Really good thriller - enjoyed the characterization ( )

When the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in the Santa Monica Mountains, LAPD Detective Jessica Allen knows this isn't the work of a first-time killer.

She's seen this MO before - two and a half years ago on the other side of the country. Allen begins to dig deeper and soon uncovers a terrifying truth. A sadistic serial killer has been operating undetected for the past decade, preying on lone female drivers who have broken down. The press dub the killer 'the Samaritan', but with no leads and a killer who leaves no traces, the police investigation quickly grinds to a halt.

That's when Carter Blake shows up to volunteer his services. He's a skilled manhunter with an uncanny ability to predict the Samaritan's next moves. At first, Allen and her colleagues are suspicious. After all, their new ally shares some uncomfortable similarities to the man they're tracking.

But as the Samaritan takes his slaughter to the next level, Blake is forced to reveal that the similarities between the two men are closer than even Allen suspects. With time running out and an opponent who knows all of his tricks, Blake must find a way to stop the Samaritan ...even if it means bringing his own past crashing down on top of him.

From the author of THE KILLING SEASON comes the thrilling second novel in the Carter Blake series.

The Samaritan by Mason Cross has been published to great acclaim and has a recommendation from the Richard and Judy Book Club, here in the UK, so it must be good!

I loved it: It's everything a good thriller should be, snappy characters, great setting and a cracking storyline that moves along at such an accelerated pace it's almost impossible to catch your breath. Carter Blake is at the centre of this serial killer novel, he is a kind of a Jack Reacher character but without that bullish aggressive nature that always seems to attract a fist fight. He has volunteered his services to two LAPD detectives Allen and Mazzucco in their attempt to find out the identity of a killer known as The Samaritan. Carter recognises his modus operandi and knows the killer as Crozier from his days as a special forces operative codenamed Winterlong.

It is not only important for an author to keep our attention during the telling of his tale but also the real test of a good story is the ability to draw all threads together to create an explosive conclusion. Mason Cross does this with some panache and confidence and produces an ending totally unexpected to me. There is certainly great scope here for further Carter Blake thrillers and I for one will be along for the ride! ( )

My original The Samaritan audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

The Samaritan is the second book written by Scottish author Mason Cross featuring Carter Blake. Carter is a man with a mysterious past who now makes his living by finding people. When he hears news of the search for a killer in LA, he believes the person being sought is someone from his past, so Carter interjects himself in the manhunt. Detective Jessica Allen and her partner are initially wary of Carter’s involvement but need all the help they can get to stop “The Samaritan” who abducts and mutilates lone female drivers.

This follow-up was equally as good and exciting as Mason’s debut and definitely makes him an author that should be on any thriller fan’s radar. The author provided more background information on Carter in this one, so you get more of a feel for him. He’s a totally compelling character and the epitome of ‘cool’. One of the things I really appreciated in this one was the exclusion of any romantic aspect between Carter and the female detective. What you get is a fast paced, action packed thriller with complex characters and twists and turns you won’t see coming. That’s a bunch of clichés, I know, but that’s the best way I can summarize this addictive listen. I think I may have mentioned this previously for book 1, but Mason Cross’ books are like following an action blockbuster in your head. You have enough descriptive passages to visualize the settings, and the interactions between Carter, the detectives and the brutal and crafty killer leave you on the edge of your seat gasping. I was literally listening to this non-stop (with a break to get some sleep).

Eric Meyers once again provided the narration and did an excellent job. Great pacing, believable female voices and strong male voices and no issues with the production. Absolutely solid narration.

Highly recommended for listeners who like thrillers and crime fiction. Start with The Killing Season (book 1), though they work fine as stand alones, and then enjoy The Samaritan.

I can’t wait for book 3, Winterlong, which is due to be published in the UK later this year!

Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher. ( )