The List is a stand alone by Steve Berry, author of the Cotton Malone series and co-author of the Luke Daniel’s books. This is a thoroughly engaging book with well-developed characters. The narration by the always excellent Scott Brick added to my enjoyment.

Very entertaining novel of suspense and a departure from this author’s typical work.

Brent Walker has moved back to Concord, a small town in central Georgia, after being hired by Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company as its assistant general counsel. When he left it behind years ago, he also left a woman he loved and his parents. Now, since his father is no longer alive, he is going to help care for his mom who has recently been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.

Not too long after beginning his new job and reuniting with an old friend, union leader Hank Reed, Brent faces a curious mystery when a list of names and numbers comes to his attention. Once the implications of that list becomes clear to Brent and Hank, they know that everything they believed about their town and its biggest employer was wrong.

This was so well written and very fast paced. I found it hard to put down as things heated up quickly. So many characters, easily divided into the good guys vs the bad guys, but the premise was good and there was lots of action. It was a fun read and though the ending was anticipated to some degree, I enjoyed how it all played out.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided for review by the publishers. The audio format was narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick. I love his voice and his dramatic flair that always brings the novel to life and this production was no exception. This immersive experience definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book!

Listening to The List was such a captivating journey. Having followed Steve Berry’s work for years, I’m used to his sweeping historical thrillers—but this one, wow, it’s something else. Set in a small Georgia town, this story hits closer to home. There’s no ancient artifact or international chase—just Brent Walker, a man grappling with the secrets buried in his hometown and a paper company that holds far too much power. The tension crept in slowly, and the deeper I got, the more hooked I became.

The legal drama, corporate conspiracies, moral dilemmas—it all unfolds with eerie plausibility. I found myself thinking, This could happen, and that made the story all the more chilling.

🎙️ The audiobook production is beyond impressive. Scott Brick’s narration brought the whole cast to life—his pacing, tone shifts, and emotional range were so on point, I forgot I wasn’t watching a movie. I genuinely felt immersed, as though I were right there in Concord, brushing up against danger. The clarity and atmosphere built into this production enhanced every moment.

✨ A huge thank you to NetGalley, Steve Berry, and Hachette Audio for sharing a copy of this publication with me. It was a pleasure to experience such a gripping and well-executed story. ✨

Wanted this to be so good but it fell flat for me. Hard listen and just didn’t feel like a Steve Berry book.

A dark tale about corporate malfeasance taken to extremes. It wasn’t too much of a mystery - the suspense was all in the “hero” uncovering the crimes then surviving long enough to do the whistleblowing. A good action adventure story with lots of tension and high stakes for the characters. The audiobook is well narrated but I would have liked multiple narrators or some other way to keep all the characters straight, especially in the beginning.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HachetteAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #TheList for review purposes. It was just published on 22 July 2025.

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.

Interesting premise but too many characters made this difficult to follow. I love the Cotton Malone series but haven’t picked one up in a while so this seemed like a good place to get reacquainted with Steve Berry. Unfortunately, the story is slow, the narration is stilted with emphasis in the strangest of places, and the characters unlikeable. This was a miss for me and a DNF at 25%. Fortunately, you get the gist of the story early on and know who is behind it because of the blurb so all I end up missing is the “action” scenes.

Well, this is Steve Berry like you have never seen him before. I have read them all. And to be honest, it is nice to take a break from Cotton Malone for a while.

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.

There is a list! And when this list is discovered, it takes a while to put two and two together. But Brent eventually gets it right. And when he does…he discovers more than he bargained for and it hits very close to home.

This story takes you on a wild ride of corporate greed. Being someone who has worked for ComeVisitSatan (CVS Pharmacy), nothing a company does would surprise me. Corporate greed is a strong thing…and this book brings it to the front and center.

Y’all know I love this narrator! No one and I repeat…NO ONE is better than Scott Brick.

Need a good industrial murder thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

2 stars 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.

