No Mercy

A Jonathan Grave Thriller, Book 1

By: John Gilstrap

Narrated by: Basil Sands

Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

When those inside the corridors of power need help outside the law, they know who to call. Jonathan Grave, covert rescue specialist, always gets results. No names. No feds. No trace evidence.

When an Indiana college student is abducted, Jonathan and his team of ace operatives unravel a deadly scheme the government wants ignored. Someone wants to control a devastating secret. Someone rich, powerful, and willing to kill anyone to get it. Even the people Jonathan loves most.

©2009 John Gilstrap, Inc. (P)2021 Tantor

Good story but narration is terrible

Narrator is really bad. His voice inflection as he reads is almost monotone or like he’s always asking a question. I wanted to like it but just couldn’t get past the voice. Got a refund.

Basil Sands' narration makes this story...

“No Mercy” was my first John Gilstrap novel and certainly not my last. Because I prefer reading hardcovers, most, not all of Gilstrap’s Jonathan Grave series has been listened to via audiobooks via voice actor Basil Sands. This thriller was extremely well written and plotted with such thoughtfulness that I was utterly transfixed from the first chapter. The characters are given a depth and sense of presence that make them truly stand out and force you to care about them and their plight. I was particularly impressed with the subtle flaws of the main character, Jonathan “Digger” Grave, a former Delta Force operator, now hostage rescue specialist. He understands and even admits to his own flaws but doesn't necessarily try to correct them. He's a unique and fascinating character and the true driving force behind the series. You get the sense that he does what he does not just because he's good at it, but because at his core he's got a very firm belief in right and wrong. He's a chameleon in life, and only his closest friends and associates are privy to his secrets, but even they are kept at arm’s length when pain and death are visited upon him. He is the perfect hero, he’s also sort of an egotistical jerk - but in a mostly likable way, but in a very believable one. No Mercy reads like a really good action flick. The dialogue flows beautifully and the action scenes are realistic and plausible. A good thriller rides on its protagonist and “Digger” Grave is a good ride! I can’t say enough good about the character development of Jonathan Grave. He is the real deal! This story is nonstop action that's graphic enough to put the listener in the middle of it all but doesn't fall into the lazy writer's habit of using excessive gore for shock effect. No Mercy audiobook is an excellent ‘re-read’ by Basil Sands who does a wonderful job narrating. An earlier and previous narration was so bad, it ‘had’ to be re-read! And Sands was the voice to re-do it. His narration makes it the success that it is! Gilstrap’s Jonathan Grave’s series is one of my top favorite series. Well worth a read or listen…

Need to add female narrator for women's voices

The book was fine. The narrator was great for the tough-guy male characters, but it was irritating to hear strong female characters reduced to whiney sniveling wimps. Please add a separate narrator for female characters.

Good action

Good action and tension that kept you interested in the book and kept you wanting to come back for more. I'll definitely consider this author again

Kind of boring

The narrator was annoying, attempting to make different voices to include women. They all sounded like the same person.

Hard to get use to this narrator

Took nearly the entire book for me to become comfortable with this narrator. Book is good though.

Description of the military action put you right in the middle of it!

I initially thought I wouldn’t like the narrator but he grew on me and I decided that he was ok!

Sounds like a preacher telling the story

Good story. Not a fan of the performer. Sounds like he was preaching during the narrative

Great book!!!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Love the characters and the plot. It has me looking for other titles by this author. This is a definite buy!

Captivating

I found this book to be entertaining for the entire read. I will check out other John Gilstrap books