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The Old Man
To all appearances, Dan Chase is a harmless retiree in Vermont with two big mutts and a grown daughter he keeps in touch with by phone. But most sixty-year-old widowers don’t have multiple driver’s licenses, savings stockpiled in banks across the country, and a bugout kit with two Beretta Nanos stashed in the spare bedroom closet. Most have not spent decades on the run.
Thirty-five years ago, as a young hotshot in army intelligence, Chase was sent to Libya to covertly assist a rebel army. When the plan turned sour, Chase reacted according to his own ideas of right and wrong, triggering consequences he could never have anticipated. And someone still wants him dead because of them. Just as he had begun to think himself finally safe, Chase must reawaken his survival instincts to contend with the history he has spent his adult life trying to escape. Armed mercenaries, spectacularly crashed cars, a precarious love interest, and an unforgettable chase scene through the snow—this is lethal plotting from one of the best in crime fiction.
Thirty-five years ago, as a young hotshot in army intelligence, Chase was sent to Libya to covertly assist a rebel army. When the plan turned sour, Chase reacted according to his own ideas of right and wrong, triggering consequences he could never have anticipated. And someone still wants him dead because of them. Just as he had begun to think himself finally safe, Chase must reawaken his survival instincts to contend with the history he has spent his adult life trying to escape. Armed mercenaries, spectacularly crashed cars, a precarious love interest, and an unforgettable chase scene through the snow—this is lethal plotting from one of the best in crime fiction.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2017
1789 people are currently reading
7471 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Perry
93 books1,700 followersThomas Perry was the author of 25 novels. He was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He had worked as a park maintenance man, factory laborer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and as a writer and producer of prime time network television shows.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,289 reviews
October 23, 2022
*Update, 2022: I reread this book after finally watching the first season of the television adaptation of the book. While I enjoyed watching Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow, and Amy Brenneman, the adaptation diverges in significant ways and, as is almost always the case, in my opinion at least, the book is much better than the TV program. I enjoyed reading the book again, but I doubt that I will bother to watch the second season of the television series.
This is another very good stand-alone novel from Thomas Perry, author of the Butcher's Boy and Jane Whitefield series. The protagonist, whom we meet as "Dan Chase," is a sixty-something retired guy, a widower with two dogs named Dave and Carol, who is otherwise alone and attempting to mind his own business, living under the radar in Vermont. Chase is a man with a past, though, who's been looking over his shoulder for more than thirty years, hoping that it won't catch up with him. But, of course, it finally does; otherwise there would be no novel.
As a young army intelligence officer, Chase was assigned to funnel $20 million to a Libyan warlord thought to be friendly to the United States. The warlord, in turn, was to give the money to a group of insurgents who would advance American interests in the country. But the operation went south, and when it did, Chase acted in a way that he thought best to protect the interests of the U.S. Not everyone agreed with his course of action though, and Chase thus became a marked man, waiting for the ax to fall. When it finally does, he has spent years preparing for the moment, assembling new identities and stockpiling weapons and cash. Dan Chase may be an old man, but he's not going down without a fight.
As he's demonstrated in earlier novels, Perry is the master of explaining how people can go on the run and elude, at least temporarily, very skilled and determined adversaries who are in pursuit. Of course, that's becoming increasingly hard to do in this day and age, when virtually everything a person does, seems to leave a digital trail. As always, though, Perry's protagonist is ahead of the game, at least in the beginning, and the result is a gripping story that leaves the reader glued to his seat, rooting for the Old Man to succeed when the odds suggest that he never can. All in all, a great character, a great plot, and a great read.
This is another very good stand-alone novel from Thomas Perry, author of the Butcher's Boy and Jane Whitefield series. The protagonist, whom we meet as "Dan Chase," is a sixty-something retired guy, a widower with two dogs named Dave and Carol, who is otherwise alone and attempting to mind his own business, living under the radar in Vermont. Chase is a man with a past, though, who's been looking over his shoulder for more than thirty years, hoping that it won't catch up with him. But, of course, it finally does; otherwise there would be no novel.
As a young army intelligence officer, Chase was assigned to funnel $20 million to a Libyan warlord thought to be friendly to the United States. The warlord, in turn, was to give the money to a group of insurgents who would advance American interests in the country. But the operation went south, and when it did, Chase acted in a way that he thought best to protect the interests of the U.S. Not everyone agreed with his course of action though, and Chase thus became a marked man, waiting for the ax to fall. When it finally does, he has spent years preparing for the moment, assembling new identities and stockpiling weapons and cash. Dan Chase may be an old man, but he's not going down without a fight.
As he's demonstrated in earlier novels, Perry is the master of explaining how people can go on the run and elude, at least temporarily, very skilled and determined adversaries who are in pursuit. Of course, that's becoming increasingly hard to do in this day and age, when virtually everything a person does, seems to leave a digital trail. As always, though, Perry's protagonist is ahead of the game, at least in the beginning, and the result is a gripping story that leaves the reader glued to his seat, rooting for the Old Man to succeed when the odds suggest that he never can. All in all, a great character, a great plot, and a great read.
November 23, 2024
“‘An old man should have a dog.’ Dan Chase’s daughter had told him that ten years ago, after his wife died. The part that surprised him was the term ‘old man.’ He had just turned fifty then. But he supposed she was only giving him advance notice, time to get used to the idea and find a suitable dog. After a man’s wife died, he had to do something not to die too…”
- Thomas Perry, The Old Man: A Novel
Thomas Perry’s The Old Man is a book that I never would have heard about had it not been made into a pretty good television show. It’s definitely not something I would have purchased if I had not been watching the show late at night, with a glass of wine, after everyone else in my house had gone to bed. And it’s probably not something I would have read – even after buying it – had I not simply needed a drastic change of pace in my reading life.
All those factors having fallen into place, I can say that The Old Man is really good at being what it is: a thriller of modest length and blistering speed, filled with extraordinary set pieces and preposterous characters. It is undeniably entertaining and eminently forgettable all at once, which is not meant to be a backhanded compliment, only an acknowledgment that books serve many purposes.
***
The Old Man is a comfortably old-fashioned amalgamation of three fictional archetypes: the competent man with a gun; the guy with a past; and the dude who is on the run. The only twist here is that the main character is retired, though he is still several years from American retirement age.
The idea of having an older character hold the center is a good one. As a person who has aged out of target demographics, it can feel downright refreshing. Unfortunately, Perry never really does much with this conceit. Indeed, his “old man” is still super fit, super tough, and has not slowed down at all. He is doing at sixty what most people can’t do at twenty, which feels like a missed opportunity. In the show, for instance – which is so different it doesn’t even bear comparison – Jeff Bridges huffs his way through every action sequence, the sounds of his breathing enough to haunt your dreams.
