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The Roach

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The Roach

By: Rhett C. Bruno
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
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About this listen

A string of killings. An identity stolen. Only he can find the truth.

Reese Roberts was the guardian of Iron City. Its fearless protector. The only one willing to do whatever it takes...until he was shot on the streets and left paralyzed from the waist down. Now, the vigilante known as the Roach has disappeared. Faded into legend.

It’s been years since Reese could take on crime and clean up the streets. He’s a shriveled old drunk, living like a hermit and waiting for his life to end. All that’s left to do is wallow in the mistakes that led him here. To wonder if he went too far.

But when a copycat steals his suit and takes justice into his own hands, a new killer emerges, leaving brutal messages behind. He wants to eliminate the Roach for good this time.

It’s time for Reese to re-emerge from his shell and fight back. Who else can stop the flurry of killings? Definitely not the corrupt police department. Iron City needs the Roach again. Only, this time, he’ll need to save it without his legs.

©2020 Rhett C. Bruno (P)2020 Podium Audio Adventure Crime Thrillers Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Superhero Thriller Thriller & Suspense Scary Suspense Exciting

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Critic reviews

"A dark and powerful journey into the broken mind of a crippled vigilante, clawing his way out of despair to protect his legacy and his city. Reader beware: once you crack this novel open, you won't be able to close it!” (Jeremy Robinson, NY Times best-selling author of Tribe and The Others)

“A world worthy of being a sister city to Gotham. Gritty, grimy, and mesmerizing.“ (Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, Prodigal Son; La Bamba)

“Great narration and dialogue, Rhett C. Bruno brings to life a character who’d rather be dead...or at least has a death wish." (Darick Robertson, co-creator of The Boys - now a Prime Original Series)

“White-knuckled and unfiltered. The Roach plunges you into the filth of the city and holds you under.“ (James S. Murray, number-one best-selling author of the Awakened series and star of truTV’s Impractical Jokers)

All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed this story and I expect I will be listening to it again. R.C. Bray does an awesome job bringing the characters to life giving each of them unique voices.

This is the first book of Rhett C. Bruno that I have listened to. I would happily try another of his books.

Interesting story.

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This is a very dark view of a very troubled and broken "superhero" but this is no billionaire with every bit of tech at his disposal. A person who despite a grim beginning devotes everything to the city populace at great personal risk. relying only on his wits and a lot of kevlar. Only to suffer an accident that leaves him in a wheelchair. There he simmers and pretty much tries to drink his demons to death.
Now that sounds all really negative. Nope, he is rather dark and bitter but the story isn't. There might be a bit of a glimmer of a redemption and that keeps you listening. It's the other characters that he encounters that I find rather intriguing and their story after he interacts with you are left to develop in your own imagination.
I don't normally read books that are in this realm but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Rhett C Bruno is a master story teller and when he lets his imagine run riot I love to follow the words.
The narrator is R C Bray. There is a common saying that he could read the telephone directory and it would sound interesting. Yep he could try that. But I'm glad that he sticks to reading these books out loud. Yet another sterling job.

When a superhero is very dark flawed & very human

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Fast paced. I like that in a book. Even the retrospect and flashbacks were quick and contributed to the story, rather than taking the reader away from the immediate action. I’d read a sequel if he gets super strong robot legs. That would be cool. Or maybe a super powered wheelchair. Not sure about Laura’s character though. She’s fickle in the end of this book when she was so emotionally attached to the roach throughout. I guess high risk moments change a person. I’m sure this writer knows what he’s doing. Apparently won lots of awards, so I might as well check out his other books. I couldn’t hear the interview in the end as the recording sounds like it’s on the phone and garbled. Too bad.

Pretty Good

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The combination of Rhett Bruno and RC Bray has resulted in a totally enjoyable listen .. I really couldn’t stop ... The plot is character driven and the main character is very dark , but enjoyable, and suits RC Bray beautifully..it feels like a really good film script ..a real joy to listen to ...

Riveting listen

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This is a well written dark anti-hero story and is masterfully brought to life within a down on its luck industrial town as is the hero who once fought for its citizens. The comparison between the two and the peerless gravelly voice of RC Bray works wonders as we are drawn into the world and forced to care about its characters.
I throughly enejoyed this and the Q & A at the end is very good as well and a nice touch.

Dark but Deep Tale

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predictable but fun, always worth it for R.C. I will recommend to my comic book friends.

Nice change from all these super power stories

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First things first, trigger warning. This book deals with sexual abuse.

Now onto the review.

The Roach tells the story of a washed up vigilante confined to a wheel chair after his last rescue. No friends, no millions or rich and powerful friends to rely on. His only true friend is his next bottle of whiskey and even that company is turning sour. But things begin to change when he hears one more cry for help.
The story gives off vibes more in line with The Watchmen and a Raymond Chandlers Noir detective novels more than a super hero novel, seeping grit with every page. Yet while I name these other works, this is truly something of its own. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Narration
R.C. Bray if you are familiar with him has already sold you this book. If you are not, then you are in for a treat. He has the voice of a man larynx has been dragged over rough pebbles. It draws you into the story, sending you in the murk of the tale and bobbing and weaving with each bout of action. R.C. Bray doesn't just narrate a tale, but enhances it with every word. Yet despite his distinctive voice, he is more than capable of alteration, bringing different characters to life and making each recognisable. This is what for me really pulls it to 5*.

What a ride. Highly recommend

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The Roach is an excellent gritty noir story about a former vigilante being drawn back into this world. The story written by Rhett C Bruno keeps listeners hooked and RC Bray’s excellent (as always) narration helps drive the story along. Whilst this is not your average “superhero” story there are parallels with other more mainstream heroes that echo through their own storylines bringing a realism to the Roach. Overall an excellent book that will keep listeners entertained right until the very last words. Well done all involved.

Excellent gritty noir story

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On paper this book ticks a few boxes:
Superhero - check
Thriller - check
Gritty gravel voiced narrator - check

But just reading the premise something in the back of my mind said I maybe wouldn't enjoy it. I think I thought it would be depressing and dreary. I was wrong.

No spoilers ahead.

Reece Roberts is the titular Roach, a former vigilante hero who cleaned up the streets of Iron City, but now he's in a wheelchair and is fighting a different kind of battle. This is pretty much all I knew about this book before I picked it up and it made me think I wouldn't really like it, that it would be a grind.

It's not a grind, the book works on several levels, what do hero's do after retirement? How does a disabled superhero go about his day? What does a super hero without powers do? Does he have friends? How did this happen to him?

You get answers to these questions and a story made up of other characters, some likeable, some not but all add to story and build up a picture of what it's like to be Reece living in Iron City.

There's a more action than I thought, there's more feels than I thought and as I have already said I enjoyed it more than I thought. That's no slight on the author by the way, I didn't consider who wrote it or their other work.

You probably have an idea where this will go and how it will end from the offset but you'll be surprised, there are some things in the book I didn't like, didn't agree with or just plain thought why is this happening but all in all I really enjoyed everything.

Gritty story, gritty narration

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This was exactly as described in the summary part. An ex hero, a copycat and a killer in Iron City. The story flows perfectly with the excellent narration complimenting it.

I’d recommend this if you’re into thriller or want something different to listen to than your usual

Brilliant Listen

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