Swift Vengeance

By: T. Jefferson Parker

Narrated by: Will Damron

In this incendiary thriller from three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker, Roland Ford is hunting down a mysterious killer, jockeying for position with the FBI, and risking everything to save a friend in terrible jeopardy.

Returning hero and private investigator Roland Ford is on the trail of a mysterious killer who is beheading CIA drone operators and leaving puzzling clues at each crime scene. His troubled friend Lindsay Rakes is afraid for her own life and the life of her son after a fellow flight crew member is killed in brutal fashion. Even more terrifying is the odd note the killer left behind: "Welcome to Caliphornia. This is not the last." Ford strikes an uneasy alliance with San Diego-based FBI agent Joan Taucher, who is tough as nails but haunted by what she sees as the Bureau's failure to catch the 9/11 terrorists, many of whom spent their last days in her city. As the killer strikes again, Ford and Taucher dash into the fray, each desperate for their own reasons--each ready to risk it all to stop the killer from doing far more damage.

Critic reviews

Praise for Swift Vengeance

“Roland Ford is a compelling hero: financially comfortable but not emotionally complacent, empathetic and equipped with the training and inclination to vanquish wickedness. Mr. Parker’s devotees should be well-pleased.”--Wall Street Journal

“Non-stop action…[T. Jefferson Parker’s] new series succeeds not only in entertaining but also in challenging readers to ponder the circle of vengeance unleashed by the Iraq war and America's seemingly endless war on terror.”—Associated Press

“Parker remains one of our finest novelists as well as mystery-thriller writers. And in Swift Vengeance, he has fashioned a powerful tale rich in both character and story that makes Roland Ford the modern-day equivalent of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee.”--Providence Journal

“Parker keeps quite a few balls in the air, skillfully steering us toward and away from a batch of possible killers while maintaining a twisty, relentless pace. As a result, his "Vengeance" is swift, indeed."—Minneapolis Star Tribune

"This is one of those rare novels--so cinematic and exciting with vivid characters to care about--that I could not help casting every role as I raced through pages. Hollywood should grab it now!"—Joseph Wambaugh

“Terrific...The hunt for Caliphornia is suspenseful, the backstory behind the threats is disturbingly horrible, and the denouement is scary and satisfying. Parker deepens the narrative with musings on Ford's life, the horrors and ambiguities of the war on terror, and the fine line between justice and vengeance.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Three-time Edgar Award winner Parker delivers another superb, fast-paced noir thriller. Readers of C.J. Box will enjoy the strong character development, while T.C. Boyle fans will appreciate the story line and the atmospheric California setting.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“[Roland Ford] is a kick-ass warrior with a heart of gold...Parker's writing is sharp, and each character in the extended cast is unique and finely nuanced despite the super-fast-paced narrative...This is quintessential California noir.”—Booklist

“Prolific Parker’s impressive prose and skill in sketching concise character portraits makes his complex follow-up to The Room of White Fire an all-too-believable page-turner.”—Kirkus Reviews

Chaise Lounge?

Wasn't there anyone during the recording that could have told the narrator how to pronounce "chaise lounge"? It is not pronounced chez long. I dreaded everytime he mentioned the patio. Waiting for that became more suspenseful than who would get blown up.

Parker at his Best!

Great story. Reminds me of my first Jeff Parker book in 1991. Will Damron was the perfect voice actor! Well done.

Excellent listen.

You are never sure of the outcome. Good pace and descriptive prose. Have number three locked and loaded.

The story and character development were reasonab

The story and character development were reasonable but the narrator was a little lacking in intonation and I think this book would have impressed more with another narrator. If this series continues I'd be happy to consider the next episode if there was an improvement in narration. A second tier effort.

Such great storytelling!

This was my second Roland (Rolling Thunder) King story, and I am hooked. Well read, Will Damon! Compelling prose, T. Jefferson Parker!
Listen to this one, Audible audience!