***
Up top, I mentioned the rapidity at which things unfold. The Old Man is not overly concerned about setting the scene or building tension. By page ten, the first body has already hit the floor. More will follow, at short intervals.
The main character is Dan Chase, though he will go by several different names as the pages fly past. He has a lot of baggage, the consequences of which lead to his being targeted for assassination. The reasons are eventually filled in, mostly in big, explicit info drops that are not nearly as interesting as one might hope. Suffice to say, he is not drawn with any psychological depth. Perry makes some faint attempts to give Dan some dimension, and offers intriguing hints at an underlying ruthlessness that is never fulfilled. For the most part, though, his character is action, and all that we really know – or need to know – is that he can shoot straight, cause a lot of pain with his bare hands, and move large sums of money through shell companies.
***
Dan is joined by two others characters in The Old Man. One who joins him on the run. The other who leads the chase. It’s tough to say a lot more, given that almost everything about them is interwoven with the outcome of the novel. To his credit, Perry attempts to give these two backgrounds. To this book’s minor detriment, he doesn’t really succeed. The backstory of the follower is tedious, while that of the companion is ludicrous.
Alas, The Old Man isn’t an examination into the heart of man. It’s about running, killing, and knowing the best whiskey to purchase at dinner.
***
I have a recurrent fantasy of being on the run, which is related to the idea of shucking off all the burdens of life, and starting over fresh. This is – I hasten to add – a workweek daydream, and not at all something I’m going to do. Given my uniquely limited skills, I wouldn’t get far anyway.
But that’s why it’s fun to watch someone else do it. Dan on the run is great. The Old Man is at its peak when it’s just observing him in his disappearing acts, covering his tracks, leaving false trails, and gaining distance from his pursuers. Typically, it takes me about a week to finish a book. This one I got through in a couple days. The reason is that when it’s rolling, it’s really rolling.
***
Perry has written a lot of books, including well-regarded series. The Old Man, though, is a standalone. Though I’ve never even skimmed any of his other titles, I’m guessing this one will be familiar to his readers. I say this because The Old Man is slick and assured. There is a confident rhythm to the proceedings, as we move at intervals between fighting, running, and resting, before starting the cycle over again.
The Old Man is not literary fiction, but it is well written. Perry is very skilled, and knows what he’s doing. There is, for example, an excellent backwoods pursuit through the snow. The dialogue is filled with elevated dialogue and punchy lines that lift this above the typical airport mass market paperback.
***
There is value in a thing knowing precisely what it is, and being good at it. The Old Man is not meant to change your worldview, challenge your preconceptions, or provoke a powerful response. It’s here to show you a good time. At that, it succeeds. Honestly, I’m already forgetting the ending, but I sure enjoyed the journey while it lasted.
- Thomas Perry, The Old Man: A Novel
Thomas Perry’s The Old Man is a book that I never would have heard about had it not been made into a pretty good television show. It’s definitely not something I would have purchased if I had not been watching the show late at night, with a glass of wine, after everyone else in my house had gone to bed. And it’s probably not something I would have read – even after buying it – had I not simply needed a drastic change of pace in my reading life.
All those factors having fallen into place, I can say that The Old Man is really good at being what it is: a thriller of modest length and blistering speed, filled with extraordinary set pieces and preposterous characters. It is undeniably entertaining and eminently forgettable all at once, which is not meant to be a backhanded compliment, only an acknowledgment that books serve many purposes.
***
The Old Man is a comfortably old-fashioned amalgamation of three fictional archetypes: the competent man with a gun; the guy with a past; and the dude who is on the run. The only twist here is that the main character is retired, though he is still several years from American retirement age.
The idea of having an older character hold the center is a good one. As a person who has aged out of target demographics, it can feel downright refreshing. Unfortunately, Perry never really does much with this conceit. Indeed, his “old man” is still super fit, super tough, and has not slowed down at all. He is doing at sixty what most people can’t do at twenty, which feels like a missed opportunity. In the show, for instance – which is so different it doesn’t even bear comparison – Jeff Bridges huffs his way through every action sequence, the sounds of his breathing enough to haunt your dreams.
***
Up top, I mentioned the rapidity at which things unfold. The Old Man is not overly concerned about setting the scene or building tension. By page ten, the first body has already hit the floor. More will follow, at short intervals.
The main character is Dan Chase, though he will go by several different names as the pages fly past. He has a lot of baggage, the consequences of which lead to his being targeted for assassination. The reasons are eventually filled in, mostly in big, explicit info drops that are not nearly as interesting as one might hope. Suffice to say, he is not drawn with any psychological depth. Perry makes some faint attempts to give Dan some dimension, and offers intriguing hints at an underlying ruthlessness that is never fulfilled. For the most part, though, his character is action, and all that we really know – or need to know – is that he can shoot straight, cause a lot of pain with his bare hands, and move large sums of money through shell companies.
***
Dan is joined by two others characters in The Old Man. One who joins him on the run. The other who leads the chase. It’s tough to say a lot more, given that almost everything about them is interwoven with the outcome of the novel. To his credit, Perry attempts to give these two backgrounds. To this book’s minor detriment, he doesn’t really succeed. The backstory of the follower is tedious, while that of the companion is ludicrous.
Alas, The Old Man isn’t an examination into the heart of man. It’s about running, killing, and knowing the best whiskey to purchase at dinner.
***
I have a recurrent fantasy of being on the run, which is related to the idea of shucking off all the burdens of life, and starting over fresh. This is – I hasten to add – a workweek daydream, and not at all something I’m going to do. Given my uniquely limited skills, I wouldn’t get far anyway.
But that’s why it’s fun to watch someone else do it. Dan on the run is great. The Old Man is at its peak when it’s just observing him in his disappearing acts, covering his tracks, leaving false trails, and gaining distance from his pursuers. Typically, it takes me about a week to finish a book. This one I got through in a couple days. The reason is that when it’s rolling, it’s really rolling.
***
Perry has written a lot of books, including well-regarded series. The Old Man, though, is a standalone. Though I’ve never even skimmed any of his other titles, I’m guessing this one will be familiar to his readers. I say this because The Old Man is slick and assured. There is a confident rhythm to the proceedings, as we move at intervals between fighting, running, and resting, before starting the cycle over again.
The Old Man is not literary fiction, but it is well written. Perry is very skilled, and knows what he’s doing. There is, for example, an excellent backwoods pursuit through the snow. The dialogue is filled with elevated dialogue and punchy lines that lift this above the typical airport mass market paperback.
***
There is value in a thing knowing precisely what it is, and being good at it. The Old Man is not meant to change your worldview, challenge your preconceptions, or provoke a powerful response. It’s here to show you a good time. At that, it succeeds. Honestly, I’m already forgetting the ending, but I sure enjoyed the journey while it lasted.
December 26, 2016
By all appearances Dan Chase is an elderly man casually walking his two oversized dogs, Carol and Dave weighing some eighty pounds; an excellent choice for protection. However, he is on high alert at all times and as he crossed a bridge close to his home in Vermont, Dan was aware of a car going much slower than normal. After his last and final secret mission with military intelligence he had been safe for several years but now it would appear they have found him. Dan knew one day he would have to disappear from the quiet life he tried to create and outrun those in pursuit. The Old Man is a highly charged, action packed novel, written by Edgar Award-winning author Thomas Perry. If looking for a page turner, excitement, and drama this novel definitely ticks all the boxes.
** Thank you to Publisher Mysterious Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher Mysterious Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
October 31, 2017
Could be the makings of a thriller movie.
September 15, 2019
Read this when it came out. Loved this one. It's one of his best. The character was three dimensional. The story worked well for me. I highly recommend.
d.
d.
December 23, 2019
This was just an OK thriller about Dan Chase (one of many aliases), a 60 year old man retired from army intelligence, who is on the run from sinister members of his past. I spent the first part of the book worrying about Chase’s two dogs. Once they were out of the way, I didn’t really worry about anything in this book. I knew nothing bad was going to happen to Chase. This isn’t that kind of book. Along the way, he acquires a female companion. Her motive for joining him escaped me. Even when the author explained it, it made no sense. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I have concluded that his books are meant to pass the time on long airplane rides. The author likes plot over character, and isn’t overly concerned with believability. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
October 1, 2025
Update Oct. 1, 2025:
Sad News. Thomas Perry passed away this week. I’ve loved his novels and fortunately have at least eight or nine of his novels (not counting the Jane Whitefield series) I’ve yet to read.
Thomas Perry is known for the type of thriller most often described as "page-turners". This book has become one of my favorite novels of all the books he's published so far.
You won't be able to put this one down.
Highest Possible Recommendation.
Oh yeah-the HULU series doesn’t do justice to the novel but at least the author can join the exclusive ranks of the one percent.
I’m a big Jeff Bridges fan!
But…
Please read Perry’s novel 1st.
Sad News. Thomas Perry passed away this week. I’ve loved his novels and fortunately have at least eight or nine of his novels (not counting the Jane Whitefield series) I’ve yet to read.
Excellent.
I loved this novel a great deal.
It’s a must for any Thomas Perry fan.
Thirty-five years ago when the Old Man was a young guy named Dan Chase and working for Army intelligence, he was assigned to deliver several million dollars to a Libyan strong man. This Libyan was supposed to supply an army of rebels with weapons and everything else needed to topple Muammar Gaddafi from power with money provided by American power-brokers. After risking his life to make this delivery, young Dan Chase is appalled to find that the Libyan strong man has decided to keep the money for his own creature comforts. The rebels will all starve to death or be captured, tortured and executed by Gaddafi's soldiers. The Libyan strong man will grow older in comfort and prosper. The American power-brokers will be sorely embarrassed but what the hell - it's not their money ...it's U. S. tax-payer money.
So, Dan Chase steals the money back with the intention of returning the money to the government of the United States.
Instead, his superiors sever all contact with Dan Chase and abandon him as a traitor to his own country. A disgrace to Army Intelligence.
The several million dollars Dan Chase has stolen back from the Libyan strong man are to be his consolation prize.
Thirty-five years later, living under a different name, various unknown men with Arabic accents show up attempting to murder the Old Man.
Killing him will prove to be an objective not easily realized.
As one young intelligence contractor assigned to aid the unknown assassins who come after the Old Man observes:
"He had warned his superior officers. He had told them a couple of times that the old man wasn't just an old man, like somebody's uncle. He was old the way a seven-foot rattlesnake was old."
Thomas Perry is known for the type of thriller most often described as "page-turners". This book has become one of my favorite novels of all the books he's published so far.
You won't be able to put this one down.
Highest Possible Recommendation.
Oh yeah-the HULU series doesn’t do justice to the novel but at least the author can join the exclusive ranks of the one percent.
I’m a big Jeff Bridges fan!
But…
Please read Perry’s novel 1st.
October 2, 2020
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars
Simply stated . . . .
The Old Man isn’t my typical genre, but thanks to Archer returning to FX for another season I caught a commercial for the television series and, as you may have guessed, opted for the print version rather than pretending I could sit week after week watching an hour long program that didn’t involve heavily make-upped, big-haired housewives screeching at each other and flipping tables.
The premise here is that "Dan Chase" has lived a quiet life in Vermont for the past 35 years. Before that, however, he was a member of the special forces assigned the task of turning over millions of government dollars to some rebel forces. When it comes to his attention the money isn't making into the hands it was supposed to and instead has been kept by the middleman in the transaction, Chase pulls a double cross and steals it back. Unfortunately, the powers that be in the states weren't officially on board with that plan, making him a marked man and now . . . .
Those pesky Libyans!
Like I said, I can’t remember the last time I picked up one of these cat and mouse/manhunt/government conspiracy/whatever you want to call this type of book. I just figured if Jeff Bridges signed on, there’s a decent chance I would enjoy it. And I was right. This took about 12 seconds to read, the action was good, the story easy to follow, the dialogue solid with a delightful tinge of humor to it (the “Old Man” and the female lead had a great banter that reminded me of Robert B. Parker’s Spencer - and it really made me wish Burt Reynolds were still around to provide the narration on the audio version of this one).
All in all . . . .
3.5 Stars
Simply stated . . . .
The Old Man isn’t my typical genre, but thanks to Archer returning to FX for another season I caught a commercial for the television series and, as you may have guessed, opted for the print version rather than pretending I could sit week after week watching an hour long program that didn’t involve heavily make-upped, big-haired housewives screeching at each other and flipping tables.
The premise here is that "Dan Chase" has lived a quiet life in Vermont for the past 35 years. Before that, however, he was a member of the special forces assigned the task of turning over millions of government dollars to some rebel forces. When it comes to his attention the money isn't making into the hands it was supposed to and instead has been kept by the middleman in the transaction, Chase pulls a double cross and steals it back. Unfortunately, the powers that be in the states weren't officially on board with that plan, making him a marked man and now . . . .
Those pesky Libyans!
Like I said, I can’t remember the last time I picked up one of these cat and mouse/manhunt/government conspiracy/whatever you want to call this type of book. I just figured if Jeff Bridges signed on, there’s a decent chance I would enjoy it. And I was right. This took about 12 seconds to read, the action was good, the story easy to follow, the dialogue solid with a delightful tinge of humor to it (the “Old Man” and the female lead had a great banter that reminded me of Robert B. Parker’s Spencer - and it really made me wish Burt Reynolds were still around to provide the narration on the audio version of this one).
All in all . . . .
July 8, 2022
Based on the title, I thought someone had written my biography without my permission. I expected a pretty basic book about a man reading The New York Times while drinking his morning coffee, reading books, watching movies, going for walks, checking his blood pressure, playing with his dog, driving his kids to basketball practice, picking out new summer beers to try at the liquor store, ordering Indian food, and often feeling existential and moderately anxious.
This was a much different book, thank god.
This was another fast-paced action thriller where the plot kicks into high gear from the end of the first chapter. Staying true to its title, the book is about an old man. A 60 year old man living a quiet life with his two dogs in the middle of nowhere. Just living off the grid, cooking dinners and feeding his dogs. That’s most of the first chapter, and then the old man stuff ends.
The old man suddenly finds himself on the run, and a subsequent chapter explains why. The story then becomes an outrageously farfetched cat-and-mouse game that bounces around country and beyond. Aliases are created, partnerships are formed, appearances are changed, and everything comes to a wild ending that, again, is way over the top.
It’s kind of like The Bourne Identity but Matt Damon is much older. I haven’t seen that movie in a very long time, and I never read the book, so that probably isn’t true. There are likely plenty of similarities though. Lots of action, government operatives, people on the run.
The Old Man is a great summer read, easy to rip though quickly with short chapters and plenty of twists and turns. I’ll probably forget about it soon, but it was a great primer for the TV show starring Jeff Bridges I’m excited to watch.
This was a much different book, thank god.
This was another fast-paced action thriller where the plot kicks into high gear from the end of the first chapter. Staying true to its title, the book is about an old man. A 60 year old man living a quiet life with his two dogs in the middle of nowhere. Just living off the grid, cooking dinners and feeding his dogs. That’s most of the first chapter, and then the old man stuff ends.
The old man suddenly finds himself on the run, and a subsequent chapter explains why. The story then becomes an outrageously farfetched cat-and-mouse game that bounces around country and beyond. Aliases are created, partnerships are formed, appearances are changed, and everything comes to a wild ending that, again, is way over the top.
It’s kind of like The Bourne Identity but Matt Damon is much older. I haven’t seen that movie in a very long time, and I never read the book, so that probably isn’t true. There are likely plenty of similarities though. Lots of action, government operatives, people on the run.
The Old Man is a great summer read, easy to rip though quickly with short chapters and plenty of twists and turns. I’ll probably forget about it soon, but it was a great primer for the TV show starring Jeff Bridges I’m excited to watch.
March 6, 2017
I never write reviews, but this was bad enough that I felt inspired. The character of this book was so conflicting. The author tried to make him bad ass through a decent background story in Libya. Then became a family man after returning home, fondly loving his wife and daughter, taking extreme measures to protect them. Daughter grows up, wife dies, then he gets chased by some bad guys from his past. He meets a new lady and pretends to not be in love with her for the rest of the book. The nature of his relationship with her just made no sense.
Kicker #1 was that the author tried to interweave a story about a for-hire CIA agent and 3 mysterious acting CIA chiefs. But the parallel story really didn't add interest to the book and just seemed pointless.
Kicker #2 was the sudden back story of the new lady...murder as a child? Forced by her parents to run away? Afraid to be fingerprinted? Just painfully eye rolling.
Kicker #3 was the lack of parallel story about the person who had a death wish against him. It made the ending much less gratifying.
In the end, he ditches the new lady, gets the bad guy and lives happily ever after.
Kicker #1 was that the author tried to interweave a story about a for-hire CIA agent and 3 mysterious acting CIA chiefs. But the parallel story really didn't add interest to the book and just seemed pointless.
Kicker #2 was the sudden back story of the new lady...murder as a child? Forced by her parents to run away? Afraid to be fingerprinted? Just painfully eye rolling.
Kicker #3 was the lack of parallel story about the person who had a death wish against him. It made the ending much less gratifying.
In the end, he ditches the new lady, gets the bad guy and lives happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2016
3.5 stars. David Chase is a 60 year old widower. He spends his days reading and walking the dogs. But most 60 year olds don't have multiple drivers licenses, their savings in banks across the country and 2 Beretta Nanos in his spare bedroom cupboard.
Thirty five years ago he was a young hotshot in the army's intelligence. He was sent to Libya to assist a rebel army. Things did not go to plan triggering consequences he never anticipated.
This is a page turner from beginning to end. Well written and fast paced.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author Thomas Perry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thirty five years ago he was a young hotshot in the army's intelligence. He was sent to Libya to assist a rebel army. Things did not go to plan triggering consequences he never anticipated.
This is a page turner from beginning to end. Well written and fast paced.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author Thomas Perry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2016
3.5 stars
Daniel Chase is just your average 60 year old widower. Since his daughter moved out, he spends his days reading & walking Dave & Carol, the dogs. But 35 years ago he was a covert government agent in Libya. After a botched assignment, he fled back to the states carrying $20 million only to discover he’d been abandoned by his own handlers. Since then, he’s been living quietly with a new identity. Now he’s been found.
Daniel has no choice but to hit the road, dodging several attempts on his life before he makes it to Chicago. With a new name, he rents a room from Zoe McDonald, an attractive divorcee trying to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, the government enlists a special ops contractor to find their former agent. Julian Carson works loosely with military intelligence & it’s not long before he tracks him down. But their “meetings” leave him with more than just bruises. Daniel’s side of the story makes Julian question what really happened all those years ago, why he’s been hired & who he can trust.
The story shifts to full thriller mode as Daniel & Zoe flee across the country, followed by Julian & a group of shadowy men. We know the military is behind the manhunt but it’s not immediately clear why or if they’re working alone. Gradually we (and Daniel) learn the real reason he’s a wanted man after more than 3 decades.
This is a fast paced conspiracy thriller with plenty of twists to keep you entertained. Daniel’s character remains an enigma but you can’t help but pull for him as he tries to outwit everything the men in dark suits throw at him. He’s a difficult guy to connect with & we never really get to know him any better. But this is in keeping with a character whose secrets prevent him from forming close relationships. In fact, most of the characters are lightly fleshed out. Zoe is a remarkably accepting woman whose life is turned upside down. When we’re given details of her background, it’s late in the game & doesn’t really add anything to the story.
The exception is Julian. We spend a fair amount of time in his head as he struggles to hold on to his integrity while making decisions that will alter the trajectory of his life.
But character development is beside the point as this is a straight up thriller made for fans of spy games & lot of action. It does exactly what it should….keep you turning the pages to see who is left standing when it all shakes out. I enjoyed learning all of Daniel’s survival tricks & appreciated the author didn’t go for the pat, easy ending.
Perfect for your next flight or road trip, this should appeal to fans of Steve Martini, Gregg Hurwitz, Joseph Finder or Steve Berry.
Daniel Chase is just your average 60 year old widower. Since his daughter moved out, he spends his days reading & walking Dave & Carol, the dogs. But 35 years ago he was a covert government agent in Libya. After a botched assignment, he fled back to the states carrying $20 million only to discover he’d been abandoned by his own handlers. Since then, he’s been living quietly with a new identity. Now he’s been found.
Daniel has no choice but to hit the road, dodging several attempts on his life before he makes it to Chicago. With a new name, he rents a room from Zoe McDonald, an attractive divorcee trying to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, the government enlists a special ops contractor to find their former agent. Julian Carson works loosely with military intelligence & it’s not long before he tracks him down. But their “meetings” leave him with more than just bruises. Daniel’s side of the story makes Julian question what really happened all those years ago, why he’s been hired & who he can trust.
The story shifts to full thriller mode as Daniel & Zoe flee across the country, followed by Julian & a group of shadowy men. We know the military is behind the manhunt but it’s not immediately clear why or if they’re working alone. Gradually we (and Daniel) learn the real reason he’s a wanted man after more than 3 decades.
This is a fast paced conspiracy thriller with plenty of twists to keep you entertained. Daniel’s character remains an enigma but you can’t help but pull for him as he tries to outwit everything the men in dark suits throw at him. He’s a difficult guy to connect with & we never really get to know him any better. But this is in keeping with a character whose secrets prevent him from forming close relationships. In fact, most of the characters are lightly fleshed out. Zoe is a remarkably accepting woman whose life is turned upside down. When we’re given details of her background, it’s late in the game & doesn’t really add anything to the story.
The exception is Julian. We spend a fair amount of time in his head as he struggles to hold on to his integrity while making decisions that will alter the trajectory of his life.
But character development is beside the point as this is a straight up thriller made for fans of spy games & lot of action. It does exactly what it should….keep you turning the pages to see who is left standing when it all shakes out. I enjoyed learning all of Daniel’s survival tricks & appreciated the author didn’t go for the pat, easy ending.
Perfect for your next flight or road trip, this should appeal to fans of Steve Martini, Gregg Hurwitz, Joseph Finder or Steve Berry.
March 14, 2017
Like most of my GR friends, I thought this was okay, but below average for Thomas Perry. Dan Chase is a retired U.S. intelligence officer is living quietly in obscurity until some Libyan killers show up, sending him on the run with Carol and Bob (his large dogs.) Many years in the past, he was supposed to provide money to a rebel group, but the money was kept by an intermediary until Dan took it back (violently.) Now, the Libyans are seeking revenge, with assistance from their friends in the U.S. government. Moving several states away, Dan finds a female roommate, helping him disappear again, but technology outs him and they flee together, despite Dan's attempt to separate. Decent action thriller, but characters just not as good as Jane Whitefield series.
July 18, 2022
Old Man take a Look at my Life
2022 Re-read via the HighBridge audiobook edition, released simultaneously with the original Mysterious Press hardcover (January 2017)
Shortly after I started watching the FX TV-series adaptation of The Old Man I realized that although the TV-series had a similar premise of an ex-CIA operative on the run, the back story and much of the ongoing chase was completely different from the original novel (which I had read in print 5 years ago). When Audible recently offered the audiobook edition for a bargain price I picked it up in order to refresh my memory.
The original novel had the backstory set in Libya where Dan Chase is betrayed by his CIA superiors when he discovers that the money he was supposedly funneling to a pro-US faction was simply being used for personal gain by its warlord. Chase stole the money back and went on the run, setting up a series of aliases funded by investing the $20 Million. Now the warlord wants payback and the CIA is willing to cooperate in order to keep their ally sweet. The novel's finale was probably too fantastical to be believable for the TV adaptation, which is apparently going in for an extended run with a Season Two already approved.
I enjoyed the audiobook re-read of The Old Man and the narration by Peter Berkrot was excellent in all voices.
Photograph of actor Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, one of his aliases in 'The Old Man' TV adaptation. Image sourced from TV Insider.
Trivia and Links
The Old Man was adapted for a TV-series which had it Season One released in June & July 2022. It has already been renewed for a Season Two, so the story won't end with the 7-episodes of Season One. You can watch a First Look feature on YouTube here, a Working with Dogs feature on YouTube here and a trailer for Season One on YouTube here.
2022 Re-read via the HighBridge audiobook edition, released simultaneously with the original Mysterious Press hardcover (January 2017)
Shortly after I started watching the FX TV-series adaptation of The Old Man I realized that although the TV-series had a similar premise of an ex-CIA operative on the run, the back story and much of the ongoing chase was completely different from the original novel (which I had read in print 5 years ago). When Audible recently offered the audiobook edition for a bargain price I picked it up in order to refresh my memory.
The original novel had the backstory set in Libya where Dan Chase is betrayed by his CIA superiors when he discovers that the money he was supposedly funneling to a pro-US faction was simply being used for personal gain by its warlord. Chase stole the money back and went on the run, setting up a series of aliases funded by investing the $20 Million. Now the warlord wants payback and the CIA is willing to cooperate in order to keep their ally sweet. The novel's finale was probably too fantastical to be believable for the TV adaptation, which is apparently going in for an extended run with a Season Two already approved.
I enjoyed the audiobook re-read of The Old Man and the narration by Peter Berkrot was excellent in all voices.
Photograph of actor Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, one of his aliases in 'The Old Man' TV adaptation. Image sourced from TV Insider.
Trivia and Links
The Old Man was adapted for a TV-series which had it Season One released in June & July 2022. It has already been renewed for a Season Two, so the story won't end with the 7-episodes of Season One. You can watch a First Look feature on YouTube here, a Working with Dogs feature on YouTube here and a trailer for Season One on YouTube here.
February 23, 2017
This book falls into the Thriller/Suspense genres, which use to be all I read back in the day. So no surprise that I liked this one ..... a lot. It was the perfect book for my day. I liked the MC. I liked that he wasn't described as a humble, charming Adonis the way most MC's are in this genre. By the end, I still would have liked more detail on him, but I think not having that added to the mystery of the character. I also liked that he had dogs and was a good dog owner....he gets extra points for that.
The pace was great and I liked the way the other characters were used to create the drama. I could have done without the love interest though. She seemed like the perfect woman a guy would describe. I hated the cliche in that, not to mention the fantasy of that whole idea. Just sayin'.
