Out for Blood

By: Ryan Steck

Narrated by: Chris Abell

Winters in Montana can be deadly, but it wasn’t the cold that was killing Matthew Redd …

Gavin Kline, executive assistant director of the FBI’s Intelligence Directorate, is escorting a high-value prisoner with the intel to bring down a global conspiracy when their plane comes under attack. In the aftermath, much of Kline’s team is dead, but he recovers a phone from a member of the hit team that reveals another attack is imminent. This time they’re going after the man who was instrumental in capturing the prisoner and foiling their plans: Matthew Redd.

When Redd learns he’s in the crosshairs, he sends his family into hiding and heads for the mountains. He might be outnumbered, but the hit team will have to hunt him down on his own turf. With a snowstorm bearing down on Montana and no help in sight, Redd fights for survival in the harshest conditions. But when they take the fight to his hometown, he’ll need all his allies at his back to save what he holds most dear.

©2024 Ryan Steck (P)2024 Recorded Books

Meh

Totally unbelievable. More of a guy read. Sexist, I know. I’m just not into the blood and guts.

Non Stop Action Packed Must Read

Ryan knows how to paint the scene. It’s like reading an action packed movie. What a ride! Everything I love about action and suspense.Set in Montana’s winter wilderness Former Marine Matthew Redd finds himself fighting off a lethal group of killers on his home ground.

Third Matt Red Book was worth the wait.

I am always amazed when someone who lacks military or police or 3 letter government agency experience write amazing books. There are many authors who have that experience ie Jack Carr, Andrews and Wilson who have written brilliant high action thrillers. It is expected to be good. Ryan Steck’s third book supersedes expectations. High action for sure (I don’t know how he is in to keep topping it). Also, brilliant description of the Montana area takes you right into the action. You feel the cold, smell the woods, hear the sounds … again brilliant. He has introduced new characters that I cannot wait what Ryan will do with them. I guess we will have to wait until next year. For the 3rd time Chris Abell has done a wonderful job taking us into the Matt Red world.

couldn't stop lostening!

this the 3rd in the series and it keeps getting better and better. highly recommend

An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge. Just an outstanding reality nugget.

Great story, Worth 2 credits !! Guess I'll listen to another. ( I hate the 15 word minimum )

Great story beginning to end!

I started this series listening to this 3rd book & loved it! Can’t wait to listen to the next one! I’m hooked :)

Good shoot ‘em up action book

Good plot that kept me listening. Narrator did great job. Should be a movie. Would recommend for general listen, esp great for long drive.

Fun Series, but could be better

I enjoyed listening to the 3 books, but if there is another, I won't continue. The overall plot and action pacing is good, but every book falls into an unnrealistic formula.

Okay rural action thriller

This action thriller taking place in rural Montana kept my interest. It's plusses: lots of action, and a very likable protagonist (Matthew Redd). The negatives: Matthew and his wife were the only characters that came alive to me, with none of the villains believable. Also, the premise is pretty far fetched. Still, it was a fun enough action thriller, heavy on the action.

Plot, Action & Good Characters Without Sleaze

I’ve read all four Redd books (Trilogy + Christmas). Steck proves you can hook readers with a compelling plot, well-paced action, and layered characters (most of them). The Redd series straddles the fence between scary-this-could-happen and good, campy, albeit brutal fun. He’s a good visual writer who respects readers’ imaginations enough not to force overcooked sleaze into the plot.

Only three nit-picky complaints: 
I respect Steck’s detailed descriptions - I readily visualized everything from guns to clothes to micro expression. That said, the regular insertion of name brands (mostly on 1 & 2) felt like overzealous product placement in a movie.

A couple characters sounded so similar that I rewound a few times to double-check who was speaking. Finally, because I binged this series in just a couple months, I was slightly annoyed in Book #3 to hear a twang in Emily’s voice not present in the first two—a small detail that didn’t detract from enjoying the series as a whole. 

Even with its satisfying close, a couple of loose ends in Out for Blood left me hoping Steck is holed up in a Montana cabin working out a way to team up Redd & Decker to tie them up.