Steve Berry trades ancient mysteries for modern suspense in The List, and the result is a legal thriller with real bite. The story kicks off in Concord, Georgia, where Brent Walker returns after ten years away—supposedly to care for his mother, but quickly finds himself in way over his head. A colleague stumbles upon a mysterious list during a blackout, and suddenly, Brent is entangled in a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the whole town. As the stakes get higher, murder and betrayal creep into the picture, and Brent is forced to decide just how far he’ll go to protect the people he loves.

Brent’s the kind of hero you want in your corner: smart, flawed, and easy to root for. Berry’s supporting cast is no afterthought, either—friends, enemies, and everyone in between get their chance to shine (or shade). Themes of loyalty, friendship, and moral gray zones run deep, with every character forced to pick a side when things get ugly. This isn’t your typical Berry historical puzzle—think small-town secrets, corporate greed, and the kind of ethical dilemmas that stick with you.

Berry’s writing here is lean, urgent, and direct. Instead of globe-trotting, he zeroes in on Concord’s claustrophobic charm and the simmering tensions under its surface. The pacing is relentless, with every chapter raising the stakes and keeping you on your toes. If you’re looking for a legal thriller with the atmospheric punch of a Grisham novel but Berry’s knack for plotting and character, you’re in the right place.

There’s a lot to love: a plot that doesn’t let up, characters you’ll care about, and a setting that feels lived-in. The ethical dilemmas are timely and real. Sure, the premise—corporate conspiracy in a sleepy town—isn’t brand new, and some Berry diehards may miss his usual historical hooks. A few tropes show up along the way. But when the execution is this sharp, it’s easy to forgive a little familiarity.

The List is gripping, well-written, and a worthy rival to the best legal thrillers out there. Berry proves he can switch gears and still deliver suspense with style.

And if you’re into audiobooks, Scott Brick’s narration is a perfect match. Brick’s got the kind of voice that ratchets up the tension and brings every character into sharp focus. He never overplays it, and his knack for pacing makes the 14-hour listen fly by. If you want the full experience, the audio edition is the way to go. Scott Brick, in my opinion, continues to be the gold standard for audiobook narration.

Bottom line: The List is fast, tense, and packed with the kind of small-town drama that’ll keep you up past your bedtime. Whether you’re a Berry fan or just in the mood for a high-stakes legal thriller, this one’s worth your time.

The List by Steve Berry
Narrated by Scott Brick
I didn’t realize when I requested this book that it was an early work written by the author that was pulled out of the closet during the pandemic and spruced up to be published now. Which explains why almost nobody has a cell phone. It’s an early effort and it shows.
The concept is kind of ridiculous so be prepared to suspend disbelief and just go with it. The suspense is pretty limited until the very end. The character development is also pretty limited so that I didn’t care much about anyone except maybe the MC’’s mother.
The ending was good but it seemed to be over very suddenly which is a bit odd for such a long book. I expected more from this author but I guess this result is understandable since it is a sophomore effort. I might have skipped it if I had known that beforehand.
Scott Brick is an excellent narrator and added more suspense to the book than it might have exhibited otherwise. At least it was interesting enough that I did finish it due to his effort.
Bottom line, I’m sticking with Cotton Malone in the future.
3.5 stars rounded up

Berry takes a departure from his Cotton Malone books to concentrate on a different kind of dark intrigue. This time it’s all about the enormous power a paper company has on a small community, it’s deadly secrets and coverups and the man who will be tasked with revealing those secrets, if he lives long enough. Berry’s take on corporate American greed, is sadly, spot on