The pace was great and I liked the way the other characters were used to create the drama. I could have done without the love interest though. She seemed like the perfect woman a guy would describe. I hated the cliche in that, not to mention the fantasy of that whole idea. Just sayin'.
February 7, 2017
Early on in "The Old Man" (page 4), Thomas Perry provides an ominous beginning to a sentence that tells the reader what is coming: "The first sign that something was wrong . . ." It is a classic chase novel introduction to murky and dangerous doings. All of Perry's skills are in clear view: the mastery of the cat-and-mouse game, clear prose, characters who aren't just cyphers (there are three to care about, five including two dogs), and the ability to plot up a storm. It goes on my shelf with P. M. Hubbard's "Kill Claudio," Geoffrey Household's "Watcher in the Shadows" and Perry's own Jane Whitfield novels. And, unlike some otherwise excellent thrillers, it has a finish to savor.
May 2, 2021
My first Thomas Perry book – and it was very enjoyable. Interesting premise - changing the main character’s name throughout the book -which added a unique dimension to the story (necessary to elude a steady stream of people trying to track him down). As others have mentioned, it’s a standalone book and it reads fast. Maybe it was me...however, while the story and character development was compelling, the ending felt a little rushed relative to all of the book’s build-up. Still very good though!
May 18, 2022
May 18, 2022 Update Trailer is up for the Hulu TV-series adaptation of The Old Man, starring Jeff Bridges and streaming as of June 16, 2022.
Old Man Look At My Life, I'm a Lot Like You Were
Review of the Mysterious Press hardcover edition (January 2017)
The master of the seek-and-hide/hunt-and-evade suspense thriller returns.
Accusing Thomas Perry of writing too many of the same kind of book is like accusing Johann Sebastian Bach of writing too many cantatas (200+). When the quality is that high and even improves over time there is no downside. You simply enjoy the story and admire the craft.
Even in what can be viewed as a template formula, Perry still sets himself challenges that are outside of the box of the format. In this case, his hunted protagonist is a 60-year-old man, albeit one with military intelligence/special ops training in his past. The man's allies are his two dogs and a few unlikely partners he meets on the way (I'm being intentionally vague here so as not to release any spoilers). Due to circumstances outside of his control in the past the man has had to avoid the authorities and is even forced to go on the run at a late stage of his life. The opposition hunters are led by a younger version of himself who is ordered by nefarious forces to track the old man down. The set-up is in place and the game is afoot, so settle back and enjoy.
I've been critical of a few recent Thomas Perry novels e.g. "The Boyfriend" but generally his quality has always remained high e.g."Forty Thieves". With "The Old Man" I would go so far as to say he has written one of his best ever.
Old Man Look At My Life, I'm a Lot Like You Were
Review of the Mysterious Press hardcover edition (January 2017)
The master of the seek-and-hide/hunt-and-evade suspense thriller returns.
Accusing Thomas Perry of writing too many of the same kind of book is like accusing Johann Sebastian Bach of writing too many cantatas (200+). When the quality is that high and even improves over time there is no downside. You simply enjoy the story and admire the craft.
Even in what can be viewed as a template formula, Perry still sets himself challenges that are outside of the box of the format. In this case, his hunted protagonist is a 60-year-old man, albeit one with military intelligence/special ops training in his past. The man's allies are his two dogs and a few unlikely partners he meets on the way (I'm being intentionally vague here so as not to release any spoilers). Due to circumstances outside of his control in the past the man has had to avoid the authorities and is even forced to go on the run at a late stage of his life. The opposition hunters are led by a younger version of himself who is ordered by nefarious forces to track the old man down. The set-up is in place and the game is afoot, so settle back and enjoy.
I've been critical of a few recent Thomas Perry novels e.g. "The Boyfriend" but generally his quality has always remained high e.g."Forty Thieves". With "The Old Man" I would go so far as to say he has written one of his best ever.
March 30, 2017
All of my reviews of Thomas Perry's books sound the same, so instead let me gripe about the flight on which I read most of the book. After suffering the indignity of not getting precheck and having to shuffle around in my socks like some kind of non-business traveler, I found my window seat in the way back of the American Airlines plane. Soon, the occupant of the middle seat arrived, asked whether I was with the young girl who was sitting on the aisle (no) and then asked if either of us wanted to switch with her anyway (...no? No one in the world would accept that deal?). She then sat down and started passing items of luggage among her party of about eight passengers scattered through the back of the aircraft. After we took off, she: requested a cup of ice; managed to knock it over and spill it everywhere; requested a second cup of ice; crunched the ice noisily; ate a ham, egg, and cheese croissant; then farted magniloquently for the second half of the flight. I might have found that forgivable if she and her friends hadn't kept up a shouted conversation throughout, about such topics as who had put what items they needed on board in their checked luggage (where are Pat's headphones?); hints on the crossword puzzle that one person was doing (nooooo); how to use the wifi and entertainment app (nooo, you are all so wrong); and when we were going to land (THAT IS NOT HOW TIMEZONES WORK).
Thomas Perry's latest novel kept me entertained throughout! Also, not only did I not assassinate any of these fellow passengers, Thomas Perry-style, but I apparently managed to keep my inner rageful sarcastic New Yorker so well in check that the whole party chatted cheerfully with me as we disembarked. I'd recommend this even if you didn't have a horrible flight. I think I like Perry's standalone novels even better than the series that made his name.
Thomas Perry's latest novel kept me entertained throughout! Also, not only did I not assassinate any of these fellow passengers, Thomas Perry-style, but I apparently managed to keep my inner rageful sarcastic New Yorker so well in check that the whole party chatted cheerfully with me as we disembarked. I'd recommend this even if you didn't have a horrible flight. I think I like Perry's standalone novels even better than the series that made his name.
December 30, 2016
It was ok. I was expecting more than ok, I guess. Not as much disappointed as just neutral. Lots of action. But for me, little connection. The protagonist is and has been so OCD his entire life with the early subterfuge governmental connections and also all that false identity set ups, that he didn't seem as an actual "normal" family man to me at all. His emotions strange, more than off. And Zoe? More so.
But hey, the dogs were truly keen. They were the highlight of the book for me. The rest seemed extremely cartoon like and difficult to context as anything believable. Especially at his age. No one I know over 60 can stay awake that many days, for one thing. And if they did, they would be easy pickings.
Readers will probably like this much more than I did. To be all over the place location wise and also have such underpinning of 30 years plus? I have to have a highly desirable protagonist and "known" man- like a Reacher. That makes the plot and action have nuance. This just gets brutal after brutal.
But hey, the dogs were truly keen. They were the highlight of the book for me. The rest seemed extremely cartoon like and difficult to context as anything believable. Especially at his age. No one I know over 60 can stay awake that many days, for one thing. And if they did, they would be easy pickings.
