The Samaritan

By: Stephen Besecker

Narrated by: Bill Lord

After a youth marked by the death of his parents and a childhood spent with his shaman grandfather on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Kevin "Hatch" Easter has found a job he believes in - tracker for the CIA - and a wife, Karen, he cherishes. But his life is shattered on a hot August night in New York City when a mob collection gone wrong leaves three people dead, Karen Easter among them.

Just a few days later, police find the gunman dead, the murder weapon on him, and the criminal case is all but closed. Except someone doesn't buy it. Someone thinks the guilty parties are still out there. And that someone wants revenge.

Now, a highly professional hunter stalks the streets of New York City, taking out anyone who may have had a hand in the murders. Is Kevin Easter the hunter? And if he is, is it the CIA's job to save him - or to kill him?

The Samaritan is a chilling, pulse-pounding novel - a powerful story of love, death, and the terrible repercussions of both.

©2011 Stephen Besecker (P)2014 Bancroft Press

the samaritan

If you could sum up The Samaritan in three words, what would they be?

This is a great thriller that grips the listeners from the moment the mob enters the tavern. Although at times the action seems impossible , the suspenseful story line is fast-paced with a nod to the movie Die Hard, but also contains strong twists.

Twists, Turns, and an Unexpected Finish!

What made the experience of listening to The Samaritan the most enjoyable?

Aside from the story being really interesting, the narrator brought each character to life. When I read words on a page, I don't necessarily "see" the characters in my head. Bill Lord painted a vivid picture of each one of them. By the time I got to the final twist in this compelling plat, I felt as though each character had walked into my own living room to tell me their own story.

What other book might you compare The Samaritan to and why?

I'd compare it to Ludlum's Bourne series. I understand that a sequel to this book is being published. I can't wait to read it! I hope that Kevin Easter will become a regular on my audio bookshelf.

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

I've listened to a couple of other performances by Bill Lord. This is the best yet, not only because of the great material he had to work with, but also because he truly developed each character and carried them through to the end. I don't want to give away any plot secrets, but...expect the unexpected!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

And The Earth Shall Weep

Any additional comments?

I hear that there's going to be a sequel - I can't wait to listen to it. I hope Bill Lord will bring Kevin Easter to life again in the next story!

Cool characters with lots of action!

Well developed characters and story that keeps you guessing. I'd love to read a sequel that takes up where the epilogue leaves off!

I never thought I would sympathize with the mob

Let me admit that this type of novel is not what I usually read but I was intrigued by the synopsis and gave it a shot. And hey, I enjoyed thriller.
Let's start with the story: ever want to know what every character good or bad thought and it felt about their current circumstance? Than this book is for you. Seriously, the amount of characters and the development of each of them is astounding. I never thought I would sympathize with the mob and general under world. But this book did just that.


Now the narrator, Bill Lord, was very skilled at bringing all of these characters to life. The numerous amounts of vocal dialects were spot on but it was his easy listening, general narrator voice that got me hooked. I'll be looking for more of his work.

This book was given to me for an honest review.

The Samaritan

What did you love best about The Samaritan?

Kept me guessing. How interesting, a thriller for surely this was a love story, a mob story, a murder, a mystery, something for everyone. Very interesting.