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Amos Carver #1
Dead Before Dawn
They wouldn't leave him alone. That was their first and last mistake.
Carver, a former black ops operator is in town to help a former squad mate, Jaqueline Rhodes. But she's dead and the people behind it want to frame him for the murder.
It's a bad situation to be in. A real bad one. Especially for the people who think they can mess with Carver and get away with it.
Rhodes' murder isn't the only mystery in this town. There's a lot going on in this rotten town and a lot more conniving and dangerous players standing in Carver's way.
But one thing they didn't count on was just how far Carver is willing to go and how many people he's willing to kill to find justice.
Carver, a former black ops operator is in town to help a former squad mate, Jaqueline Rhodes. But she's dead and the people behind it want to frame him for the murder.
It's a bad situation to be in. A real bad one. Especially for the people who think they can mess with Carver and get away with it.
Rhodes' murder isn't the only mystery in this town. There's a lot going on in this rotten town and a lot more conniving and dangerous players standing in Carver's way.
But one thing they didn't count on was just how far Carver is willing to go and how many people he's willing to kill to find justice.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2023
1755 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
John Corwin
81 books549 followersJohn Corwin is the bestselling author of the Overworld Chronicles.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
May 7, 2024
I read a comment about this book that the character was like the "old" Reacher, prior to the books written by/with Lee Child's brother Andrew so thought I would give it a try. On the plus side, the story moves right along and it is a quick read. I paused a couple of other kindle reads to finish so it does have some dramatic drive.
On the downside, the story is simplistic, implausible and the body count is very high. "Reacher like" element in Amos Carver being summoned by female he previously worked with to assist with a problem she has discovered in the small Georgia town where she is the chief of police. He goes on at length at how smart she is compared to him. Problem is she is dead and he is being framed for it.
Good for a quick, entertaining summer read. Grab a copy and head for the beach!
On the downside, the story is simplistic, implausible and the body count is very high. "Reacher like" element in Amos Carver being summoned by female he previously worked with to assist with a problem she has discovered in the small Georgia town where she is the chief of police. He goes on at length at how smart she is compared to him. Problem is she is dead and he is being framed for it.
Good for a quick, entertaining summer read. Grab a copy and head for the beach!
November 8, 2025
A first read of this action thriller author , in this action packed thriller, a first book in the series, second book out soon.
I enjoy these characters that have a quite confidence, a great dry sense of humour, that's add to the fun of the book, gets the job done, maybe a little over the top but who cares.
They wouldn't leave him alone. That was their first and last mistake.
Carver, a former black ops operator is in town to help a former squad mate, Rhodes. But she's dead and the people behind it want to frame him for the murder.
It's a bad situation to be in. A real bad one. Especially for the people who think they can mess with Carver and get away with it.
Rhodes' murder isn't the only mystery in this town. There's a lot going on in this rotten town and a lot more conniving and dangerous players standing in Carver's way.
But one thing they didn't count on was just how far Carver is willing to go and how many people he's willing to kill to find justice.
🚩"If you like vigilante justice, this action thriller is for you."
"If you love the "early" Reacher books, you will enjoy this thriller series."
"A lot of people die in this thriller series. Mostly bad guys."
"Dead Before Dawn is a fast-moving thriller with plenty of twists."
"Tension, action and suspense built at a feverish pace. Dead Before Dawn is the real deal."
"The tension, action, and suspense built at a feverish pace."
"It has everything that an adrenaline junky looks for in a thriller!"
"Loved this book. So many villains, plot twists and lots of action."
"Finally a book where the bad guys get eliminated."
"Amos Carver is walking vengeance."
"This is a must-read thriller that you will not want to put down for anything."
"I was hooked from the first page."
"Move over Lee Child, and especially move over Andrew Child."
"Hooked from the first sentence. What a thrill ride!"
All true statements... Four stars
I enjoy these characters that have a quite confidence, a great dry sense of humour, that's add to the fun of the book, gets the job done, maybe a little over the top but who cares.
They wouldn't leave him alone. That was their first and last mistake.
Carver, a former black ops operator is in town to help a former squad mate, Rhodes. But she's dead and the people behind it want to frame him for the murder.
It's a bad situation to be in. A real bad one. Especially for the people who think they can mess with Carver and get away with it.
Rhodes' murder isn't the only mystery in this town. There's a lot going on in this rotten town and a lot more conniving and dangerous players standing in Carver's way.
