10 audiobooks for fans of Past Tense
- 1
Hellbent
Orphan X • Book 3
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.73 ABR Score (38.1K ratings)★ 4.44 Goodreads (25.3K) ★ 4.75 Audible (12.8K)More about this pick
The Nowhere Man faces his past when his surrogate father Jack Johns is targeted for knowing too much about the secret Orphan X assassination program.
- 2
Into the Fire
An Orphan X Novel • Book 5
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.73 ABR Score (28.5K ratings)★ 4.43 Goodreads (19.1K) ★ 4.79 Audible (9.4K)More about this pick
Scott Brick's relentless intensity transforms this fifth Orphan X into pure propulsive momentum—his voice becomes the weapon, making every tense standoff and moral reckoning land with genuine weight.
- 3
Out of the Dark
An Orphan X Novel • Book 4
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.71 ABR Score (31.8K ratings)★ 4.4 Goodreads (21.6K) ★ 4.77 Audible (10.2K)More about this pick
Scott Brick's measured intensity perfectly captures Evan Smoak's lethal precision—making this fourth Orphan X installment feel like a masterclass in smart thriller narration that never oversells the danger.
- 4
Prodigal Son
An Orphan X Novel • Book 6
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.59 ABR Score (22.9K ratings)★ 4.35 Goodreads (17.7K) ★ 4.69 Audible (5.2K)More about this pick
Scott Brick's narration transforms this spy thriller into something addictive—his measured intensity makes every revelation land harder, and the character work hits deeper than typical action fare.
- 5
Dark Horse
An Orphan X Novel • Book 7
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.59 ABR Score (21.5K ratings)★ 4.37 Goodreads (16.9K) ★ 4.68 Audible (4.6K)More about this pick
Scott Brick's measured intensity perfectly captures Evan Smoak's controlled precision in this seventh installment—a thriller that rewards longtime fans while delivering genuine stakes and moral complexity.
- 6
Enemy of the State
Mitch Rapp • Book 16
Narrated by Scott Brick
Why this book?
Scott Brick's narration anchors both thrillers with the same measured intensity and authoritative presence that keeps listeners gripped through complex plots and high-stakes action. Both audiobooks deliver that page-turning momentum of a taut mystery where you'll want to keep listening through just one more chapter.
★ 4.58 ABR Score (31.2K ratings)★ 4.33 Goodreads (21.6K) ★ 4.63 Audible (9.6K)More about this pick
Mitch Rapp hunts a Saudi prince funding ISIS while navigating buried 9/11 secrets the U.S. government desperately wants to keep hidden. The high-stakes espionage and political intrigue crackle through every chapter of this timely thriller.
- 7
Lone Wolf
Orphan X • Book 9
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.54 ABR Score (16.3K ratings)★ 4.33 Goodreads (13.4K) ★ 4.68 Audible (2.9K)More about this pick
Evan Smoak faces his most personal mission yet as Orphan X in Hurwitz's ninth installment of vigilante justice. Scott Brick's familiarity with the series adds depth to every action sequence.
- 8
First Thrills
First Thrills • Book 1
by Lee Child, Bill Cameron, Marc Paoletti, Kelli Stanley, CJ Lyons, Rebecca Cantrell, J.T. Ellison, Karen Dionne, Grant McKenzie, Rip Gerber, Cynthia Robinson, Daniel Palmer, Unknown Author
Narrated by Jim Bond, Nick Podehl, Luke Daniels, Joyce Bean, Dick Hill
★ 3.63 ABR Score (4.8K ratings)★ 3.58 Goodreads (4.6K) ★ 3.49 Audible (131)More about this pick
Lee Child headlines twenty-five never-before-published stories that showcase both thriller veterans and rising stars. Five skilled narrators tackle the variety of voices and styles across this diverse collection.
- 9
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol
Jack Ryan Universe • Book 40
by Brian Andrews, Jeffrey Wilson, Tom Clancy
Narrated by Scott Brick
Why this book?
Scott Brick's measured narration brings the same methodical tension to this espionage thriller that made Past Tense so gripping, while both novels deliver intricate plots that reward close listening with satisfying payoffs. The extended runtime allows for the same deliberate pacing and atmospheric world-building that defines Child's work.
★ 4.58 ABR Score (7.5K ratings)★ 4.57 Goodreads (6.3K) ★ 4.75 Audible (1.2K)More about this pick
President Ryan's slip of the tongue threatens to spark war over Taiwan in this high-stakes political thriller. The tension builds through backroom diplomacy and military posturing across the Pacific.
- 10
Orphan X
Orphan X • Book 1
Narrated by Scott Brick
★ 4.51 ABR Score (82.4K ratings)★ 4.14 Goodreads (56.7K) ★ 4.53 Audible (25.7K)More about this pick
Evan Smoak helps desperate people who have nowhere else to turn, but his assassin past refuses to stay buried. Brick captures both the character's lethal skills and unexpected compassion.
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How We Rank Audiobooks
Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.
Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.
We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.
Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.