End Game

In the first chapter the body count shoots up to 17 and escalates exponentially from there. In the fifth in David Baldacci's Will Robie series, Will and fellow agent, sniper, and sometimes love interest Jessica Reel are sent to Colorado to investigate the disappearance of their mentor. Kyf Brewer expertly voices the male characters, while Orlagh Cassidy adeptly portrays the women. The listener is treated to two performers who are highly skilled in differentiating characters and in creating the tension in the many gun battles. From the listener's point of view, "he said," "she said," tags are necessary but sometimes confusing, as here, where a female's comment is tagged with a male voice saying "she said." Overall, the listener will be drawn into an engaging listening experience. E.Q. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

March 5, 2018
The lively audio edition of book five in Baldacci’s Will Robie series finds the government’s most dependable hit man (played by Brewer) once again teamed with his love interest, the world-class sniper Jessica Reel (played by Cassidy). Their handler, Roger Walton, code name Blue Man, has gone missing from his Colorado hometown. Arriving in the small town of Grand, where Walton grew up, the deadly duo discover homicidal Nazi bikers, skinheads, hostile survivalists, and opioid dealers who clearly are too much for the sheriff and her limited staff, or even the state troopers, to handle. Like Brewer’s hard-boiled and unwavering Robie, Cassidy’s Jessica is relentless, though more sarcastic. Their heavy romance from previous series installments is dwindling, and in the brief moments between gun battles and explosions when they discuss their difficult relationship, both actors soften the tough talk. Brewer has fun with Grand’s various residents, especially the pompous, coldly homicidal neo-Nazi leader of a militant fringe group staking out in town; several good ole boys, some friendly, some not; and an obnoxious, arrogant billionaire. Cassidy gives voice to the rough but tender sheriff, the billionaire’s entitled wife, a pleasant middle-aged former girlfriend of Blue Man, and a vengeful, vicious killer determined to be a drug kingpin. Brewer and Cassidy’s carefully developed vocal renditions are a perfect fit for Baldacci’s latest. A Grand Central hardcover.