• The Terminal List

  • A Thriller
  • By: Jack Carr
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (54,421 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Terminal List  By  cover art

The Terminal List

By: Jack Carr
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

“Take my word for it, James Reece is one rowdy motherf***er. Get ready!”—Chris Pratt, all around great guy and star of The Terminal List, coming to Amazon Prime

A Navy SEAL has nothing left to live for and everything to kill for after he discovers that the American government is behind the deaths of his team in this ripped-from-the-headlines political thriller that is “so powerful, so pulse-pounding, so well-written—rarely do you read a debut novel this damn good” (Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

On his last combat deployment, Lieutenant Commander James Reece’s entire team was killed in a catastrophic ambush. But when those dearest to him are murdered on the day of his homecoming, Reece discovers that this was not an act of war by a foreign enemy but a conspiracy that runs to the highest levels of government.

Now, with no family and free from the military’s command structure, Reece applies the lessons that he’s learned in over a decade of constant warfare toward avenging the deaths of his family and teammates. With breathless pacing and relentless suspense, Reece ruthlessly targets his enemies in the upper echelons of power without regard for the laws of combat or the rule of law.

“Told with a deft hand and a keen eye for detail, The Terminal List…is explosive and riveting” (Kevin Maurer, coauthor of No East Day) and is perfect for fans of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Stephen Hunter, and Nelson DeMille.

©2018 Jack Carr (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Double the trouble, twice the action, and quadruple the enjoyment. Careful while reading this one, it could leave a mark." (Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Last Order)

Featured Article: Everything You Need to Know About The Terminal List


With Prime Video’s highly anticipated adaptation of Jack Carr's action thriller The Terminal List set to air, it’s a better time than ever to get a refresher on the best seller that inspired it. The Terminal List is the first book in a five book series that follows Navy SEAL James Reece during and after a deadly covert mission. While it's too soon to tell what, exactly, we’ll get to see on screen, here's everything you need to know before you watch.

What listeners say about The Terminal List

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    45,405
  • 4 Stars
    6,352
  • 3 Stars
    1,537
  • 2 Stars
    597
  • 1 Stars
    530
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    42,028
  • 4 Stars
    5,650
  • 3 Stars
    1,178
  • 2 Stars
    270
  • 1 Stars
    206
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40,411
  • 4 Stars
    5,868
  • 3 Stars
    1,600
  • 2 Stars
    606
  • 1 Stars
    653

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Make way for Jack Carr!!!!

I listened to the sample for this book and thought the writing sounded good. Combine that with Ray Porter's wonderful narration and I thought this could be a winner.
So, I paid my credit and took a chance. The author's forward made me think this might be something on the order of a Gentry book. Instead, this is more like the early Dewey Andreas or Pike Logan characters but the writing is better. The protagonist's (James Reese) team is ambushed in Afghanistan. While recuperating he and two other members are diagnosed with brain tumors. The doctor who diagnosed gives Reese a card and tells him to contact him back in the states. When Reese arrives back in the US he finds another team member had "committed suicide" but Reese thinks it's murder. He leaves his friend's house and heads for his own home. When he arrives he finds his wife and daughter supposedly murdered by a gang who broke into their home. He calls the doctor whose card he was given and he's told the Dr was killed during an 'incident " in Afghanistan. Everyone he has involvement with is dying... prepare yourself, this is good!

Carr starts out saying that this is a novel of revenge.
The writing superb. The story is coherent and if I didn't know better I would think this was an author who's been writing for a long time.
This book has my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!
If you found this review helpful please indicate so.
Thank You.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

838 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The perfect espionage thriller!

The Terminal List had an extraordinary quantity and quality of publicity by the publisher prior to release which persuaded me to pre-order it. All of the great publicity was for a new author. Nevertheless, it far exceeds my expectations. Author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr has written an espionage thriller that is good as the first and later efforts of Vince Flynn and Ben Coes. Just get it and listen to the must-read The Terminal List! As is normal and usual for him Ray Porter narrates flawlessly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

260 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

THANKS YEAGER, ya jerk.... single binge session

on the recommendation of James Yeager i downloaded this book, I'm not normally a fiction guy but being written by a former real world operator I figured that the "little details" would actually be correct and IT WAS! I HAD TO STAY UP TILL MIDNIGHT TO FINISH IT IN ONE DAY! HOW CAN CARR TOP THIS I DON'T KNOW BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

166 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Yeah, I've bought the next James Reece Book!

Totally improbable? Would have been if the 2019 mess of revelations in Washington weren't pouring out all over us from 24/7 cable news. So? So it wasn't hard to suspend disbelief and understand the meaning of distilled revenge that Reece havoc's upon the no-gre-zone baddies who've done him totally wrong. This is a sort of catharsis book... The chance for readers to fantasize a tad of purgation (if that's a word?).

With the presently unending spew of hatred we're getting sprayed into our ears and eyes, well there's solace in these moments that Carr's filled which at least have periods at the end of the final paragraphs. Or realize that in fiction as opposed to reality there can be final paragraphs with an entirely new day to follow.

