Hard Target

A Novel

By: Howard Gordon

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

From the executive producer of 24 and co-creator of Homeland, the exciting follow-up to Gideon’s War involves a harrowing attempt to stop a homegrown terrorist plot to destroy the U.S. government.

Gideon Davis has settled into the quiet life of an academic and is weeks away from being married when he discovers evidence of an impending terrorist attack on U.S. soil. He brings his suspicions to his ex-girlfriend, FBI Agent Nancy Clement, but her bosses are leery of Gideon’s source: a meth-head informant affiliated with a white supremacist group. Both Gideon and Nancy become increasingly convinced that a serious plot exists, but their informant is murdered before they can get more details from him. So Gideon enlists his brother, Tillman - newly sprung from prison through a presidential pardon - as an undercover operative to infiltrate a group of white supremacists who may be involved.

Eventually, Gideon and Tillman get on the trail of the real conspirators and uncover their audacious plan to eliminate the entire top tier of the U.S. government during a high-value, mass-casualty attack. With only Nancy’s support, Gideon and Tillman go rogue to stop the powerful titan behind the conspiracy before the entire government is toppled.

With nonstop action and ticking time-bomb suspense, Hard Target will keep readers turning pages and their hearts pumping fast.

©2012 Howard Gordon (P)2012 Simon & Schuster Audio

great book!

great story. at times maybe a little predictable but fun. it also is a fast story. looking for more by Howard Gordon.

Was great then it bombed!

What did you like best about Hard Target? What did you like least?

Loved the story line and was really happy with the book until 3/4 of the way through it became one profanity after another. It takes no intelligence or thought or add to the story line to do this. I was disappointed.

Would you recommend Hard Target to your friends? Why or why not?

No, because of the language.

So good I listened to it all in less than 2 days

I couldn't stop listening. Usually I listen to my audibooks while falling asleep but this book is far too exciting than to be a "sleep inducer". In fact, when I had things to do around the house, I kept listening. I usually don't do this (so I can focus on either the story or on my work) but I just couldn't stop listening. Loved it! Will definitely look for more books by this author.

Good Story, However...

I enjoyed the book, a good and believable storyline. However, Howard needs to check location facts. Nothing drives me crazier than knowing some facts are wrong ie McLean is in Fairfax Co, not PG Co.and you look at the White House and the Washington Monument from the Hay Adams not the Capitol, this type of screw up bothers me.

the good guys win

I really enjoyed this book I listened to it in just a few days. the plot is excitiing and the good guys win

the bad guys are reallly resourseful and it takesa a hero to save the day!!

Entertaining

This was a book about a group of domestic terrorist trying to take out our government in one well time attack. The plot unfolds like you would expect and has your stereotypical cast of characters. Even so I found the book to be enjoyable and for $5 (I picked it up on sale) it was well worth the money. I also found the narrator MacLeod Andrews easy to listen to.

Worth buying! Well narration. Good story!

What did you love best about Hard Target?

I rate books by how excited I am to get back to listening to them. I found this book to be above average and worth buying.

What other book might you compare Hard Target to and why?

It's a typical "home grown terrorism" plot. I share some of the same feelings the "Father character" in this story had. Our government politicians are for the most part on the "take." It also shows what war really does to soldiers who get severely injured. As a prior special forces soldier, I do not believe most people enlist believe this can happen to you. Especially, in a war time environment like we have now, with a war in the middle east already started covertly. (meaning-most americans are not aware our CIA Agents, as well as, Special ops soldiers are already inside Iran. Think hard before you enlist because the next stop after boot camp and "AIT" training is IRAN!

As the worst public speaker we have ever had for a president, yes, I am referring to George Jr., who said it so well for the first time- "BOMB, BOMB, BOMB, BOMB, BOMB IRAN! It's just a matter of time. Iran must NOT be able to have NUKES. Either Israel or the USA or both must and I say MUST take out Iran. I still remember 1978-1979. They need to pay for that too!

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First one by this author.

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

Home grown terrorism is here to stay!

Any additional comments?

I would buy this book again if I had to choose between two books.

A Cookie Cutter Thriller

What disappointed you about Hard Target?

The thriller genre is usually predictable, but most authors throw in a few unexpected twists before the hero saves the day at the last minute. The problems thrown at the protagonist in Hard Target were all expected, and all delivered at the usual spots. It reads like a made for TV movie. Despite attempting to explain the motivation behind the antagonists' plot, Howard's backstory is unconvincing; the psychological underpinnings of the characters are unbelievable. They come off as simple, unbelievable psychopaths.

What could Howard Gordon have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Give his antagonists moral ambivalence.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

A yawn

Missed the Target

When I read that the author was a writer for Homeland, I purchased this book since I love that series. Was I disappointed! For a mystery it was slow moving, had poorly developed plot and characters and I gave up listening after the first half. I have a feeling it was quickly written for a TV episode and perhaps it might work in an hour time slot, but to listen to it drone on and on, was not entertaining for me. If you like Homeland this is not the same caliber at all.