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JM Mystery-thriller #5A
The Second Amendment #1
Words: 76386 (approximate)
One simple thesis. But it threatens the very roots of the Constitution. There's too much at stake. 20,000 gun deaths a year, schoolyard massacres, and now a wave of militia bombings... America is under siege. An explosive, uncompromising thriller which confronts head-on one of the most fiery issues of the past two decades: gun control.
One simple thesis. But it threatens the very roots of the Constitution. There's too much at stake. 20,000 gun deaths a year, schoolyard massacres, and now a wave of militia bombings... America is under siege. An explosive, uncompromising thriller which confronts head-on one of the most fiery issues of the past two decades: gun control.
216 pages, ebook
First published February 15, 2012
63 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 6, 2012
This is a controversial book. It seems that everyone has opinions regarding gun control. I'm not going into that in this review. Reviews really aren't the places for political viewpoints in my opinion.
I will say for my part, I love the conspiracy theory that the plot line is built around. I also consider the book very well written and engaging. What would have normally been a very boring subject has been made very interesting. Can't think of too many times when political debate could be interesting. On a side note, some of the debate looks to be modeled on some of discussions regarding the Patriot act.
I will say for my part, I love the conspiracy theory that the plot line is built around. I also consider the book very well written and engaging. What would have normally been a very boring subject has been made very interesting. Can't think of too many times when political debate could be interesting. On a side note, some of the debate looks to be modeled on some of discussions regarding the Patriot act.
November 1, 2012
-Sizzling action lifts a controversial subject-
I don't recall reading a plot on gun control before and I can see that it might split reviewers. The lobbying and debating scenes are full-on and exciting, the pros and cons of the argument really come to life. But what makes this thriller literally sizzle are the action scenes. From the first bombing scene to the final dramatic showdown, the action never lets up - though my favorite is Josette playing the hooker in the redneck bar. For a book about gun control, there sure are a lot of bullets flying!
I don't recall reading a plot on gun control before and I can see that it might split reviewers. The lobbying and debating scenes are full-on and exciting, the pros and cons of the argument really come to life. But what makes this thriller literally sizzle are the action scenes. From the first bombing scene to the final dramatic showdown, the action never lets up - though my favorite is Josette playing the hooker in the redneck bar. For a book about gun control, there sure are a lot of bullets flying!
October 30, 2012
This is a great book, one of the most exciting thrillers I've read this year. Good backstory with gun control, but it never becomes too heavy or gets in the way of the action - which is non-stop.
Sad to see some one-star readers unable to separate from their own personal views about guns. I'd have thought after Aurora, views like that were 'inappropriate' to say the least.
Sad to see some one-star readers unable to separate from their own personal views about guns. I'd have thought after Aurora, views like that were 'inappropriate' to say the least.
October 28, 2013
I started this not realising it was in 2 parts. The Second Amendment of the title is the American gun law and although this is a thriller I also learned a lot about the pro gun lobby and their rationale - not that I or the author agree with it!
This is very cleverly written with different stories running simultaneously, all to do with the amending of the gun law and its effect on people.
This is very cleverly written with different stories running simultaneously, all to do with the amending of the gun law and its effect on people.
July 27, 2012
Unlike many others, I did finish it...and really don't know why. It was way too convoluted. It ran in so many different directions you needed a scorecard to see where you were. Additionally, the end wasn't one, merely a forerunner to the next volume. I'll pass.
May 11, 2013
It was a scam. This book was offered on Kindle for free. He is a pretty good writer, eaves an interesting yarn, so I kept reading. Then at the height of the tension it ends and refers you to book #2. Phooey!
December 28, 2024
This was not the title of the book I read as it was the second book of past imperfect that I couldn’t find in here.
October 22, 2013
I love John Grisham and when I read the write up I thought I would love the book. I am afraid I didn't. At one point I put it down read something else before coming back to it. The write up proudly boasts its vast number of sales, so I guess I stand in a minority.
It is complicated with an involved structure, bringing several strands together - Koenitz, Josette and Andrew Landry. In the Prologue we see Koenitz frozen, as the light slowly panned down the building. Then the action moves to a different character and we are left hanging, wondering what happens next. When we return to Koenitz it is to find him drowning a victim. We are not told how he escaped his earlier predicament. At the end of this scene the writer says “Then had come 911 and Iraq and that threat had been all but forgotten. It was time for a reminder.” This is great, it creates suspense that something is going to happen, but doesn't appear half finished. Again when Koenitz is wounded and making his way through the airport, at passport control the tension builds around whether he will make it through and then ends with “passport please” and moving onto anther character.
