Day of Reckoning (Shadow Warriors)

By: Stephen England

Narrated by: Colin Iago McCarthy

Along the border in Texas, a deadly firefight claims the lives of two Border Patrol agents. On a highway in suburban Virginia, a bomb blast targets the director of the CIA. From the halls of power in D.C., secrets reach out, signing the death warrants of those who uncover them.

For CIA paramilitary Harry Nichols, deceit has become a way of life. Fifteen years in the Clandestine Service have left him weary, recovering from a devastating betrayal. Little does he know the betrayals have only begun.

With CIA Director David Lay missing and presumed dead, Nichols finds himself tasked with protecting Lay's estranged daughter and hunted by an ex-Spetsnaz kill team. His only mission is to keep her safe. Her only desire is to find the man who ordered her father's murder. For him, she becomes the only motivation to leave behind the life of violence he's known, but only his talent for violence can save them now. Pursued by an unknown enemy, their danger will draw them together, even as her quest for truth plunges them both into the abyss.

But as their world turns upside down, as a Pakistani terrorist prepares to attack an American city, even as everything once sure turns to quicksand, one thing becomes breathtakingly clear.

All that stands between them and the truth is an American president willing to bury his secrets one enemy at a time.

©2013 Stephen England (P)2018 Stephen England

Loved the story...but

I recently came across the Shadow Warriors series on Audible and just finished Day of Reckoning. I loved the story, the characters, the great pace and the action. As a listener with over 2,000 books in my library, I loved the deep voice of the narrator, Colin Iago McCarthy. However, having listened to 100’s of narrators, I almost gave up on the book because it is was incredibly difficult to discern who was speaking in the book, especially between the FBI and CIA operatives. It was nearly the same voice for every character and it was extremely frustrating from a listener’s said standpoint. I’m glad I stuck it out because the story was phenomenal but I’d think twice about ordering another book with the same narrator unless there was more of an effort to provide more distinct voices for the characters, especially those speaking to each other.

One of the best Thrillers I listened to this year

Would you listen to Day of Reckoning (Shadow Warriors) again? Why?

Yes. Because it is a very well written book and Colin's performance is perfect.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Day of Reckoning (Shadow Warriors)?

Can't say, it would be a spoiler.

Have you listened to any of Colin Iago McCarthy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, this is as good as all the others.

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

Yes, I cried.

Any additional comments?

One of the best audiobooks in the Thriller genre that I’ve listened to in recent memory, Day of Reckoning is the second book in the Shadow Warriors series by bestselling author Stephen England. I enjoyed Mr. England’s writing style since I read Pandora’s Grave last year, and this time around, the new narrator, Colin Iago McCarthy is just amazing and fits all requirements in order to deliver a very entertaining and truly immersive listening experience.

A firefight near the border in Texas, the director of the Central intelligence agency missing and presumed dead, his daughter hunted by Russian assassins, terrorists on US soil looking to strike again at the heart of America and one man trying to make sense of it all. After the dramatic events in Pandora’s Grave, CIA special operator Harry Nichols still feels the betrayal and hurt of that tragic mission, but he must protect at all costs the CIA Director‘s daughter. Nichols‘s job will get much harder as everyone, from traitors in the CIA to politicians, high up in the US government, to Russian spies and to a highly trained ex-Spetsnaz special forces team, want him and his principle dead. They will stop at nothing in thier mission to bring down Nichols and the girl, while our hero will protect her with his own life…


The story of Day of Reckoning is very well thought out, with multiple plot points and complicated characters that will draw near towards the end of the book for a very emotional conclusion. Believe me when I tell you that I cried at one point, and although I loved the characters from the begining, I didn’t realise how much I cared for them until they were in harm’s way. Stephen England is one of those rare authors who doesn’t use profanity or on needed violence in his works. His books are easy to read and it’s very clear the a lot of research has been done for them.



As I said in the intro of this review, Day of Reckoning is one of the best thriller audiobooks that I’ve listened to in recent memory and that is in part due to the excellent performance delivered by Colin Iago McCarthy. This narrator, although not as well known like others in the Audiobooks Industry can stand alongside them as he brings all the characters to life with passion and talent. Day of Reckoning is a long audiobook, over 18 hours in listening time and Mr. McCarthy keeps up the pace, changes voices and accents with ease, keeping all the characters clearly differentiated in the listener’s mind.


I hope to see even more audiobooks from this great author and narrator pair, as they do a fantastic job together. In fact, I already know that a short story in the Shadow Warriors series will be available very soon…



I love so many things about Day of Reckoning that I could write a short story myself, but, I will say this. Stephen England just climbed up to my top of favorites thriller authors and he is up there alongside Tom Clancy, W.E.B Griffin, Mark Greaney and Daniel Silva. If you want a great, unputdownable, immersive thriller with an original plot and characters that you’ll care for, Day of Reckoning is the perfect book for you.

Mr England

What a great book! It was so nice not to be subjected to profanity! Thank you for proving that profanity is not necessary! Keep up the good work. I will buy more of your books!

Killed me in 5 minutes

When the narrator couldn't pronounce the word "Mindanao" correctly I knew I would struggle with this. Didn't give it much longer and for the time I did it seemed unimaginative and dull. Some may be able to get passed this but I'm looking for quality and from what I saw this book didn't have it.

Don’t look to replace flynn

There are not many books I want to end. Unfortunately, this is one of those that drags on with too many sub plots and very difficult to follow characters. It was difficult to determine who were the good and bad Russians and terrorist.