But one thing they didn't count on was just how far Carver is willing to go and how many people he's willing to kill to find justice.
🚩"If you like vigilante justice, this action thriller is for you."
"If you love the "early" Reacher books, you will enjoy this thriller series."
"A lot of people die in this thriller series. Mostly bad guys."
"Dead Before Dawn is a fast-moving thriller with plenty of twists."
"Tension, action and suspense built at a feverish pace. Dead Before Dawn is the real deal."
"The tension, action, and suspense built at a feverish pace."
"It has everything that an adrenaline junky looks for in a thriller!"
"Loved this book. So many villains, plot twists and lots of action."
"Finally a book where the bad guys get eliminated."
"Amos Carver is walking vengeance."
"This is a must-read thriller that you will not want to put down for anything."
"I was hooked from the first page."
"Move over Lee Child, and especially move over Andrew Child."
"Hooked from the first sentence. What a thrill ride!"
All true statements... Four stars
October 29, 2025
Bloody good read.
Compelling plot with believable and likeable characters in a deftly written well plotted series. The quality is maintained in the following books of the series too.
Narrator (Austin Rising) of the audiobooks is superb.
Compelling plot with believable and likeable characters in a deftly written well plotted series. The quality is maintained in the following books of the series too.
Narrator (Austin Rising) of the audiobooks is superb.
May 23, 2025
A good action pact book
A good book with plenty of action and many different characters, the story will keep you going until the end and you want to find out more about Carver. Very much worth the read.
A good book with plenty of action and many different characters, the story will keep you going until the end and you want to find out more about Carver. Very much worth the read.
November 9, 2025
It's extremely rare that I read something so bad that I can't at least read it all the way through to give it a fair shake, but Dead Before Dawn is so cringe-inducing that I didn't even make it halfway before giving up. The portrayal of how the military works and how servicemembers and vets act makes it seem like a JROTC kid saw the Jack Reacher movies starring Tom Cruise, didn't even read the books, and said "I can do that better with my vast knowledge of the military".
Firstly, I have never read a book with such an unlikeable protagonist. Amos Carver is an ass to everyone he talks to, insulting and threatening just about everyone. And it's not even in a funny or endearing way like a grizzled veteran or dry humor. He's just an ass, that's his defining character trait. In fact, every single character is more flat and one-dimensional than a cardboard cutout. Each of them have 1-2 character traits, and that's their whole personality. Carver is an ass and doesn't like planning things. Rhodes is (was) is a smart planner (which the author makes sure to remind you about every single time her name is mentioned) and likes pink. Tony is Evil Ex-Military Henchman Boss (TM). The characters are so boring and forgettable that I don't even remember a couple of the antagonists' names, but one is just "fat abusive pervert" and the other is "I would have joined the military, but I'd have punched a drill instructor if he got in my face".
Maybe because I was listening to the audiobook, part of the problem is the narrator. The narrator had one tone and style of inflection for every character, and couldn't do accents to save his life. But there were many instances where a line was so bad, that I physically cringed. I would reread the line in my head using my own voice and several inflections to see if it sounded better, and it was bad in every way. The story is flat and boring, the dialogue is stiff and unnatural, and the jokes are forced and unfunny.
If the book gets better in the second half, or the series improves down the line, I'll never know myself. This is where I leave Amos Carver for good.
Firstly, I have never read a book with such an unlikeable protagonist. Amos Carver is an ass to everyone he talks to, insulting and threatening just about everyone. And it's not even in a funny or endearing way like a grizzled veteran or dry humor. He's just an ass, that's his defining character trait. In fact, every single character is more flat and one-dimensional than a cardboard cutout. Each of them have 1-2 character traits, and that's their whole personality. Carver is an ass and doesn't like planning things. Rhodes is (was) is a smart planner (which the author makes sure to remind you about every single time her name is mentioned) and likes pink. Tony is Evil Ex-Military Henchman Boss (TM). The characters are so boring and forgettable that I don't even remember a couple of the antagonists' names, but one is just "fat abusive pervert" and the other is "I would have joined the military, but I'd have punched a drill instructor if he got in my face".
Maybe because I was listening to the audiobook, part of the problem is the narrator. The narrator had one tone and style of inflection for every character, and couldn't do accents to save his life. But there were many instances where a line was so bad, that I physically cringed. I would reread the line in my head using my own voice and several inflections to see if it sounded better, and it was bad in every way. The story is flat and boring, the dialogue is stiff and unnatural, and the jokes are forced and unfunny.