Readers will probably like this much more than I did. To be all over the place location wise and also have such underpinning of 30 years plus? I have to have a highly desirable protagonist and "known" man- like a Reacher. That makes the plot and action have nuance. This just gets brutal after brutal.
October 14, 2017
Perry did it again. A seemingly average man isn't, but just how doesn't become entirely clear until the very end. He's a pretty good guy, but he definitely has a healthy streak of self interest which leads him into doing less than nice things. On top of that, it drives him & I keep thinking back about what a loss his talents were.
The other characters are also well drawn with plenty of revelations, motivations, & histories that are often only hinted at until they are slowly revealed. I was a bit disappointed by the data dump about one character, but the motivations suddenly made a lot more sense & supported an otherwise weak line. It also provided a knife-like twist.
For an obvious plot, it managed to take off in directions I never would have thought of & ended on a great note. As I wrote at the beginning, Perry did it again. He rarely disappoints. The narration was also excellent. I'll definitely be on the look out for more of his books.
The other characters are also well drawn with plenty of revelations, motivations, & histories that are often only hinted at until they are slowly revealed. I was a bit disappointed by the data dump about one character, but the motivations suddenly made a lot more sense & supported an otherwise weak line. It also provided a knife-like twist.
For an obvious plot, it managed to take off in directions I never would have thought of & ended on a great note. As I wrote at the beginning, Perry did it again. He rarely disappoints. The narration was also excellent. I'll definitely be on the look out for more of his books.
August 28, 2022
A case where the adaptation is better than the book. This was more straight forward and didn’t have the interconnected relationships featured in the show that added some interesting dynamics.
June 29, 2022
Many years earlier, Dan Chase aka "the Old Man" was an intelligence officer tasked with delivering twenty million dollars to a Libyan warlord who pledged to disburse it to mountain tribes in exchange for loyalty to American foreign policy objectives. When the warlord decided to keep the twenty million for himself, Dan stole it back and tried to return it to the CIA. Unfortunately, to avoid a foreign policy embarrassment, Dan was subsequently accused of stealing the twenty million forcing him into a life completely off the grid. Everything went according to plan for years until Dan was recognized by an intelligence operative shortly followed up by a Libyan hit team. The home invasion ended badly for the Libyans but forced Dan and his two black Labs to run with a pre-arranged identity and twenty million dollars. How exactly Dan stays one step ahead of the CIA's all-in efforts to track him down and execute him is what makes this book so compelling. That and the richly drawn characters of "the Old Man", his two black Labs, an honest intelligence agent and a woman his meets on his journey of evasion. Thomas Perry takes the innocent man on the run from corrupt government officials to an other level of entertaining fiction.
January 7, 2017
Here's the problem with thrillers on audio sometimes: listeners have too much time to think and to ask questions about dropped characters and plot lines and even about the protagonist and his actions. Thomas Perry is a favorite and this novel has some strong points--the 60-year-old ex-CIA hero pitted against the agency and who know what other organizations, all out to kill him, all because of a mission 35 years earlier. Great premise, he's a fantastic character--plans ahead, keeps himself in shape, and manages to stay ahead of his adversaries and clean up the problem so he's off the hook. Fast paced story with lots of twists; interesting characters but frankly I liked a secondary character, a CIA contractor, more than the hero; interesting background into black ops and government bureaucracy; smartly written; suspenseful tone. Read the book--you'll be turning the pages so quickly you won't be second-guessing as I was. Better yet, watch Hopscotch with Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, and Sam Waterston. There are many of the same themes, much better played out against a European backdrop and an opera's-greatest-hits soundtrack.
April 29, 2017
Thomas Perry, the author of "The Old Man" has an impressive list of novels to his credit. If they are all as good as his latest, I will Not want for reading material.
With "The Old Man" , Perry has taken familiar, almost cliched , plot tag and refreshed it and improved upon it. The plot is the one where a government secret agent resigns from the service and tries to disappear in a new identity, only to have the past come looking for him with murder in the heart.
The "Old Man" of the title lives quietly in rural Connecticuit under one of fictitious identities, just an old guy with his two dogs. Then one day he sees, he feels, someone's watching him. That night they come for him, and the chase is on.
Now, I admit that this all seems pretty commonplace as thrillers go these days, but in Mr. Perry's capable hands the reader gets a bit more than shooting, chasing and running. There is enough of that for excitement. But in the interludes, the reader will find that the multi-identitied hero is an interesting person in himself with a family and a sense of morality and duty. That is also true of the two,other prominent characters in the book. If you are like me, as the story developes and the tension mounts,you will be very tempted to sneak a peak to see if things work out. ( What the "things" are I will leave foggy so as not to spoil your enjoyment.) So do not peak. I finished it in one day because I had to see the ending.
One of the things I liked was that though Old Man was a highly trained op, the book is not burdened with loads of military gun porn; no " He picked up the H&K 460 with a built in Greane launcher and hidden poison dart thrower, etc." The author builds reader interest by allowing his characters to come alive on the pages. There is enough confrontation to satisfy every thriller reader and an exciting, and nicely planned settling of old scores.
Oh, speaking of confrontations, there is a romance. , also, a real connection between consenting adults that is unusual in thrillers.
A highly recommended, entertaining book. Just so you know there is violence, but not gore; there are love scenes, but not lurid ones.
With "The Old Man" , Perry has taken familiar, almost cliched , plot tag and refreshed it and improved upon it. The plot is the one where a government secret agent resigns from the service and tries to disappear in a new identity, only to have the past come looking for him with murder in the heart.
The "Old Man" of the title lives quietly in rural Connecticuit under one of fictitious identities, just an old guy with his two dogs. Then one day he sees, he feels, someone's watching him. That night they come for him, and the chase is on.
Now, I admit that this all seems pretty commonplace as thrillers go these days, but in Mr. Perry's capable hands the reader gets a bit more than shooting, chasing and running. There is enough of that for excitement. But in the interludes, the reader will find that the multi-identitied hero is an interesting person in himself with a family and a sense of morality and duty. That is also true of the two,other prominent characters in the book. If you are like me, as the story developes and the tension mounts,you will be very tempted to sneak a peak to see if things work out. ( What the "things" are I will leave foggy so as not to spoil your enjoyment.) So do not peak. I finished it in one day because I had to see the ending.
One of the things I liked was that though Old Man was a highly trained op, the book is not burdened with loads of military gun porn; no " He picked up the H&K 460 with a built in Greane launcher and hidden poison dart thrower, etc." The author builds reader interest by allowing his characters to come alive on the pages. There is enough confrontation to satisfy every thriller reader and an exciting, and nicely planned settling of old scores.
