, you won't want to miss this!

©2014 James P. Sumner (P)2023 James P. Sumner

So much action, so little time...

Take the TV show Twenty-Four (24) and the older movie Speed and you have a good idea of what James P. Sumner’s new audiobook “Hunter’s Games” is all about. Add one of my favorite narrators, Gary Bennett who is a master at his narration, and you have an action packed moviesque audiobook that will keep you on your toes from the beginning to the end. At times I wanted the author to give me a few breaths of air, but I can say that this one holds the listener under for quite some time. Not something that ruins the story but note, listeners do need some time to decompress from the continuous action and tension or the story can become fatiguing. I can say this is one audiobook, in quite some time, that I did not want to put down and resume later. It kept me that captivated. I did not have the opportunity to listen and review the first audiobook in the series (True Conviction), but I can say this one appears to be a stand-alone story that does not require listening to the first to understand what is going on. if you like your action fast and non-stop, pick up this audiobook and give it a listen. The writing and narration are well worth the Audible credit and over eight hours of entertainment.

In this audiobook we open with an assassin for hire who finds himself working alongside the FBI to catch another assassin. The listener must question the level of deception on the part of all parties due to the many conflicting agendas at hand. Everyone in the story is unsure of the motives and goals of the others. We also have the hunter becoming the hunted and this adds a level of tension that I liked. There is a drive for revenge and payback for one’s past crimes and much more. If I were to describe the story in two words, I would say it was both engrossing and thrilling. We have diametrically opposed people needing to come together to stop a terrorist, and this starts very early in the tale. There is a fair amount of espionage and some technology sprinkled in keeping one focused. Although it is a rollercoaster ride of a story, I did like the pacing. I also enjoyed the picturesque story telling. It felt like I was listening to an action movie, yet my brain was able to create vivid images out of the text and narration.

Regarding the audiobook’s narration, there is not much I can say, that I have not already said in past review of Mr. Bennett’s professional narration works. His narration speed and consistency are on par with many of the best narrators out there. I do not recall any audio issues such as pops, background noise or swallowing. His voicing of characters is consistent throughout the story, and I liked the voices he gave to the main characters. Mr. Bennett gives the characters feeling and depth with his ability to use the right amount of inflection making all characters feel unique.

For parents and younger listeners, the audiobook contains some rather mature subjects including graphic violence, drug and alcohol use, profanity, along with some adult themes. I would not recommend this audiobook to younger audiences due to the subjects to includes.

In summary, the level of constant action is ten out of ten. The audiobooks narration is ten out of ten. The story and action keep me wanting more. There seemed to always be some questions on how our characters will get out of predicaments and would they be able to best their nemesis. If you want to find out, you will have to give the audiobook a listen. I can say that I look forward to another in the future.

Simply put - WOW!

Adrian Hell, a hired assassin, is back out on the job in San Francisco with his friend/handler, Josh. What was supposed to be a simple hit turns into much more! A person from Adrian’s past is seeking revenge and the city is paying for it. Time is running out and the FBI has joined forces with Adrian to take the killer out.

The author, James P. Sumner, keeps the action moving at a quick pace leaving the listener on the edge of their chair! We continue to see small glimpses into Adrian’s past one piece at a time. Each character is established, and the continued growth of Adrian is riveting. We are treated to hearing more about Josh, his internet guru sidekick, so to speak. The deliberate cat-and-mouse game that the killer plays with Adrian and the FBI is well-executed and complete with plot twists.

The narrator, Gary Bennett, projects the strength, stamina, and intelligence of Adrian completely and fully. The ease with which he switches from character to character and accent to non-accent is masterful. Bennett is one of the few narrators I find enjoyable to hear and experience a book through. Bennett’s energy, complete immersion into the characters is rich and fulfilling. Not only are the listeners treated to a visual of the action through the author’s use of imagery, but Bennett further adds to the imagery with his unique and highly talented voice.

Given how this book ended, I cannot wait to hear the next one in the series! It is definitely a series to NOT miss!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Wow!

Hunter’s Games was one of those stories that I thought I was going to be able to predict (just a bit) from the way the last book went. But, boy, was I absolutely wrong. Sumner took what he built in the first Adrian Hell book and ran with it. This one includes so many different interactions and groups that I can’t mention any of them, or I’d risk spoiling the whole thing.

Knowing there was a bit of a revenge story with this made it even better. I found that getting Adrian out of his element a bit and playing from his back foot is what made it so interesting. I don’t think Sumner can pull this pacing and storytelling off with every book, but I am hopeful. I will say that he struck gold with this one, and it’s one that I won’t soon forget. I can’t wait to figure out where this series goes and what other stories and situations he’ll get himself into (or be forced into).

A few times, Adrian was humanized in Hunter’s Games, and it helped make him an even more likable character. Sure, he’s the best contract killer in the world, but even they have days off and can be caught off guard from time to time.

I will say that both Sumner and Bennett turned the volume up to 11 with this one. Sumner was relentless in the story. The number of situations that Hell found himself in was crazy, and Bennett’s narration was superb. One of his best yet.

I didn’t have a good place to put this, but this story was shot out of a cannon. It came at you and never stopped.

Not as good as the first in the series

The first book in this series, while flawed for being over the top unrealistic was a fun listen without being great. It had some charm and fast moving excitement. This second outing starts off well enough then it actually drags , with even less credibility in logic and events, and the story is very lightweight and boring. I gave up half way through. Same narrator, does well, but cannot save this one.