If the book gets better in the second half, or the series improves down the line, I'll never know myself. This is where I leave Amos Carver for good.
May 3, 2024
This was an interesting, intriguing book. Love Carver. Although there are so many characters and events to keep track of, the author brings it altogether at the end. There are many times where the details are a bit much, and sometimes the details get tedious, but that’s the author’s style. The book is well written with great characters, and it’s suspenseful till the end. This is my first time reading this author - I plan on continuing this series.
August 29, 2024
I enjoyed it, but the bare bones are a re-write of Lee Child's A Killing Floor. Under the radar ex military man gets off a bus in Podunk, Georgia and is immediately framed for murder. It's got the same spunky female deputy, murder attempts on him and a local factory doing something illegal.
January 9, 2024
A bit too much verbage
The story line was worn out about one have way through the novel. Everything was over explained and over emphsied.
The story line was worn out about one have way through the novel. Everything was over explained and over emphsied.
November 7, 2025
Thank god that's over. What a load of rubbish.
TLDR = just don't bother
I normally love this kind of book, big reacher fan but this was just awful
I can't believe how good the reveiws are for this. I nearly gave up on it so many times but persisted thinking it must end well. But no the ending is far worse than the begining
-Nothing makes sense
-The dialogue is awful
-The characters over explain everything
-The story is totally under explained, so many things mentioned which you have no idea how they were relevant to the story
-a kill team turn up in a Nissan then seemingly dissappear FOR DAYS doing absolutely nothing despite saying they were going to get messy and kill him, could they not find him, it's a small town, then turn potentially into a capture team for some reason with no explanation not even sure they were the same people
-some cliché Brazilian assassins arrive at one point for no clear reason
-Carver shoots up an entire motel and not one person rings the police
-when they first find the witness protection women Holly calls for backup but then in the next paragraph they are saying they're not going to tell anyone yet, but you just called for back up that makes no sense
-they save a load of human trafficked women who are rape victims then make them clean up a crime scene, breaking the law of course not that there seems to be any law in this town
-carver tells said raped women that the police would give them some of the seized drug money to make up for their troubles, and then it actually happens. In what world would that happen
-it starts off as a total clone of killing floor
-the whole showdown at the end is just total bull, ritter walking around with a 50cal never mind hitting a moving target with one in the perfect place to disable the engine
-the whole women in coffins on a plane and they framed carver then decided to do all this to kill him and Rhodes, what was the benefit of smuggling those women in, they said it was to set carver up but then they want to kill him anyway, and Rhodes. Rhodes found out it was a set up but for what purpose just to get carver out. If they hated him that much why not just kill him in the first place.
I honestly have never read a book so bad with such good reveiws. Unless you are looking for a lesson on how not to write a book please don't bother. It's too long just to read for a laugh
TLDR = just don't bother
I normally love this kind of book, big reacher fan but this was just awful
I can't believe how good the reveiws are for this. I nearly gave up on it so many times but persisted thinking it must end well. But no the ending is far worse than the begining
-Nothing makes sense
-The dialogue is awful
-The characters over explain everything
-The story is totally under explained, so many things mentioned which you have no idea how they were relevant to the story
-a kill team turn up in a Nissan then seemingly dissappear FOR DAYS doing absolutely nothing despite saying they were going to get messy and kill him, could they not find him, it's a small town, then turn potentially into a capture team for some reason with no explanation not even sure they were the same people
-some cliché Brazilian assassins arrive at one point for no clear reason
-Carver shoots up an entire motel and not one person rings the police
-when they first find the witness protection women Holly calls for backup but then in the next paragraph they are saying they're not going to tell anyone yet, but you just called for back up that makes no sense
-they save a load of human trafficked women who are rape victims then make them clean up a crime scene, breaking the law of course not that there seems to be any law in this town
-carver tells said raped women that the police would give them some of the seized drug money to make up for their troubles, and then it actually happens. In what world would that happen
-it starts off as a total clone of killing floor
-the whole showdown at the end is just total bull, ritter walking around with a 50cal never mind hitting a moving target with one in the perfect place to disable the engine
-the whole women in coffins on a plane and they framed carver then decided to do all this to kill him and Rhodes, what was the benefit of smuggling those women in, they said it was to set carver up but then they want to kill him anyway, and Rhodes. Rhodes found out it was a set up but for what purpose just to get carver out. If they hated him that much why not just kill him in the first place.
I honestly have never read a book so bad with such good reveiws. Unless you are looking for a lesson on how not to write a book please don't bother. It's too long just to read for a laugh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2025
This action thriller starts with our hero, Carver, walking down the highway where he finds a pink pistol in the road. That in and of itself is strange, but he recognizes the weapon as belonging to the old friend who has asked him to come to the middle of nowhere (very small town in Georgia) to help her with a problem. Obviously, the trouble is greater than she thought it would be if her pistol is lying in the middle of the road. But things get even stranger when a police officer and two military-looking guys come out of the woods and declare that Carver is the one who shot her. But if that wasn't enough strangeness, the cop then tells Carver to pick up the gun and toss it to him.
Now, I don't think there is a single person in the United States who would think that a police officer would tell a murder suspect to pick up a gun and toss it to them. I immediately suspected they planned to shoot Carver the moment he touched the weapon, but he thought they simply wanted his fingerprints on the weapon so they could tie him to the weapon and pin the crime on him.
Now there are all kinds of problems with this opening, not the least of which, the bad guys knew Carver was coming, knew he was walking from the bus station five miles away, but didn't leave enough time for him to reach the spot and commit the crime. But let's put that away for the moment and pretend they weren't that stupid because all the rest of the novel is nonstop action and fun. Everyone wants to kill Carver and it's confusing. The reader understands that there are two groups in town, one of which incorrectly thinks Carver is here to cause trouble for them and one of which correctly thinks the same thing. Both groups have small town cops on their payroll. And both are completely willing to kill people and keep very experienced killers around to do just that. But Carver keeps outthinking them and out brutalizing them.
This is a very fun book if you look past a couple of small flaws.
Now, I don't think there is a single person in the United States who would think that a police officer would tell a murder suspect to pick up a gun and toss it to them. I immediately suspected they planned to shoot Carver the moment he touched the weapon, but he thought they simply wanted his fingerprints on the weapon so they could tie him to the weapon and pin the crime on him.
Now there are all kinds of problems with this opening, not the least of which, the bad guys knew Carver was coming, knew he was walking from the bus station five miles away, but didn't leave enough time for him to reach the spot and commit the crime. But let's put that away for the moment and pretend they weren't that stupid because all the rest of the novel is nonstop action and fun. Everyone wants to kill Carver and it's confusing. The reader understands that there are two groups in town, one of which incorrectly thinks Carver is here to cause trouble for them and one of which correctly thinks the same thing. Both groups have small town cops on their payroll. And both are completely willing to kill people and keep very experienced killers around to do just that. But Carver keeps outthinking them and out brutalizing them.
This is a very fun book if you look past a couple of small flaws.
September 6, 2025
My rating 2 stars. This novel was OK for me. I found it stretch reality a little bit too much for me! I mean, Carver was Teflon Man … neither bullets or emotions could get to this man. I found Carver one dimensional. There wasn’t a lot to his character … I couldn’t say whether I really liked him or not! He comes off as a hero, but then takes money from two women and put it in a foreign account - money that he will use for a rainy day. Holly came off a bit ditzy … a woman who (for the first half of the book) couldn’t think for herself … relied wholly on hearsay of others - I just couldn’t picture her as a deputy! The novel had a lot of twist and turns in it, but more of misdirection, which got me confused. In the end, we were told why the Chief was targeted but not why Carver was!
But, the biggest problem I had with this book was the short paragraphs. Reading off a small E-reader I was constantly flipping page. It got to the point where I ended up skimming the pages until I got to something more interesting. I can’t say I am a fan of this author’s style of writing. I probably won’t continue with the series
But, the biggest problem I had with this book was the short paragraphs. Reading off a small E-reader I was constantly flipping page. It got to the point where I ended up skimming the pages until I got to something more interesting. I can’t say I am a fan of this author’s style of writing. I probably won’t continue with the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2025
Good fast moving thriller.
A fast moving thriller that has Carver while on his way to help a past colleague being set up and arrested for her murder. While being help in the local police station three thugs including a bent police officer attempted to hang him in his cell but being ignorant of his skills suffered their deaths and the first steps in his quest to discover who wanted him framed and dead. On proving his innocence in any involvement of the police chiefs murder Carver eventually with the help of a police officer and female rescued from criminals operating from a paint factory discovers the people who where ex colleagues behind his problems and eliminated them leaving the non corrupt police to take credit for uncovering the major criminal empire and bringing in the FBI while he departed the area with the rescued female.
A fast moving thriller that has Carver while on his way to help a past colleague being set up and arrested for her murder. While being help in the local police station three thugs including a bent police officer attempted to hang him in his cell but being ignorant of his skills suffered their deaths and the first steps in his quest to discover who wanted him framed and dead. On proving his innocence in any involvement of the police chiefs murder Carver eventually with the help of a police officer and female rescued from criminals operating from a paint factory discovers the people who where ex colleagues behind his problems and eliminated them leaving the non corrupt police to take credit for uncovering the major criminal empire and bringing in the FBI while he departed the area with the rescued female.
June 30, 2025
A good fast moving thriller!”
Bought this book after seeing it advertised on Facebook and as it sounded interesting and on the Jack Reacher style books of Lee Child and although nothing comes close to Jack Reacher, it certainly hit the spot!
Carver is called to help a past colleague and is set up and arrested for her murder from which they have no chance in hell in convicting. Carver is always ahead and soon starts delving into why he was called and also why he was set up. The local police are so blinded by the evidence that Carver has to delve deep and soon some of the police realise he is telling the truth. With corrupt police, crooked mayor and drug cartel, bullets flying this book keeps your interest and is a splendid good thriller.
At the time I purchased for a really silly price to so was a perfect purchase and read so well happy and would highly recommend it!
Bought this book after seeing it advertised on Facebook and as it sounded interesting and on the Jack Reacher style books of Lee Child and although nothing comes close to Jack Reacher, it certainly hit the spot!
Carver is called to help a past colleague and is set up and arrested for her murder from which they have no chance in hell in convicting. Carver is always ahead and soon starts delving into why he was called and also why he was set up. The local police are so blinded by the evidence that Carver has to delve deep and soon some of the police realise he is telling the truth. With corrupt police, crooked mayor and drug cartel, bullets flying this book keeps your interest and is a splendid good thriller.
At the time I purchased for a really silly price to so was a perfect purchase and read so well happy and would highly recommend it!
November 8, 2025
Action Packed Story.
This book really surprised me. I didn’t know what to make of it when I started reading. I’ve read a lot of Reacher’s books, so I gave it a shot. It was different. You had to over look the bodies, because this is a good author that knows how to put a smooth flow in a story line with good developed characters. Carver is a good character, don’t know how long a book series he will have. There are a lot of good points to work with. The author even worked in personal background on some of the minor characters that gives the book more depth. Drugs and the slave trade was the underlying start of the book with the ex-military guys running around on the underside that Carver couldn’t figure out till he did his thing with the drugs and sex trade guys. Read the book with an eye on what is going on behind everything. Read and enjoy.
This book really surprised me. I didn’t know what to make of it when I started reading. I’ve read a lot of Reacher’s books, so I gave it a shot. It was different. You had to over look the bodies, because this is a good author that knows how to put a smooth flow in a story line with good developed characters. Carver is a good character, don’t know how long a book series he will have. There are a lot of good points to work with. The author even worked in personal background on some of the minor characters that gives the book more depth. Drugs and the slave trade was the underlying start of the book with the ex-military guys running around on the underside that Carver couldn’t figure out till he did his thing with the drugs and sex trade guys. Read the book with an eye on what is going on behind everything. Read and enjoy.
April 11, 2023
I don't normally read thrillers, but I like this author, so I gave this one a shot. And WOW - it is outstanding, I was hooked from the first page. Amos Carter was basically forced out of the special operations group he was a part of in the military. His ex-boss contacted him and asked for help. When he gets to her town, he finds that he is being set up and he doesn't know by who or why. But you don't mess with Carver or people he cares about.
I was completely absorbed in this story. The writing is tight and well paced, the story is imaginative and unpredictable, and there's a lot of action. The term 'thriller' describes it perfectly! If you enjoy a good thriller like the Jack Reacher series, pick up this book! I'm already hoping for a sequel.
I was completely absorbed in this story. The writing is tight and well paced, the story is imaginative and unpredictable, and there's a lot of action. The term 'thriller' describes it perfectly! If you enjoy a good thriller like the Jack Reacher series, pick up this book! I'm already hoping for a sequel.
April 18, 2023
Fantastic Page-Turner!
John Corwin is off to a bold start with this fabulous first thriller (first in a series, hopefully?)!!!
Amos Carver (you can just call him Carver) is reminiscent of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, and Lucas Davenport. A serious loner best left alone.
Corwin does a wonderful job pulling you in quickly with a gripping set-up, engages your curiosity with a little mystery, and drives the story home with scene after scene of blazing action.
I was already a big fan of John Corwin’s work in the fantasy genre, but he just proved himself to be a multi-genre maestro!
This thrill-a-minute Thriller belongs on your bookshelf, or in your e-reader or audiobook library, alongside the established masters.
John Corwin is off to a bold start with this fabulous first thriller (first in a series, hopefully?)!!!
Amos Carver (you can just call him Carver) is reminiscent of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, and Lucas Davenport. A serious loner best left alone.
Corwin does a wonderful job pulling you in quickly with a gripping set-up, engages your curiosity with a little mystery, and drives the story home with scene after scene of blazing action.
I was already a big fan of John Corwin’s work in the fantasy genre, but he just proved himself to be a multi-genre maestro!
This thrill-a-minute Thriller belongs on your bookshelf, or in your e-reader or audiobook library, alongside the established masters.
October 17, 2023
LOTS of Killing!
Amos Carver, I'm a fan!
I've read a lot of books that reviewers have claimed to be page-turners. Many of them weren't.
But I couldn't put this book down! The story moved at a steady pace; it never felt drawn out.
Amos Carver is walking vengeance. He's the kind of man many of us secretly wanted to be at some point in our boring lives: tough, driven, unapologetic. He is also, however, extremely violent. Carver doesn't take any guff and he's proven he is definitely the wrong person to cross.
Carver is on par with Jack Reacher with one exception: Reacher's form of violence is more physical, he likes to beat people up. Carver shoots people and slices them up with a tactical knife.
I can't wait to read the next iteration
Amos Carver, I'm a fan!
I've read a lot of books that reviewers have claimed to be page-turners. Many of them weren't.
But I couldn't put this book down! The story moved at a steady pace; it never felt drawn out.
Amos Carver is walking vengeance. He's the kind of man many of us secretly wanted to be at some point in our boring lives: tough, driven, unapologetic. He is also, however, extremely violent. Carver doesn't take any guff and he's proven he is definitely the wrong person to cross.
Carver is on par with Jack Reacher with one exception: Reacher's form of violence is more physical, he likes to beat people up. Carver shoots people and slices them up with a tactical knife.
I can't wait to read the next iteration
November 3, 2024
Dead Before Dawn by John Corwin is a page burner. It has everything that an adrenaline junky looks for in a thriller—hired assassins, corrupt police officers, drug cartels, and black-ops guys and gals. The tension, action, and suspense build at a feverish pace, like the kinetic energy of a runaway freight train on a steep downhill incline.
The one thing that came close to ruining this exciting read for me was the hot pink gun. I have known many black ops operators back in the day when I worked for the government, both male and female, and none of them would carry a weapon that stood out like a sore thumb. That hot pink gun made the temporary suspension of disbelief difficult for me at times. If you can get pass that hot pink gun, Dead Before Dawn is a delightful read.
The one thing that came close to ruining this exciting read for me was the hot pink gun. I have known many black ops operators back in the day when I worked for the government, both male and female, and none of them would carry a weapon that stood out like a sore thumb. That hot pink gun made the temporary suspension of disbelief difficult for me at times. If you can get pass that hot pink gun, Dead Before Dawn is a delightful read.
January 2, 2024
3.5 stars. better than I thought and much better than the first couple of chapters.
This book almost earned a DNF from me because of the writing style- but once I got used to it, it was pretty OK.
Definitely a poor man's Jack Reacher. In fact, there might be a case for identity theft. Amos Carver is the same physical size, same traveling style, same loner-vibe, similar military background, same speech cadence, same fighting ability. You name it, was the same.
However, there was something entertaining about the story and side kick characters. I'll continue to read until it becomes boring and uninteresting.
This book almost earned a DNF from me because of the writing style- but once I got used to it, it was pretty OK.
Definitely a poor man's Jack Reacher. In fact, there might be a case for identity theft. Amos Carver is the same physical size, same traveling style, same loner-vibe, similar military background, same speech cadence, same fighting ability. You name it, was the same.
