The Ascent

By: Adam Plantinga

Narrated by: Charles Halford, Christine Lakin

When a high security prison fails, a down-on-his luck cop and the governor’s daughter must team up if they’re going to escape in this "jaw-dropping, authentic, and absolutely gripping" (Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author) bestselling thriller from Adam Plantinga, whose first nonfiction book Lee Child praised as “truly excellent.”

Kurt Argento, an ex-Detroit street cop who can’t let injustice go—and who has the fighting skills to back up his idealism.

If he sees a young girl being dragged into an alley, he's going to rescue her and cause some damage.

When he does just that in a small corrupt Missouri town, he’s brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison.

Julie Wakefield, a grad student who happens to be the governor's daughter, is about to take a tour of the prison. But when a malfunction in the security system releases a horde of prisoners, a fierce struggle for survival ensues.

Argento must help a small band of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety.

All that stands in their way are six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.

©2024 Adam Plantinga (P)2024 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

“The Ascent is jaw-dropping, authentic, and absolutely gripping.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of I Will Find You

“Adam Plantinga’s debut thriller, THE ASCENT, is a nail-biting ride out of Hell itself. It’s Dante’s Inferno—but with gangs, corruption, bone-breaking brawls, and a kick-ass, determined police officer struggling through it all to save another. It reads with raw authenticity and brutal honesty. Don’t miss this debut of a new crime-thriller star!”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Kingdom of Bones

"Damn! I had to hold onto this one for dear life. THE ASCENT is a ferociously propulsive thriller. Plantinga creates a haunted house of horrors that’s utterly convincing, while at the same time keeping the focus on complex, layered, and engaging characters. An outstanding debut crime novel."—Lou Berney, Edgar award-winning author of November Road

Really hoping this book becomes a series!

I am an Audible power listener approaching 2000 titles and I have to say this listen most definitely lands in the top 1%. If you are a Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, or Orphan X (etc) fan you will love this book. I was so impressed I wanted more and was disappointed to find out that there is nothing. Not another novel anyway. Not even from the male narrator. He did a fantastic job and has a fantastic voice. I highly recommend this book. It quickly drew me in and was so engaged that I finished in 2 stints and that's because I had to sleep. I don't normally take the time to leave a review past the star rating but I want to make sure others have the opportunity to enjoy this listen.

Wow

This book was amazing, Great story and great characters. Can't wait for the next book.

Gripping and fast paced.

Amazing first book and the author’s experience as a LEO is obvious. I’m looking forward to more books by Plantinga.

Great Listen!

If you like interesting characters, action, don’t mind a little gore, and great narration, this is for you!

Outstanding

This is a story that’s been told before(The raid). When it’s this well done it doesn’t matter. This is one of the most exciting books I’ve listen to in a long time. Definitely in my top ten.

Great characters, perfect action pace - OUTSTANDING!

New favorite author! Excellent attention to detail, vivid descriptions, consistent fast pace, characters with CHARACTER.
Outstanding work (and this is only his first?! This guy is going to be canon!)
I like the two voice actors, too. Again, I'm amazed this is the first performance by the male actor - he's top notch. Female actor is also excellent.
VERY highly recommended!

Jack Reacher like

Fast action. A lot of violence. Very accurate depiction of a prison in the inmates behavior.

A Great Listen!

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good thriller! Once you start it, you won't want to stop until the end. I'm looking forward to more novels by Plantinga!

Thrilling edge of your seat

This was the same enjoyment I got like watching an awesome 80s action movie. Thrilling, great narration, and great characters. There were some things I may have left out if I had wrote the book but overall pretty good listen.

Too predictable- not enough substance.

Good start but the end was so difficult to get through because it didn’t add anything to the story. I wish he would have either ended it sooner or better yet, filled the pages with more plot and character development. I also hope can will find a better editor. This one either likes him too much to add value or was desperate for more pages.