Black List: A Thriller [Hardcover]

Brad Thor (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 24, 2012

A stunning masterwork of action, intrigue, and ingenious plot twists.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor returns with his most explosive thriller ever. Somewhere deep inside the United States government is a closely guarded list. Members of Congress never get to see it—only the President and a secret team of advisers. Once your name is on the list, it doesn’t come off . . . until you’re dead.

Someone has just added counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath’s name.

Somehow Harvath must evade the teams dispatched to kill him long enough to untangle who has targeted him and why they want him out of the way.

Somewhere, someone, somehow can put all the pieces together. The only question is, will Harvath get to that person before the United States suffers the most withering terrorist attack ever conceived?

An intense, page-turning novel that is action-packed and frighteningly real, Black List blurs the line between fiction and reality and once again reaffirms why Brad Thor “is arguably the best thriller writer of our time” (Suspense Magazine) and “America’s favorite author” (KTTX).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Brad Thor] is arguably the best thriller writer of our time." --Suspense Magazine

“Thor has mastered thriller storytelling with fast pacing and plots that are relevant to American readers." --The Miami Herald

"Anyone who thinks the only thing to fear is fear itself should meet Brad Thor." --Newsweek

About the Author

Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Full Black, The Athena Project, Foreign Influence, The Apostle, The Last Patriot, The First Commandment, Takedown, Blowback (recognized by NPR as one of the "100 Best Thrillers of All Time"), State of the Union, Path of the Assassin, and The Lions of Lucerne. Visit his website at BradThor.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books; First Edition edition (July 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781439192986
• ISBN-13: 978-1439192986
• ASIN: 1439192987
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (651 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The publication of BLACK LIST marked a milestone for me - my 12th - and I think my best thriller yet. For 2013, I'm kicking off an exciting challenge--The Ultimate Reader Experience-- by inviting readers old and new to start or re-start my Scot Harvath series together; reading one book per month in order.

And to make it even more interesting, I have personally revisited each book to bring you enhanced content that will enrich your reading experience, give you a behind-the-scenes look at each novel, and broaden your understanding of what makes Scot Harvath and the other characters tick, as well as why I do what I do.

Over the next twelve months, you will get to know some of the experts who help with my novels, more about the real life facts I base my "Faction" on and, if we're lucky, even a few insider interviews with the man I call the "real Scot Harvath."

You will see events, places, gadgets, tactical and cultural references that relate to each book, which will help you visualize being a part of the action.

I will feature a host of fun bonus information, giveaways, and lots of new questions for the Book Club Guide - all for your reading and discussion pleasure. Every step of the way, including the launch of my new thriller, HIDDEN ORDER (July 2013), I'll be right there with you, sharing my own personal insights.

You won't want to miss a month, or even a moment of what we have planned - including our newsletter, which will bring you exciting exclusive content each month.

So, make your New Year's resolution to read a Brad Thor novel each month, and enjoy a year full of Thrills, Threats, and Thor.

Please come visit me at BradThor.com to learn more.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#16 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#25 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#29 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#33 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#39 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#16 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#25 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#29 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#33 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#39 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

218 of 252 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely SHOCKING--and utterly compelling. July 24, 2012

By Jeff Edwards VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I'd like to begin by taking a moment to mention those who have taken the time to mess with the average reviews of this book who have yet to crack open a single page--whether it be real or virtual. When is amazon going to abolish these enormous jokes once and for all? The author has NOTHING to do (for the vast majority) with e-book pricing. And yet kindle owner after whining kindle owner cannot STOP themselves from bitching about the price of a book they haven't even read in a space DESIGNED to review the CONTENT of the novel they are complaining about.

With that said, I DO feel that the pricing CAN be unfair--especially since the cost to just COPY an e-book is ridiculously low compared with actual printing. The pricing does seem excessive, but then again, so does gas, and yet we continue to pay it--and as long as people pay for it, the pricing won't be going down anytime soon. Gee, nobody is forcing these whining babies to BUY anything. So quit yer bitchin' okay?

On with an ACTUAL review...of a book I actually READ... Brad has been slowly, but definitely improving his writing since releasing his first novel some years back featuring Scot Harvath (Lions of Lucerne). Black List is at once amazingly compelling, and yet shockingly frightening at the same time. It really shouldn't surprise me that the Government has the ability to essentially spy on me at any given moment for however long they want--and yet as I read this absolutely riveting story, it scared the living H#!! outta me. This kind of power in the wrong hands (ie the US Government) can be used to justify incredibly shocking things. I have a hard time imagining my OWN Government may be involved in this manner, and yet I see how the country is going and how those in so-called power have abused it, and can hardly imagine how they haven't somehow used that power to do horrific and illegal things.

Scot Harvath is one bad mutha...he occupies the same elite circles as some of my all-time favorite fictional characters like James Bond, Kirk McGarvey, Jack Ryan, Dirk Pitt and soforth. The thing I really like about Scot is how human he seems to be even in the midst of terrible, life-altering situations. Sure, there is a certain amount of impossibility you have to factor into these storylines in order to achieve the action that todays readers require, but unlike a lot of the hero's that you read about, Scot just remains a cool dude. A man's man that you'd like to have as a friend, one you could call upon when needed--or at least one that you would LIKE to be able to call upon.