However, there was something entertaining about the story and side kick characters. I'll continue to read until it becomes boring and uninteresting.
December 7, 2024
Takes a while to tune into this. It’s very much a Jack Reacher type thriller, set in small town, plenty of bad guys and a mystery and, of course a helpful female officer. Told in annoying mini paragraphs of two or three sentences. Took a lot of getting used to.
Carver, our mysterious ex special forces type hero is a blend of lethal and astonishingly lacking in situational awareness while lacking any real characterisation. But, once you tune into its shortcomings, it is a fast paced and easy read thriller. Yeah, a Reacher clone, but the recent Reacher books have been so poor it’s hard to be offended.
Carver, our mysterious ex special forces type hero is a blend of lethal and astonishingly lacking in situational awareness while lacking any real characterisation. But, once you tune into its shortcomings, it is a fast paced and easy read thriller. Yeah, a Reacher clone, but the recent Reacher books have been so poor it’s hard to be offended.
June 6, 2025
Enter Amos Carver (billed as a Jack Reacher like read), ex special forces, drummed out of the service for of course something he didn't do. That said, we don't find out the details until the last quarter of the book.
Carver, is summoned to a small Georgia town by a former squad mate Jacqueline Rhodes now Sheriff - she needs his help. He has no further info. As soon as he gets to town, he's framed for her murder and Carver is loose from there. Bodies drop everywhere. There's drugs, human trafficking and a defense contractor all viable suspects. Corrupt politicans, cops & bad guys are all in his sights.
He's not as measured as Reacher, but an ok read.
Carver, is summoned to a small Georgia town by a former squad mate Jacqueline Rhodes now Sheriff - she needs his help. He has no further info. As soon as he gets to town, he's framed for her murder and Carver is loose from there. Bodies drop everywhere. There's drugs, human trafficking and a defense contractor all viable suspects. Corrupt politicans, cops & bad guys are all in his sights.
He's not as measured as Reacher, but an ok read.
July 13, 2025
Twisted Plot
I try not to post critical reviews but this was a difficult read. A weirdly disconnected plot (paint factory vs PMC?), a character that I didn’t care about, and action scenes that are jumpy and super-hero like. This didn’t appear to go through an edit - it was jumpy and twitchy; I was unable to generate absolutely no empathy for psycho main character. He keeps alluding to his past but never gets to it - if it’s so “clandestine”, you need to give the reader some context. Filled with contradictions and plot jumps, this needed a better editor and a better storyline.
I try not to post critical reviews but this was a difficult read. A weirdly disconnected plot (paint factory vs PMC?), a character that I didn’t care about, and action scenes that are jumpy and super-hero like. This didn’t appear to go through an edit - it was jumpy and twitchy; I was unable to generate absolutely no empathy for psycho main character. He keeps alluding to his past but never gets to it - if it’s so “clandestine”, you need to give the reader some context. Filled with contradictions and plot jumps, this needed a better editor and a better storyline.
October 26, 2025
“Dead before Dawn” is a fast moving action thriller set firmly in Jack Reacher mode.
Amos Carver is the taciturn hero of no fixed abode.
A dishonourably discharged (he was innocent, of course) military specialist, he responds to a call for help from a former colleague.
But she's dead by the time he gets to the fading town of Morganville, Georgia, and he's being framed to take the fall.
As events progress he can be sure of only one thing - his enemy is extraordinarily well-resourced and has no shortage of operatives.
It follows the familiar Reacher route though with a tad more violence.
On its own it is a solid read but I never managed to get Jack Reacher out of my mind.
3 Stars.
Amos Carver is the taciturn hero of no fixed abode.
A dishonourably discharged (he was innocent, of course) military specialist, he responds to a call for help from a former colleague.
But she's dead by the time he gets to the fading town of Morganville, Georgia, and he's being framed to take the fall.
As events progress he can be sure of only one thing - his enemy is extraordinarily well-resourced and has no shortage of operatives.
It follows the familiar Reacher route though with a tad more violence.
On its own it is a solid read but I never managed to get Jack Reacher out of my mind.
