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Michael Cole #1
The Kennedy Rifle
Michael Cole's father was wounded in Dealey Plaza the day JFK died. He was wounded by a shot from the grassy knoll—or so he said. His claim triggers years of research by his son. As a court-certified expert on ballistics and firearms, Michael Cole writes a book about a second Dallas assassin and the weapon likely used. Cole is ridiculed and his reputation is nearly destroyed. Finally, with the death of his father and the passing of nearly five decades, Cole abandons his search for the truth. But his book gets some unwanted attention.
One day Kate Marlowe comes to his office with knowledge of the second knoll gunman and proof of a JFK conspiracy. Kate’s uncle was bodyguard and driver for the shooter on the Dealey Plaza grassy knoll. After JFK’s murder, he drove to Arizona to lay-low and destroy the rifle. But instead he hides it. Now near death, he confesses to Kate. Go get the rifle, he tells her. Show the world what really happened. Kate travels to Arizona to enlist the help of Michael Cole.
Before they can retrieve the rifle, rumors surface of a Kennedy Rifle and a mysterious auction on the fiftieth anniversary. Soon billionaire collectors, criminal arms-dealers and coup d’état participants joint the hunt.
Some want the truth, some want the truth buried, but all want the rifle—and Kate and Cole dead.
One day Kate Marlowe comes to his office with knowledge of the second knoll gunman and proof of a JFK conspiracy. Kate’s uncle was bodyguard and driver for the shooter on the Dealey Plaza grassy knoll. After JFK’s murder, he drove to Arizona to lay-low and destroy the rifle. But instead he hides it. Now near death, he confesses to Kate. Go get the rifle, he tells her. Show the world what really happened. Kate travels to Arizona to enlist the help of Michael Cole.
Before they can retrieve the rifle, rumors surface of a Kennedy Rifle and a mysterious auction on the fiftieth anniversary. Soon billionaire collectors, criminal arms-dealers and coup d’état participants joint the hunt.
Some want the truth, some want the truth buried, but all want the rifle—and Kate and Cole dead.
Unknown Binding
First published January 9, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 20, 2012
I have an ongoing interest in (almost) all things JFK conspiracy (loved Stephen King's 11/22/63!), so it's no surprise that this fictional tale about a search for the grassy knoll rifle appealed to me in concept. The grassy knoll rifle is thought to be the real gun that killed the president, not that garbage rifle with the shoddy sight that Oswald had. Ratcheting up the November 22, 1963 tie-ins include the ballistic and firearm expert Michael Cole's father supposedly being shot by a stray bullet that fateful day and a beautiful woman, Kate Marlowe, who shows up on Cole's doorstep with a bodyguard connection to the grassy knoll shooter. There's an auction brewing over the grassy knoll rifle and a rich man who wants to buy the rifle for six million dollars before it even goes to auction. Put this altogether and it sounds like the making of a great mystery thriller.
Execution, however, is where the reading water gets muddy. The pacing is almost non-existent for a thriller. It seems to move from scene to scene with no real twists or turns to compel the reader forward or instill strong emotions over what's happening to any of the characters. There is some chemistry between Michael Cole and Kate, but it never goes anywhere significant. On the positive side, firearms and ballistic buffs will love the detail that the author goes into on guns. I have no idea how accurate it is, but it sounded authentic.
The biggest disappointment for me was the ending which I won't spoil here. The major reason to keep reading is to find out if, indeed, the grassy knoll gun is the gun that did the dirty deed. To continue that thought with AC DC, I felt like this reader was done dirt cheap. The ending didn't work at all for me. I give five stars for the concept and idea for the story and one star for the execution, averaging at three stars. Not recommended unless you love to read things all JFK on November 22, 1963, but I'd stop reading at 80% to prevent being put off by the ending. The author has another Michael Cole adventure, but it's not JFK-related, so I'm probably going to pass. I do like the idea behind a ballistic/firearms main character, particularly with strong gun-oriented stories. The author could be onto something very interesting as his storytelling skill improves to match his strong imagination.
Execution, however, is where the reading water gets muddy. The pacing is almost non-existent for a thriller. It seems to move from scene to scene with no real twists or turns to compel the reader forward or instill strong emotions over what's happening to any of the characters. There is some chemistry between Michael Cole and Kate, but it never goes anywhere significant. On the positive side, firearms and ballistic buffs will love the detail that the author goes into on guns. I have no idea how accurate it is, but it sounded authentic.
The biggest disappointment for me was the ending which I won't spoil here. The major reason to keep reading is to find out if, indeed, the grassy knoll gun is the gun that did the dirty deed. To continue that thought with AC DC, I felt like this reader was done dirt cheap. The ending didn't work at all for me. I give five stars for the concept and idea for the story and one star for the execution, averaging at three stars. Not recommended unless you love to read things all JFK on November 22, 1963, but I'd stop reading at 80% to prevent being put off by the ending. The author has another Michael Cole adventure, but it's not JFK-related, so I'm probably going to pass. I do like the idea behind a ballistic/firearms main character, particularly with strong gun-oriented stories. The author could be onto something very interesting as his storytelling skill improves to match his strong imagination.
February 25, 2012
Michael Cole is a ballistic expert who wrote a book about the grassy knoll (the Kennedy conspiracy). As a result a woman named Kate is looking for his help locating the "real" rifle that killed Kennedy. Anyway, Kate knows where the rifle is supposedly hidden and together Cole and Kate go looking for it. However, there not the only one looking for the rifle.
Overall, I thought the book was decent. Its good enough where I want to know what happens next, so I bought the next book "The Steel Violin". The one thing I did not like is the book just seems to.....end. I am left with a bunch of questions and thoughts about characters that were not summed up in the book. Forgive me, because I have not started the second book, so I don't know if this is a series of books that build off each other or not.
Because I am left wondering and not left with and conclusion on certain characters, I gave it a 3 stars. The book reads quick and is a interesting story which is why I liked it. I just wish I had some closure.
Overall, I thought the book was decent. Its good enough where I want to know what happens next, so I bought the next book "The Steel Violin". The one thing I did not like is the book just seems to.....end. I am left with a bunch of questions and thoughts about characters that were not summed up in the book. Forgive me, because I have not started the second book, so I don't know if this is a series of books that build off each other or not.
Because I am left wondering and not left with and conclusion on certain characters, I gave it a 3 stars. The book reads quick and is a interesting story which is why I liked it. I just wish I had some closure.
April 22, 2023
Firearms and ballistics expert, Michael Cole, has spent years researching the assassination of JFK. His father was also shot on the Grassy Knoll that day and Michael believes there was a second assassin. When Kate Marlowe shows up claiming that she know where the rifle that killed Kennedy is, Michael jumps at the chance to prove his story.
This was a very interesting story with a lot of information. The author did some good research and I like how he used and twisted the Kennedy conspiracy theories. There was also quite a bit of firearms information throughout. Not much of it made a lick of sense to me, but it was interesting. The only issue I had with the story was the abrupt ending. The reader gets many questions answered, but it just ends with Michael walking away from the idea. I guess I just felt like something was missing.
This was a very interesting story with a lot of information. The author did some good research and I like how he used and twisted the Kennedy conspiracy theories. There was also quite a bit of firearms information throughout. Not much of it made a lick of sense to me, but it was interesting. The only issue I had with the story was the abrupt ending. The reader gets many questions answered, but it just ends with Michael walking away from the idea. I guess I just felt like something was missing.
November 24, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read with a plausible storyline and some of the best written dialogue I've seen. My only problem with it was that based on the details in the story, the ending would likely have been different. It's not a bad ending as written, just not the most likely outcome. Still, it was a good book, and I will look for more by this author.
August 24, 2019
If I could go below 1 star, I would. Nothing new. Didn't hold my attention.
January 1, 2021
Reminds me of a Robert Parker story
A good read,
I liked meeting Cole and Jimmy. Going to read more stories by JK Brandon
For sure ...
A good read,
I liked meeting Cole and Jimmy. Going to read more stories by JK Brandon
For sure ...
February 5, 2015
This is the story of Michael Cole, a ballistics expert, who has spent a considerable amount of time and effort trying to solve the mystery of JFK's assassination; think of a story akin to National Treasure. The story starts off slowly. As it picks up and the reader is truly wondering which direction the ending is going to take, when the book suddenly ends. I found myself checking to see if perhaps I had obtained a sample copy because there was absolutely no resolution. I felt as though the author became tired of writing the story. Aside from the weak ending, if poor editing is an issue for continuity in reading, this may not be the best choice for you.
May 29, 2012
A man whose father claim he was shot in Dealy Plaza by a gunman on the grassy knoll, spends his life researching the Kennedy assassination, and all the subsequent conspiracy theories. A woman shows up claiming to have access to the rifle used that day (her uncle - I think - was the getaway driver for the shooter) and together they set out to get it, to prove Oswald was not a lone shooter (and not Kennedy's killer). Kind of interesting, but extremely anticlimactic ending...
March 2, 2012
This book had no conclusion - the writer just stopped writing. Really enjoyed it up to that point - cant give it better than 3 stars. Took 90 mins to read - so its not exactly a classic but a good page turner. Terrible conclusion as I said.
August 31, 2013
Decent enough to finish. I had no real expectation of the theme of the book before starting to read it. The whole Kennedy conspiracy intrigue is (was) lost on me. It is quite a short book, good for a days read on the beach. The end was somewhat unsatisfying for me.
March 5, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It kind of had a Mickey Spillane feel about it. I thought the theories of the Kennedy assassination were thought provoking. I look forward to reading more J.K. Brandon books.
March 14, 2012
It was interesting but seemed to fall flat at the end.
Currently reading
March 2, 2012Engaging so far. Especially if you're a conspiracy buff...
May 19, 2012
I liked the theme but the book was a little lacking.
June 21, 2012
I couldn't put this book down! From the first page on I just had to keep going to see if we finally had an answer, well written, all goes together really well and wasn't disappointed!
July 31, 2012
Not a bad story. I did not believe Cole was a ballistics expert, but he was a like able . I did not care for the ending either.
September 10, 2012
A good story, although I didn't love the ending.
September 28, 2012
Meh... Pretty good plot and pacing... Not so great ending.
September 29, 2013
Interesting theory on the Kennedy assassination and the fate of the "real" rifle. Wouldn't go so far as to call it a "thriller." Limited number of characters and not much tension.
May 30, 2014
Book was interesting and kept my attention. Left me wanting more
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews