A review by anneinaz
The List by Steve Berry

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The List by Steve Berry is a frightening thriller in that I could see these things happening in our world. The topic is a medium sized paper company in the southeast that had weathered many storms, expanded their product line, and generally kept their employees happy. It is run by three men who have been partners for years and have become very rich. Two of the three are heading toward a coup, thinking the third has no idea. Our protagonist, Brent Walker, a lawyer, has returned to this small town after ten years. He had had his own law firm here, until his wife had killed herself and he couldn’t face his part in that. He ran to the big city and spent years being a top notch prosecutor. Now he was back, working for the company as his father had, although in a different sort of position. His mother was in the early stages of dementia and enjoyed having him near. His friend, Hank Reed, the union organizer for the plant and his intellectual equal, was happy to have him back, as was his daughter, who had been in love with Brent for years. 

The story popped back and forth between the miscreants, the owners of the plant, and Brent and Hank. Much of the time the reader could tell where it was going, but there were surprises...many. As always, Berry has plotted the story to perfection, building slowly, making the reader wait. The characters are fully fleshed out, where necessary, and interesting in a variety of ways. The plot is sickening, but real. The pacing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, throughout. If it weren’t so realistic, and maybe because it is, it would be a masterpiece. 

I was invited to read The List by Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GrandCentralPublishing #SteveBerry #TheList