The Program: A Novel (Tim Rackley Novels)

Good plot and well drawn characters but it really needed to be tightened up. It could have been about 25% shorter without the excessive descriptive details (I don't want to read 3 paragraphs explaining to me what a room looks like). The author clearly did extensive research on cults and I enjoyed finding out about the many subtle techniques they have for breaking down resistance. But he incorporates too many examples throughout the book that don't move the story along - it reads like they were added only to show how well the author knew the subject. I also would have liked an epilogue to give me an idea of how the main characters adjusted after the events described in the story.Overall a good book but some great editing would have taken it to the next level.

I must admit, this book was a difficult read in the middle. Mr. Hurwitz composed it in such a way that it was hard to envision how the bad guys were going to get their just desserts. If you find your stomach roiling with acid toward the middle, take some Pepto and persevere because the last several chapters are far and away the best of the book! The way the ending plays out is nothing short of masterful! Gave it five stars...only because I couldn't give more.

This book is a definite must read. Tim Rackley is back, after his initial introduction in The Kill Clause. He had gone through a terrible year after his 7 year old daughter was murdered and his subsequent decision to leave the U.S. Marshal Service. He gets hired by a wealthy Hollywood producer to find his daughter, Leah, who had joined a cult. The only way he could do this was to be back with the Service, which was worked out by the producer's influence. Tim infiltrated the cult by pretending to be someone interested in the group. It was there that he met the Teacher, a scary guy named TD. I have known men like TD - not as bad as he was, but a few different men who have had some aspects of his personality, who were in positions of leadership. I find this sort of situation very disturbing, especially watching the way many of their followers are totally controlled by them. Hurwitz created the perfect cult leader in TD, describing his complete control of his followers in a very convincing and creepy way. Tim, a very strong person both physically and in personality, managed to impersonate someone who was open to this control, but not so easily as to raise suspicion. Reading about his time with the group gave me such a sense of panic and claustrophobia that I actually had a nightmare about it. The limitations of the legal system were well described and very frustrating, but the way they got around all of that was very clever. This is a not missable must read book. I have read several of Hurwitz' books and have enjoyed all of them. I just ordered all of the rest and pre-ordered his upcoming book. He is truly a gifted author.

Once again Gregg Hurwitz has delved into another subject bringing Tim Rackley back into the spotlight and focusing on mind control and cults. Unfortunately for us, this is happening now in different places here and through out the world. Tim Rackley recovering from the loss of his daughter and in a dead end security job is needed to rescue a young woman from a cult. He has to infiltrate it to try to bring her safely out . The so called Teacher is the Leader of this not so merry band of villains and a lot is going on behind the scenes to keep his subjects submissive to him. With overtones of Jones Town , Manson and other deceptive leaders the plot twists and turns and keeps you involved all the way through. Tim and Dray are given some good news in the midst of all the chaos. I highly recommend this book and am starting the next one in the series. Keep them coming please Gregg Hurwitz!

I am kind of new to Mr. Hurwitz. I have read the first two books of the Tim Rackley novels and his latest novel, Trust No One, which I really liked.I thought this book, The Program was so good. Really creepy, with the infiltrating of the cult, and what went on in the cult. I was on the edge of my seat during the whole book.Mr. Hurwitz is not a quick read necessarily, like so many authors in his genre. He is very detailed, and really goes deep into his stories, but that is what makes him so good. Well worth the time it takes to delve into his Tim Rackley novels. I love the Tim Rackley character, and I am going to move on to the next in the series right away.I noticed there are a couple of other stand alone novels, not in the Rackley series, I will pick those up as well. I have one waiting for me on my Kindle.I'm glad I discovered him, even if I am coming to him later than a lot of his other fans!!

The Tim Rackley books are almost as good as the Orphan X series and I'll be starting book 3 asap. It was also fascinating reading about the possible/probable skullduggery carried out by sects to keep their members obedient believers.

Could not stop on the ending. Literally reading fast as I can and an amazing rush to the conclusion. Love it and recommend highly. Most hated bad guy of many as he is do real and prevalent today from megachurches begging money to political figures. Wanted him taken down.Try it out.Hurwitz is always a great read

What an education about the inner workings of a cult. Clearly Hurwitz has thoroughly researched this topic of The Program. He has also provided the reader with complex and interesting characters and a pace that almost leaves you breathless. This is one of his earlier novels but ever sincereading his novel "You're Next", I have tried to read every book he has written. He never disappoints!

I've never read a book quite like this as substantial parts of it are less like a fictional novel than like a manual setting out how cults get to grow, snaring people in their traps and powering the ego and life style of messianic leaders.It was utterly fascinating and horrifying at the same time. All novels seek to hook the reader, drawing you into the story so that you really care about the main characters and, with Tim Rackley (the hero) and Leah (damsel in distress) and even with TD (evil villain), you really do care.As with other Gregg Hurwtz novels, some of the peripheral characters are a little 'cartoon' and shallow but there are also characters who are presented in one light at the beginning of the book and are, slowly, revealed to be quite different characters by the end. The nature of this story; a fanatical 'self-help' cult, means that there are more characters to keep track of than might be the case for other plot lines but Mr Hurwitz manages to express these with sufficient clarity to allow the reader to keep the 'who's who' straight. The portrayal of the main villain, TD, is masterful; no cartoon Bond villain this but a complex, intelligent, resourceful character whom the reader has no problem at all seeing able to control the wills of hundreds of people. Seeing the periodic news stories, over the years, about these cults (mainly in America and, as is acknowledged in this book) often in California), I've always wondered at how stupid must people be to allow someone to take such control over you, but, while reading The Program, I increasingly had to ask myself if I would act any differently than these 'cult fodder' were I in their situation. Scary.This is my fifth Gregg Hurwitz and the best proof of my admiration is that I've already bought my sixth, to read as soon as I finish this review. Some other reviewers have said that they preferred the first of the Rackley novels, 'The Kill Clause' but, for me, this second outing is quite a bit better; not many novels change the way the reader thinks about the world in which we live but this one changed mine. While both of the 'Evan Smoat' novels ('Orphan X' and 'The Nowhere Man') were superb and very different to the Rackley books, I enjoyed 'The Surviver' a little less but, hey, four, storming, hits out of five is score any author would be proud of. There are plenty of Gregg Hurwitz novels for me to get into yet and, I assure you, I will!

The second in the Rackley trilogy does not disappoint. Gregg Hurwitz doesn't fall into the trap of 're-explaining' characters met in the first novel, nor rehashing the plot of that first book.the relationships are well characterized and believable and the story line is different. This seems quite rare in the thriller genre, where other writers use almost identical plots, settings, themes and in some cases exactly the same jokes, descriptions and metaphors. Hurwitz moves the plot along with great speed and dexterity. The cast of characters is not unmanageably large, and where there are many, he accepts that we don't need a photo fit description of each. Thoroughly enjoyed this gripping book.

Another tale that’s almost unmatchable. Pace quite crisp and so good that it doesn’t lose you at any point. Ending on a perfect cliff edge.

The second book in the series and I couldn't put it down,plenty of twists and turns to keep you hookedI don't normally read this genre but can't wait for the next one

Overall excellent read always a slow burn at the start but well worth the wait to read to the endVery disappointed the 4th book is so expensive the series must now be a collectors item but I won’t be buying until price comes down