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Wicked Game cover art

Wicked Game

By: Matt Johnson
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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Summary

Robert Finlay is looking forward to returning to uniform policing and a less stressful life. But fate has other plans. Finlay's traumatic past is about to return to haunt him.

A policeman is killed by a bomb blast, and a second is gunned down; both were former army colleagues from Finlay's own SAS regiment. And so begins a game of cat and mouse, a wicked game in which Finlay is in embroiled in a fight against a determined and unidentified enemy.

©2015 Matt Johnson (P)2016 W.F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Terse, tense and vivid writing. Matt Johnson is a brilliant new name in the world of thrillers. And he's going to be a big name." (Peter James)
"From the first page to the last, an authentic, magnetic and completely absorbing read." (Sir Ranulph Fiennes)

What listeners say about Wicked Game

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A very entertaining listen!

This is a complex story about a retired SAS soldier turned policeman, whose past catches up with him and his friends. It has some good detailed passages about life in special services and the police force too. Full of twists and turns, your led down various dead ends. Although I had deduced the end and the who and why it was nevertheless entertaining to watch it unfold. I'd definitely read more by this author .

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Where does Wicked Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 5

What did you like best about this story?

None stop action from start to finish.. Just as you think you've worked it out, there's another twist.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Jenny giving the IRA terrorist a good kicking..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The funeral... Made more because it was set in my home town Cheshunt....

Any additional comments?

Fantastic first novel... With genuine knowledge of both the military & the police force, Matt gives Wicked Game true drama.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Explosive and emotive action - absolutely fab.

Where does Wicked Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best in terms of attention grabbing action. The scenes between past and present are seamless and the character and narration completely engaging.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wicked Game?

The opening scenes. I was totally not expecting that. And the scenes in Northern Ireland where Finlay is trying to evade the IRA - so tense and gripping.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The attempted take of one of the suspects where they abseil onto the building. The whole scene from start to finish was top notch.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scenes between Finlay and his wife and daugther and the scenes in which they discussed real events from our past such as the death of PC Yvonne Fletcher.

Any additional comments?

This was a fantastic debut with such an air of authenticity which comes from the authors personal experience. Also the narration was brilliant and really drew me in. Totally worth listening to.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is like rollercoaster, hold on tight!

I'd not heard of this author at the start, but by the end he was in my top ten of ones to look out for in the future.
From the opening the story, and the narrator, had me hooked. It was breakneck speed action while giving pinpoint descriptions of the scenes and characters without slowing the pace one bit.
The twists and turns came one after another, just as you decide the direction it is going it turns on a sixpence and shoots off down a side street.
The story revolves around a retired SAS soldier, married with a young daughter who moves jobs from Royal security to the police, for a quiet life, and that's where things turn a long way from quiet.
This is one audiobook that I couldn't turn off.
It had me gripped right to the last sentence, which came as a surprise and a satisfying conclusion.
If you like detective, action or forces stories then this is one for you.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Distinctly average

I’ve listened to a lot of audio books but I’m sorry I don’t see why this one has won so many accolades. For me the first half of the book was poorly written and I struggled to carry on. The second half was better but not great.
Even the narrator was average , sorry.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A gripping story.

A gripping story well narrated by Leighton Pugh. Great to listen to having already read the look. looking forward to the next!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great First Novel

Really enjoyed this fast paced, action packed novel introducing a new hero in Bob Finlay. Looking forward to the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Roller coaster ride from start to finish

Was riveted to my tablet . Fast past thriller .one of the best yet . Can't wait for next book by this author

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A very good listen

This is one of my favourite novels of 2018. Well-paced, good plot twists, well narrated and plenty of believable characters. I look forward to starting book 2. Matt Johnson added to my list of favourite authors.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

should be made into a film the, best book I have

reas, Leighton Pugh was a master of voices to excitement . this is one brilliant book 2nd time I've read it

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1 person found this helpful