4 star read for me. My first book by this author but I have heard great things about his series so will definitely pick up another. This stand alone lawyer thriller was a slow burn for me in the beginning but picked up after the first couple chapters and had me hooked for the rest of the read. The character development was great and the storyline kept me engaged. The narration wasn’t my favorite but I was able to push through and finish. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the early audible arc.

From the very beginning, this thriller had me hooked. The suspense builds steadily, and the tension is thick all the way through to a wild, edge-of-your-seat ending.

Brent Walker returns to his quiet hometown and uncovers a chilling conspiracy tied to his new employer and a cryptic list. The more he digs, the more dangerous things become — and suddenly, his return seems anything but accidental.

The narration was phenomenal. It brought every scene to life and made the entire story feel cinematic. Gripping and twisty — I couldn’t stop listening.

With its Southern setting and layered intrigue, The List pulls back the curtain on a company built on deadly secrets. Brent Walker’s journey home forces him to confront both his past and the dark legacy of the town he once left behind. Steve Berry weaves suspense and moral complexity into a compelling tale of redemption and consequence.

Plenty of corruption and action to keep anyone engaged!

Thank you Steve Berry, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#TheList #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARCReview #BookReview #WhatImReading #BookRecommendation #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #InstaBook #Bookish #AdvanceReaderCopy #ReviewCopyProvided #BookishThoughts #ReviewersOfInstagram

Brent Walker is an attorney who returns to his hometown in rural Georgia. A paper mill is the town’s majority employer. Brent goes to work for them to help with their worker’s comp claims. As he settles in, he is made aware of a company policy that aims to cut cost permanently. Brent becomes aligned with his former employer and current Union Boss. It becomes clear Brent was brought here to end the deadly policy and right the wrongs.

This book is very different from every other book from Mr. Berry. That isn’t a bad thing, just an observation. This book has little to no historical mystery to it. This book reminds me a lot of John Grisham’s The Firm. That makes sense once you hear the author’s note at the end, which with Mr. Berry is always interesting and informative.

The book was a little slow moving at first, and it took a while to get vested into the characters, but that did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the novel. On the plus side the plot and secret were excellent. It was a very original idea and made for a fun listen.

This book is well worth picking up and diving into. You won’t be disappointed! Thank you to Steve Berry, NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for a free advanced readers copy for an honest review.

TOP 20 Audiobooks of 2025! Scott Brick is fantastic.

Bestselling author Steve Berry pulls out an older manuscript in which fans will be forever grateful with this latest Southern crime legal thriller, THE LIST.

Full of mystery, intrigue, and murder, fans of John Grisham, David Baldacci, Scott Turow, and Greg Iles will savor this well-written suspense.

What is the shocking secret behind THE LIST?

Prepare to be drawn into a world of suspense and mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

About...

Berry hooks readers from the first line with a murder about to take place. From here, it is non-stop action and suspense.

Attorney Brent Walker is hired as assistant general counsel for the Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company, where his longtime friend Hank Reed is a union official.

Walker had previously lived in the area and left his ten-year job in Atlanta to return home to Concord, a small town in Georgia, due to his mother’s illness.

Brent has been through some tragic events with his ex-wife and his dad gone. The paper mill is a large company that supports the town, but what Walker soon discovers is mind-blowing. Secrets that put him in danger.

Hank and Brent will be working on negotiating labor contracts with the union. However, they are in the dark regarding the motives of the three company owners.

They have devised a program called the Priority program to cut costs and have professionals in place to eliminate their list of employees or retirees who are costing the company money. They must die, but it must appear to look natural. MURDER.

Of the three, Christopher Bozin is dying and, of course, wants to repent and expose his partners to Walker and Reed.

There is a cryptic code with a list that is suspicious. 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.

As with any whistleblower case, you must gather information, conduct thorough investigations, and obtain inside information before anyone knows you are on to them. Get ready for some shocking revelations that will keep you guessing until the end.

How far will they go to keep these dark, deadly secrets?

My thoughts...

What a riveting page turner!

Steve Berry knocks THE LIST out of the park! The story is told from two years earlier, the present, and a countdown from 20 days to one year later. This unique narrative structure adds an extra layer of suspense to this engrossing legal crime thriller, keeping you hooked until the finale.

Atmospheric and intense, Berry knows his way around the legal aspects, and his time working with papermills and negotiations in coastal Georgia makes THE LIST almost like an Erin Brockovich realistic story with MURDER.

An absorbing and entertaining read! Fans and new readers alike will enjoy the Author's Note, where he shares with readers how THE LIST came to fruition and the inspiration behind the story. This personal touch adds another dimension to the book, and we all thank you, Steve, for sharing this with us.

If you are fans of John Grisham's older Southern legal thrillers, THE LIST is a must-summer read Southern noir classic for your bookshelf.

THE LIST is prime for the big or small screen and an ideal pick for book clubs. Its thought-provoking themes and engaging plot make it a perfect choice for lively book club discussions. I would love to see more books like this in the future.

Audiobook...

STELLAR! I had the honor of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook narrated by a favorite, Scott Brick (on fire), which delivered a stellar performance! Scott was the perfect voice, elevating the story with superb characterization, energy, accents, consistency, intensity, pacing, and emotional depth that will surely captivate legal crime thriller fans and audiophiles—making it a TOP audiobook of 2025.

Recs...

THE LIST is for fans of the author and those who enjoy well-written Southern, crime, and legal thrillers. Fans of John Grisham, Scott Turow, David Baldacci, and Greg Iles (all favorites) will delight.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I also purchased the hardcover for my home library (a classic).

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: July 22, 2025
July Newsletter
July 2025 Must-Read Books
Top Audiobooks of 2025

The List follows lawyer Brent Walker’s return to his hometown to work for Southern Pulp and Paper Company.
The owners of the company have a unique way of reducing costs.
What I liked - the narrator Scott Brick

The book didn’t deliver for me. I had a hard time with the actions of the company owners. I guess I prefer a spy adventure with Cotton Malone.
There were a large number of characters to keep track of. I wasn’t drawn to the story, so I wasn’t invested in keeping track of all their names and roles.
There are lots of people who did enjoy this book, so see for yourself if the content is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to read the book.

I love the idea of this book & generally love anything that Steve Berry writes. Unfortunately right after I started listening to the audiobook I listened to an interview where he totally gave away the plot of this book. I did try to go back & continue listening but I feel like I already know what’s going to happen.

The narrator was good but a bit over the top. That works well for the Cotton Malone books but just felt like a bit much for this storyline.

I love Steve Berry’s books & will continue to read them but will be careful what interviews I listen to in the future

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book. About half way through I had to buy myself a physical copy. This book was so suspenseful I stayed up late to finish it.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I struggled to stay engaged, and often found myself losing track of the storyline and needing to rewind. It might work better as a fast-paced action movie, which suits its style. I didn’t find the story original either..

I did immediately recognize the narrator’s voice, he also narrates the Orphan X series. His deep tone is well-suited for action-packed stories and adds intensity to the narration, even if the plot didn’t quite hold my interest this time.

The storyline was interesting. The narrator irked me it was hard to finish. I did not like the voice.

Steve Berry takes a break from his wonderful Cotton Malone series to rewrite and publish this book he started over 30 years ago. The author says this was his first complete manuscript, but her never submitted it for review and publication. He decided the time was write to dust off the cobwebs and finally let this book into the world.

The story is about a paper mill that uses a unique way to control costs and help the company survive in this sometimes difficult economy. When new company lawyer, Brent Walker, comes back to his hometown and finds out about "The List" and its purpose, he has to figure out what to do about it and the owners of the company.

I really liked the pacing of the story. It kept moving along at a good speed and never got bogged down. The characters were interesting and were fleshed out nicely. The only thing that I didn't like was that I thought the end of the story was wrapped up too quickly. There was one late story element that I thought should've been used a bit more to not have the story ending seem so abrupt, but other than that, the book was good.

And since I listened to the audiobook, I only have to words to say about that...Scott...Brick.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.