So... I'm off to read 'True Believer' and escape from the reality of our politically poisoned moment. Yay! Oh, and Ray Porter does his normally terrific job of bringing the ensemble cast to life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

133 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantasic Military Thriller

This book, as many of the comments have already suggested, is well written. The language was easy to understand, even amidst the military jargon that was heavily used, which greatly added to the intricacy of the book. This is not something the book should be criticised for, because it was a perfect mix of technical and laymen terms that just about anyone could enjoy reading. The interaction between Reece and his friends throughout the story was so brilliantly written. It captured the human element of a guys-type of friendship so well, I couldn’t help but laugh as I was reminded of the joking conversation I have had with my friends before.

Carr does an excellent job of depicting the characters right down to every single article of clothing worn and does not shy away from simply mentioning the brands of certain items in order to fully describe to the reader what is pictured.

Ultimately the single word that comes to mind while reading this book is authentic. Obviously the story is fictional, and that is not what I am referring to, but the perspective of Reece in the story clearly indicates the author has had significant first hand experience that is reflective in the story. For that reason, this work stands out strongly as a respectable military/thriller book.

One minor criticism I encountered was that I would occasionally lose track of which character was saying what during some of the dialogue. It was not difficult to simply back track and continue with the conversations in the book. This admittedly may be entirely my fault for not paying close enough attention as I had thought I needed to.

The book is just as much an action intense thriller as it is a constant reminder of importance of those whom you truly hold close in life. Not just your parents, spouse and children, although that is a significant aspect, but your closest friends, and even acquaintances who quickly become friends and allies under trying circumstances. Not to mention the kinds of people you come across that you find yourself thinking, as Clint Smith so eloquently stated, “there are some people who just need to be shot.”

The end of the book, particularly the final chapter and epilogue, left me feeling deeply conflicted about the way things ended. At the same time, it was exactly what makes a story of retribution come to completion. I found myself moved by the urgency to see justice followed through with in a fantastic action-filled story.

Needless to say, this book was excellent and I greatly look forward to Mr. Carr’s next work. I also wanted to express my gratitude to Mr. Carr for his military service to the United States.

Ray Porter was outstanding with the delivery of the story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

127 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not very creative

I guess audible doesn't always suggest books that hit the mark for me. I think the book was suggested because I really enjoy listening to Ray Porter. He again was great in narrating this book.

What I didn't care for was how simple the story was. It's basically just revenge porn. A lot of cliche characters and unfortunately not a lot of imaginative situations. It was like listening to a game of tee-ball. The characters were placed in a situation and then the objective was met. The author was more interested in describing the weapons then developing any sense of suspense.

If it wasn't for the long road trip that I was on, I probably wouldn't have finished the book. It didn't keep my attention very well and made the trip seem longer. That sounds harsh. It isn't horrible. It's just not very engaging.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

75 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Fox News Book of the Decade

Would you try another book from Jack Carr and/or Ray Porter?

Ray Porter is the baddest b in the business. But this book is trash.

Has The Terminal List turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

ray porter

Any additional comments?

I guess I knew what I was getting into, since the summary is supreme alpha male whiteness, but daaaamn. All the bad guys are muslims, Mexicans and liberals. The blood-thirsty, war-mongering, money-hungry antagonists in this book are your neighborhood democrats. LOL, what world does this guy live in? My favorite part was when he described a young, blonde, big-boobed character as "exactly what a journalist should look like." Yup.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

75 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I NEVER choose books of this genre , ie. political, military, etc...

This is one of the best books I’ve heard out of my 700 plus audible collection. I took a chance on it because I unknowingly purchased the 3rd in the series thinking it was a stand alone. Well, after the first chapter I realized I needed to get the first in order to understand the protagonist and back story, I said “what the heck” and got it. I could not stop listening to this book. I thought I prolly would give up half way, like most books I’ve listened to in this genre, but said I’ll try it, I’m so glad I did. Start to finish this books requires a lap belt and shoulder restraints, because your in for a wild ride and it ain’t over til the last sentence. Take a chance, you will not regret it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

68 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So many real life parallels.

One thing I like about this story is that even though it is very spectacular, there are many real-life parallels. It's a shame that some of the real-life counterparts to the story's characters don't face some kind of justice, but continue to get away with it. In this story, they don't. It's obvious that Jack Carr's real-life experience as a military operative has given him some insight into the civilian leadership/military leadership/military operatives relationships and some of the frustration that comes with it. Having read, first-hand accounts from the survivors of the Benghazi incident, I can see how difficult it can sometimes be to trust that leadership's willingness to do the right thing when their political careers are at stake, which can be extremely frustrating. This story is kind of like a catalyst towards some kind of relief from that frustration, even though it is fiction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

51 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ray Porter no one better

This guy could read a novel about the #MeToo movement and it would give me chills. Ray could read red hot man love romances and I’d listen with baited breath the guy murdered it again here. What a great new thriller series - we need new material - can wait for 2nd book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

44 people found this helpful