Do you crave adventure? Are you ready to fight against injustice like Jack Reacher, or solve an ancient mystery alongside cryptologist Robert Langdon? Will our heroes win against the forces of darkness?
There’s a reason why action and adventure thrillers are among the world’s most popular stories, keeping us gripped with complex and compelling tales. Deep down, we all want to be the flawed hero, fighting against evil and for what’s right. As an audiobook, an action adventure – whether a historical saga like The Pillars of the Earth or a contemporary thriller in the vein of The Da Vinci Code – takes on an extra dimension, pulling you into the story as if you really are the hero.
We pick out 10 of the most exciting, tense and thrilling action and adventure audiobooks that put you at the heart of the story.
Book 4 of Gregg Hurwitz’s dystopian Orphan X series kicks off our list as an essential action title. Out of the Dark follows the chilling story of Evan Smoak, who was snatched from the orphanage he was living in, and forced into a covert Cold War mission. Alongside his fellow lethal recruits, he would conduct the government’s ruthless dirty work. But the true adventure begins when the man responsible for the programme sets out to destroy all evidence - including Evan. New York Times best-selling writer Gregg Hurwitz’s Out of the Dark is transformed into a heart-racing audio performance by award-winning narrator Scott Brick.
Drifter Jack Reacher sets off on a cross-country road trip through America - but he doesn’t get very far. By chance, he stumbles across a small town that sounds familiar to him - it’s the place where his father was born. This thrilling listen takes an unsettling turn when Jack discovers that there is no record or trace of his dad ever having lived in the small New Hampshire town. Past Tense is the twenty-third title in Lee Child’s popular Jack Reacher series, performed by the highly-acclaimed audiobook narrator Jeff Harding. This gripping listen will have the audience on the edge of their seats as they search for answers about the dubious Reacher family.
Chris Ryan’s military adventure audiobook will get your heart-racing. As an ex-Special Air Service sergeant himself, Chris Ryan knows how to pen a realistic spy adventure series. Former Russian spy Nikolai Volkov is hiding out in Malta and is wanted for his knowledge about chemical weapons and the poisoning of an oligarch. But that’s not all - Nikolai has intel about an imminent Russian invasion. In this enthralling listen, the Kremlin attempts to hunt down the former spy before he confesses to MI6 and foils the plan. Actor Barnaby Edwards from the Doctor Who TV series brings this action story to life with an exciting range of voices that do this iconic title justice.
Murder is John Milton’s craft. If a government plan fails or something goes wrong, they send the anonymous John Milton to take care of it. After ten years in the assassination game, the highly-skilled murderer has finally had enough of his post. This action-packed thriller, performed by David Thorpe, is a story of retribution and making amends. With so many demons in his past and skeletons in the closet, John Milton must navigate the dark underworld of crime and government secrets, to get the life he once had back. With a strong will to escape and the rising threat of new enemies, will he make it out of there alive?
The Pillars of the Earth is the first part of Ken Follett’s historical action series set in the fictional town of Kingsbridge in medieval England. This epic listen is Ken Follett’s best-selling work - and not without reason.
Devoted monk Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, aspires to build the greatest Gothic cathedral that the world has ever seen. As a 12th-century monk attempts to do the impossible, the esteemed John Lee’s narration will grip listeners with this thrilling tale of love, betrayal, good and evil, as the church turns against the state. Will Philip succeed in his grandiose plans or will other threats get in the way?
Dr. Ben Kazin is a gifted and down-to-earth archaeologist and the affluent and impulsive Louren Sturvesant is quite frankly, not. But the two opposites must make it work as friends, competitors and partners, as they dedicate their time and efforts to search for a long lost city that time forgot. The historical fiction writer Wilbur Smith’s action-packed archaeological adventure will grip listeners as the unlikely duo work together to discover the ancient Phoenician city known as Opet. The Sunbird is brought to audio as an Audible exclusive listen, performed by the talented voice actor Piers Hampton.
The Angry Sea in James Deegan’s John Carr series is a must-listen for any action fan. Former SAS Sergeant Major John Carr’s beach holiday is interrupted - by the most devastating terrorist attack that Europe has ever seen. The terrorists responsible for the Costa Del Sol atrocity conceal personal greed under the pretence of religious extremism. Meanwhile, in London, the British Prime Minister and intelligence teams must initiate a secret operation against the ruthless terrorising enemy. But who is the man for the job? James Deegan takes listeners on an adventure as John Carr is summoned to lead this covert operation. The Angry Sea, performed by voice actor Joshua Manning, will make hearts race as the ex-forces protagonist’s mission continues.
Capture or Kill features in our list as a fast-paced adventure listen that lets listeners dive into the secret world of intelligence, written by the ex-MI5 agent and best-selling writer Tom Marcus. Matt Logan is an MI5 operative and counterterrorism specialist who is tasked with uncovering a terrorist plot at the hands of a notorious terrorist duo. If Logan and his team succeed, they’ll be heroes - if they don’t, a devastating attack will shake up their world. In this heart-racing performance, narrated by actor Jason Langley, Logan muddles through the red tape of intelligence as he is faced with an opportunity to dive deeper into the secret world of covert operations.
Set in Russia in the 1960s, Alexander Karpenko is an extraordinary child who seems somewhat destined to lead the country one day. This action-packed thriller by The New York Times best-selling writer Jeffrey Archer takes listeners on an epic journey of fate and fortune, after Alexander’s father is murdered by Russia’s KGB for defying the state. After the child and his mother flee Russia, the horrors of Alexander’s childhood catch up with him and he must bravely face the music in Russia. This captivating listen is brought to life by actor Richard Armitage who is known for his role in The Hobbit film trilogy.
Harvard professor of symbology and iconology Robert Langdon is in search of answers to some of the world’s most chilling mysteries and conspiracies. The New York Times best-selling writer Dan Brown takes listeners across the world into the depths of history and religion, as the professor works to uncover the truth once and for all. The best-selling The Da Vinci Code has been transformed into a box office hit, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon. This action-packed listen will grip listeners with its fast pace, chilling settings and engaging narration by the esteemed Jeff Harding.
