The Caller by Chris Carter

The Caller is book 8 in this series. But it's the first I've read of this author. When I say 'read' I mean 'listened to, as I had the audiobook. 

It's a pity this book sucked as the premise was great. A killer finds people to kill and adds a touch of torture for friends or family. By video call, the victim's friend or whatever is asked a series of three questions, and every wrong answer ends in the victim suffering and dying. 

One day, he video calls Mr. Jay. Mr. Jay doesn't like watching his wife get killed because he can't answer one question. Mr. Jay is a hitman for a cartel and knows how to find people. It is his job. 

Throw in the mix, two cops, Detective Robert Hunter, and Carlos Garcia. Hunter seems to know a lot. 

One of the letdowns in this book is his Captain needs to be told how a stalker acts, and the mind behind such acts. Shouldn't the Captain have a rudimentary understanding of that?  He explains a lot. 

Another letdown of this book is the narrator (Thomas Judd). His voice sounds dull, and drones on. He seems uninspired with this project and just wants to get it done. This is the main reason I couldn't get into this book. 

The killings were great, but the rest was dull. 

Two stars for the murders only. 

The Devil's Stop by Scott Blade

 

The Devil's Stop is a thriller that starts a bit like Rambo, in that a sheriff stops to chat with a drifter and sends him off in the opposite direction. But Jack is on a mission, and that is to visit as many towns and places across the US that has "devil" in the name. 

He is an ex-navy Seal, when he left he had nothing to do, no plan, zip. Until he sees a sign with the name "devil" in it and wonders how many places in the US have a devil, or reference it, in their name. 

Apparently, there are quite a few.

Hell's Bent is on the ass-end of North America. It borders a massive forest that can take one to Canada. 

The town has a few secrets. An unnamed grave, many bikers have just left, and more bikers are moving in. 

He stops for breakfast at a diner and asks about the grave. The reception turns cold and some truckers want him to leave. 

In town, he helps an old couple with a heavy box. He sees a very pregnant woman get off the train (bus?) and the truckers circle him. 

And that's where the story kicks off.  

Scott Blade has written a killer of a story. The hero isn't Superman, just a well trainer Seal, retired. But he knows weapons, he knows how to follow a trail, and spring surprises. But so does the man he is hunting. 

Some of this story is quite gruesome according to some. I didn't think so. I also felt it was believable and in many ways reminded me of Jack Reacher. 

This is book 10 in a series. I had no idea. It reads like an individual book. There's no need to read others before this (like Jack Reacher).