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The Ascent

By: Adam Plantinga
Narrated by: Charles Halford, Christine Lakin
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Publisher's summary

When a high security prison fails, a down-on-his luck cop and the governor’s daughter must team up if they’re going to escape in this "jaw-dropping, authentic, and absolutely gripping" (Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author) bestselling thriller from Adam Plantinga, whose first nonfiction book Lee Child praised as “truly excellent.”

Kurt Argento, an ex-Detroit street cop who can’t let injustice go—and who has the fighting skills to back up his idealism.

If he sees a young girl being dragged into an alley, he's going to rescue her and cause some damage.

When he does just that in a small corrupt Missouri town, he’s brutally beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison.

Julie Wakefield, a grad student who happens to be the governor's daughter, is about to take a tour of the prison. But when a malfunction in the security system releases a horde of prisoners, a fierce struggle for survival ensues.

Argento must help a small band of staff and civilians, including Julie and her two state trooper handlers, make their way from the bottom floor to the roof to safety.

All that stands in their way are six floors of the most dangerous convicts in Missouri.

©2024 Adam Plantinga (P)2024 Grand Central Publishing
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Critic reviews

The Ascent is jaw-dropping, authentic, and absolutely gripping.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of I Will Find You

“Adam Plantinga’s debut thriller, THE ASCENT, is a nail-biting ride out of Hell itself. It’s Dante’s Inferno—but with gangs, corruption, bone-breaking brawls, and a kick-ass, determined police officer struggling through it all to save another. It reads with raw authenticity and brutal honesty. Don’t miss this debut of a new crime-thriller star!”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Kingdom of Bones

"Damn! I had to hold onto this one for dear life. THE ASCENT is a ferociously propulsive thriller. Plantinga creates a haunted house of horrors that’s utterly convincing, while at the same time keeping the focus on complex, layered, and engaging characters. An outstanding debut crime novel."—Lou Berney, Edgar award-winning author of November Road

What listeners say about The Ascent

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Far from boring!

Whoa! This book was far from boring. It’s a story I hope never comes true. I read based on one recommendation and have no regrets.

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Great Story, terrible narration.

This was a great story with excellent characters, but the narration by a man and woman for the same characters led to two different voices for all the characters, one female and one male. This is a terrible why to present the story and very difficult to enjoy it.

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Gripping thriller

This was definitely a gripping thriller. I loved the characters and couldn’t stop listening to it. A great debut novel!

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Excellent Listen

Got this book on a audible daily deal. Great listen! Narrators are excellent. Will look for other books by this author.

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Difficult To Put Down

A fascinating character. A standup guy who is falsely accused of dirty deeds. His journey through the prison system will keep you reading to find out if, when and how he might survive.,,if that is even possible.

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Great story with excellent narration! Author’s training and experience shows!

Believable story that was not overdone! Please write more. You have a fan! Oro en Paz!

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Amazing book!

The Ascent is a well written story with interesting characters sprinkled with compelling insights only a real cop could know. I loved this book.

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Very Fun

This isn't my normal genre but heard the author on a podcast and the book sounded like it would be a nice change of pace. It was. I may have neglected my family slightly as i binged this story in a day and a morning and look forward to the next book in the series.

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Engrossing!

The main character reminds me of Reacher. Tough, funny with integrity and just the right balance of irreverence. Colorful, fascinating characters going through a seemingly impossible situation.

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Immediate captivating plot

A favorite subject for many of us is justice. It’s a central theme here. Not necessarily completely achieved, but definitely pursued. Well read And quick to follow.

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