The List

by Steve Berry

In the vein of David Baldacci, John Grisham, and Harlan Coben—this is Steve Berry like you’ve never read him before.
 
After a ten-year self-imposed exile, Brent Walker is returning home to Concord, a quaint town in central Georgia nestled close to the Savannah River. Two years ago, his father died, and now Brent, hired by Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company as its assistant general counsel, is returning to care for his ailing mother.
 
For decades, Southern Republic has invested heavily in Concord, creating a thriving community where its employees live, work, and retire. But the genteel sheen of this quiet town is deceiving, and when a list of cryptic code surfaces, Brent starts to see the cracks. 
 
Southern Republic’s success is based largely on a highly unorthodox and deadly system to control costs, known only to the three owners of the company.  Now, one of them, Christopher Bozin, has had a change of heart. Brent’s return to Concord, a move Bozin personally orchestrated, provides his conscience with a chance at redemption. So a plan is set into motion, one that will not only criminally implicate Bozin’s two partners, but also place Brent Walker square in the crosshairs of men who want him dead—with only one course left available.
 
Find and reveal the shocking secret of the list.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Audiobook

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

 

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood,  The 9th Man  (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose:  The End of Forever,   The House of Long Ago,   The Lake of Learning,  and  The Museum of Mysteries,  all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Berry is one of my all time favorite secular, thriller authors. The only negative for me is the profanity. As always this story kept me engaged from the first to the last. I thought the premise of “The List” was intriguing and believable. My favorite main characters were Brent, Hank, secondary character, Ashley. There were several evil men in this story. If you enjoy a high octane thriller, this would be a great choice. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an EArc and an audio ARC. Scott Brick is my all time favorite narrator, outstanding performance. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Steve Berry, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to explore the writing of Steve Berry, I was pleased to obtain the latest ARC by the author. While I am used to delving into the actions of Cotton Malone, this standalone thriller packed just as much of a punch. Brent Walker is back in his hometown after a decade away. Working as General Counsel for Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company, he hopes to help make this local business even more successful. However, he trips upon some worrisome truths about Southern Republic and wants to blow the whistle, but doing so could cost him everything. Berry uses this standalone thriller to show his abilities once more and keep readers hooked!

Brent Walker has been away from his hometown in Concord, Georgia, for a decade. His choice to leave was for reasons that few understand, but Walker is happy to keep it that way. After his father's death two years ago, Walker tossed himself into his work as a lawyer, but is pulled back to Concord to help his ailing mother. His new position as General Counsel for Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company will keep him busy and ensure that he can reconnect to the locals, many of whom had built stories around his ten-year disappearance.

Southern Republic has been a cornerstone in the Concord business and town-wide development. They have employed many and keep the town busy, which is something that Brent Walker finds helpful. However, behind the happy-sounding company is a less than positive situation. A cryptic code emerges with a list that few understand. Brent discovers it and wants to learn more, worried that there could be legal implications. What he finds will shock him and could turn Southern Republic on its head.

It becomes known that Southern Republic is running a business model that serves to eliminate town issues in a less than orthodox manner. The three owners are the only ones who are aware, voting on decisions behind closed doors. Now, one of those owners, Christopher Bozin, has decided that he no longer likes the business model and wants things to change, though he remains in the minority. He ensures that Brent has what is needed to discover the truth about Southern Republic and sheds light on how to neutralise it. This puts things on the line and Brent Waker will have to act swiftly, as anything he shares will surely put him on the list for extermination. Berry delivers a great standalone thriller that kept me hooked until the very last page.

There is something about Steve Berry and his writing that keeps me coming back. While I cut my teeth on many of his Cotton Malone stories, I have always enjoyed the standalone pieces that mix history and current events. Berry delivers a strong narrative that builds with each passing chapter. As the story finds its legs, it exemplifies how one needs to pay close attention or be left behind. The characters that emerge throughout prove useful to push things in exciting directions, while also shedding light on the darkest part of the story. Plot points are both intriguing and keep the reader in the middle of all the action. Surprises keep things on point and there is a great deal to reveal in short order. Berry delivers a winner here!

Kudos, Mr. Berry, for showing all your varied abilities with this piece.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for the pre-release copy of Steve Berry's upcoming novel The List. Below is my honest review.

Fans of Steve Berry know that his genre tends to be adventure thriller tied up closely with history - the events of the past having a major impact on the storyline, and lessons about history weaving in and out of the writing. In The List, Berry has stepped out of that genre and into pure thriller, setting up a plot where the company elites are so concerned about the bottom line that they have turned to murder to save corporate funds. While there was one history lesson in this one, it was extremely brief.

I absolutely loved this one. Sadly enough, it was believable, and I wouldn't be surprised if something similar has actually occurred (or is still happening!).

Berry notes in his post-novel details that this is one of the first novels he ever wrote, and he never submitted it for publication all those years ago, that he pulled it out and began tweaking it and tightening it up, and making sure it was up to date with technology and current events. That's really impressive to me because while some of the high quality of the novel might have been because he's much more experienced now, you can tell that even back then, it had the right bones and the right parts to be a great story.

