The Fifth Avenue Series Boxed Set

Fifth Avenue #1-3

by Christopher Smith

*STEPHEN KING on Christopher "Put me down as an enthusiastic Christopher Smith fan. Smith is a cultural genius." For the first time, the first four books in the international Top 100 best-selling FIFTH AVENUE series are now available in one sharply discounted boxed set! Over 1,000 pages! FIFTH Look beneath all the power and all the wealth that represents New York City's Fifth Avenue, and you'll find greed, blood, revenge. In the international best-selling thriller "Fifth Avenue," each intermingles within a revered society that is unprepared for what's in store for it when one man finally strikes in an effort to destroy another man for murdering his wife thirty-one years ago. Louis Ryan is that man. George Redman, his wife, two daughters and their close friends are his targets. Both men are self-made billionaires who came from nothing to stake their claim to Fifth Avenue. But when Louis Ryan hires an international assassin to literally rip the Redman family apart, a series of events that can't be stopped catapults them all through a fast-paced, hard-edged thriller in which nobody is safe. Secrets are revealed. Sex lives are exposed. The Mafia get involved. And George's two daughters, Celina and Leana Redman, come to the forefront. More than anyone, it's they who are caught in the throes of their father's past as Louis Ryan's blind desire to kill them all takes surprising turns in his all-out effort to see them dead. RUNNING OF THE In the second book in the international best-selling “Fifth Avenue Series,” a former Wall Street titan who robbed the world of billions is now out of prison. Good for him, but not for those who put him there. Now, they are dying grisly deaths by the hands of two hired assassins. Investigating is private investigator Marty Spellman, who soon learns that all isn't what it seems as the twists pile up along with sheer number of the dead. Spellman's life is put on the line. His family is threatened. No one is who they appear to be. Who can he trust as the bulls of Wall Street start to run as the two assassins--Vincent Spocatti and Carmen Gragera--fully ignite their killing spree? FROM MANHATTAN WITH An outcast billionaire’s daughter is caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. An international assassin questions her sanity when she falls in love with the very assassin she’s charged to assassinate. What happens when each collide? Chaos. Murder. Love. Revenge. And redemption. In this taut, 35,000-word novella, both women come together for the first time in an explosive story that threatens each of their lives, particularly when one woman breaks her own rules and dares to fall in love. In “From Manhattan with Love,” she soon learns what she always feared. When it comes to real danger, there’s nothing more dangerous than love itself. FROM MANHATTAN WITH REVENGE Carmen Gragera is a gifted international assassin. So was her lover, Alex Williams, before he was savagely murdered by a powerful syndicate who considered each end-of-cycle. Carmen escaped their wrath, but with Alex dead, her own wrath only grew. Now, through unusual means, she's seeking her revenge against the syndicate for Alex's death. Assisting her is an eccentric, Park Avenue-based seasonings heiress and a 103-year-old former psychiatrist whose contacts run deep.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Amazon, Collections, Mystery Thriller

863 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2011

About the author

Christopher Smith is the author of the #1 international bestselling The Fifth Avenue Series, The Bullied Series, You Only Die Twice, and The Cul-de-Sac. He has sold over 3.5 million books worldwide in eighteen different languages. He lives on the coast of Maine.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know it's no secret that I'm a hardcore Christopher Smith fan. I'm getting excited and gearing up for the release of two more novels in The Fifth Avenue series -- From Manhattan With Revenge on August 30th, and Park Avenue later this year. With those new releases coming out soon, I figured the timing was perfect for a review of The Fifth Avenue series boxed set.

Fifth Avenue, the first book in the series, introduces us to the Redman family. Yes, they're uber-rich, sophisticated and powerful, but being a part of New York's elite doesn't make you perfect. Far from it. This book delves into the ultimate family drama that defines the Redmans. We get to know George, Elizabeth and their daughters Celina and Leana intimately; their secrets, their failings, triumphs and victories. We also meet rival Louis Ryan, a man consumed by hate who has devoted his life to avenging his wife's death and crushing the Redman family. The book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of betrayal, murder, greed, corporate espionage, and sibling rivalry while giving you a titillating peek under the tent at New York's high society.

The series continues with Running of the Bulls, where we are introduced to private investigator Marty Spellman (who now has his own series, beginning with A Rush to Violence, to be continued with A Rush to Murder and A Rush to Vengeance in 2013), and continue to follow assassin Spocatti from Fifth Avenue as he and his associate Carmen leave a path of destruction and dead bodies through New York City.

A former Wall Street mover and shaker who bilked billions from his clients has just been released from prison, and suddenly the people who put him there are turning up dead. Marty has been hired -- under false pretenses -- to investigate the man as research for a book, and becomes entangled in a world of violent sex parties, brutal murders, mystery and intrigue. Everyone is suspect, even his client.

From Manhattan with Love, a novella and prequel to From Manhattan with Revenge brings us back to Leana Redman, whose world collides with Carmen the assassin and her partner, Alex, who are attempting to save their own lives by taking another. Leana isn't the original target, but quickly becomes one simply because of who she is.

Christopher Smith is a definite must-read for thriller/mystery/suspense fans. Twists and turns in the plots of these stories are unexpected and unpredictable without being confusing. Top that off with an author who is an excellent storyteller and a talented writer, two things that unfortunately don't always go together, and you have yourself a big helping of deservedly bestselling fiction.

Mr. Smith is a favorite of mine because he is unafraid. He is unafraid to be real in his writing, telling a story as it should be told and not coddling the reader. He is unafraid to peel away the layers and go deep into the darker side of all of us, and unafraid to assume that his readers are intelligent and thoughtful. You will be dismayed, stunned, surprised at some of the plot twists in these books, but that's what makes them special and memorable for the reader. In a world where the weak do not survive, these characters, with all of their power and influence, make their weaknesses their strengths, exploit them even.

The author obviously digs deep within himself when creating his characters and developing their relationships with each other. I have to admit, I'm enamored of Leana Redman. I guess it's because she reminds me a lot of myself, lol. I relate with her rebellious nature and refusal to give a shit what anyone thinks about her. I really "get" her and how her relationship with her family made her into who she is. Sure, she's got her faults, but she's all the stronger and more delightful for them. I see Mr. Smith's characters in the people all around me. They are that authentic and substantial, rich with nuances and layered with dimension.

He also has a talent for setting the scene. You will feel like you're in The Big Apple, riding in a cab down 74th Street, having a drink in a ritzy hotel, sitting in The Tarot Cafe with Roberta having a cup of tea. (I'd love to know if he modeled that café after something that really exists. Sure feels like it, and I'd love to visit!)

So, my friends, I encourage you to pick up this series today. That way, you'll be ready for From Manhattan with Revenge in a couple of weeks. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Christopher Smith's days as an indie author are numbered. I will be delighted, but not surprised, when I hear a major publisher has picked him up. I love to be able to say, "I told you so," and have no doubt, I will be.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a trilogy, the first book, Fifth Avenue, was a thriller about assassins going after the people who testified against a Wall Street tycoon who went to prison for a pyramid scheme. It was also about a dysfunctional monied family who were adversaries of the tycoon. Lots of murder and mayhem. The second, Running of the Bulls, was about one of the same assassins going after more people for money. Even more mayhem. The final book, a novella,From Manhattan With Love, is about the female assassin introduced in book two and her latest work in New York. The trilogy ends somewhat abruptly with the woman planning future eliminations. It was quite violent with some kinky sex scenes thrown in, but generally it was good reading and entertaining.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

To much killing for my taste, but did finish it..

[AH]

Kindle free download 5/29/12.

[Kelsey Ketcham · Rating 3 out of 5]

better than I anticipated

I got these books for free a while back and I honestly thought they were going to be pretty dumb. But I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable they were. The beginning was kinda rough to get through in the first hook but the last three picked up the pace. It also gave me big “eat the rich” vibes which I’m always here for.
I do want to point out that in the fourth book he takes a weird stance against a holiday inn express which seemed absolutely out of character and quite frankly was super baffling. This man was clearly hurt by a holiday inn express and I just need to know more about that. So if you are a holiday inn express fan, read the fourth book with caution.

[Gareth Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, off the wall but good. good characters

[Lisa R Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the characters

[clifford d stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exciting read🎉

I thoroughly enjoyed the action packed book. It would be a great read for people who like action and hit men.

[Christy Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold your breath suspense

It’s hard to stop reading because you must know what happens next! I often found myself holding my breath in suspense.

[Kim Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than I hoped!

I simply cannot believe how fast I read this series boxed set. So much action, planning, and killings. I could not put it down.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rivalry and revenge between two conglomerate magnates create a scene of plots, hired killers and murder in New York City as one plans to destroy the other and kill off his family as he believed his rival killed his wife. The second book in the set has the same hired killers now working for a jailed and released power broker who was convicted of inside trading and was now seemingly in the process of having the killers eliminate each of the people who testified against him at his trial. Into the mix comes a private detective
hired by a writer who is writing a book about the power broker. Not great, but a decent read although I didn’t seem to find the 3 part of the Kindle boxed set. Maybe it eas just the epilogue which hinted at more to come…..

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fifth Ave Series Boxed Set is Awesome reading. Christopher Smith does it again in is writing. In this boxed set there are 3 books and I must say that as an avid reader - just starting to read Christopher Smith writing ; I would greatly recommend his books to everyone.
His writing and style is in such a way that you can picture yourself right there where it is happening .
I give all three books 5 stars plus ...

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was better than ok but I am not sure I could go as far as saying I liked it. I received this as free download a year or 2 ago and just got around to reading. It is a unique perspective. New York rich and famous and the hit men hired to resolve grudges....sociopaths - both the assassins as well as those that hire them. I am probably naive to think there are not people like this in the world but their thought processes were mind boggling

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories in this boxed set. All three kept me reading through the night. However, I must admit that I was rather distracted throughout by the author's sometimes awkward sentence structuring. There were quite a few times when I found myself wondering what had prompted him to place words in a particular order, since they took otherwise serviceable dialogue or scene and made it feel...strange.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grabbed this from Amazon as a freebie-of-the-day, thinking that it sounded like something I'd enjoy. So far I find the writing to be very mediocre, and I have not been pulled into the story. The dialog is leaden, the opening scene strikes me as tedious and predictable, and I am completely uninterested in the characters. I don't know if I'll get back around to it or not.

[kenneth h. robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivalry, Resentment, and Revenge

Hired assassins are propelled throughout by those plotting monied billionaires holding grudges for years. Caring little for other plutocrats, and not enough for members of their own families, prestige and power are the engines powering the individuals toward winning their way by surviving and coming out on top.

[marie blatchford · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never got to know characters

Characters seemed to be introduced only to be killed. No time spent on creating any depth to the characters. So much murder. People with power and women were sadly not likeable. The worst traits of people were found in the characters with hardly any redeeming qualities. Hard for me to pick up and continue reading.

[Rhod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle freebee: This is actually a set of three stories - all pretty violent, but the suspense will keep you riveted. There are constant twists and turns to the plot, but somehow it all works. The books are sequential and I am going to keep my eye open for the next book due later this year.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded the ebook from Pixel of Ink for free. Good easy read. Probably should have been just one book with some of the slow parts deleted. I will be looking for author books in this series. I need to know more Leana.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time I have read his books. I really enjoyed all three (Kindle) and plan to read more of his books. Could not put the Kindle down until I finished reading all three. They have all the elements of a good thriller.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are very good and I read all of them! Some creepy perverted sex (yuck) and some of the stories are told from the view of the bad guys so it's interesting and exciting but twisted. Lots of "how the rich live" and nicely put in Manhattan.

[Tiffany Tinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are a billionaire you can do anything even hire assassins. that's what they do. This is three set of novels that will keep you guessing on who hired who and all for what? revenge? murder? it's a good read for the thriller readers out there.

[Lois Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It has all of the action, drama and suspense needed for a thrilling ride. I was intrigued by the way each book linked the characters of the social setting of Fifth Avenue to their own scandals.

A very good read. I'm looking for more.

[Doris Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifth Avenue Series Boxed Set

I really enjoyed the series. Christopher Smith makes you not want to put you book down. I give this series a 5 star rating and will definitely be looking for more to read. Thanks for the enjoyment.

[Nicole]

I just could not get into the first book of this series after trying several times. Too bad, since I downloaded it for free on my kindle.

[Mari-ellyn Bennage]

can't wait to read this series ... co-worker told me about them and said they are a great read.

[Lesuong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy & good read. There were parts that seemed a bit slow but overall it had a good plot & quite a few unexpected twists & turns.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Books Read the whole series including the next one all within a week. Can not wait for the next book to come out.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series I have ever read, the intricate detail of each character and the way the author strings together the different books in the series astounded me.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

left me wanting more...ended rather abrubtly. But I actually forgot it was a novella until it abruptly ended!