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Jack Reilly #5
The Venetian Pursuit
On July 2, 1937, one of America’s greatest adventurers suddenly vanishes. The event makes global headlines, fueling decades of debate, and birthing countless conspiracy theories.
Gregory Wentz’s yacht is marooned on an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Senator’s fifteen-year-old son ventures into the tree line and finds something amazing, the scattered remains of a plane wreck with the number N16020 stamped on its wing. Wentz, a former Air Force pilot, instantly recognizes what he’s looking at. He contacts someone he knows he can trust, a man who is supposed to be dead, Solomon Raegor, Director of the Tactical Archaeological Command.
What was already a historic discovery turns into something infinitely bigger once Raegor and TAC operative Jack Reilly uncover the truth. Amelia Earhart was hijacked at gunpoint shortly before taking off on that fateful day. Her co-pilot was replaced by a desperate man with a crazy plan, and information concerning one of history’s other greatest mysteries: the location of Marco Polo’s lost fleet, and the fortune it holds.
Gregory Wentz’s yacht is marooned on an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Senator’s fifteen-year-old son ventures into the tree line and finds something amazing, the scattered remains of a plane wreck with the number N16020 stamped on its wing. Wentz, a former Air Force pilot, instantly recognizes what he’s looking at. He contacts someone he knows he can trust, a man who is supposed to be dead, Solomon Raegor, Director of the Tactical Archaeological Command.
What was already a historic discovery turns into something infinitely bigger once Raegor and TAC operative Jack Reilly uncover the truth. Amelia Earhart was hijacked at gunpoint shortly before taking off on that fateful day. Her co-pilot was replaced by a desperate man with a crazy plan, and information concerning one of history’s other greatest mysteries: the location of Marco Polo’s lost fleet, and the fortune it holds.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2023
274 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Matthew James
44 books124 followersMATT JAMES is the international bestselling author of over thirty-five action-packed titles, including the fan-favorite Jack Reilly series, The Cursed Thief, and The Blood King. He specializes in globetrotting thrillers that fans of James Rollins, Steve Berry, and Ernest Dempsey will devour!
He lives twenty minutes from the beach in sunny South Florida with his amazing wife, three beautiful children, a lovable pitty, and an overly dramatic black cat.
Go to MattJamesAuthor.com and subscribe to his newsletter for early and exclusive news and updates! You will NOT be mercilessly spammed with junk mail. And don't forget to click the FOLLOW button on his Amazon page to receive new release alerts!
He lives twenty minutes from the beach in sunny South Florida with his amazing wife, three beautiful children, a lovable pitty, and an overly dramatic black cat.
Go to MattJamesAuthor.com and subscribe to his newsletter for early and exclusive news and updates! You will NOT be mercilessly spammed with junk mail. And don't forget to click the FOLLOW button on his Amazon page to receive new release alerts!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 27, 2023
Had this been my first I would have missed some very good books in this series. Many 5 star reviews show I am among the few but this was, for me, like watching a poorly conceived sequel or knockoff. So much thrown in and, especially early, it was not enjoyable for me to watch. I finished so you should as well, you may find 5 star adventure where I did not.
July 28, 2024
July 2,1937. Near New Guinea, Pacific Ocean. Possible version of Amelia Earhart’s disappearance.
Present Day. Same location. Senator Wentz and his family are shipwrecked on a strange island.
TAC headquarters, Colorado. After a call from the senator, Director Solomon Raegor personally goes to investigate and takes Reilly with him.
Jack is walking disaster area. Great story, but a little too much keystone cops/3 stooges stuff going on.
Fave scenes: Jack in the Bayliner’s bathroom, getting out of the sub, hiding in the jet and Jack’s Tarzan ride.
Present Day. Same location. Senator Wentz and his family are shipwrecked on a strange island.
TAC headquarters, Colorado. After a call from the senator, Director Solomon Raegor personally goes to investigate and takes Reilly with him.
Jack is walking disaster area. Great story, but a little too much keystone cops/3 stooges stuff going on.
Fave scenes: Jack in the Bayliner’s bathroom, getting out of the sub, hiding in the jet and Jack’s Tarzan ride.
February 24, 2023
Another winner from Matt James
Matt weaves an interesting storyline to explain the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and the lost fleet of Marco Polo. Follow Jack and his boss onto a deserted island in the Devils Sea for a quick look to find out if Amelia has been found.
Jack Reilly is fast becoming my favorite adventurer, alongside Delphi Group and Jack West Jr. Looking forward to his next adventure.
Matt weaves an interesting storyline to explain the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and the lost fleet of Marco Polo. Follow Jack and his boss onto a deserted island in the Devils Sea for a quick look to find out if Amelia has been found.
Jack Reilly is fast becoming my favorite adventurer, alongside Delphi Group and Jack West Jr. Looking forward to his next adventure.
May 29, 2025
Amazing island adventures with historic focus
I enjoy these adventures as they capture our exploring the world looking for answers to historic mysteries. Believable hero's and evil advasaries. Pirate adventure to the highest. I appreciate the good guys surviving and at times being kind.
I enjoy these adventures as they capture our exploring the world looking for answers to historic mysteries. Believable hero's and evil advasaries. Pirate adventure to the highest. I appreciate the good guys surviving and at times being kind.
December 12, 2025
pretty good read
James has an affinity for large animals, a couple time his story line confused me, most readers are visualizing as they read, but my visualization was confused a couple times as to what was being said because I couldn’t put it together, over all a good read though!
James has an affinity for large animals, a couple time his story line confused me, most readers are visualizing as they read, but my visualization was confused a couple times as to what was being said because I couldn’t put it together, over all a good read though!
May 16, 2023
another great adventure!
What’s Amelia Earhart, Marco Polo, pirates, crazy inbred cannibals, oh, and a billion dollar treasure have in common? Jack Reilly of course! Join Jack and his boss for one crazy adventure, you will not be disappointed.
What’s Amelia Earhart, Marco Polo, pirates, crazy inbred cannibals, oh, and a billion dollar treasure have in common? Jack Reilly of course! Join Jack and his boss for one crazy adventure, you will not be disappointed.
June 9, 2023
a very good adventure
The writer did an excellent job of taking the reader on an adventure that was truly a gateway from hot summer afternoons. Could not put it down. Enjoy! It’s worth the trip
The writer did an excellent job of taking the reader on an adventure that was truly a gateway from hot summer afternoons. Could not put it down. Enjoy! It’s worth the trip
July 11, 2023
Great Adventure
If you want fast paced action and adventure you will love this book. The storyline is full of plot twist and intrigue. The characters are awesome and easy to get behind. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
If you want fast paced action and adventure you will love this book. The storyline is full of plot twist and intrigue. The characters are awesome and easy to get behind. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
December 8, 2023
Thrilling and Scary as the devil!
A WONDERFUL SHOT AT AMELIA ERHARTS DEMISE. JACKS SENSE OF HUMOR LIFTED ME OUT OF MY SCAREDNESS! IT WAS A FRIGHTENING PLACE TO BE SHIP WRECKED. ALMOST ENOUGH TO HAVE NIGHTMARES! THERE'S A REASON THIS IS CALLED A THRILLER!
A WONDERFUL SHOT AT AMELIA ERHARTS DEMISE. JACKS SENSE OF HUMOR LIFTED ME OUT OF MY SCAREDNESS! IT WAS A FRIGHTENING PLACE TO BE SHIP WRECKED. ALMOST ENOUGH TO HAVE NIGHTMARES! THERE'S A REASON THIS IS CALLED A THRILLER!
December 1, 2024
Jack’s Adventures
An interesting story but I thought it dragged on a bit. The storyline was interesting but I got the impression some of it was about filling a page.
Not too bad though.
An interesting story but I thought it dragged on a bit. The storyline was interesting but I got the impression some of it was about filling a page.
Not too bad though.
December 10, 2024
Traverse City Michigan
I love the the surprise in this novel !
So that must remain just that.
I had a hard time putting this one down.
Love the characters, and the end is. Once again worth the climb.
Thank you for your talent!
I love the the surprise in this novel !
So that must remain just that.
I had a hard time putting this one down.
Love the characters, and the end is. Once again worth the climb.
Thank you for your talent!
June 15, 2025
What next? Lots of thrills!
South sea islands, ancient mysteries, demons and monsters. They’re all here. I just wish the writing style was tighter and as good as the id as behinds the story.
South sea islands, ancient mysteries, demons and monsters. They’re all here. I just wish the writing style was tighter and as good as the id as behinds the story.
December 7, 2025
Another Fast-Paced Jack Reilly Adventure
Just plain awesome! Lots of action and thrilling escapes. Once started, you can't put the book down! It shows that Matt James does extensive research on every book he writes. Highly recommend all his thrilling book collection and series.
Just plain awesome! Lots of action and thrilling escapes. Once started, you can't put the book down! It shows that Matt James does extensive research on every book he writes. Highly recommend all his thrilling book collection and series.
January 10, 2026
Spellbinding Adventure
WOW!!! This is a truly amazing adventure!! The scenery descriptions, the action & the use of historical events is perfectly blended to capture and hold your attention. I really enjoyed the ‘movie’ my mind presented as I read.
WOW!!! This is a truly amazing adventure!! The scenery descriptions, the action & the use of historical events is perfectly blended to capture and hold your attention. I really enjoyed the ‘movie’ my mind presented as I read.
February 26, 2023
A good tale
A good story with interesting historical twist thrown in. The author does a great job weaving fact and fiction. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
A good story with interesting historical twist thrown in. The author does a great job weaving fact and fiction. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 4, 2023
Jack Reilly and his boss S.I.R meet up in Hawaii!
Who knew it would cost them 18 or 20 of their limited number of lives and the nightmares were real!
Who knew it would cost them 18 or 20 of their limited number of lives and the nightmares were real!
Read
October 4, 2023Great book
Great book the jack Reilly adventures have just become one of my favorite books the author is one of the best it is hard to put one down
Great book the jack Reilly adventures have just become one of my favorite books the author is one of the best it is hard to put one down
Read
June 27, 2024Good read enjoyable characters
July 18, 2025
Exciting thriller!
This book went at a rapid pace! Reilly is as entertaining and smart alecky as ever, and Raeger was a good foil to him. A lot of action and never boring.
This book went at a rapid pace! Reilly is as entertaining and smart alecky as ever, and Raeger was a good foil to him. A lot of action and never boring.
October 2, 2025
Another great read from Matt James
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews