The Old Man

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

To all appearances, Dan Chase is a harmless retiree in Vermont with two big mutts and a grown daughter he keeps in touch with by phone. But most 60-year-old widowers don't have multiple driver's licenses, savings stockpiled in banks across the country, and a bugout kit with two Beretta Nanos stashed in the spare bedroom closet. Most have not spent decades on the run.

Thirty-five years ago, as a young hotshot in army intelligence, Chase was sent to Libya to covertly assist a rebel army. When the plan turned sour, Chase reacted according to his own ideas of right and wrong, triggering consequences he could never have anticipated. And someone still wants him dead because of them. Just as he had begun to think himself finally safe, Chase must reawaken his survival instincts to contend with the history he has spent his adult life trying to escape. Armed mercenaries, spectacularly crashed cars, a precarious love interest, and an unforgettable chase scene through the snow - this is lethal plotting from one of the best in crime fiction.

©2017 Thomas Perry (P)2017 Tantor

Good not Great

After reading the reviews I expected a Great story and narration, I got good. The story certainly added new twists to the old story where an old employer goes after a former employee but sometimes it seemed like the old man was too perfect. Maybe not enough tension. The action scenes are quick and don't dominate the novel which is ok ... the characters are a bit superficial, we know things about them but we don't necessarily know them. This is a good story just not great.

former CIA operative disappears again~5 STARS~

plot: Dan Chase is around 60 years old but his past finally catches up with him~again.

Dan Chase lives a quiet life with his two dogs. He is a former CIA operative who has disappeared many times. He is wanted by both the feds and hired killers after the 20 million he has stolen. 20 years ago....after a pay off goes wrong in Libya he is hunted by the feds who label him a loose canon because he kept the money. 20 years later he has lived a quiet life....until he is found again. A hired killer invades his house and trips over his neatly placed fishing line, Dan kills him and is soon on the run to yet another ID and slick escape. This is very well done. Dan is a very likable and methodical man who lives by his escape plans. As he goes into a new id and relationships he blends due to his meticulous planning. This is an excellent story. The reader is both entertaining and holds the interest. The story combines Dan's past and his future and his nifty escapes into a very good story that holds the interest from beginning to end. 5 STARS all the way.

Another great story by Thomas Perry

loved all 3 characters as well as the intricate plot. Fast moving story I had to stay up late to finish

Almost fantastic-4.5 stars

What did you love best about The Old Man?

The story was intricate and well thought out. Except for one item. About 2 hours from the end we find out some details of Zoey McDonald's early adulthood. Without giving up details, I will simply say that it is ridiculous. Her father, in the military, would not have done what he did. Other than that, I thought Mr. Perry closed loops and tied things together in wonderful fashion.

What did you like best about this story?

He created complexity in the characters. Too many books in this genre rely on plot to the exclusion of adding depth to characters.

Which character – as performed by Peter Berkrot – was your favorite?

Julian Carson

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

The Old Man and Zoey was "troubling", not in a bad way.

Any additional comments?

I'd love to read a sequel where the Old Man and Julian Carson get together for some common purposes.
The national security agents, Waters, Prentiss, etc. were all exactly the same. All five of them delivered their lines with calm menace and the same accents. Got to be monotonous.

WOW! FABULOUS!

I listen to a book a day on average. I had started to think I had listened to some books previously because they were so alike. Not this one! It's unique and a total pleasure to listen to. I think I listened at 1.25 speed some of the time.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️