The List

The List by Steve Berry
7/22/25; 384 pages
Grand Central Publishing

The List by Steve Berry is a very highly recommended standalone thriller. This novel was started years ago, one of the first books Berry wrote, then put aside for years until he pulled it out and started working on it again in 2020. Subsequently, it reads more like a thriller from years ago.

After his father's death, Attorney Brent Walker is returning home to Concord, Georgia, to care for his elderly mother. He has accepted the position of assistant general counsel for the Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Company, which is the towns main employer. His longtime friend Hank Reed is a union official at Southern Republic and Walker will be working with him negotiating labor contracts with the union. 

What they don't know, at first, is that the company's three owners have instituted a lethal program called the Priority program to cut costs. They have hire professionals to eliminate their list of employees or retirees who are costing the company money. they have to make the deaths look natural. One of the three, Christopher Bozin, is dying and desires to repent of his actions so he wants to exposes his partners evil deeds to Walker and Reed.

Readers are privy to the professional murders occurring right away so they understand some of what is going on before Walker or Reed. The writing is very good, the pace is even at first and then picks up as the story unfolds over twenty days. One indication that this was written years ago is that it doesn't depend upon numerous twists to hold your interest. Instead of gimmicks, twists, or constant surprises, the narrative logically follows both sides of the action with the nefarious murders and the investigation, behind the scenes. This is what makes it resemble a thriller from several years ago.

The characters are fully realized and portrayed as realistic individuals with strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately they are both good men who have found themselves working for unscrupulous men, and they want to stop them. There is plenty of backstory provided and character growth along the way.

The List is a great choice for readers who enjoy John Grisham's thrillers. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.