Oh, speaking of confrontations, there is a romance. , also, a real connection between consenting adults that is unusual in thrillers.
A highly recommended, entertaining book. Just so you know there is violence, but not gore; there are love scenes, but not lurid ones.
June 26, 2019
The old man is around 60 years old, has a nice life with his two dogs, a daughter, and a past that won't go away. So, he's always paying close attention for signs that his past has found his present, and one day, it happens. He's planned for it, but it's been many years, and he was getting comfortable, but he still has the old instincts it seems. He goes on the run, and always manages to keep a step or two ahead of his pursuers. Unfortunately, his pursuers are part of the government, who have a lot of ammunition at their disposal, so it's hard to hide.
He's somewhat of an older Jack Reacher. He's not afraid of the bad guys, and can handle himself in any situation he gets into. He's a good guy, too honest for his own good, perhaps, but that doesn't matter to the spooks who don't know anything about him, except for one that believes him and helps out a bit here and there.
It was an interesting story, although the ending seemed a little incomplete in some ways. I was hoping for a little more in some areas, but nothing really important. I'll definitely look for more from this author.
He's somewhat of an older Jack Reacher. He's not afraid of the bad guys, and can handle himself in any situation he gets into. He's a good guy, too honest for his own good, perhaps, but that doesn't matter to the spooks who don't know anything about him, except for one that believes him and helps out a bit here and there.
It was an interesting story, although the ending seemed a little incomplete in some ways. I was hoping for a little more in some areas, but nothing really important. I'll definitely look for more from this author.
February 5, 2018
A big thank you to James Thane for bringing this book and author to my attention. Thomas Perry wrote an outstandingly entertaining novel in The Old Man, with a terrific plot and intriguing characters. Our attention is riveted by a cat and mouse game involving the protagonist, a former military intel operative and the very agency that once trained and used him. Now they are working to help an old enemy to locate and kill him.
You have probably already read enough reviews about the details, so suffice it to say it's a crackerjack of a tale.
More importantly, the character development of he old man (known by many names) and his inadvertent travel companion is fascinating. They both possess complicated histories and he, especially, a dark side that's capable of just about anything.
My only complaint involves a few chapters toward the end that seemed to me to have been unnecessarily added, but otherwise, every chapter was like treating myself to another piece of candy-- a sweet pleasure that I eagerly anticipated. I shall look forward to reading more by this author.
You have probably already read enough reviews about the details, so suffice it to say it's a crackerjack of a tale.
More importantly, the character development of he old man (known by many names) and his inadvertent travel companion is fascinating. They both possess complicated histories and he, especially, a dark side that's capable of just about anything.
My only complaint involves a few chapters toward the end that seemed to me to have been unnecessarily added, but otherwise, every chapter was like treating myself to another piece of candy-- a sweet pleasure that I eagerly anticipated. I shall look forward to reading more by this author.
February 20, 2017
This is the first book I've read by Thomas Perry. The old man is a retired army intelligence officer who served two tours in Viet Nam and whose last mission was to Libya to assist a rebel army. Everything about that mission went sideways and for the following 35 years, the old man has been hiding in plain sight. Without warning, the old man has been located and he's on the run again with survival instincts in high gear. This is a fast paced story, excellently told and the characters vividly well drawn. When it's over, you'll have respect for the old man.
October 13, 2022
You might be tempted to think I picked up this book because I've started watching the show based on it starring Jeff Bridges. You might be right - that's actually something I do, watching a movie or series, realizing it's based on a novel and take a look at the source material. That's how I discovered the Reacher series a way back, amongst other stuff.
There's also the fact I turned 40 at the start of this year, so now I'm starting to feel old myself. I can totally relate to the old man. Except for all the killing and stuff, obviously. And the dogs.
These are GOOD dogs!
The past is never forgotten.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
There's also the fact I turned 40 at the start of this year, so now I'm starting to feel old myself. I can totally relate to the old man. Except for all the killing and stuff, obviously. And the dogs.
These are GOOD dogs!
I don't have dogs. Then again, I haven't been living for more than 35 years under a false name. (Now that I come to think about it, maybe I'm not that old altogether.)
But the Old Man has, and while he thought his old life to be dead and buried in the ground, life has a way to come back and haunt you. Could the ghosts of his past really come back to haunt him after all this time?
The past is never forgotten.
It can, and watching him being smart and clever and showing the younger talents sent after him that even as an old fart he's still a league above them (at least) is quite fun.
It's a page turner (and yes, the series took many liberties deriving from the script, I can tell that much after the first 4 episodes), an exciting thriller that's perfect for this time of the year.
I'll rate it 4 stars, because there are a few things that where left too open ended for my taste. I'm missing the final conclusion to Zoe's fate, for an instant. And I think the first event that set everything into motion is a little hollow. (The series hasn't revealed everything yet, but it's clear they are constructing it in a different way, maybe even a better and more relatable one.) The daughter's role in the novel is a very meager sideshow that could have been so much more - wait until you see the series, where she's so much more than just 4 pages.
You can also read this review on my Blog.
December 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
How does super fun and thriller fit a description of a book? That exactly how this book was. My hubby and I read along with the audio narrated by Peter Berkrot. His voice had a raspy quality that quickly grew on us.
Daniel Chase is a self proclaimed “old man” widower who at age 60 is living his life with his two big black dogs when two people from his long ago (35 years ago!) past come back looking for him. They are Libyan nationals with a mission to take him out. Years ago Dan Chase served in military intelligence in Libya and he pissed someone off badly. Of course it’s all about money and espionage and the US government. But Dan Chase is prepared. He prepared all his life in case something like this might happen.
What follows is a super fun thriller with our hero changing his identity a number of times and picking up a girlfriend along the way. There’s an “independent contractor” working for the government who becomes sympathetic to our hero as well. This is one of the most character driven thrillers I’ve ever read and it was a winner for both my hubby and me.
How does super fun and thriller fit a description of a book? That exactly how this book was. My hubby and I read along with the audio narrated by Peter Berkrot. His voice had a raspy quality that quickly grew on us.
Daniel Chase is a self proclaimed “old man” widower who at age 60 is living his life with his two big black dogs when two people from his long ago (35 years ago!) past come back looking for him. They are Libyan nationals with a mission to take him out. Years ago Dan Chase served in military intelligence in Libya and he pissed someone off badly. Of course it’s all about money and espionage and the US government. But Dan Chase is prepared. He prepared all his life in case something like this might happen.
What follows is a super fun thriller with our hero changing his identity a number of times and picking up a girlfriend along the way. There’s an “independent contractor” working for the government who becomes sympathetic to our hero as well. This is one of the most character driven thrillers I’ve ever read and it was a winner for both my hubby and me.
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