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The Heron
“The Heron” is the nickname a big-city accountant has attached to himself in his new home near San Diego, where he’s using the alias to avoid a hit man who may be after him. It seems a former client believes that The Heron has skipped town with several million dollars not his own. Don Winslow’s ensuing, entertaining yarn is by turns twisty, dark, and comical as we observe the delicate dance between the pursuer and the pursued.
Audible Audio
Published July 28, 2022
13 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Don Winslow
115 books7,482 followersDon Winslow is the author of twenty-one acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including the New York Times bestsellers The Force and The Border, the #1 international bestseller The Cartel, The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine. Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone. The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border sold to FX in a major multimillion-dollar deal to air as a weekly television series beginning in 2020.
A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
August 14, 2022
3.5 stars: I saw “The Heron” on the audible Plus Catalog. It’s written by Don Winslow and narrated by Ed Harris. I’ve listened to another one by this dynamic duo. Ed Harris is the perfect voice for the crazy characters created by Winslow. I can see Harris and Winslow sitting on a porch, sipping whisky and smoking a cigar and creating stories.
In this one, a wily accountant with a grudge absconds to a remote area, hiding from a man who believes the accountant, aka “the Heron” stole his money and his girl. A hitman becomes involved. This is a fun, twisty tale which will bring out a chuckle or two.
In this one, a wily accountant with a grudge absconds to a remote area, hiding from a man who believes the accountant, aka “the Heron” stole his money and his girl. A hitman becomes involved. This is a fun, twisty tale which will bring out a chuckle or two.
June 1, 2023
Audie Award for Mystery 2023
Narrated by Ed Harris
An entertaining audio short story about a ruthless pursuer and the man he is pursuing. Interesting twist and turns…loved listening to Ed Harris’ voice.
4 out of 5 stars
Narrated by Ed Harris
An entertaining audio short story about a ruthless pursuer and the man he is pursuing. Interesting twist and turns…loved listening to Ed Harris’ voice.
4 out of 5 stars
September 29, 2022
An accountant embezzled a bunch of money from a rich guy who is a major league asshole. Even worse, the accountant slept with his girlfriend. The accountant ends up living quietly in a small desert town where the residents have nicknamed him 'The Heron' due to his odd body shape and distinctive walk. When the wealthy jerk learns where The Heron is, he hires a hit man to finally get revenge, but the rich guy wants to be there to see it done.
This is an Audible Original story read by Ed Harris who gives a great vocal performance. It's only about an hour long, but Winslow's writing and Harris' voice made me wish it was a full blown novel so I could have listened to it for longer. It's a very solid crime story that morphs into a genuine tragedy at some point. Well worth checking out for crime fans on Audible.
This is an Audible Original story read by Ed Harris who gives a great vocal performance. It's only about an hour long, but Winslow's writing and Harris' voice made me wish it was a full blown novel so I could have listened to it for longer. It's a very solid crime story that morphs into a genuine tragedy at some point. Well worth checking out for crime fans on Audible.
August 18, 2024
3.5. “People rarely do what they should, they do what they want to do.”
An audible plus freebie. I loved the description of the man the villagers called the heron. Though he seldom spoke the villagers set their time based on his habits, which were the same daily. A dangerous man is looking for him, a man from his past. A man whom he hates. Will he be found?
Love the symmetry of this story and of course the narration by Ed Harris.
An audible plus freebie. I loved the description of the man the villagers called the heron. Though he seldom spoke the villagers set their time based on his habits, which were the same daily. A dangerous man is looking for him, a man from his past. A man whom he hates. Will he be found?
Love the symmetry of this story and of course the narration by Ed Harris.
February 17, 2023
First time reading Winslow and I really enjoyed his style, his command of language and eye for idiosyncratic detail. He plays off two opposing points of view quite well and throws in a twist that's not Earth shattering but leaves you with a big fat grin on your face.
February 16, 2024
The Heron is a short, Audible Original, written by Don Winslow and narrated by Ed Harris. They are one of those perfect pairs when it comes to writer and narrator combinations. They joined forces on the story, Deep Hole, (highly recommend) also and it turned out excellent as well. Winslow is a top notch author and I could listen to Harris read a grocery list.
“The Heron” is an alias given to a gifted accountant, who has ripped off a vile client.
The accountant, on the run earns the nickname, The Heron, due to his gangly appearance, posture, and his gait.
The client becomes a deadly foe, when he realizes that, not only has The Heron embezzled millions, but stepped out with his mistress also. To save face, the client hires a hitman to track down The Heron.
