The Escape Audiobook By David Baldacci cover art

The Escape

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The Escape

By: David Baldacci
Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy
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About this listen

David Baldacci is one of the world's most popular storytellers. In his blockbuster thrillers Zero Day and The Forgotten, listeners met John Puller. A combat veteran and special agent with the U.S. Army, Puller is the man they call to investigate the toughest crimes facing the nation. But all his training, all his experience, all his skills will not prepare him for his newest case, one that will force him to hunt down the most formidable and brilliant prey he has ever tracked: his own brother.

The Escape

It's a prison unlike any other. Military discipline rules. Its security systems are unmatched. None of its prisoners dream of escaping. They know it's impossible.

Until now.

John Puller's older brother, Robert, was convicted of treason and national security crimes. His inexplicable escape from prison makes him the most-wanted criminal in the country. Some in the government believe that John Puller represents their best chance at capturing Robert alive, and so Puller takes on the burden of bringing his brother in to face justice.

But Puller quickly discovers that there are others pursuing his brother, who only see Robert as a traitor and are unconcerned if he survives. Puller is in turn pushed into an uneasy, fraught partnership with another agent, who may have an agenda of her own.

They dig more deeply into the case together, and Puller finds that not only are her allegiances unclear, but that there are troubling details about his brother's conviction....and that someone is out there who doesn't want the truth to ever come to light. As the nationwide manhunt for Robert grows more urgent, Puller's masterful skills as an investigator and strength as a fighter may not be enough to save his brother - or himself.

©2014 David Baldacci (P)2014 Hachette Audio
Espionage Fiction International Mystery & Crime Military Suspense War & Military Runaway Exciting

What listeners say about The Escape

Highly rated for:

Suspenseful Plot Intriguing Twists Great Narration Complex Hero Emotional Brotherly Dynamic Compelling Mystery
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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story and a crafted ending

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

very good effort

What about Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy ’s performance did you like?

They work well together and by having them both as narrators the flow of the book is enhanced

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Because of a personal life situation the scene with the two men and their Dad was emotional for me; so much so that tears flowed.

Any additional comments?

I would hope to have the opportunity to share another adventure with the books main character.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Baldacci Gets Better and Better

This is one of the Puller stories and even better than the ones before. Baldacci is honing his writing craft well and varying the characters well. Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy read the books extremely well with exactly the correct tones and emphasis.

Well worth the credit and the wait!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Words are not enough to ... :)

Where does The Escape rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best book I have ever listened to. I've listen to it three times since buying it. In one word, WOW!

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

McLarty and Cassidy are never a disappointment. I look forward to their pairing.
Words can't describe how excellent this book is. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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

No tears. Baldacci at his best. John at his best and the lead female-- she doesn't die- yet.

Any additional comments?

I liked all of the Vince Flynn books and shave listened to them in withdrawal. I love this series and this book. Well worth the time of the listen and price.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Stretches my power of belief

Where does The Escape rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

somewhere in the middle. It is a good story, the reading is adequate, but it doesn't top the charts.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Baldacci? Why or why not?

I've read them all so far, no sense stopping now.

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy – was your favorite?

I liked John the best. He's quite an extraordinary ordinary man. He's complex, introspective and exactly they guy you want in a fight.

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

Only at the end in the scene with the father and sons.

Any additional comments?

Stories that rely on last second saving the world are a tired conceit. This one used the mechanism more than once. Once, I can forgive. The plot twists were hard to swallow at times, even to keep the story going. I do like how the brothers have developed over the series. I do look forward to more adventures with them.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Money is the Root of This Crime

Robert Puller was convicted of treason and national security crimes. He was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Robert was in a military prison where no man had ever escaped. However, Robert did escape and set out to prove his innocence, something that he had never thought would be possible. His brother, John Puller, has a formidable investigation ahead of him. He is considered to be at the pinnacle of his career as an Army investigator. However, John would now be hunting for his own brother, who he has sworn to find and bring in.

John Puller had been in Afghanistan at the time Robert had been charged and convicted with treason and national security crimes. It was only when John returned from being overseas did he learn of John's fate. He visited Robert often but they never discussed his guilt or innocence.

John had only been on the case for a few days when Veronica Knox approached him. Veronica informed him that she would be working with him until the investigation was over. John didn't know what to say without expressing his disbelief that anyone would consider that he couldn't manage the investigation on his own. He had some concerns about her intentions while the investigation was in operation. Was she a spy and would she harm Robert and himself if she thought it was necessary? He was confused about this because she could be very convincing that she was on his side and then another situation would arise and he'd be questioning his trust of Veronica.

The book, The Escape, was well written and a very good listen. The story was not a straight forward who done it mystery. There were many twists and turns that made the book quite interesting. There was suspense and action. The book involves characters of the three lettered abbreviation units of the government. The main character's were well developed but many of them were not but they were important to the story. The narrator's did a fair job. I was unable to distinguish the male character's, especially John and Robert. I would encourage other listener's to purchase this book. It took me a little time to become invested into continuing the book but once it gets going you'll want to continue listening until the end. I enjoyed the ending.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

absolutely masterful

loved it,
couldn't put it down. the characters actually seem to come to life. outstanding0

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Want more of Puller

Want more about the Puller family. This was the best book of the series. Left you wanting more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

escape into action

can't put this one down and when finished anxious for next. must read or listen

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good Story. Narration A Bit Underwhelming.

This is one of Baldacci's better stories. Plenty of plot, with tasty twists and turns. A satisfying listen.

McLarty has a great voice, but is pretty sloppy....misses the plain meaning of many sentences (or is distracted), mispronounces words, etc. This project needed a producer riding herd to catch these things.

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Listen Now

Liked. Very much overall. Great story. Highly recommend. Best mystery writer. Too much for you??

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