Highly recommended, and it's a standalone so no need to invest in a long series to avoid spoilers or missed information. But I'd still recommend his Cotton Malone series if you end up liking this one!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a couple of the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry, but that's all. This one is very different.

Description:
After a ten-year self-imposed exile, Brent Walker is returning home to Concord, a quaint town in central Georgia nestled close to the Savannah River. Two years ago, his father died, and now Brent, hired by Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company as its assistant general counsel, is returning to care for his ailing mother.

For decades, Southern Republic has invested heavily in Concord, creating a thriving community where its employees live, work, and retire. But the genteel sheen of this quiet town is deceiving, and when a list of cryptic code surfaces, Brent starts to see the cracks.

Southern Republic’s success is based largely on a highly unorthodox and deadly system to control costs, known only to the three owners of the company. Now, one of them, Christopher Bozin, has had a change of heart. Brent’s return to Concord, a move Bozin personally orchestrated, provides his conscience with a chance at redemption. So a plan is set into motion, one that will not only criminally implicate Bozin’s two partners, but also place Brent Walker square in the crosshairs of men who want him dead—with only one course left available.

Find and reveal the shocking secret of the list.

My Thoughts:
The nightmare Brent uncovers from the list is a shocking and horrific implementation of a program hidden by the owners of Southern Republic. Greed is at the root and the result is cold-blooded. What these three men did is unforgivable. Brent is definitely in danger. There is a great deal of tension and edge of your seat action. This is a great legal thriller and I truly enjoyed the book.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, one of my favorite authors has come through again - most likely, at around 14 years, setting a record for the longest time a book sat in a drawer before being updated and actually seeing the light of print. It just goes to show, I guess, that excellent writing is timeless.

The story itself could have been taken straight from a John Grisham playbook; the relatively young lawyer at the heart of the story in many ways seemed interchangeable with Mitch McDeere, who kicked off Grisham's popular "The Firm" series that debuted in 2010. But the hero here, Brent Walker, is definitely his own man (even if he's not quite sure who that really is). He's just left his 10-year job in Atlanta to return home to central Georgia small-town Concord to take the job of assistant general counsel at Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Co., which accounts for the lion's share of the local employment base. Originally, he left right after his soon-to-be ex-wife died unexpectedly, almost smothered in guilt that somehow he was responsible.

But after his father's unexpected death - he was retired from his long-time job at the paper mill - Brent's mother's health is failing and she needs his help. So, he packed up his things and returned to the family home and a new job that puts him right at the start of negotiations for labor contracts with all three of the company's unions. The lead negotiator, Hank Reed, is an old friend; but can they maintain that close relationship when they're now on opposite sides of the bargaining table?

As it turns out, that's not their biggest concern. It seems that the three company owners, over a period of years, have engineered and put into practice a deadly plan to keep the self-insured company financially afloat (unbeknownst to either Hank or Brent, of course). But one of those owners - in fact, the one who originally devised the plan - is in the midst of his own health crisis. And not only does he want to unburden his soul before he exits this world, he wants to take down his partners in the process.

For their part, Hank and Brent are free to deal with their changing relationship and Brent's rekindled one with Ashley, who happens to be Hank's daughter. But that all changes when that third partner seeks private help from Brent and Hank's illicit sleuthing in company computers turns up a list of numbers neither of them understand (and certainly were never expected to have in their possession). That, in turn, puts Brent, Hank and their families in the sights of some very powerful and dangerous people who wll do anything to keep their good thing going.

It's a wild ride right up to the end, and while I can't provide details, I can say I'm very happy that the author decided to save the story from the circular file. It's definitely a winner in my book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75 stars)
Steve Berry is well known for his long-running Cotton Malone series, but fans should check out his new standalone, The List. He has written a tale of greed that unfortunately seemed fairly believable. Imagine a paper manufacturing company owned by three men, one that dominates a small town in Georgia. And imagine that they self-insure and provide good medical benefits and pensions to their workers. Now imagine that workers comp and health claims are getting way too expensive and the owners decide to literally kill off their problems to control costs. This is the idea behind The List.

Brent Walker is a young lawyer who grew up in the town but fled to Atlanta for ten years, for personal reasons. Now he’s back, to help care for his mother after the death of his father. This is not primarily a legal thriller; Walker has come back to town to take up a job with the paper company. Once back in town, he renews his friendship with one of the labor leaders at the company, Hank Reed, and with a woman he loved too, who happens to be Reed’s daughter. Reed and Walker make a great pair, their friendship going back years. They need to readjust their relationship, now that Walker is working for the company, as opposed to representing claimants, as he had done before leaving town. With labor contract negotiations looming, Reed looks for any advantage he can get, and with the help of another employee, uncovers some potentially important secret information. This winds up putting both Reed and Walker in the sights of the owners and their “associates.”

Berry writes in his author’s note that he started writing this many years ago, and shelved it. A few years ago, he took it out, reworked and updated it and here we are.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers e-copy of this book. Thank you also to Tandem Collective Global for a hard copy to read as part of their readalong program. Having to read only a couple of chapters at a time, for their reading schedule, was a bit frustrating, to be honest, and probably decreased my enjoyment of the book a little bit. All opinions are my own.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Berry is the bestselling author of the Cotton Malone thriller/suspense series (similar to Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series).

Every four to five years, or so, Berry likes to publish a standalone novel. In 2025, he has published a non-series book – “The List” – for our summer reading pleasure.

Berry actually wrote “The List” back in the early 1990’s but never published it. It was his second novel, based on his own personal experiences as lawyer in small-town Georgia representing both sides of business, working for a big company, as well as representing the union employees. As he stated in interviews, Berry reread it during the COVID pandemic and thought he still had a good story to share, so he rewrote it, strengthening the narrative, bringing it up to current time period, and shortening it by about 15,000 words.

“The List” begins with a murder. The planned killing of a retired “old man” who like clockwork goes fishing out on Eagle Lake in central Georgia and made to look like an accident.

Two years later Brent Walker is returning to his hometown of nearby Concord, Georgia. He’s been gone ten years, working in the District Attorney’s office in Atlanta, working through a self-imposed exile following the failure of his marriage. His father died two years ago, and two driving forces are calling him home. The first is his being hired by the same company his father worked for - Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company - as its new assistant general counsel. The second, and more personal reason, is that his mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and he needs to be there for her.

However, on the very day he arrives, Walker receives a mysterious visitor who warns him to watch himself, to be careful about his job, it’s not what he thinks it is. Before he can get any more information out of her other than a reference to Proverbs 22:3, she’s gone, leaving him confused. Her comments don’t make any sense. Southern Republic has been heavily invested for decades in Concord, a major contributor to the local community. It’s Concord’s biggest employer, driving the local economy and providing jobs, medical benefits, and pensions that provide for a good retirement.

What Bent doesn’t know about it is the list. A list of numbers that would reveal the dangerous truth behind Southern Republic’s true success. About 20 years or more ago, the three owners of the company stumbled into a very unconventional and extremely illegal approach to dealing with a union leader’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. One that turned out to benefit them, the company, and the rest of the employees. It worked so well in controlling costs that the three owners extended that strategy to control costs over the long-term, and it’s worked quite well for them.

That is until now, when one of the owners is having second thoughts about their strategy and its impact on the lives of their worker’s and retiree’s families. He even orchestrated the hiring of Walker as part of a secret plan that he is almost ready to put into motion. A plan that will place not only Walker’s life at risk, but also make his mother, friends, and the woman he has secretly loved all his life, the target for professional killers that will do anything to protect the owner’s secrets…

The result is a pleasurable, intense, and suspenseful summer reading experience. Dare I say, even better than I expected.

There are a several good things to like about this one-off from Steve Berry’s usual Cotton Malone historical thrillers. For me, this was a prime example of sometimes more is less, at least from a scope perspective. This was a fine-tuned, complex mystery delivered in smooth rhythmic, tension filled suspense. Easily immersive and compelling, and I really appreciated that Berry didn’t overdo the story. He stayed focus on the characters and their key plotlines, making them hum like a lead guitarist in a famous rock band. This book delivered an excellent summer reading experience that almost felt under-rated.

Those who regularly read Steve Berry will recognize the usual elements involved. And I will admit, although the formula remains unchanged for the most part, Berry did a good job of setting up this adventure and laying out the foundation of the story. The beginning flowed well and doesn’t feel rushed or forced. Characters were introduced in a multi-layered manner, flashing between the current moment and their background story that brought them to this point, smoothly connecting the past to the present. He nailed the small-town setting, executed a gripping mystery with multi-dimensional characters and conflict, and delivered a climax that packed an emotional punch and left me fully satisfied.

Overall, “The List” was a fun read that surprisingly turned out to be one of my favorite Steve Berry novels. Berry delivered a perfect summer page-turner that kept me up late at night, fully entertained and satisfied. For all those who focus on his Cotton Malone adventures, don’t leave this one out. It’s well worth the read.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to an advance review recording of the audio for this book and perhaps that coloured my view if it. The narrator, Scott Brick, had a very peculiar style which seemed to place emphasis all over the place during a sentence.

However, I think my real problem with this book (which is apparently an old manuscript which has awaited publication for several years) was the plot itself.

I've certainly resolved never to go and live in this part of Georgia because the police force/coroner must be incredibly stupid or corrupt.

The whole premise revolves around a paper mill who, having failed to diversify or take note of either recycling or the digital revolution, find themselves in dire financial straits. This cannot solely be put down to the exceptionally favourable workers comp scheme but the owners see the huge amounts paid out to people "milking" the system as an easy way to save money. Of course nobody seems to have explained to them that once all those spongers have gone then they'll still have to generate new business to keep going.

Anyway, the owners draw up a list of people who they want to eliminate from the scheme and what better way than actually eliminate them completely from life? Well lots of ways usually involving surveillance and courts but these guys are in favour of a quick fix.

So they send out hit men who do their job so effectively that noone suspects. And this carries on until a hotshot lawyer/local boy returns and starts digging into several suspicious deaths.

That's basically the book and it might have been plausible had there been, say, less than 50 deaths in a 20 year period but if you're seriously expecting me to believe that these guys never slip up and noonr suspects when it's been several hundred?

Alongside all this utter nonsense we get a "love" story involving the lawyer and a girl who he had an on/off love affair with when he was young. It's incredibly dull despite the girl jumping on him several times. His guilt over his ex-wife's suicide rings as false as the rest of the narrative.

On the whole I would gave left this on the publishers slush pile. I've not read any Steve Berry before and this has completely put me off. An interesting idea but badly realised.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the advance review copy.

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The List” by Steve Berry is a fast-paced, 5-star read! Brent Walker returns to his hometown of Concord, Georgia, as the newly hired assistant general counsel for the Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company. The local paper mill provides enough jobs to keep the small town alive, but at what cost?

I was hooked from the very first word to the last. The story offers plenty of character development, giving us a deep look into Brent's background and the reasons he originally left town. There’s also a solid amount of context surrounding the paper mill and its owners, helping the reader understand how their questionable business practices came to be.

While the story doesn’t rely heavily on twists, since we learn details from both sides as the plot unfolds, it delivers enough action and tension to keep the pages turning. Even before reading the Writer’s Note at the end, I was definitely getting The Firm vibes, though this book has plenty of differences.

I haven’t started the Cotton Malone series yet, but after reading this one, I think it just moved up my TBR!

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Steve Berry, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

[❀Heather❀Brown❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

#ad much love for my advance copy @grandcentralpub #partner
& @hachetteaudio #partner for the ALC

🆃🅷🅴 🅻🅸🆂🆃
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴊᴜʟʏ 𝟤𝟤, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧

Engaging and unputdownable, once you start this one it’s impossible to stop. It’s packed full of nonstop action, suspense that’ll have your heart beating, and characters you won’t ever forget.

But this book also has a little surprise up its sleeve because I found it to be just as atmospheric too. Berry knows how to set a story - I’ll just say that.

Brent Walker has been on a self-imposed exile, but now he’s back. But something is amiss in his hometown. He’s been hired by a company that runs this town. But when he begins to see the corruption it for himself - well, once he knows - he can’t just sit back and do nothing. Because Walker coming back wasn’t a coincidence; it was a calculated and plotted move.

This was a fun read that I fully enjoyed.

🎧 Also listened to the audiobook and would recommend both eye ball and ear reading. Scott Brick did a phenomenal- out of this world- job bringing this book to life. It’s one of those audiobooks that you can see unfolding in your mind. Just fantastic.

Oof! Just an immersive read. I liked how it was told time-wise instead of chapters. (There are still chapters - but they’re broken down into days and time.)

“In the vein of David Baldacci, John Grisham, and Harlan Coben—this is Steve Berry like you’ve never read him before.”

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars rounded up. This standalone novel by Steve Berry is my introduction to his writing and I am now a fan. I found the plot to be original and exciting from start to finish. I could not put it down, gobbling it up in just two days. The publisher compares Berry's book to those of some of my favorite thriller novelists: Baldacci, Grisham, Coben, and I feel the comparison is apt. The story was original, exciting and dramatic and the characters, both good and evil, were well drawn and believable. This is another book that would make an excellent action movie with its explosive conclusion.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new thriller via NetGalley and for providing me with an introduction to a new-to-me author. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of Steve Berry, "The List" was a disappointing read that missed the mark. The novel is set in the fictional Georgia mill town of Concord, where an attorney's return home uncovers a powerful corporate board secretly murdering its former employees, a compelling premise. However, the execution falters and the story is slow to build, only finding its pace in the final third of the plot. The characters never fully resonated with me; in fact, the main characters often felt juvenile. And the villains were so cartoonishly bad, with their constant evil quips, that I couldn't take them seriously. This lack of tension made the ending feel predictable and, frankly, a relief when it was finally over. Ultimately, what should have been a chilling thriller was undermined by its underdeveloped characters and over-the-top villains. (2.75/5)

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Berry ventures into uncharted waters with The List, abandoning his signature Cotton Malone adventures for a chilling standalone thriller that feels both intimately personal and disturbingly plausible. This corporate conspiracy tale, originally conceived in 1992 but refined over three decades, emerges as Berry's most grounded and emotionally resonant work—a story that trades ancient mysteries for modern moral corruption.

Set in the fictional town of Concord, Georgia, where Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company has woven itself into the very fabric of community life, The List follows Brent Walker as he returns home after a ten-year self-imposed exile. What begins as a homecoming to care for his ailing mother quickly transforms into a nightmare when Walker uncovers his employer's most horrifying secret: a systematic murder program designed to control healthcare costs.

A Masterclass in Escalating Tension

Berry demonstrates remarkable restraint in his pacing, allowing the horror to seep in gradually rather than exploding onto the page. The discovery of the "Priority program"—a euphemistic term for corporate-sanctioned murder—unfolds through layers of misdirection and half-truths that mirror real corporate obfuscation. When union leader Hank Reed accidentally discovers a cryptic list of numbers, neither he nor Walker initially comprehends they're looking at a death roster spanning decades.

The author's legal background serves him exceptionally well here. Having practiced law in a small Georgia paper mill town for thirty years, Berry infuses the narrative with authentic details about union negotiations, small-town dynamics, and corporate hierarchies. The authenticity is palpable—from the suffocating atmosphere of boardroom meetings to the casual cruelty of executives discussing murder as casually as quarterly projections.

Christopher Bozin emerges as the novel's most complex character. One of Southern Republic's three founding partners, Bozin carries the crushing weight of having conceived the Priority program decades earlier. His late-in-life crisis of conscience drives much of the plot's momentum, but Berry wisely avoids painting him as a simple redemption figure. Bozin remains complicit in mass murder even as he attempts to expose it, creating a morally ambiguous character whose actions feel both heroic and deeply selfish.

The Banality of Corporate Evil

Where The List truly excels is in its depiction of how ordinary people justify extraordinary evil. Hamilton Lee and Larry Hughes, Bozin's business partners, discuss murder with the same clinical detachment they might apply to layoffs or plant closures. Their rationalization—that the Priority program saved jobs and preserved a community—becomes a chilling indictment of capitalism's ability to reduce human life to spreadsheet entries.

Jon De Florio, the company's security chief who oversees the murder program, represents perhaps Berry's most unsettling creation. A man who has built an entire corporate identity around his secret role as an assassin coordinator, De Florio embodies the terrifying normalcy of institutional evil. His matter-of-fact discussions about "processing Priorities" and maintaining "Rules" transforms murder into bureaucratic procedure.

The author's decision to ground the story in recognizable corporate culture makes the horror more effective than any supernatural thriller. Berry understands that the most frightening monsters often wear business suits and speak in euphemisms.

Character Development and Relationships

Brent Walker serves as an effective protagonist, though he occasionally feels overshadowed by the more compelling secondary characters. His relationship with Ashley Reed, Hank's daughter, provides emotional grounding but sometimes feels underdeveloped given its importance to the plot. The romantic subplot, while adding personal stakes, lacks the complexity of the corporate conspiracy storyline.

Hank Reed emerges as the novel's most authentic voice. Based on a real union leader Berry knew, Reed embodies the working-class determination and skepticism that makes him the perfect foil to corporate duplicity. His protective instincts toward his daughter and granddaughter add genuine emotional weight to the thriller elements.

Key Character Strengths:

Christopher Bozin - Morally complex antagonist seeking redemption
Jon De Florio - Chillingly bureaucratic representation of institutional evil
Hank Reed - Authentic working-class hero with genuine motivations
Hamilton Lee - Effectively depicts corporate sociopathy
Writing Style and Technical Execution

Berry's prose in The List feels more grounded and naturalistic than his historical thrillers. The absence of exotic locations and ancient conspiracies forces him to rely on character development and atmosphere—areas where he proves surprisingly adept. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, particularly in scenes between union leaders and corporate executives.

The author employs a multi-perspective narrative that builds tension effectively, though occasional shifts in point of view feel jarring. Berry's legal background shines in courtroom scenes and corporate machinations, but some action sequences lack the polish of his more experienced thriller contemporaries.

The pacing generally serves the story well, though the middle section occasionally stalls during exposition-heavy passages. Berry's decision to reveal the Priority program's full scope gradually pays dividends, maintaining reader engagement while building to a genuinely shocking climax.

Social Commentary and Relevance

Written originally in 1992 and revised during the COVID-19 pandemic, The List feels disturbingly relevant to contemporary healthcare debates. The idea of a self-insured company controlling costs through murder becomes a dark satire of American healthcare's profit-driven model. Berry's exploration of how economic pressures can corrupt moral decision-making resonates powerfully in an era of corporate consolidation and healthcare rationing.

The novel also functions as an elegy for disappearing American manufacturing communities. Concord's dependence on Southern Republic mirrors countless real towns where single employers wield enormous power over local populations. Berry captures both the benefits and dangers of such arrangements with nuanced understanding.

Flaws and Criticisms

Despite its considerable strengths, The List suffers from several notable weaknesses. The romantic subplot between Brent and Ashley feels perfunctory, more plot device than genuine relationship. Their shared history receives insufficient development to make their rekindled romance emotionally compelling.

The novel's conclusion, while satisfying from a justice perspective, feels somewhat rushed. After building tension so effectively throughout the majority of the book, Berry resolves multiple plot threads quickly, leaving some character arcs feeling incomplete. The fate of Southern Republic's employees after the company's exposure deserves more attention given Berry's emphasis on community throughout the narrative.

Some dialogue, particularly among younger characters, feels stilted and artificial. Berry's strength lies in depicting middle-aged professionals and working-class characters; his attempts to capture different demographic voices sometimes miss the mark.

The action sequences, while competent, lack the kinetic energy readers might expect from an experienced thriller writer. Berry's background in historical fiction serves him better in atmospheric and character-driven scenes than in high-tension physical confrontations.

Final Verdict

The List succeeds as both an engaging thriller and a disturbing meditation on corporate power. Berry's willingness to explore genuinely dark territory results in his most mature and emotionally complex work. While it lacks the globe-trotting adventure of his Cotton Malone series, it gains immeasurably in psychological depth and social relevance.

The novel's greatest achievement lies in making corporate evil feel both shocking and utterly believable. In an era where healthcare costs bankrupt families and corporations wield unprecedented power, Berry's nightmare scenario feels uncomfortably plausible. The List serves as both entertainment and warning—a reminder that the most dangerous conspiracies often hide behind quarterly reports and employee handbooks.

For readers seeking intelligent thriller entertainment with genuine substance, The List delivers admirably. While it may not achieve the escapist thrills of Berry's historical adventures, it offers something potentially more valuable: a mirror reflecting our own society's darkest possibilities. This haunting corporate thriller confirms that Steve Berry's talents extend far beyond ancient mysteries into the equally treacherous territory of modern moral corruption.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books)]

DNF...Even the great Scott Brick could not get me to finish this audio book. I took it because of the author and reader but the story is not for me.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Berry began writing THE LIST in 1992, but was never published at that time, especially when Grisham's THE FIRM was the hottest book in print. Published in 2025, it was Berry's 31st novel, as well as one of his better novels.
THE LIST is the story of a small group of men starting companies in what became a large mill town in Georgia. As the years went by, the 3 men running the company made a list of retired employees that made huge amounts of money in retirement pay and health expenses. The 3 greedy men, to stop the company's loss of thousands of $$$, made a list of the retired employees who were costing the company millions, and planned to have these retirees killed in ways that would appear to be ordinary deaths.
Brent Walker, a man who had lived in this mill town for years before moving to Atlanta for 10 years, returned to his home town and was hired as an attorney for the company. It didn't take long for Brent to become concerned with the deaths of 8 former employees. He shared his concerns with long time employee, Hank Reed. Together they actively listen and watch the three men who run the company until they decide to act.
THE LIST is an interesting and exciting read full of suspense as Brent and Hank closer and closer to finding the truth and then deciding what to do about it. Author Steve Berry had me turning the 366 pages of this novel rapidly in order to find out what surprise would happen next.
Steve Berry has written an exciting story of greed and murder with good insights into the life of Brent Walker, his work, his women, his family, and the list!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When he receives a job offer at the paper mill, Brent returns to his hometown and begins his job as assistant general counsel. The paper mill has been in business for decades, keeping the community of Concord alive, with generous pay, health benefits and pensions for its workers. But the company has been using a unique way to control costs, and when Brent stumbles upon the secret, lives are in danger. The List has a unique plot that grabs your attention in this suspenseful, Grisham-esque story that doesn’t disappoint. This is a breezy read, uncomplicated and straightforward, with flawed characters all around, and a morally ambiguous big business as the backdrop. Lots to like about this one, definitely recommended. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a case of an incredible idea that is poorly executed. While I loved the "evil is human and corporate" vibe, I can't get past the character development, dialog, the weird romance, and the way that ending is plotted to rate it higher. Did I mention the one glaring plot hole? Berry explains in end notes that he originally wrote this in 1992, didn't think it was good, and it's languished in his desk drawer for years. Yep. I haven't read Steve Berry before. While I found this one just OK, I appreciated the idea enough to maybe check out his other work in the future.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’ve read too many of the author’s books but they’re starting to blend together in my mind. And not in a good way.

This standalone (re: not part of the Cotton Malone series) read very slowly, the story dragging and yet predictable for the first two-thirds of the plot. The pace picked up in the last third, but the characters fell flat for me and the bad guys were comically bad, with evil quips and dénouement always at the ready. It should’ve been stressful, but instead it was a relief when it was over.

Disappointing, as SB’s previous books have all been fast, fun, and informative (historically). Maybe next time!

Three stars.

[Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the end, this one proved to be a little disappointing for me., so just 3.5 stars rounded down. The concept of the book was interesting, but I found the plot and most of the twists to be predictable. The story-line picked up somewhat in the last 70 pages or so, but just not enough to warrant a full four stars. Not one of Steve Berry's best books.

[Tobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

book was slow. it wasn't until the 70% mark that the story took off. very grisham like book (except the boredom for 70% of it)

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars 🌟

This was a pleasant surprise for me. As much as I truly want to start Mr. Berry's Cotton Malone series, I just sometimes feel that I'm too far behind to even start. Which is a totally crazy thought because I am completely invested in about 15 other series that are AT LEST 25 books in. But, yet I hesitate. Okay, that's a me problem....moving on....

This is a standalone book and in the Author's note at the end, we learn that this was one of the first manuscripts that he ever wrote, but he put it in a drawer and only took it out every couple of years to work on it. That's kind of cool.

The plot on this is crazy. Without giving out too much information, there is a company- a paper mill plant - in a small town in Georgia that basically keeps the town alive. Most of the inhabitants of the town have worked for the plant for most of their lives. There are also a couple of subplots that run tangentially - like the story of Brent Walker and his life, and Hank Reid and the happenings in his life. But the story REALLY revolves around the "creative" way the three owners have been keeping their labor/pension/medical costs low over the last 30 years.

The storyline takes place over 20 days and Mr. Berry does a fantastic job of building and building the tension until we get to the final climax. It was a doozy, and I could feel my heartbeat increasing dramatically as the events unfolded.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on July 22, 2025.

[Toober · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of the Cotton Malone series when it started out, but I feel so far behind that I just can’t find the time to catch up. So I was so excited when I saw that there was a Steve Berry stand alone novel coming out!

Unfortunately, this one was a big miss for me. The story is about a paper company whose owners decide to save (or make in their case) money by killing off retired employees that will cost them too much money due to the company's health insurance. It costs less to kill them and help them get healthy? Seems a little far-fetched to me… and they have been doing this for years!

I did enjoy the narrator, Scott Brick, of the audiobook and the second half of the book did pick up a bit until the end (which felt like a big let down by the time we got there). The post-book notes indicate that this was Berry’s second manuscript that he ever wrote and he decided to come back to it during the pandemic. In my opinion, this one would have been better off staying in the bottom drawer of his desk.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for access to the audio-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cotton Malone's latest assignment to find the Lost Book of Berry takes him from the top floor executive suites of Atlanta's corporate skyline, to the rural paper mills of the Savannah area, to secret fishing holes on remote lakes and the lavish enclaves of billionaire capitalists. 

What he finds is an early unpublished novel by Steve Berry that is a major departure from Berry's trademark history's mysteries format in which the three principal owners of a struggling paper manufacturer use institutionalized murder as a cost cutting measure. 

Actually, Cotton Malone has nothing to do with The List. Steve Berry himself has resurrected a novel he wrote in 1992 about a lawyer for a paper mill who uncovers the owners' murder for profit scheme (not a spoiler, we learn of the scheme early on). 

Based on his own experience as a lawyer for a Georgia paper mill, updated during the 2020s for publication, developing characters based on people he met in real life, Berry has come up with a timely suspense story that captures the excesses of contemporary corporate America. 

Berry has painted a fictional portrait of one major corporation and its super-wealthy owners taking the exploitation of its workers to the extreme measure of murder. One can't tell if it was his explicit intention, but this stands as a symbolic indictment of unchecked corporate greed with its callous disregard for real people. 

This is not standard fare for Berry enthusiasts like me who have read every one of his many novels. Nevertheless it is a refreshing departure into his own past experience as an attorney and a glimpse of his early development as a writer. 

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance reading copy. Apologies for the late review, delayed by my own travels across the country over the past few weeks.

[Sue H · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think of Steve Berry, you think of historical thrillers, particularly featuring Cotton Malone. The LIst demonstrates he can also excel at Corporate Thrillers! You have to pinch yourself that you are reading Mr. Berry and not one of John Grisham's novels. The reader can tell that Steve Berry was a trial lawyer for 30 years as he is comfortable with the legal aspects of the novel.

This story hits closer to home and seems more realistic than the author's other novels as it hones in on Corporate America and the lust for money by the business owners and management. It also brings in the relationship of the unions who are there to improve the lot of the working man but you see how the head honchos of the business and union work behind closed doors to benefit themselves. Our political climate today illustrates how powerful businesses and their money can get their way and who cares what happens to the little man.

Fortunately Mr Berry brings in characters (young Brent Walker--lawyer and son of a former employee of Souther Republic Pulp & Paper Company and older friend Hank union representative and former mayor) who still have consciences and want the best for the employees of the paper company. One of the biggest benefits for the employees is the insurance which the company owns and offers rather than using an outside provider. As with most union negotiations, this is a prominent benefit that employees need.

Through technology Hank finds a list behind the owners' server firewall as he is preparing for union negotiations. What is this list of 7 numbers containing 9 digits? Why is it guarded so carefully? Does it have anything to do with the union negotiations?

With accelerating suspense, the reader is taken on a ride of thrills to uncover the answers where not only Brent and Hank feel threatened but also fear for friends and family.

I loved reading the book and will encourage as many patrons, friends, and family to enjoy Steve Berry's newest addition to his list of literary winners.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the ARC.