Winslow writes clever short stories that feel complete with a wink and a nod. It stole my breath a few times. I was glad it was short because it meant I could listen to it all the way through. And I kept wishing it was longer because the world had grit with a dose of intrigue. The Heron held my attention the entire time.
“The Heron” is an alias given to a gifted accountant, who has ripped off a vile client.
The accountant, on the run earns the nickname, The Heron, due to his gangly appearance, posture, and his gait.
The client becomes a deadly foe, when he realizes that, not only has The Heron embezzled millions, but stepped out with his mistress also. To save face, the client hires a hitman to track down The Heron.
Winslow writes clever short stories that feel complete with a wink and a nod. It stole my breath a few times. I was glad it was short because it meant I could listen to it all the way through. And I kept wishing it was longer because the world had grit with a dose of intrigue. The Heron held my attention the entire time.
December 29, 2022
Loved the twist at the end!
February 9, 2023
I feel a bit naughty including an audio short story in my "read" list, but I definitely want to be reminded of this when I review my year's reading, so into the list it goes.
Now, about the "book":
First of all, let's be clear about Ed Harris. The man could read binary code and it'd be worth listening. His performance here is as outstanding as you'd expect.
Winslow writes really good classic mob fiction. This story is no exception. It's occasionally crass and always within the expected bounds (and clichés) of the genre, and that's exactly what it needs to be. The pace is sedate without ever being dull. The characters are set types, but also round enough to elicit all the necessary feelings.
This is a very good use of an hour and an efficient mini class in how to write genre fiction that doesn't need to apologize for being genre fiction.
Now, about the "book":
First of all, let's be clear about Ed Harris. The man could read binary code and it'd be worth listening. His performance here is as outstanding as you'd expect.
Winslow writes really good classic mob fiction. This story is no exception. It's occasionally crass and always within the expected bounds (and clichés) of the genre, and that's exactly what it needs to be. The pace is sedate without ever being dull. The characters are set types, but also round enough to elicit all the necessary feelings.
This is a very good use of an hour and an efficient mini class in how to write genre fiction that doesn't need to apologize for being genre fiction.
February 27, 2023
Ed Harris is a fantastic narrator to this enjoyable short story by Winslow. Included with Audible Originals.
August 10, 2022
This is the third short story by Don Winslow (narrated by Ed Harris) I’ve listened to in as many days, and it’s my favorite of the three. I don’t think of myself as a particular fan of stories about hit men or their targets, but this one is truly a gem. The story structure, character development, and the satisfying conclusion were impeccable, and I loved the heron imagery that appeared repeatedly as a motif— much like a composer would use a musical phrase, which Winslow also employs here in the repeated references to Mahler’s work. This short story, in one word, is perfect.
February 6, 2024
Stars deducted solely on the fact that the "twist" was not a surprise to me, I had figured it out. I "read" this short story free on Audible. It was enjoyable, don't get me wrong. I have read so many thrillers though, so that I usually can see a twist coming. It was entertaining, but just average for me, nothing special.
September 8, 2022
the heron is really cool. his past is so dark. he’s ugly, not like the kind of guy who gets the girl. but he’s cool. and intelligent. everything is numbers game. one plus two equals sweat. i love testosterone. i have a lot of it. anyway, he takes two walks every day. he’s disturbed and tormented and he’s ugly. he’s so tortured. he’s so cool. i am so cool. why didn’t the girl i had a crush on in high school choose some jerk over me? i— i mean the heron is so tortured. so wronged. he deserves retribution. i deserve to drive a really cool car and a big computer.
August 10, 2022
Nice setup and execution
As always Don Winslow creates the atmospherics to keep the Reader involved in his plot. He creates characters with few strokes and then lets the action proceed. Quick and clean, the deed is done. Nice piece of suspense. Four Stars.****
As always Don Winslow creates the atmospherics to keep the Reader involved in his plot. He creates characters with few strokes and then lets the action proceed. Quick and clean, the deed is done. Nice piece of suspense. Four Stars.****
July 23, 2023
Excellent short Story to hopefully break my rut.
Don Winslow is always a brilliant story teller. Ed Harris with great narraton. Audible Original.
Don Winslow is always a brilliant story teller. Ed Harris with great narraton. Audible Original.
August 27, 2022
This is a free book from Audible and is worth exactly what one pays for it. A profane, short novella about hired murder, it has no redeeming quality other than a kind of vigilante “justice” in the unsurprising “twist” of its ending.
No, there is one redeeming quality: it is blessedly short. But even so, don’t bother.
