The List: A Novel of Suspense by Steve BerryPublication Date: July 22, 2025
Pages: 384
Add on: Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating: ★★★★
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Legal
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Book Group
In the vein of David Baldacci, John Grisham, and Harlan Coben—this is Steve Berry like you’ve never read him before.
After a ten-year self-imposed exile, Brent Walker is returning home to Concord, a quaint town in central Georgia nestled close to the Savannah River. Two years ago, his father died, and now Brent, hired by Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company as its assistant general counsel, is returning to care for his ailing mother.
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.
Southern Republic’s success is based largely on a highly unorthodox and deadly system to control costs, known only to the three owners of the company. Now, one of them, Christopher Bozin, has had a change of heart. Brent’s return to Concord, a move Bozin personally orchestrated, provides his conscience with a chance at redemption. So a plan is set into motion, one that will not only criminally implicate Bozin’s two partners, but also place Brent Walker square in the crosshairs of men who want him dead—with only one course left available.
Find and reveal the shocking secret of the list.
REVIEW
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 on a mysterious list during a blackout, and suddenly Brent is tangled up 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 12-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.
