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Tom Marlowe #2

Target Locked

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On the run, all alone - and marked for termination.

British MI5 “Section D” agent Tom Marlowe has been burned, his Security Services clearance deleted, and his protection from foreign agencies removed.

Now on the run from assassins with old scores to settle, Marlowe accepts an offer from retired CIA associate Brad Haynes to stay with him in New York. but as ever, Brad has a reason for calling his friend across to the East Coast.

Burned from working with any allied agency, and with only old friends and disavowed spies to rely on, Marlowe finds himself fighting to clear a kill-list order on a high-flying environmental lawyer, before she takes down a criminal corporation in a high-profile court case - but can he stay in the shadows to do this, or will his hunters lock on target once more?

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2023

468 people are currently reading
77 people want to read

About the author

Jack Gatland

59 books235 followers
Jack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.

He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.

As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.

The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.

In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.

He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.

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5 stars
1,023 (55%)
4 stars
608 (33%)
3 stars
161 (8%)
2 stars
27 (1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
1,273 reviews
January 13, 2023
Target Locked by Jack Gatland is book 2 in the Tom Marlowe series. Tom is no longer in MI5 and is out in the cold. He is offered a job in New York by a CIA acquaintance Brad Haynes. He is to keep a lawyer, Roxanne Vasquez, safe till a court case against Nathan Donziger the following Monday. To do this he teams with Trix Preston. This is a great adventure and spy thriller and a few familiar characters make an appearance, as well as the CIA and FBI. Fast-paced too which kept me turning the page. I always find there are quite a few bits of information throughout Jack’s books, usually historical, and this was no different. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
64 reviews
May 14, 2023
Another great Tom Marlowe book

This book was definitely worth 5 stars. It was even more exciting than the first book. On the run, now in America after someone he knows put a hit out on him. Tom definitely doesn't mind being in the middle of trouble. With Trix by his side, helping him, this is definitely worth reading if you like someone who's gung-ho, and likes to take down bad guys then this book is for you. Marlowe is now on his way to his next adventure. Can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Mr Mark Hawksford.
350 reviews6 followers
May 27, 2024
Target Locked -

This is the second book in the Marlowe series. I enjoyed the first book, but probably enjoyed this one more. Similar to the first, this is filled with action and is a page turner. Marlowe out in the cold is asked by CIA agent to help him protect a lawyer due to go to court with evidence against an influential owner of a major corporation in the US. She has evidence that will bring him and his corporation down and they are killing witnesses to stop the truth coming out. Who can Marlowe trust? A 5 out of 5 from me and I’ll be downloading book 3.
Profile Image for Francis Dutton.
14 reviews
January 11, 2024
Target Locked … responsible for a couple of very late nights!

A great read… excellent characters - both allies and enemies. I purchased the first book in the series - enjoyed it so much that I went and purchased the next 4 in the series immediately after I got Book 1. That in itself should tell you how much I rate the endeavours of the author Jack Gatland. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Neely Powell.
Author 9 books38 followers
July 5, 2025
Tom Marlowe and Trix, his hacker extraordinaire, are headed to the US to help a lawyer friend. Brad, the American CIA spook he’d worked with previously asked for their help. A corrupt CEO, possibly a Trump clone, is trying to destroy Native American land and has already created hardships for the people. The three agents need to protect the lawyer who wants to take down the nasty corporation head. Good book.
5 reviews
March 27, 2023
Yes they are likeable characters

Just finished the second tom Marlowe and thought it was better than the first. I met him as a character in the Declan Walsh series and have really enjoyed the further development of the character. Love spy thrillers and this was a good one with a plot that was complex but could be followed.
881 reviews3 followers
June 21, 2023
Target Locked

I liked the first Tom Marlowe spy story so much I had to read this one.
Guess what? It was good as well.
Tom Marlowe is very good at what he does in the spy world.
This time he is tasked with protecting a lawyer taking a class action against a big corporation.
They will do anything to stop her.
95 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2023
A great read!

I wasn’t sure about this spin off series when I started it, as I’m such a big fan of the last chance saloon, however, having read the 2nd book in the series I am now convinced. This is much better than book 1, with an excellent plot & plenty of twists & turns! Looking forward to reading book 3.
44 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2023
As engaging as ever

A very well written plot with lots of atmospheric people and places to keep the tension going til the very end. I will certainly be reading the next book in the series.
2 reviews
June 7, 2023
GOOD YARN

Tom Marlowe seems for lurch from problem to problem, always thinking, sorting things as he goes along. He is young, fit and always ready for a new adventure. He is my kind of hero. Not perfect but nearly. Wonder where his next adventure will take him.
Profile Image for Susan Lowe.
70 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2023
Beyond Awesome

Loved it. Loved it Loved it..... If I could give it 19 stars it still wouldn't be enough. So thank you for writing and now I will go on to read whatever you have written
Profile Image for Greyson Wolf.
16 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2023
Tom Marlowe’s here to stay!

Speed of the story leaves you breathless.
Tom Marlow is a character you can relate to.
Twists and turns in the story keep you on your toes.
Tom Marlow stands toe to toe with Jack Reacher and John Milton.
135 reviews
January 21, 2024
Cracking Good Yarn

Jack Gatland writes great thrillers. Just finished the second Tom Marlowe Spy Thriller, and thoroughly enjoyed them both. Great character development, both major and minor. Nice flaws all around. Great plots. Looking forward to starting the next one.
Profile Image for Don Glass.
106 reviews
April 13, 2024
Brilliant.

I great balance of new ideas and comfortable memories of old fashioned spy techniques.
Real characters and enough juicy intrigue and suspense to keep the reader engaged to the end.

I'm off to obtain book 3 right away!!
Profile Image for Kurt Young.
199 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2025
Enjoyable

A solid thriller in a series. Probably helps to have read the first, which is a critique... For me, each book should stand alone, but this feels like it was started while the last book was being finished and the next one plotted.
298 reviews
February 8, 2023
Great fun!

I hate to say it, but Marlowe has replaced Walsh in my book! Great action, really complex plot for Marlowe to work through. Just a fun romp of adrenaline and tension.
5 reviews
May 23, 2023
page turner

Good strong plot, interesting story, well written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more from Jack Gatland.
61 reviews
January 27, 2024
Brilliant read

Quite a complex plot, but you get into the rhythm quickly. Tom is so likeable, you wouldn't think he was a killer. I certainly would not want him on my trail.
Profile Image for Mrs Linda A Barber.
313 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2024
loved it

Great read again and fast pacing which I like in a book. Really like Tom Marlowe and I hope to enjoy more of his escapades as he goes rolling along.
4 reviews
February 27, 2025
Very exciting book. Twist and unexpected turn of events. Loved it

If you you love a good spy thriller this is the book to read!! Couldn't put it down!! Ready to read more!!
Profile Image for Steve Mepham.
137 reviews
March 11, 2025
A reasonable simple read with perhaps a little too much extraneous detail.
Perhaps not quite the impact of book 1,but a good enough sequel.
I will probably read #3, but not for a while.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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