Listen free for 30 days

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Russian cover art

The Russian

Written by: James Patterson,James O. Born
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $35.73

Buy Now for $35.73

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

When a serial killer crashes Detective Michael Bennett's wedding, he and his new partner uncover a gruesome string of cold-case homicides across the country.

Weeks before NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is to marry his longtime love, Mary Catherine, an assassin announces his presence in the city with a string of grisly murders. Each victim is a young woman. And each has been killed in a manner as precise as it was gruesome.

Tasked with working alongside the FBI, Bennett and his gung-ho new partner uncover multiple cold-case homicides across the country that fit the same distinctive pattern—proving the perpetrator they seek is as experienced at ending lives as he is at evading detection.

Bennett promises Mary Catherine that the case won't affect their upcoming wedding. But as Bennett prepares to make a lifetime commitment, the killer has a lethal vow of his own to fulfill.

©2021 James Patterson and James O. Born (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

What listeners say about The Russian

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    37
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    29
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Ok

I’ve read a lot of James Patterson, this one wasn’t my favourite. It felt unfinished and unsatisfying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great

Loved it but I wish it had been longer. Love all your books. Good job.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Wasn’t a fan.

Predictable, rushed and cliche. Character development and plot were lacking. That is all, need more words.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brenda Baker-McQuivey
  • Brenda Baker-McQuivey
  • 2021-02-03

Aways enjoyed the Michael Bennett series, but

I don't even know where to start with this review. The plot was sadly lacking and the narrator was absolutely terrible. Why does an author take a great series and not stick with the same narrator? First, the narrators voice is much too immature to sound credible for someone Bennett age. Secondly, his Irish accent in his interruption of Mary Katherine is beyond sad. Now all of a sudden his grandfather must no longer be Irish? Lastly. there is no difference, what do ever amongst the ten Bennett children. Did you get a bargain rate for this new voice? Was it worth offending so many listeners?
The plot of the story was so lacking. I guess this is what happens when authors put money as a bigger priority over the quality of their writing. Sad beyond believe at what the Michael Bennett series has become. JAMES PATTERSON I HOPE YOU START TAKING HEED IN WHAT YOUR READERS SRE SAYING. Is money over quality so important to you?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Marilyn Olson-Burns
  • Marilyn Olson-Burns
  • 2021-01-28

Shamus

the book was great , but was really diminished by listening to Shamus without a strong Irish accent. To have become accustomed to his accent, it was difficult to listen to a Bennett audio book without one

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Shermanreader
  • Shermanreader
  • 2021-02-01

I always look forward to the Michael Bennet books

I felt like this story was thrown together. Not much build up to a disappointing climax. None of the comfort of reconnecting with old friend that I usually get from this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for dean goldberg, Professor  Media and Film studies, Mount Saint Mary College
  • dean goldberg, Professor Media and Film studies, Mount Saint Mary College
  • 2021-01-31

Where’s the beef?

This one was really dialed in. If a student in my writing class threw in that Russian plot at the very end of the story, I’d make them go back and provide the thread that made that surprise worthwhile. Patterson’s gone from writing to retail .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Daryll
  • Daryll
  • 2021-01-28

Wonderful story ❤

I greatly enjoyed this. There hasn't been a bad Michael Bennett story yet! Good Job J.P.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Gail Jester
  • Gail Jester
  • 2021-02-02

Wry short novel

Seems to me that the author is getting very lazy. What could have been a worthwhile interesting read was just barely worth the time. The plot was very underdeveloped and uninspired. I won’t be buying anymore James Patterson books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Just_Tiffanie
  • Just_Tiffanie
  • 2021-01-31

Suspenseful

James Patterson did not disappoint with the Russian. It kept me on my toes wanting more until the very end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Lisa Tucker
  • Lisa Tucker
  • 2021-01-31

Fast Paced and Thrilling

The Michael Bennett books by James Patterson are easily my favorites. The Bennett family provides the warmth and sentiment that balance out the often macabre investigations that Detective Bennett routinely faces.
This book in true Patterson form offers both the excitement of an impending wedding, along with the exhaustion and sorrow that accompanies a serial killer case. I am able to become invested in the well being of the characters as they become as large as life through the authors description. The horror and sadness I feel when one is in danger makes me appreciate all of the effort put into creating and building even the supporting characters such as Detective Hollis.
Definitely recommend this book to any suspense loving reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Rhonda Madison
  • Rhonda Madison
  • 2021-02-07

Russian?

The title really didn't make any sense until the very end and then Russian didn't have anything to do with the main storyline. The title should have been different. The book on the whole was pretty good. I think the narrator was good but he should have been told that Bennett's grandfather was Irish and spoke with an Irish accent. Otherwise, it was a good story and a happy ending.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jennifer Eure
  • Jennifer Eure
  • 2021-02-04

The Russian

I really enjoyed this book . James Patterson really brings his characters to life! Fast paced real enjoyable. I love the Michael Bennett series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful