Library Journal - Audio
★ 09/01/2022
Meltzer follows his New York Times best-selling 2018 book The Escape Artist with another thrilling Zig and Nola novel. When military mortician Jim "Zig" Zigarowski, of Dover Air Force Base, is called in to ready Lieutenant Colonel Archie Mint's body for his funeral, he encounters a shocking series of unexplained—and dangerous—facts about the dead man. In order to find out more, Zig must locate Nola, which is no easy task. Sergeant Nola Brown, the former U.S. Army artist-in-residence who figured so prominently in Meltzer's earlier work, has many people trying to figure out who she is, where she is, and how they can find her. While Zig and Nola share a tragic history, they are uniquely situated to unravel the disparate threads that tie this mystery together. Scott Brick's narration, delivered in his rich tenor voice, is enthralling, capturing the energy and momentum of this exciting book. VERDICT This exceptional audio will have listeners wanting more and hoping that the next installation won't take long. Highly recommended.—Scott DiMarco
MARCH 2022 - AudioFile
Here’s another winning performance by Scott Brick, who gives resonance to the complicated characters Zig and Nola as they try to make sense of conspiracies and murder. Nola is a skilled warrior so driven by her personal demons that she is unable to trust anyone, even Zig, who once saved her life. Brick's breathy delivery underscores the danger that follows the two as they work separately to solve Archie Mint's murder. There are few normal people in the book. Even Mint, who served on an elite task force with Nola, had a secret past, which Nola slowly uncovers. In the process she learns about her own murky past. The thriller also contains nuggets of well-guarded military secrets that the author uncovered in his exhaustive research for the story. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
"Government secrets fuel Meltzer’s exciting Lightning Rod...a rip-roaring, energetic thriller that begins on a high note and only accelerates….Meltzer… strikes gold again." — Sun Sentinel (Florida)
“The Lightning Rod is my favorite Brad Meltzer novel—so far—and that’s high, high praise. The book is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride with half a dozen memorable characters. My personal favorite is Zig, but Waggs, Roddy and Nola aren’t far behind.” — James Patterson
“Enigmatic and mysterious, Nola is a force. Great plotting. Great characters. The Lightning Rod is Meltzer at his finest.” — Karin Slaughter
“[A] character-rich adventure… With entangled family tragedies that go back several years and childhood traumas that extend into the present, the plot of The Lightning Rod overflows—and thrills.” — Wall Street Journal
“Zig and Nola are back in this fast-moving thriller laced with blood and wit… The characters are delightful… There’s plenty of clever dialogue and details... A smart crime package, both funny and serious.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Nola Brown is one of recent fiction's all-time great characters, and Meltzer's subtle pacing and narrative charm mean we can't take our eyes off her for a single moment—trust me, this is a terrific, compelling, unputdownable thriller." — Lee Child
“Meltzer is back with another twisting, suspense-filled story, and so too is his prized protagonist, Nola, who remains as fascinating as ever…[Meltzer’s plot] moves at breakneck speed…Bottom line: this is Meltzer’s best work to date, and the sky is the limit for this series moving forward.” — Real Book Spy
“[An] exciting sequel. . . . Meltzer makes his leads emotionally plausible. One hopes Zig and Nola will be back soon.” — Publishers Weekly
“There are few authors who do dialogue that is as sharp and witty as Brad Meltzer does in The Lightning Rod... The characters, plot, pace, and premise work together like a well-rehearsed orchestra. Meltzer is a master storyteller and a superb wordsmith.” — Nelson DeMille
“No other A+ author whips up better dialogue... But it’s his characters who most excite and engage. Nola and Zig will pull you into a story as entertaining as any by David Baldacci. And Nola is the most accomplished kicker of ass since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” — A. J. Finn
“As close to perfect as a thriller can get. Nola and Zig make for an appealing, polished pairing, a key component in making The Lightning Rod terrific in all respects.” — Providence Journal
“Meltzer likes his conspiracy stories, and he puts a lot of work into them, but he seems to love his characters just as much. Zig and Nola are two of his strongest characters, and it feels like there are plenty more stories to be told about them.” — Booklist
"Meltzer is a master and this is his best. Not since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have you seen a character like this. Get ready to meet Nola. If you've never tried Meltzer, this is the one." — Harlan Coben on The Escape Artist
"This novel is like a launched torpedo slashing through 400 pages of deep water before reaching impact. Enjoy one of the best thriller rides ever." — David Baldacci on The Escape Artist
"The Escape Artist has a magic trick up its sleeve. Part Lisbeth Salander, part Homeland's Carrie Mathison. One of the most memorable characters I've read in years. Look out—Nola's coming. This is Meltzer in peak form." — Lisa Scottoline
"Highly entertaining... Meltzer keeps the action crackling... There's no escaping the solid storytelling of The Escape Artist." — Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"The Escape Artist is Brad Meltzer's best book in years... Meltzer weaves a stellar tale of history, government-insider knowledge, and thrills... the rare novel that one wants to read fast while also needing to go slow to savor every word." — Jeff Ayers, Associated Press
"Brad Meltzer has done it again! The Escape Artist is an exciting, cutting-edge thriller you will not be able to put down. If you love twists, tension, and tons of amazing characters, treat yourself to this gripping tale by one of the absolute best in the business." — Brad Thor
"The Escape Artist is a slingshot of a novel. Brad Meltzer expertly pulls it back and lets it go, propelling the unlikeliest of heroes forward in a high stakes, high tension thriller that never lets you catch your breath. My advice: Buckle up!" — Michael Connelly
"A throat-clenching masterpiece of suspense-and damned ingenious to boot. My jaw dropped once more—and so will yours." — James Rollins on The Escape Artist
"Stellar...With its remarkable plot and complex characters, this page-turner not only entertains but also provides a fascinating glimpse into American history." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Escape Artist
"Gripping... a true page-turner." — Library Journal (starred review) on The Escape Artist
Sun Sentinel (Florida)
"Government secrets fuel Meltzer’s exciting Lightning Rod...a rip-roaring, energetic thriller that begins on a high note and only accelerates….Meltzer… strikes gold again."
Karin Slaughter
Enigmatic and mysterious, Nola is a force. Great plotting. Great characters. The Lightning Rod is Meltzer at his finest.”
Real Book Spy
Meltzer is back with another twisting, suspense-filled story, and so too is his prized protagonist, Nola, who remains as fascinating as ever…[Meltzer’s plot] moves at breakneck speed…Bottom line: this is Meltzer’s best work to date, and the sky is the limit for this series moving forward.
Nelson DeMille
There are few authors who do dialogue that is as sharp and witty as Brad Meltzer does in The Lightning Rod... The characters, plot, pace, and premise work together like a well-rehearsed orchestra. Meltzer is a master storyteller and a superb wordsmith.
Wall Street Journal
There’s an abundance of incident contained in this character-rich adventure… With entangled family tragedies that go back several years and childhood traumas that extend into the present, the plot of The Lightning Rod overflows—and thrills.
Providence Journal
As close to perfect as a thriller can get. Nola and Zig make for an appealing, polished pairing, a key component in making The Lightning Rod terrific in all respects.”
James Patterson
The Lightning Rod is my favorite Brad Meltzer novel—so far—and that’s high, high praise. The book is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride with half a dozen memorable characters. My personal favorite is Zig, but Waggs, Roddy and Nola aren’t far behind.
Lee Child
"Nola Brown is one of recent fiction's all-time great characters, and Meltzer's subtle pacing and narrative charm mean we can't take our eyes off her for a single moment—trust me, this is a terrific, compelling, unputdownable thriller."
A. J. Finn
No other A+ author whips up better dialogue... But it’s his characters who most excite and engage. Nola and Zig will pull you into a story as entertaining as any by David Baldacci. And Nola is the most accomplished kicker of ass since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Karin Slaughter
Enigmatic and mysterious, Nola is a force. Great plotting. Great characters. The Lightning Rod is Meltzer at his finest.”
Wall Street Journal
There’s an abundance of incident contained in this character-rich adventure… With entangled family tragedies that go back several years and childhood traumas that extend into the present, the plot of The Lightning Rod overflows—and thrills.
Booklist
Meltzer likes his conspiracy stories, and he puts a lot of work into them, but he seems to love his characters just as much. Zig and Nola are two of his strongest characters, and it feels like there are plenty more stories to be told about them.
Harlan Coben on The Escape Artist
"Meltzer is a master and this is his best. Not since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have you seen a character like this. Get ready to meet Nola. If you've never tried Meltzer, this is the one."
Booklist
Meltzer likes his conspiracy stories, and he puts a lot of work into them, but he seems to love his characters just as much. Zig and Nola are two of his strongest characters, and it feels like there are plenty more stories to be told about them.
David Baldacci on The Escape Artist
"This novel is like a launched torpedo slashing through 400 pages of deep water before reaching impact. Enjoy one of the best thriller rides ever."
Lisa Scottoline
"The Escape Artist has a magic trick up its sleeve. Part Lisbeth Salander, part Homeland's Carrie Mathison. One of the most memorable characters I've read in years. Look out—Nola's coming. This is Meltzer in peak form."
MARCH 2022 - AudioFile
Here’s another winning performance by Scott Brick, who gives resonance to the complicated characters Zig and Nola as they try to make sense of conspiracies and murder. Nola is a skilled warrior so driven by her personal demons that she is unable to trust anyone, even Zig, who once saved her life. Brick's breathy delivery underscores the danger that follows the two as they work separately to solve Archie Mint's murder. There are few normal people in the book. Even Mint, who served on an elite task force with Nola, had a secret past, which Nola slowly uncovers. In the process she learns about her own murky past. The thriller also contains nuggets of well-guarded military secrets that the author uncovered in his exhaustive research for the story. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