Josette is a career woman and mother, but this is the only sense I get of who she is as a person. The description of the building, the rubble the rescue effort are very good, technical and realistic.
Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the novel is the political side. The way it deals with the lobbyists, garnering support for a cause and political machinations. The academic debate, which is interestingly set in Queens College, Oxford, outlines some of the arguments for gun control. It is interesting from the point of view that it is an American issue, debated in Britain, which allows some objectivity as we do not carry guns in Britain. The bill in the novel does not ban firearms, only restricts the owning of them and increases the penalty for those who unlawfully hold weapons. Therefore the academic debate on the right to carry arms is a little misleading. The novel appears to suggest this is a weak piece of legislation and in that sense will do nothing to change the outcome of the novel.
I am not inspired to read part two, the author does not need my criticism or my praise. I would only caution Indie Authors to be careful what you take from the writing.
It is complicated with an involved structure, bringing several strands together - Koenitz, Josette and Andrew Landry. In the Prologue we see Koenitz frozen, as the light slowly panned down the building. Then the action moves to a different character and we are left hanging, wondering what happens next. When we return to Koenitz it is to find him drowning a victim. We are not told how he escaped his earlier predicament. At the end of this scene the writer says “Then had come 911 and Iraq and that threat had been all but forgotten. It was time for a reminder.” This is great, it creates suspense that something is going to happen, but doesn't appear half finished. Again when Koenitz is wounded and making his way through the airport, at passport control the tension builds around whether he will make it through and then ends with “passport please” and moving onto anther character.
Josette is a career woman and mother, but this is the only sense I get of who she is as a person. The description of the building, the rubble the rescue effort are very good, technical and realistic.
Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the novel is the political side. The way it deals with the lobbyists, garnering support for a cause and political machinations. The academic debate, which is interestingly set in Queens College, Oxford, outlines some of the arguments for gun control. It is interesting from the point of view that it is an American issue, debated in Britain, which allows some objectivity as we do not carry guns in Britain. The bill in the novel does not ban firearms, only restricts the owning of them and increases the penalty for those who unlawfully hold weapons. Therefore the academic debate on the right to carry arms is a little misleading. The novel appears to suggest this is a weak piece of legislation and in that sense will do nothing to change the outcome of the novel.
I am not inspired to read part two, the author does not need my criticism or my praise. I would only caution Indie Authors to be careful what you take from the writing.
November 23, 2012
When I saw comparisons to Vince Flynn and John Grisham from some reviewers, at first I was sceptical. I've read practically everything those two authors have to offer and hold them in high esteem. Combined with this book being free and some doubting reviews, my expectations were none too high.
But a couple of chapters in, I could tell the writing was strong. The plot gripped me, the action and dialogue flowed and I could quickly see that those comparisons were spot-on. Three days later I'd finished book #1 and dived into book #2. This is a strong read by any measure: vivid action scenes and a hot-button issue handled intelligently and done justice. You couldn't ask for more. I then bothered to check the author's bio and saw that he had an earlier book in a top ten all time best thrillers list in a leading rag. One of the other authors in that same list was no less than John Grisham. I can see why now!
But a couple of chapters in, I could tell the writing was strong. The plot gripped me, the action and dialogue flowed and I could quickly see that those comparisons were spot-on. Three days later I'd finished book #1 and dived into book #2. This is a strong read by any measure: vivid action scenes and a hot-button issue handled intelligently and done justice. You couldn't ask for more. I then bothered to check the author's bio and saw that he had an earlier book in a top ten all time best thrillers list in a leading rag. One of the other authors in that same list was no less than John Grisham. I can see why now!
June 14, 2014
The Second Amendment #1
John Matthews
This contemporary political thriller focuses on the American fixation on guns and the right to bear arms. The author's fictitious plot is a frightening portrayal of something that could happen in the US at any time. In spite of a great plot, credible characters, and a hot contemporary issue, it left this reader wishing it didn't read like a first draft in some spots. The many abrupt changes in scene with no attempt at transition make it difficult to follow, and further editing would catch some typos and misspellings, correct grammar (she and her, for 1) and perhaps improve sentence structure. Will I read Amendment #2? Probably, because I want to know how this unusual take on America's Second Amendment and our continued battle over its interpretation will wind up. I can't stop thinking about it.
John Matthews
This contemporary political thriller focuses on the American fixation on guns and the right to bear arms. The author's fictitious plot is a frightening portrayal of something that could happen in the US at any time. In spite of a great plot, credible characters, and a hot contemporary issue, it left this reader wishing it didn't read like a first draft in some spots. The many abrupt changes in scene with no attempt at transition make it difficult to follow, and further editing would catch some typos and misspellings, correct grammar (she and her, for 1) and perhaps improve sentence structure. Will I read Amendment #2? Probably, because I want to know how this unusual take on America's Second Amendment and our continued battle over its interpretation will wind up. I can't stop thinking about it.
