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The Prophet

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The Prophet

By: Michael Koryta
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Buy for $28.79

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Adam Austin hasn't spoken to his brother in years. When they were teenagers, their sister was abducted and murdered, and their devastated family never recovered. Now Adam keeps to himself, scraping by as a bail bondsman, working so close to the town's criminal fringes that he sometimes seems a part of them.

Kent Austin is the beloved coach of the local high school football team, a religious man and hero in the community. After years of near misses, Kent's team has a shot at the state championship, a welcome point of pride in a town that has had its share of hardships.

Just before playoffs begin, the town and the team are thrown into shock when horrifically, impossibly, another teenage girl is found murdered. As details emerge that connect the crime to the Austin brothers, the two must confront their buried rage and grief-and unite to stop a killer.

Michael Koryta, widely hailed as one of the most exciting thriller authors at work today, has written his greatest novel ever -- an emotionally harrowing, unstoppably suspenseful novel that Donald Ray Pollock has called "one of the sharpest and superbly plotted crime novels I've read in my life." Family Life Genre Fiction Psychological Thriller & Suspense Crime Mystery Suspense Fiction Exciting

Critic reviews

"Somehow, Michael Koryta gets better with every book, no small feat considering the quality of those he's already written. Here's a writer for the new century, one to read, admire and, yes, envy."—Tom Franklin, author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
PRAISE FOR THE RIDGE:
"A man in love with the woman who shot him. Who could possibly resist that story? Not me. Read on, and discover one of the scariest and most touching horror tales in years."—James Patterson
"A chilling supernatural thriller by [a] rising literary star"—Alexandra Alter, Wall Street Journal
"Another supernatural thriller with punch....Part ghost story, part murder mystery, all thriller, this fast-paced and engaging read will have readers leaving the night light on long after they have finished the book."—Colleen S. Harris, Library Journal (starred review)
"An eerie tale... a dark and compulsively readable story...Reading The Ridge is a fine way to chill down a hot summer night. But you'll want to leave the lights on."—Colette Bancroft, St. Petersburg Times
"A new suspense novel that's sure to send a few unseasonable shivers down the back of your neck...In addition to being a spooky thriller, the book is about a lot of different kinds of loss and love."—Linda Wertheimer, NPR
Compelling Mystery • Engaging Plot • Exceptional Narrator • Well-constructed Storyline • Surprising Twists

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This author and narrator matchup is nearly as good as the Burke/Patton duo. I was pleasantly surprised at the clean writing, the genuine capturing of two brothers' relationship, and a real depiction of small town life. I sorta forgot about the crime because I wanted to read about the characters' lives. I really cared about them.

Baseball is my game, but the thrill of high school football is truly depicted here and reading about Adam's last drive had me cheering. Just great writing.

There have been a few books over the last month that I didn't finish because I just got tired of prolonged and gross violence, the degradation and destruction of a human being. I wonder about the people who think this stuff up.

Koryta, on the other hand, writes a compelling story without a madman eating a child's heart still beating or people's heads on spikes. I cut my teeth on McKinty's trilogy so I'm no faint of heart pantywaist, but enough is enough. The lack of gore in The Prophet was because the story and writing was so stellar, the story so real, it didn't need to shock us.

I just ordered another title by Koryta and look forward to reading the rest. It's just unfortunate Brick reads a lot of them.

Robert Petkoff is outstanding!!

Excellent Surprise

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The story itself was quite good. Have enjoyed the authors writing style. Robert Petkoff is an excellent narrator, and I recommend books that he's read. It was a worthwhile read. However, there was a morality and religion aspect that wasn't fully explored. The author clearly started out with intent to challenge the position of Faith, but did not follow up through the climax and resolution of the story. he touched on it, and then it just disappeared without explanation. Instead, more secular and pragmatic themes were explored, and they won out, although without examination.

Great story with multiple parallels suggested.

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I completed The Ridge two days ago and was very disappointed (and wrote a negative review). As a big fan of Koryta's Lincoln Perry 4 book series, I did not wish to give up on this talented author. The Prophet did not disappoint! Character development was excellent. The story was superb. The Prophet is as good as the Lincoln Perry series, which is a high compliment.

This may be my favorite Koryta book!

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I know there were a lot of complaints in other reviews about the football. And maybe it's because I'm a football fan, but I thought it was a nice story bridge and allowed for some metaphors to come through. The story was compelling and not easy to guess. Robert Petkoff is becoming one of my favorite narrators.

Great Story, Great Characters and Go Cardinals!

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Held my attention with twists and suspense, a little weak on the facts behind discovering who did it but well constructed weaving football in. I played the same year in HS so brought back memories.
RP was very good. I a,m wondering if his other books are as good or better? Anyone? I do hesitate to embark on the Myron series. Good combo of Friday Night Lights and a murder mystery

PETKOFF IS PETACULAR! WELL WRITTEN

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