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  • Title: Target
  • Author: David Baldacci
  • Narrator: Orlagh Cassidy, Ron McLarty
  • Length: 13:00:00
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 22/04/2014
  • Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Espionage, International Mystery, Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Espionage, International Mystery
  • ISBN13: 9.78E+12
Hola, fellow travelers and tale-chasers,

It’s not every day you stumble upon an audiobook that feels like a high-stakes journey through a world of shadows and secrets, but “Target” by David Baldacci, narrated by the dynamic duo of Orlagh Cassidy and Ron McLarty, is exactly that. The story unfolds like a dusty map unrolled across a table in some dimly lit cantina, revealing a perilous mission that Will Robie and Jessica Reel – two assassins with souls as sharp as their skills – must navigate under the weight of a President’s desperate order. I dove into this listening experience expecting a standard thriller, but what I found was a pulse-pounding tapestry of espionage, personal ghosts, and a new adversary who chilled me to the bone. You can almost hear the creak of a sniper’s scope adjusting in the silence between chapters.

This audiobook hit me at the right moment. It reminds me of a time when I was weaving through the narrow streets of Lisbon, chasing a story about a Cold War spy who’d vanished into the city’s labyrinthine alleys. I’d popped in my earbuds, letting an audiobook fill the gaps between interviews, and the narrator’s voice became my companion, much like Cassidy and McLarty do here. In “Target”, Baldacci crafts a tale that’s equal parts adrenaline and introspection – Robie and Reel aren’t just killers; they’re humans wrestling with trust, loyalty, and the kind of pasts that cling like damp fog on a coastal cliff. The President’s gamble to take down a global menace feels ripped from the headlines of my own travels, where power plays unfold in quiet corners of the world.

The themes here – duty versus doubt, the cost of survival – resonated deeply. Reel’s personal crisis, with old enemies circling like vultures, took me back to a night in Oaxaca. I was staying with a family whose grandmother spun tales of betrayal and resilience under the flicker of a lantern. Her voice had this hypnotic rhythm, pausing just long enough to let the weight of her words settle. Listening to “Target”, I felt that same intimacy. Baldacci doesn’t just throw punches; he lingers on the bruises, and that’s where the story’s heart beats loudest. The new assassin – a woman honed by a lifetime of training – adds a layer of dread that’s almost tangible. You can almost taste the metallic tang of tension in the air as her list of targets unfurls.

Now, let’s talk about the narration, because this is where the audiobook experience truly shines. Orlagh Cassidy and Ron McLarty are a revelation. Cassidy brings a steely grace to Jessica Reel, her voice threading through the character’s turmoil with a precision that’s both haunting and human. McLarty, meanwhile, gives Will Robie a gravelly depth – each syllable feels like it’s been carved from experience. Together, they’re like two sides of a coin, flipping between danger and vulnerability with seamless chemistry. The audio quality is crisp, every gunshot and whispered threat landing with clarity that pulls you deeper into the fray. It’s the kind of performance that makes you forget you’re just listening – you’re there, ducking bullets alongside them.

That said, it’s not flawless. At just over 13 hours, the pacing occasionally stumbles, especially in the middle where subplots pile up like luggage on a long haul. I found myself wishing Baldacci had trimmed some of the political machinations to keep the momentum razor-sharp. And while the new assassin is a brilliant addition, her backstory feels underexplored – more shadow than substance. Still, these are minor quibbles in a thriller that delivers more hits than misses.

How does “Target” stack up? It’s got the relentless energy of Baldacci’s earlier “Camel Club” series, but with a tighter focus on character that echoes Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels. Yet, the dual-narrator approach sets it apart, giving it a cinematic edge that’s rare in the genre. If you’re a fan of espionage that doesn’t skimp on soul – or if you just love a good mystery that keeps you guessing – this audiobook is a must.

For me, “Target” was more than a story – it was a companion on a rainy evening in my Brooklyn apartment, the kind of night where the city hums outside and you’re lost in a world far removed. It’s perfect for anyone who craves a thriller that’s as much about the heart as the trigger finger. Whether you’re a road-weary traveler or just someone who loves a d*mn good yarn, this audiobook experience will leave you hungry for the next chapter – and maybe a stiff drink to steady your nerves.

Until our next adventure, stay curious and keep listening,
Marcus Rivera