[Pam Kovalic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brent Walker returns to Concord, GA to work as an assistant general counsel for Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company after being in Atlanta working as a prosecutor with the Fulton County DA office. Brent’s father died two years earlier and his mother’s health has started to decline, Southern Republic is a huge company that has invested heavily in the town of Concord. Brent is brought in at the start of negotiations for labor contracts with all three of the company’s unions. The lead negotiator for the unions is Hank Reed, an old friend of Brent and the father of Ashley, the woman who has always been on Brent’s mind. As the negotiating process begins, one of the owners asks to meet with Brent and Brent starts to see signs that everything is not what it seems with the company. The company is owned by three men and their methods for success are troubling to say the least. I’m not going to give away everything, so I’ll just give my impressions of the book. Overall, I liked the book but I have to say, the first part of the book kind of dragged for me. The second half picked up and held my interest though. The book reminded me a lot of John Grisham’s book The Firm. I give the book 3.5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 22, 2025.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fitting tale for today’s environment where CEO’s are not particularly favorably viewed.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day, Atlanta and a small town in Georgia
Characters: Attorney Brent Walker, his family, the administration and staff of Southern Republic, a paper industry conglomerate
Overview: Walker returns to his home town of Concord, warmly greeted by an old friend in the electrical union of Southern Republic and more warmly greeted by an old girlfriend. Union negotiations have started, and the company’s triumvirate of CEOs has operated a long-standing program where “The List” is comprised of employees whose long-term medical expenses have a huge negative effect on corporate earnings. Those employees are “prioritized” and meet unfortunate, clever, and mostly undetectable ends by a professional security team. Walker, of course, is involved in more than one way, and finds time in between courting his old girlfriend to try and correct the evil deeds, one of which had hit close to home.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: While the topic is contemporary, this book has the tone of the older style of thriller writing and was, in fact, written in 2011, shelved, and updated for 2025 publication.
Thanx to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Steve Berry, Grand Central Publishing ( @grandcentralpub ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The List (out now).

A stand alone novel by Steve Berry, The List is a fast paced, inside story of corporate greed.

Brent Walker is back in his hometown, working as a lawyer for the local paper mill. Unknowingly he and union president (also friend), Hank, find out a secret about the owners of the mill. A secret that two of the owners will do anything to keep hidden.

I was flying through the chapters trying to reach the end. I think I was holding my breath all the way until the last page. Another excellent book from Steve Berry!

#TheList #NetGalley #SteveBerry #GrandCentralPublishing

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Legal / Thriller
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

Steve Berry's THE LIST is a standalone novel that showcases this unique opportunity to combine the author’s thriller writing chops with a story that reflects his thirty-year career as an attorney. This standalone corporate thriller, originally conceived in 1992 but refined and released decades later, showcases Berry at his most grounded and emotionally resonant. Set in the fictional Concord, Georgia, The List trades ancient conspiracies and historical mysteries for a chilling exploration of modern corporate greed, healthcare costs, and small-town economic dependency.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The List centers around Brent Walker, a lawyer returning to his hometown in rural Georgia near Statesboro. His new role as associate counsel for Southern Republic Pulp and Paper quickly puts him at odds with his longtime friend and mentor, Hank Reed, who serves as liaison to the paper mill’s three labor unions. Complicating matters further is Brent’s romantic history with Hank’s daughter, Ashley.

During a brief power outage, Hank stumbles upon a mysterious list of numbers while snooping through the company’s computer files. This list becomes the heart of the story. He turns it over to Brent, and together they begin to unravel a horrifying conspiracy—one that the mill’s three owners have kept buried for decades. If exposed, the secret would destroy the mill. Despite working on opposing sides, Brent and Hank’s bond drives them to confront the danger, and as the stakes rise, they must act quickly to reveal the truth before they—or their families—are silenced permanently.

The List is the definition of a slow burn; it took about 25% of the book before the pace truly picked up. However, the wait was worth it. The characters are well-developed, and the story is compelling. A few elements, like Brent’s convenient access to a microcassette recorder, felt far-fetched—but the author’s note explains that the story was conceived and initially written in 1992, which helps contextualize those moments.

This was my first Steve Berry novel, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for the advance copy.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Berry's The List starts with a common plot device- adult child returns to small town and ends up solving a mystery. But Berry offers an unusual variation on Brent Walker's story. He takes a job as assistant general counsel in the paper mill where his late father worked. Walker sensed something was wrong when he found a list of names and numbers hidden behind a firewall on his company computer. The numbers turn out to be social security numbers and some of the names are deceased employees. Walker and a fellow employee realize this list relates to employee benefits. The company is fully self-insured. This means the company is responsible for paying the various benefit claims- health, life, pension, and workers' comp. Most self-insurers purchase a stop-loss policy to pay claims over a certain amount. Instead, the company has a unique solution to containing costs. The list is the key. Solving the mystery almost gets Walker killed. Expect action, suspense and surprises. People die. Scott Brick does an excellent job voicing the audio version.