Number 181

by Russell Stoewe

Shawn Kidd is a researcher with few hobbies and fewer friends. His life has reached a crossroad, though. Never one to take risks or assume responsibilities, Shawn is torn. But, in one night, everything changes. An enemy has obtained a seemingly-insignificant, low security list - one with the names of 181 children on it - designed to find those that demonstrate the traits that make them ideal recruits for all levels of American intelligence agencies. The Reaper List. But, these children know nothing of politics or war, nothing of their placement on this list, and nothing of why they are being targeted. But, one by one and over the course of one tragic night, all will be killed. All but one. All but Number 181.

437 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Russell Stoewe is a full-time NASA engineer and wordsmith. He's often magnanimous and periodically hilarious. He writes. He photographs. He travels. He conquers. He loves water chestnuts and finds clowns displeasing. He will violently defend the Oxford comma.

Life frequently gets in the way of his writing thanks to advanced degrees in business and electrical engineering and his employer’s unending string of requests that he use them in exchange for a salary.

Reviews

[Korey Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and incredibly gripping.

This is not a book I’d typically lean towards, however I found myself needing to turn every single page. Sean Kidd is a protagonist you not only root for the entire time, but relate to on such a human level. And watching Kidd’s normal life turn into something rooted in chaos made the story that much more compelling.

This read was a wild, emotional ride that I will continue to think about for a long long time. This is a definite must read.

I’d recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Matt Lincoln or J.R. Rain.

[Susie Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 181 is a great summer read by the pool, especially if you love fast-paced thrillers packed with action, suspense, and high emotional stakes.

This intense, high-stakes action thriller pulls you in from the very first page and never lets up. Shawn Kidd, a quiet researcher with few friends and even fewer risks in his life, suddenly finds himself caught in a nightmare after narrowly escaping murder. What follows is a gripping journey filled with secrets, danger, and impossible choices.

The mystery surrounding the Reaper List is one of the strongest parts of the novel. A supposedly insignificant government list containing the names of 181 children marked as ideal intelligence recruits becomes the center of a deadly conspiracy. The idea itself is chilling, and the execution is even better. The author creates an atmosphere where no one feels safe, especially after making the bold decision to kill off characters early in the story. That ruthless unpredictability keeps the tension high from beginning to end.

Shawn Kidd is a compelling and relatable protagonist. Watching him transform from someone living a quiet, ordinary life into a man driven by survival, love, and revenge is both believable and emotionally engaging. His desperation to protect the people he cares about gives the story heart beneath all the action and suspense.

The pacing is fast, the action scenes are intense, and the emotional stakes keep the story grounded. Beyond the thrills, the novel also raises unsettling questions about government surveillance, control, and how easily innocent lives can become collateral damage.

Overall, Number 181 is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller with an unforgettable premise and nonstop suspense. Fans of action thrillers and conspiracy-driven stories will find themselves hooked until the very last page. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet not Captain Kidd… not Billy the Kid(d)… but Shawn Kidd, a 29-year-old MSE (can you hear the collective huzzah from the slide-rule wielding crowd?) who has never quite reached what others view as his potential. An attack from a shadowy international organization, with the help of a FBI mole, thrusts Kidd into a world where he must save the one person who anchors him, Alexis. In wildly over his head, but armed with an “I do it my way” approach and a demonstration of moral flexibility, he stumbles (both literally and figuratively) through danger.

This is the first book in a series and I found it a wildly entertaining origin story. The introduction of Kidd into the world of international terrorism was really unique. I loved the Kidd character. He had just enough quirk to seem real, but at the same time, he was believable while accomplishing the unbelievable.

Breakneck action, wonderful pacing and enough character development to sink your teeth into. Perfect for fans of Die Hard or Jason Bourne.

[R.J. Greyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabs you from the very beginning and never lets go. Shawn Kidd is a compelling, relatable protagonist, and the shift from his quiet life into a high-stakes nightmare is handled brilliantly.

The concept of The Reaper List is chilling and original, and the author is not afraid to remove characters early on, immediately setting a ruthless tone where no one feels safe. That bold choice raises the stakes and keeps the tension high throughout.

Fast-paced, emotionally charged, and thought-provoking, this is a gripping thriller with an unforgettable premise that I highly recommend.

[K. D. Capener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Number 181 is an intense action thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. When Shawn Kidd finds himself as an almost-victim of murder, his life is forever changed. He wants answers and discovers he is number 181 on a list of people (mostly children) who have been watched by the govermnment for years. Shawn is willing to do whatever it takes to save the one he loves and later to avenge the deaths of the others on the list. The story plays out like an action movie, but at times I found some of the violence disturbing. I give this 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

[Angela Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 181 jumps right into an intense, fast-moving story full of action and twists that keep you hooked. The characters feel a little rough around the edges, which actually fits the tone. It can get a bit overwhelming at times, but overall it’s a really interesting read that feels different and keeps you wanting to see what happens next.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant wait for the sequel....lots of twists and turns in this novel