Picks up after tedious start

The first couple of hours in this book were hard to get through. The best way I could describe it is a "slow-speed car chase." I'm not a big fan of high-speed car chases so this stepped-down version bordered on brutal. As the venue changed, the book became more palatable. This was my first Nathan McBride listen and I'm likely to try another. It was hard for me to disassociate this listen from the Jack Reacher series, no so much for the character and plot, but because of Dick Hill's narration which was good. The bad guy in this novel was truly bad, which I liked. The plot was somewhat convoluted and strained credulity but, hey, it's a novel. Fans of mystery/thrillers will be satisfied with this listen.

6 people found this helpful

A perfect combination

What did you love best about Option to Kill?

I couldn't wait for the next Nathan McBride book. The only downside was that I couldn't stop listening ... And it was over all to soon ... And now I am waiting again!

It didn't disappoint. If possible it just keeps getting better. Great characters, both old and new - I LOVE both Nathan and Harv, Stone and Granger. And Jin and Lauren are great adds. Fantastic detail, intriguing yet plausible plots. Love the series!

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

I have listened to many Dick Hill narrations. In fact, searching by his name is how I discovered Andrew Peterson - and other authors who would soon become favorites. He is my favorite narrator, who is especially talented at defining each character with tone, cadence and attitude which both perfectly fits the character, brings them to life, and helps the story flow easily.

This is another excellent narration.

14 people found this helpful

An Outstanding Story with Engaging Characters

Based on the first review of this book, I purchased it to see if the review was accurate. I'm familiar with this author and found it difficult to believe he'd create an unlikable character. My instincts were correct.

Lauren is a twelve-year-old girl who's been kidnapped. Despite being stressed to the breaking point, she's poised and collected. She's not whiney at all, just the opposite. Sure, she's uneasy from her situation (who wouldn't be?) and has to trust a complete stranger (Nathan) but I think she's charming, intelligent, and capable. Part of the the intrigue, is how Nathan and Lauren must learn to trust each other and I think Mr.Peterson did a masterful job developing their relationship!

OPTION TO KILL is a departure for this author and I admire how he's avoided being formulaic with his story telling. We never leave Nathan's perspective in OPTION so the listener unravels the story alongside Nathan.

It's a fast-paced adventure that also reveals a deeper part if Nathan that I didn't know existed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to more stories from Mr. Peterson. Keep up the great work! And Dick is simply amazing! This was a challenging project for him and I couldn't be happier with the result!

22 people found this helpful

Came in at the middle, I guess

This is apparently one of those series where you have to start with the first book. As it is, I feel like I walked into the middle of the movie, starting with this #3 book. There's just no background information offered that makes anything else make sense: who is this man with the (apparently) scarred face? We have only the barest explanation, and there's no explanation for the scars -- and he gets testy when "the girl" asks. Why would this man immediately, and without question, put his life on the line on the basis of one anonymous phone call? From someone he's never even heard of, let alone met? What's the basis of this mysterious partnership he has with another (absent) man? What do they do, and why? Okay, he's a "private investigator" -- but how many PI's would act as MacBride does, on NO information -- let alone no promise of any kind of payment?

Beyond that, this "Nathan MacBride" is a little tough to deal with. He's constantly issuing terse orders: "Don't touch me". "Don't come up behind me". "Don't talk to me." "Don't ever wake me up." And gets downright nasty if the poor kid forgets. The girl, for her part, has some oddities herself. There she is, 12 years old, has mastered all kinds of things, electronics, the solar system, cooking, guns and ammunition, etc etc. She mastered an entire series of hand signals in "less than a minute", we're told. But yet she doesn't understand the word "intangible"? That word she has to have explained to her? Doesn't make sense.

If you like cat-and-mouse thrillers, and don't need to know who any of the characters are, or why they're either running or being chased, this is probably a pretty good book. Lots of techno-geek stuff, lots of tense chases over hill and dale. But if you need to know a little more about who, what and why anybody is doing anything, then either skip this book, or maybe start with the first book in the series. I'm not going to pursue this series any farther, but I can understand it has an audience.

15 people found this helpful

I would listen to Dick Hill read the phone book

Nathan McBride is a good, solid character. Story holds close to Jack Reacher novel. A series also read by Dick Hill. Mr. Hill makes the material better. Like a great actor he can make a good story great. No wonder he has won so many audible awards. If there is a better reader--I have not heard them yet. Very entertaining and now I want to hear the other two books in this series.

9 people found this helpful

option to kill

What made the experience of listening to Option to Kill the most enjoyable?

this is the third book in the nathan mcbride series. it is not as good as the first two, however it is still a worthwhile listen. if you never had kids then it may not be for you. one reviewer said that he thought the girl whinned throughout the story, but i didn't see it that way at all. it was a good book that as in the first two kept me not wanting to put in down. listened to it in three days. i would recommend it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

make the 12 year old girl a little less bright. i have no doubt that there are very smart 12 yr olds, just not this sharp about tactacles would be more realistic

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

yes many. i very much enjoy dick hill as a narrator. he and scott brick are probably my favs

7 people found this helpful

a great thriller

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it has a great action without being bogged down with to much detail.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, Peterson did a great job blending all the scenes together. The suspense of the gun battles, being on the run, and the mysteries behind the characters combined together to provide a great balance that made it hard to stop listening.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Yes, no complaints. There were occasional background noises but it didn't really effect the performance.

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

No. At least not emotionally. I could relate to some of Nathan's internal dialog and so it did make me think about some things.

Any additional comments?

The greatest factor for giving this book five stars were the new characters. I hope Peterson plans to make them to into major characters in future books. Nathan Mcbride needs all the help he can get ...

9 people found this helpful

Kidnapped child

When I read the first book in this series I was trying out a new author, and was happy with the book, we are now at book three and I must say I am delighted with the series so far. Dick Hill is one of my favorite narrators and he did his usual great job with this book. I like the way Peterson stays with the story from Nathan McBride's view point and I don't have to balance a number of side stories or view points along the way. This book is all action from the very first sentence. The suspense builds as the story goes along and you can not stop listening. Nathan gains a half sister and a niece in this story and some of the characters from prior books are included it this one. Can not wait for the next book in the series to come out.

9 people found this helpful

Where was Harve? The whiner niece has to go

I thought they were a team (Nathan & Harve) but they bring in a whiney niece
who drags the story down. All she does is whine. I loved the first
two books but I must say this is a dud. Don't waste your
money. I'm sending this book back. Sorry Mr. Peterson
More Harve and less whine.

13 people found this helpful

Best yet.

I still have a problem with the narrator's heavy NY or NJ accent, but this is my favorite in the series so far. It exposes a new, softer side of Nathan not seen to this level before. Great store and I hope adds a couple new chararters to the series.

1 person found this helpful