Book description
Soft Target - A Pulse-Pounding Auditory Thriller
Stephen Hunter's Soft Target lands on the ears with all the swagger and grit that have become his trademark, and it does so in a way that feels both fresh and familiar to longtime fans. From the very first page (or rather, the first track), you can hear why Ray Cruz, son of ex-Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, is a compelling protagonist: Hunter's narration gives him a steady, unflappable cadence that mirrors his military precision.
The story itself is a feverish chase set inside America's Mall-a labyrinthine shopping paradise turned hostage theatre. The sheer scale of the setting-ten thousand shoppers and a dozen assassins-creates an almost cinematic tension. As the audio unfolds, you can almost feel the crowds shifting, the elevator doors sliding shut, and the quiet dread that hangs in the air before the first shot rings out.
What makes this audiobook shine is Hunter's skillful pacing. He balances high-octane action with moments of quiet introspection, letting listeners breathe between heart-pounding sequences. The dialogue is crisp; each character has a distinct voice, making it easy to follow the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that unravel as Cruz navigates the mall's corridors.
The narration team deserves special mention. Their performance captures the urgency of every gunshot and the subtle emotions behind Cruz's resolve. When the "Brigade Mumbai" is introduced, you can feel the tension rising-thanks to a perfectly timed pause and an emphasis on key words that heighten suspense without overdoing it.
Fans of Hunter's previous work will recognize the familiar themes: a lone hero confronting a larger conspiracy, a meticulously planned mission, and a moral code that refuses to bend. Yet Soft Target adds its own twist by placing the action in a public, everyday environment-turning a mall into a stage for high-stakes drama.
In sum, this audiobook delivers all the elements of an action thriller-intense plot twists, a well-crafted protagonist, and a setting that feels both ordinary and ominous-wrapped in a narration that keeps listeners glued from start to finish. If you enjoy adrenaline-filled storytelling with a steady, believable voice, Soft Target is an excellent addition to your audiobook collection.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience