I liked this gritty story but it was sad. It exposes the foster system failure which is a shameful commentary. Lets forbid abortion so there can be more unwanted children.
The Roach: A Dark Vigilante Thriller
by Rhett C. Bruno
"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)
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 reemerge 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.
A dark and powerful journey into the broken mind of a disabled vigilante, clawing his way out of despair to stop a killer and protect his legacy. It's perfect for fans of character-driven vigilante thrillers like Mr. Robot or Darkly Dreaming Dexter as well as darker superhero tales like Sin City, The Punisher, and Watchmen.
“A world worthy of being a sister city to Gotham. Gritty, grimy, and mesmerizing.”--Actor Lou Diamond Phillips (Prodigal Son)
"A grim but riveting deconstructed superhero tale."--Kirkus Reviews
The Roach is also available on Audible, narrated by the award-winning R.C. Bray.
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 reemerge 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.
A dark and powerful journey into the broken mind of a disabled vigilante, clawing his way out of despair to stop a killer and protect his legacy. It's perfect for fans of character-driven vigilante thrillers like Mr. Robot or Darkly Dreaming Dexter as well as darker superhero tales like Sin City, The Punisher, and Watchmen.
“A world worthy of being a sister city to Gotham. Gritty, grimy, and mesmerizing.”--Actor Lou Diamond Phillips (Prodigal Son)
"A grim but riveting deconstructed superhero tale."--Kirkus Reviews
The Roach is also available on Audible, narrated by the award-winning R.C. Bray.
Reviews
Pretty good.
Oh my goodness!
So dark, so full of action and so many personalities! This is a hero who is not the comic book kind, all sweet and heroic. No no. He is deep and dark and broken. And it takes a lot to like him. Lots to think about. More than just a quick afternoon read. So good. Thank you Mr. Bruno!
Best book of 2021!
The Roach wasn't just a novel; it was an experience. The story is centered around a vigilante known as The Roach, who has been broken and forgotten by the city he helped make safe. The book's description had me expecting some type of superhero version of Ironside, but what I actually read was something so much better. The Roach has gone from a fear-inspiring legend to a crippled drunk. But this isn't some happy ending story of redemption and rehabilitation; it is a gritty and realistic journey through the damaged psyche of a broken man.
I make the story sound pretty gloomy, but it actually is full of different emotions and hits you on a few levels. It's part gritty drama, part dark comedy, and part psychological thriller. I laughed out loud, I got goose-bumps, I shivered, and I, honest-to-god, teared up at one point. The characters come to life, the plot is thick and unpredictable, and the premise is fresh and exciting. It's the best book I've read in 2021, and I'm pretty sure it's going to stay on top for a long, long time.
beautify written !!
This author is a master at his craft I really was blown away by the story line and the way the author put everything together around the main characters.I could not put this book down and to me that's what really makes up a good book .I really hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have God bless !!
good book
great book
Superhero deconstruction at its finest
This is a superhero story written with a dose of reality. Think "SUPER" directed by James Gunn, with a tinge of Roschach from Watchmen, and some Alan Moore hero Cynicism to round out the crazy. Like the book title, this is a look into the mind of a Batman-esc vigilante with trauma that isolates and motivates his actions and violence against criminals and crime. For all superhero enthusiasts, I believe this is an essential read. This takes all the tropes we have associated with heroism, and shines a UV light to reveal all the crap hidden from view. This is a redemption tale. with our MC stuck in a wheelchair as a direct result of his vigilante activities, we follow him as he stews in his misery, and is forced to confront his past and all its infamy.
Handicapped hero
I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The main character is rude, untrusting, and down right mean. Yet, I couldn't help but love the character and see the arc of how he changes, albeit slightly, and especially the ending of the prologue!
The Roach
This is a great book! From the very beginning, when you meet a former vigilante now confined to a wheelchair, the author draws you in to the story of Reese Roberts. At one time, he was a vigilante, cleaning up Iron City while going by the moniker of The Roach. Even the name is a great description of what he did!
After five years in a wheelchair, Reese decides that his life isn't worth living and he has decided to jump into the river. However, at that exact moment, his instincts kick in when he hears a scream. Once a Superhero, always a superhero, right?
This is a very dark book with a dark story, full of despair, violence, and emotion. But, there is also hope and love sprinkled throughout. At times I was reminded of Batman, but The Roach is so much more. Even though Reese is a very violent man with a violent past, I found myself feeling extreme empathy for him and his life. Mr. Bruno has created a character that will haunt me for a long time and I can definitely see myself listening to this book again and again.
And, R.C. Bray IS the Roach. I can't imagine anyone else narrating this book or this character. Even though he has a very deep, gruff voice, he is still able to voice the female characters without making me cringe. Anytime I see Mr. Bray's name as the narrator, I know I'm in for a great listen!
I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