The story literally moves with the speed of an ICBM and rarely--if ever--lets up. Scots life is in grave peril from almost the very first page, and the list he finds himself on is nothing short of impossible to get away FROM--at least not without being dead, first. And yet Scot has no other choice but to find those responsible for having him placed ON the Black List and exposing them and as usual, make them PAY. Along the way we have twists, turns and the usual air of authenticity that comes from one who has obviously done his homework. There is GOOD reason why Brad Thor is spoken of as the 21st Century's Robert Ludlum--he really IS that good (and many would say better). If you want to read a cutting edge-of-your-seat techno-thriller, FORGET the terrible Bourne Identity sequels (starting with the Bourne Legacy), read some books by an author who really KNOWS how to raise your blood pressure with the careful use of the English language. A talent that is sorely lacking in the thriller genre these days...and yet one that Mr. Thor has in abundance.

This is Thor's BEST book to date, and that is saying a lot considering what he's written before. Black List is not only good, its stunningly great, and deserves much exposure if for no other reason than to educate American citizens of what our own Government is capable of. Knowledge is power, and to have too much is frightening, indeed. Kudo's Brad for yet ANOTHER winner. Now get on with your writing and give us another hum-dinger, okay?

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ AUTHOR , CAN NOT STOP READING July 24, 2012

By Craig C. Long

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been reading every book Brad Thor has publish, if you want a roller coaster ride that will not stop and make you think at every hair pin turn then read this book and like me I read "The Athena Project" and got hooked and started reading all the books from the beginning just to get ready for Full Black and Black LIST, This is a must read!!!!

62 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Brother is a bad sibling... July 26, 2012

By Jason Frost TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"All of the technology contained in this novel is based upon systems currently being deployed, or in the final stages of development, by the United States government and its partners."

... and thus begins `Black List' by Brad Thor. I have never read a book that started like the opening sentence and have it turn out bad. This book continues that streak... in spades. To say this story opens with a shocker would be an unforgiveable understatement, so I'll just say that you will NOT be prepared for what awaits. While I'm a huge fan of all of Brad's work, I haven't gotten that "special feeling" about one of his books since `The Last Patriot'. Now to be clear for the slow ones (IE: Kindle owners complaining about price), I have loved each and every one of Brad's books, but every author has one (or two) books in their repertoire that shines just a little bit brighter than the rest. Stephen King has `The Stand', Eric Jerome Dickey has `The Other Woman', Steve Alten has `Grim Reaper', Danielle Steele has... (No. Not a chance), and Brad has `Black List'.

This go round, Harvath goes up against a power greater than anything he's faced yet. How great? Well... they have put Harvath on a list of people to be killed. Usually Harvath is the executer of list such as these but this time, he's the mouse. Per se'. The engineers of this list are a group called the ATS. This group has so MUCH power, so MUCH influence that it's rumored that God calls them before he allows it to rain on D.C. Unfortunately, people who have access to this much power usually don't have access to morals. Think of every terrorist attack that you know of, including 9-11, and multiply it by ten, and you might get close to the type of damage the ATS is planning for America. The only thing that makes it worse is that these are AMERICAN'S that have hatched this plan.

OK actually there is one more thing: (read the first sentence of this review).

We'd like to think that something like this is only achievable in sci-fi novels. It's not. We're on the Autobahn toward an attack like this as we speak. The overall premise to this book is the gathering and use of our digital data. Text messages, internet searches, GPS, eMails, downloads, everything is being watched. Everything is being recorded. Everything is being cataloged. I know you're saying that "yeah I've heard all this before". No. You haven't. Not like this. This book goes way beyond just being illegally tracked by our government. This book deals with what would/could happen if the power mongers who paid their way into office decided to make something happen.

Big Brother is watching, we all know that. What we don't know, or don't care to know, is to what extent? And what happens if Big Brother is a sadistic, power hungry sibling with an unlimited expense account? `Black List' tells us what the history is, what the current state is, and what the future will be like if we (the knowing public) continue to be more concerned about the next `Words With Friends' update than the next "internet security" bill being passed.

This book is blazing fast, even for Thor. And that's good because Harvath is being chased something fierce. When everything we do is monitored is it almost impossible to stay off the grid. Even more impossible... tracking down the guys controlling the grid who are also teamed up with the guys that are the architectures of the grid. This is bone fide Brad Thor book with all the globe hopping, covert operations, shady useless politicians, double taps to the head, up close kills, adrenaline on adrenaline, and pulse pounding storytelling that, if it cause my heart to race as I read, it must cause Brad a near heart attack when writing it.

If the technology written about in this book is true, and I'm 100% sure that it is; so too must be the men and women tasked to use it. And to protect us from it. Thank God for them and their love of America. The proof is in their blood, their sweat, their tears, and their lost lives.