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Relentless cover art

Relentless

By: Simon Kernick
Narrated by: Paul Thornley
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Summary

Saturday afternoon: you're with the kids in the garden when the phone rings. It's your best friend from school. Someone you haven't seen for a few years. It should be a friendly call catching up on old times. But it's not. This call is different. Your friend is panting with fear, his breaths coming in tortured, ragged gasps. Someone is inflicting terrible pain on him. He cries out and then he utters six words that will change your life forever...the first two lines of your address.

©2006 Simon Kernick (P)2007 WF Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Phenomenal!" (Evening Standard)

What listeners say about Relentless

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    497
  • 4 Stars
    337
  • 3 Stars
    152
  • 2 Stars
    50
  • 1 Stars
    44
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    421
  • 4 Stars
    210
  • 3 Stars
    74
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    10
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    359
  • 4 Stars
    218
  • 3 Stars
    103
  • 2 Stars
    40
  • 1 Stars
    25

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Absolute Winner!

When buying my monthly allocation of audio titles, I generally opt for those from the Crime & Thrillers section, so have a broad experience of this genre. I hadn't heard of this author before but chose to download this title on the basis that it had been shortlisted for an award and that the sample was tantalising to listen to. My expectations were therefore high and the book far exceeded them. Its pace was truly 'relentless' so much so that at times I was more than reluctant to turn off my iPod. After the book finishes, there is the added bonus of a conversation between the author and the actor who read it and who had done such a masterly job. This nicely rounded-off the positive listening experience I was was so sorry had ended. Thank you Audible, thank you Simon Kernick and and thank you Paul Thornley!

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111 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent twisted plot

At first I thought this was just going to be a light-hearted and forgettable drama but it developed into a fast-paced and enthralling thriller with plenty of plot twists to keep me coming back to listen at every opportunity. The mundane background of the main protagonist and the south east suburban setting add an entertaining and novel dimension. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the various well-rounded characters to life. Highly recommended.

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79 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Loved 'A good day to die' and this was by far better. Fast, pacey and lots of twists. the 'hero' is so much not a hero, as realistic as you will get no superhero stuff just your average IT Consultant who gets scared, confused and angry. his actions are what you will get with a family man who has never been in trouble all his life. No good at this stuff really basically just absolutely loved it, just wish more of Simon Kernick's books get on here as unabridged downloads. A++++

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57 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

The Dan Brown of the Crime World

Cliche crashes headlong into cliche without shame or regard for the sensibilities of the poor reader. The implausible and overtly manufactured plot lurches forward only thanks to the hapless and feckless main protagonists total absence of common sense, intelligence or normal human response. His behaviour is so extremely devoid of reason that it could only have been explained by an extensive subplot detailing a past history of criminal behaviour accompanied by brain injury.

I chose this book based on what seemed to be excellent reviews. If you love Dan Brown then this is the author for you. But if you have even a shred of literary taste and a regard for the style and form of the English language stay far, far away...

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not really relentless

Would you try another book written by Simon Kernick or narrated by Paul Thornley?

Probably not.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The premise was interesting - a good idea that could have been better executed. The story carries you along to some extent but ultimately, for me, it failed to convince. Characterisation was thin and I never really warmed to the characters.

What about Paul Thornley’s performance did you like?

Performance was good except that when in the first person he tended to be a bit whining. Although the character has plenty to whine about I would have expected more nuance given the unexpectedness and trauma of the circumstances he is facing. One other minor irritant was the repeated pronunciation of "Daniels's" rather than "Daniels'."

Was Relentless worth the listening time?

Not really. certainly wouldn't listen for a second time, unlike most of the books I have bought.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Don't bother

This is a poorly written novel full of unnecessary "he said/she said" unconvincing dialogue, very repetitive. The characters were two dimensional and unconvincing. I felt "who cares" . The reader's deadpan delivery added to the boredom. Couldn't be bothered to finish it

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed to say the least 😏

I love this author, Simon Kernick and I especially love Paul Thornley, however, unfortunately the combo didn’t work this time😏 - The story line was OK, but Paul’s main character’s tone just didn’t work for me it simply was to monotoned... Sorry 𗀹

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thrilling tale that keeps one listening

This is the first book, by this author, that I've tried and I'll certainly be buying more as I was hooked from the start by the literally relentless pace of the largely first-person narrative. The style reminded me of Robert Goddard at his best with twists and turns in the fate of the main characters with double-crossing and surprises along the way. The story was so compelling I finished it quickly over a very few days, even though it's a long book. It's excellently read, which always adds to the enjoyment of audio books.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • AB
  • 25-03-19

Superb...

Another super book from Simon Kernick. If you like a fast moving, twisting and turning crime drama, then this will be right up your street.
As the title suggests, this is non stop, and you'll find it very hard to put down!
Great narration from Paul Thornley

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

My Heart Raced Along With The Story

My first Simon Kernick book as recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint!!

I drive alot with work so love my audio books, I found myself sitting in the car when I had arrived as I couldn't bear to turn it off. The narration is perfect for the characters and keeps up with the pace of the story. Well written and read 110% recommend this to anyone who likes a heart racing thriller.

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9 people found this helpful