3 Stars.
January 30, 2025
Unbelievable drama
When ex government soldier, Amos Carver, receives a cryptic message from an old military colleague, asking for his help, the is dragged into an unbelievable and deadly series of events. Arriving at his destination to find his colleague dead and whilst becoming the suspected killer is beyond belief, what follows, as he tries to prove his innocence, becomes a terrible manhunt where he is the 'deer in the headlights. A truly outstanding murder/mystery which beggars belief and should not be missed.
When ex government soldier, Amos Carver, receives a cryptic message from an old military colleague, asking for his help, the is dragged into an unbelievable and deadly series of events. Arriving at his destination to find his colleague dead and whilst becoming the suspected killer is beyond belief, what follows, as he tries to prove his innocence, becomes a terrible manhunt where he is the 'deer in the headlights. A truly outstanding murder/mystery which beggars belief and should not be missed.
June 24, 2023
I’ve read everything John Corwin has written. Most of his books have a paranormal element and are a lot of fun. This is more of a military thriller so it’s a completely different type of book and isn’t what I normally read. With that said, it was quite a page turner with lots of excitement and well developed characters. Sometimes it’s good to stray outside of the usual and try something new. It definitely sets up a plot and characters that can turn into a series.
November 4, 2024
Dead.....
This story was like many I have read before. One man who was wronged, gets revenge/justice. The biggest difference is the protagonist. Yes, he was a superman and effective killing machine. Yet, he also had a bit of an amoral side. I found Carver to be likeable in a weird sense of him being for justice. I had a harder time with the secondary characters. The ending was a bit strange, but entirely in sync with the story. A 4.5 out of 5 rating.
This story was like many I have read before. One man who was wronged, gets revenge/justice. The biggest difference is the protagonist. Yes, he was a superman and effective killing machine. Yet, he also had a bit of an amoral side. I found Carver to be likeable in a weird sense of him being for justice. I had a harder time with the secondary characters. The ending was a bit strange, but entirely in sync with the story. A 4.5 out of 5 rating.
May 13, 2025
Great reading
The book burst onto the scene with an electrifying opening and maintained its gripping intensity until the final page. From the moment you began reading, the narrative was utterly captivating, with its only constant being the clear moral compass of the protagonist. Despite the numerous unexpected plot twists, the story culminated in a deeply satisfying conclusion that left readers thoroughly impressed.
The book burst onto the scene with an electrifying opening and maintained its gripping intensity until the final page. From the moment you began reading, the narrative was utterly captivating, with its only constant being the clear moral compass of the protagonist. Despite the numerous unexpected plot twists, the story culminated in a deeply satisfying conclusion that left readers thoroughly impressed.
December 26, 2025
Redemption
Carver does his best to avenge his revered commander's death. He does have a set of ethics, of a sort, that direct his actions. Our hero does do some pretty impressive things, maybe too impressive, but that is associated with the thriller part of this novel. Another small town that is about to go under, in spite of the heavy handed mayor and the heir to the only working industry in town. This is kinda like the Lone Ranger without the silver bullet.
Carver does his best to avenge his revered commander's death. He does have a set of ethics, of a sort, that direct his actions. Our hero does do some pretty impressive things, maybe too impressive, but that is associated with the thriller part of this novel. Another small town that is about to go under, in spite of the heavy handed mayor and the heir to the only working industry in town. This is kinda like the Lone Ranger without the silver bullet.
April 22, 2023
A real page turner
I’ve been reading the Author’s work for quite a while now and despite the fact that this is not his usual genre he has created another wonderful story that is truly captivating. I love thrillers and this is reminiscent of early Reacher. However somewhere along the way the story takes a sharp left and becomes something truly unique.
I’ve been reading the Author’s work for quite a while now and despite the fact that this is not his usual genre he has created another wonderful story that is truly captivating. I love thrillers and this is reminiscent of early Reacher. However somewhere along the way the story takes a sharp left and becomes something truly unique.
July 2, 2023
I liked it
Despite some reviews I decided to go ahead because I am best pleased with the Cain series. Glad I picked it up. No spoilers, but I think Amos had pretty fortunate timing on several occasions. Outside of that, it had good action, was well paced, and a believable plot. A bit too well paced because I finished it in two settings. Definitely a good read.
Despite some reviews I decided to go ahead because I am best pleased with the Cain series. Glad I picked it up. No spoilers, but I think Amos had pretty fortunate timing on several occasions. Outside of that, it had good action, was well paced, and a believable plot. A bit too well paced because I finished it in two settings. Definitely a good read.
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