No, there is one redeeming quality: it is blessedly short. But even so, don’t bother.
August 7, 2022
Satisfying gem of a short story, made even better by Ed Harris’ perfect narration!
June 6, 2023
Short and sweet - fun distraction for about an hour
January 5, 2024
This is a very good short story. I never would have come across it had I not been perusing the the audie award winners. I checked my Audible account, noticed that it was included in the Plus catalog, saw it was only an hour listen, and decided I was going to listen.
In this short story there is love, murder, betrayal, and revenge. And it all is done so well. With a fun twist ending.
To say much more would go into spoilers. But it's certainly worth a quick listen.
Ed Harris as a narrator was definitely good. I liked him a lot and have always liked his voice before I ever heard him read an audio book. And while everything I have to say about his narration is complimentary, I'm still a little shocked this won an award as I have heard so many narrators that are quite a bit better overall with the voice changes for characters and so on. But he's great! I'm not being down on him at all.
Good story. Worth your time.
In this short story there is love, murder, betrayal, and revenge. And it all is done so well. With a fun twist ending.
To say much more would go into spoilers. But it's certainly worth a quick listen.
Ed Harris as a narrator was definitely good. I liked him a lot and have always liked his voice before I ever heard him read an audio book. And while everything I have to say about his narration is complimentary, I'm still a little shocked this won an award as I have heard so many narrators that are quite a bit better overall with the voice changes for characters and so on. But he's great! I'm not being down on him at all.
Good story. Worth your time.
January 3, 2023
The Heron by Don Winslow
1h 6m narrated by Ed Harris
Genre: Dark Humor, Suspense, Short Stories
Featuring: Accountant, California, Audible Originals
Rating as a movie: R
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This is why I read. You just never know when a story is going to be fantastic. The climax reminded me of a scene from a popular Western starring Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This was pretty good.
1h 6m narrated by Ed Harris
Genre: Dark Humor, Suspense, Short Stories
Featuring: Accountant, California, Audible Originals
Rating as a movie: R
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My thoughts: This is why I read. You just never know when a story is going to be fantastic. The climax reminded me of a scene from a popular Western starring Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach.
Recommend to others?: Yes. This was pretty good.
August 24, 2022
Meh. Too much testosterone oozing from this story for my liking.
@Sad truth is, people rarely do what they should. They do what they want.”
@Sad truth is, people rarely do what they should. They do what they want.”
January 9, 2023
Fun little mystery and narrated by Ed Harris.
March 22, 2023
Loved the twist at the end!
March 31, 2023
Weird little story bout getting what you deserve, I guess
November 11, 2024
Lovely: Another wonderful novella by Don Winslow. A deft combination of good storyline, fast pace, good characters, and a wonderful twist at the end.
August 12, 2022
Great novella!! Love this writer. Such a great story teller.
April 10, 2023
Enjoyable short story with a predictable plot, but still very enjoyable. “I out bid you.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
I rather enjoyed this short work. I liked the way the author put the pieces together to make the whole.
August 10, 2022
You can’t go wrong with a this author.
March 5, 2023
As I enjoyed Winslow's City on Fire, I couldn't resist downloading this ditty from Audible. The Heron is an accountant on the run, hanging out in a small desert oasis town. He stole money from a bully of a billionaire and also had an affair with the billionaire's girl. The story is a good one, with a nice, albeit forecastable twist. Generally recommended, particularly for those looking for a quick but engaging suspense story.
July 21, 2024
Audiobook Review - The Heron - Don Winslow
Author Don Winslow’s “The Heron” narrated by actor Ed Harris is a one-hour audiobook only short story that is dark, comical, but very entertaining. The Heron - an alias nickname for a San Diego accountant - is trying to avoid a hit man hired by a former client who believes that The Heron has embezzled several million dollars of the client’s money. Harris’ narration of this perplexing but humorous ‘shorty’ was alluring and enticing. I listened to it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed Ed Harris’ phenomenal reading and Winslow’s clever writing. Great one-hour short story audiobook.
Author Don Winslow’s “The Heron” narrated by actor Ed Harris is a one-hour audiobook only short story that is dark, comical, but very entertaining. The Heron - an alias nickname for a San Diego accountant - is trying to avoid a hit man hired by a former client who believes that The Heron has embezzled several million dollars of the client’s money. Harris’ narration of this perplexing but humorous ‘shorty’ was alluring and enticing. I listened to it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed Ed Harris’ phenomenal reading and Winslow’s clever writing. Great one-hour short story audiobook.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews