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Jack Reilly #5

The Venetian Pursuit

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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.

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2023

264 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Matthew James

44 books122 followers
MATT 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!

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Community Reviews

5 stars
473 (62%)
4 stars
201 (26%)
3 stars
61 (8%)
2 stars
18 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
46 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.
Profile Image for Theresa.
4,111 reviews15 followers
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.

Profile Image for Genette Schmeling.
38 reviews1 follower
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.
Profile Image for Alan Schrader.
61 reviews
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.


12 reviews
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!
Profile Image for Chuck Woodbury.
375 reviews
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.
32 reviews
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
Profile Image for Larry B Gray.
Author 6 books155 followers
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.
52 reviews
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!
22 reviews
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.
20 reviews2 followers
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!
104 reviews3 followers
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.
Profile Image for Arielle Jane.
9 reviews
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.
302 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Kenn Goslin.
799 reviews7 followers
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!
229 reviews
Read
October 4, 2023
Great 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
193 reviews
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.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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