January 5, 2014
Though essentially an American topic, every time there's a major shooting incident in the USA, the news hits the UK and so we find ourselves yet again shaking our heads as to why Americans feel the desperate need to cling to their guns.
This book goes some way to answering just why, set against some hard and fast action. So on one level it's a thinking man's thriller, yet on the other should satisfy action junkies. Not an easy balance to get right, but for me it worked fantastically on both levels. In fact Josette was one of the strongest female protagonists I've read in a while. Difficult to see why some readers would find fault unless either the more intelligent behind-the-scenes debate wasn't to their liking or they were ardent gun supporters. I would have thought that was more likely in the USA than here, but I suppose you never know.
This book goes some way to answering just why, set against some hard and fast action. So on one level it's a thinking man's thriller, yet on the other should satisfy action junkies. Not an easy balance to get right, but for me it worked fantastically on both levels. In fact Josette was one of the strongest female protagonists I've read in a while. Difficult to see why some readers would find fault unless either the more intelligent behind-the-scenes debate wasn't to their liking or they were ardent gun supporters. I would have thought that was more likely in the USA than here, but I suppose you never know.
February 23, 2013
This is a book that has a lot of political reading,even though the Author has tried to simplified the way politics work in America,I found it sometimes tough in some places to understand,Being an English person,I may not get or understand the passion or the thinking of how an American may feel about the second amendment.
having said that this is a book written by an English Author and has combined politics with a good thriller,this is the first of two books and I want to know the conclusion of the story so I think I will find my self seeking for the second book to read.
I have now a greater understanding of the problems the Americans face when making new laws which can please all sides,without offending the second amendment.
So I thank the Author for widening my knowledge.
having said that this is a book written by an English Author and has combined politics with a good thriller,this is the first of two books and I want to know the conclusion of the story so I think I will find my self seeking for the second book to read.
I have now a greater understanding of the problems the Americans face when making new laws which can please all sides,without offending the second amendment.
So I thank the Author for widening my knowledge.
May 14, 2013
his is truly a man's book but I enjoyed it even though I'm a woman. It's about a subject that I've always had very mixed feelings about. I think it is well written and moves at a good pace. I love the fact that, like all fresh new authors I'm finding, it has not been over-processed and sterilized by an editor.
I would recommend this book to anyone but especially men. It's a Tom Clancy kind of book. I will read more of this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone but especially men. It's a Tom Clancy kind of book. I will read more of this author.
September 9, 2013
If I could have given this a lower star, I would have. I actually did not finish reading this book, but I read more than half before I simply could not read another word. The book had a good premise and the potential for a good story, however, when the cliques and stereotypes about conservatives and those who believe in the right to bear arms continued to be repeated over and over throughout the book, it became clear this wasn't a novel as much as the author's soapbox.
February 23, 2015
The primary character in this book is FBI agent that is investigating a series of bombings. The conflict the book is between a group of far right extremists and a more liberal president. It's an ok book and the characters were well developed. But I had a hard time getting into the plot. If you enjoy police investigations with a heavy influence of politics you would probably like this book. I'm not sure if I will read the next book in the series.
May 4, 2016
This was a decent read, quite topical at the moment with the coming elections in America. As is usual in America gun control is at the heart of this story about political corruption. There is also a human side to the story which involves an FBI agent whose son has been caught up in a 'planned' explosion [planned underhandedly by parts of the political field to assist said gun control amendments going through congress]
October 21, 2013
The story was intriguing, but the ending left too many loose ends unresolved for my liking. I would like to follow these characters on other intriguing adventures. I looked past the gun control issue as both sides are represented and loved the internal twists in the political arena.
November 27, 2016
Great premise. The book was set in the United States. Its subject is the Constitution and the American government. What spoiled the book for me was the constant use of British idioms. The should have been an American editor to change the British idioms.
August 8, 2023
This book is very well written and I thought had a lot of potential. However, all the discourse about gun-control was too distracting to me. I finally gave up and did not finish the book.
July 20, 2013
Would have given it 4 stars but I was surprised when I got to the end and found out that I now needed to read #2.
December 22, 2013
It was a good book in the line of some of the thriller writers of our time. It's a modern day story which deals with the issues of our times like gun control and politics.
April 26, 2014
did not liked it
April 15, 2017
Just could not get into this book I found it very hard going. Unfortunately not for me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews