The Equalizer

By: Michael Sloan

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 21 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Sloan, co-creator of the classic 1980s TV show The Equalizer—now reimagined in a series starring Queen Latifah—presents an original story of the mysterious, former covert intelligence officer who helps desperate people who are in need of his unique and deadly skills.

“Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer.”

Robert McCall is a former covert operations officer for the CIA who tries to atone for past sins by offering, free of charge, his services as a protector, an investigator, and a troubleshooter—often literally. Aided by a group of sometimes-mysterious contacts, some of whom date back to his spying days, McCall traverses the streets of New York City, visiting justice upon those who prey upon the weak.

A woman finds herself the target of a Chechen nightclub owner. The club is actually a front for an elite assassination service—run by an old enemy of McCall’s. To save his client’s life, the Equalizer is going to have to confront the sins of his past…

©2014 Michael Sloan (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“[In] this intense thriller...even the Equalizer might have his hands full. Sloan is a talented writer, and one can only hope there are more Equalizer novels in the future.” —Booklist

“Michael Sloan is a creative force to be reckoned with.” —William Shatner

“Michael Sloan's book, The Equalizer, is one of the best novels I have read in years. I was very drawn into the hero's backstory and what he ends up doing in New York City. The Equalizer is very much a hero for today's world. Jack Reacher make room, Robert McCall is in town.” —Karl Moore, author of The Postmoderns

Fast & Fun

Like a good AA movie, The Equ. was fun to "watch." Excellent good guys, very creepy bad guys. Retired super spy/assassin refuses to blindly pass by when bullies are humiliating the defenseless. With a little help from his friends he tries to make a difference. Not an Academy Award winner, but most aren't and many that are have nothing really to commend. My cost-per-star-hour ratnig: 10, the best value per thrill. (Length of book / action • star rtg / expense... ;^)
EJMJ ~ I do not reveal any part of stories I recommend to my fam & friends.

Can't Wait For Sequel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it's exciting, well written and keeps the hero human like. When the hero experienced claustrophobia, I could feel it too! That was surreal for me!

What other book might you compare The Equalizer to and why?

None

What about Jeff Gurner’s performance did you like?

I didn't notice it, which means it was good, it never distracted me from the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No laughter or tears, I just thoroughly enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

Hurry up with the next book!

Too Long

I loved the series as a kid and enjoyed the Denzel movie, but this audiobook is a slog.

The only takeaway I gathered from this novel is the author has a gun and boobs fetish.

Way too convoluted. If I was the editor I would a told the author (the TV creator) to break this novel down into 3 separate books.

Like the series and movie, The Equalizer is solving 3 or 4 different people's problems at the same time, but I don't think it works in novel format.

Couldn’t take off my headphones...

Terrific collection of great adventures with great story telling. I’m eagerly awaiting the next in what I hope is a series.

some technical details are incorrect

A Ruger model SP101 has a five-shot cylinder not six. In one sequence this firearm was fired six times without reloading.

Needs an editor

This was one book that could have been abridged. Some time I wanted to scream, get on with it. Every time a weapon was mentioned the details were excruciating. The details in the tunnels were exhausting. Other than that, I liked the character. Maybe some detail into his motivation would have been helpful.

Wonderful Listen

Even if you watched the TV show the book is so much better. The performance is excellent. Let your imagination take you along with Robert Macall.

Excellent, gripping story

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a detailed, full featured, action filled story.

A Good Story Made Even Better By The Narrator

Where does The Equalizer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Though a bit predictable, the story was good. Parts of it, however, paralleled other novels I've read recently. Not the plot so much but the character's idiosyncrasies (their rare "condition"). At times, I thought the author went into "too much explanation," but I did enjoy the story. It had all the elements of traditional suspense.

What other book might you compare The Equalizer to and why?

I'd compare it to ALL guy-hero suspense novels that are decently plotted with a likeable protagonist (the latter is often remiss in this genre; so kudos to Sloan for creating a protagonist we can care about). The only part of the novel that bugs me--REALLY bugs me--is the cover's subtitle: "Got A Problem? Odds Against You?" That's misleading. It's suggesting that that's what the story is about; a vigilante for hire. But that's NOT the story. It's the RESULT of the story. Big difference.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Gurner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am and have been for 30+ years a transcriber by profession. My ears are tuned to hear every nuance leaving a person's lips; their stutters, their accent, their lip-smacking, their slurs, their inhales and exhales of breaths. ONLY because of that was I occasionally distracted by the Mr. Gurner's inhales. (Which were only occasionally audible, though I doubt another reader would notice.) What was truly amazing was Mr. Gurner's talent for covering a range of voices. Male to female, good guy to bad guy, young to old, Mr. Gurner is spot on with the characters. His tone, pitch and modulation changed seamlessly...so seamlessly, in fact, I rechecked the audio stats, doubtful that one person could have narrated so many characters so flawlessly. But he had! Moreover, I never had to fiddle with the volume. The whispered parts only seemed quieter, the shouted parts only seemed louder, but in truth, he kept his voice within a volume-range. VERY impressive.

Any additional comments?

Some stories are best read and some stories are best listened to; this novel falls under the latter. Through Mr. Gurner's remarkable narration, the characters blossomed into life.

Modern day Superhero

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes- its an action packed super hero fiction where the hero always comes out shining inspite of non stop obstacles and injuries that would leave most dead at the first blow.

What did you like best about this story?

I was impressed how the book went on and on and on ... and actually that wasn't a bad thing - in fact it made the book more enjoyable ...that and the comic aspect of it. In some ways it read like a comic book with the hero and villans and cast of characters. Its not the kind of book I normally would listen to but once I got on to the comic reality of it, I sank in and kind of enjoyed it in spite of the wham bam shootem up at every turn (I fast forwarded some of the gory parts). I think its the kind of book that could even get a cult following - particularly guys.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Gurner – was your favorite?

All of them - the narrator was incredible.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The narrator was outstanding - what an amazing voice!