The Toymaker

Jake Pendleton #2

by Chuck Barrett

Former NTSB Investigator Jake Pendleton faces a dilemma as the line blurs between right and wrong. After his judgment comes into question, Jake is entrusted to his new mentor, an eccentric old man who sees beyond Jake’s flaws. A man who makes ‘toys for spies.’

A man known as The Toymaker.

Jake’s first assignment reunites him with Gregg Kaplan in a daredevil mission to rescue a fellow agent held captive in Yemen. He risks his life to stop the first attack of an al Qaeda mastermind. But now, with no one to trust but himself, can Jake stop the terrorist from destroying what is most precious to the free world?

Unfortunately, more trouble comes his way as a killer from his past threatens something more important to Jake than his own life, leaving him to make the hardest decision any man ever has to make—

Who to sacrifice.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Action

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2011

About the author

Chuck Barrett is the award-winning author of The Savannah Project, The Toymaker, Breach of Power, and Disruption of his Jake Pendleton series, and Blown, and Last Chance of his blockbuster Gregg Kaplan series. He is a graduate of Auburn University and retired air traffic controller. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate.

He and his wife, DJ Steele (also an author) currently reside in Northern Colorado.


Awards:
—BLOWN
2016 Writers Digest Self-Published Book Awards

—Breach of Power
Winner of the 2013 Indie Excellence Award in Political Thrillers.
Finalist in the 2013 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure category.

—The Toymaker
Finalist in the 2013 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure & Mystery/Suspense categories.

—The Savannah Project
Finalist in the 2011 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure category.
Second Place in the 2011 Reviewers Choice Awards Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror category.
Honorable Mention in the 2011 ForeWord Reviews Book-Of-The-Year Awards Thriller/Suspense category.

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Toymaker by Chuck Barrett is a continuation of The Savannah Project, so this review will be short and sweet.

I LOVED IT.

Jake Pendleton will learn the all the grisly details of the ills that have befallen him, as he faces his worst foes. One is familiar, Ian Collings, the assassin. One is new, a terrorist, and will test all his skills. He will travel the world, dodging death with colleagues old and new.

The more I read, the more lost I got in the story, wondering who would live and who would die. Hopefully, it will be the villains, but with Chuck Barrett, you can never be sure.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite a good plot and story with Jake and Gregg getting together, on its own it is a very good story and can be read as a follow up to The Savannah Project.

Good fun action novel

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve found a younger version of Jack Reacher. Jake Pendleton. Ex navy man turned NTSB inspector now working for for a private covert ops company. If you read the first book this second one will keep you going from start to finish. If this is your first Jake Pendleton you won’t be able to put it down ! International intrigue with loads of action from a great cast with an amazing story line !

[Douglas Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action novel.

First sentences, "CHAPTER 1 Lake Burton, Georgia March 29—11:30 P.M. Present Day FRANCESCA CATANZARO DRUMMED her fingers on the command console. Tonight’s mission should be straightforward—get in, make the kill, and get out. Yet she still couldn’t shake the first-time jitters. She looked at the two operatives sitting across from her and feigned a smile. “Picture of your wife?” she asked the eldest, a large black man who had introduced himself as an ex-Marine called Johnson. He held up the photo for her to see. “No, my daughter. She’ll be a teenager tomorrow.” He slipped the photo inside his black jacket. She glanced at the much younger man sitting next to him, legs bouncing with the energy of a teenager while he was putting on black face camo paint. “Nervous?” she asked."

Barrett, Chuck (2011-12-21). The Toymaker (Kindle Locations 78-86). Switchback Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on to your seat! This is a Boomer! Be warned! You'll have real trouble putting this book down until you've read the last sentence. Then, you'll want to find it's sequel! There are very few authors who can make this kind of tale believable in all it's twists and turns. Enjoy...you were warned!

[Dori Gehling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the price fool you! This page turner is every bit as good as those more expensive thrillers written by some of the biggest names in action novels. The story is well developed, as are the characters. This book can stand alone or be read as #2 in the Jake Pendleton series

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/29, Present Day Lake Burton, GA. Toymaker (Francesca’s employer) mission for Francesca Catanzaro (mother, Greenbrier Fellowship), & her team of: Johnson (A/A, CIA, ex-Marine), Aaron (Francesca’s son, Greenbrier Fellowship), Matt (CIA, Jasper operator), & Jasper (electronic spy drone) was to eliminate Ian Collins (Irish, aka Shamrock, assassin).
Lake Burton, GA. Jasper was doing its job locate the target.
Finally, he was spotted on the upper level of the boathouse.
Johnson, & Aaron’s helmet cameras went dead. Not good.
6 months later. Gibson Desert Australian Outback. Jake Pendleton (former NTSB Investigator, US Navy intelligence, US Military Academy), & his colleague Professor Gregg Kaplan (former Sergeant Major US Army Special Forces: Green Berets) were in an observation post looking at an al Qaeda training camp run by Mustafa Bin Yasir.
CIA Director Scott Bentley (Clandestine Service) told Jake, & Gregg about another target Hashim Khan (American traitor, al Qaeda cell leader).

Isabella Hunt has gone missing. She was last seen/heard from in Sana’a, Yemen.
Hajjah Palace (Hajjah, Yemen). Isabella was in a lot of pain.
She was being brutally interrogated by Rotten Teeth (aka).
Jake, Professor Kaplan, & a team of 9 specialized Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) soldiers were secured/surrounded the terrorist training camp. 5 snipers were strategically placed.
Quickly 4 sentries were taken out.
Ian was their target.
Ormos harbor, Ios Island, Cyclades Greek Islands (Mediterranean Sea). Ian (Waardenburg’s Syndrome, former IRA hit man) was not dead as everyone thought or was hoping.
His thoughts were how to kill Jake.
Sana’a, Yemen. Later Professor Kaplan, Captain Chase (26, Delta Force Squadron), & Baraka Binte Talibah had a meeting.

Scott Bentley, & George Fontaine (CIA analyst) were notified of the teams plan to extract Isabella.
Leuven, Brussels, Belgium. Dr. Kyli Wullenweber (28, PhD student Biological Science) met Jake (34), & Mr. Elmore Wiley (71, Kyli’s grandfather, aka The Toymaker).
It seems Mr. Wiley & Dr. Wullenweber had a private MEtech Lab (genetic research, DNA testing) tucked away.
Mosque De Trappes Trappes, France. Hashim Khan met with the Muslim leaders of the Trappes Islamic Ass.
Kyli, & Kates (Kyli’s BFF) decided to get some R&R in Paris, France.
Hashim, & his co-hearts had arrived also.
San Sebastian, Spain. Christopher “Chris” Perez met Gregg, & Jake.
The American Museum of Natural History was hosting School Space Day for NYC public schools. Senator Richard Boden (NY; Democrat) was the guest speaker.

Will Hashim, & his terrorist group be caught & brought to justice?
What about Ian Collins?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.

A very awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very well written political thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great political thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Switchback Publishing; (Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, Inc.); BookFunnel; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Ride
Combining the elements of a pure suspense/thriller story with the creepiness of a psycho-thriller and the "gee whiz" of a techno-thriller, this story is just plain exhilarating. It starts out at a fast clip and then accelerates to runaway train status.

The characters make this more than a story with a good plot line. All of the main characters are deftly fleshed out into people the reader can engage with; either positively or negatively. The Toymaker, for example, is a charming enigma of a man.

I will admit that I didn't realize this book is actually the second in the series. While it didn't disrupt my enjoyment of the tale, it did have me questioning the character of Jake at first. Since I was unaware of his previous history in the earlier portion of the story, I wondered at the fact that Jake seemed out of his element and absolutely unsure of himself frequently. As the story progressed, though, everything came into focus, and I found that I seriously enjoyed Jake's character.

With the fast-paced plot, superb characters, and excellent writing, this novel is absolutely a great ride for the reader. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys thrillers with complex characters. Now that I've run my way through book 2, I'm going to step back and pick up at the beginning. I want to know the whole history behind these people and what makes them tick.

[Phillip Block · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who wants to read heavy, serious stuff all the time? Much of my reading is just for fun and my own entertainment. To me, books are way more enjoyable and rewarding than consuming the drivel offered on TV and in the movies. Personally, I’m drawn to genres like thrillers that include stories about the adventures of military and naval special forces, the practice of clandestine espionage, political and legal skullduggery, psychological intrigue, mysteries, and the characters who populate those stories and bring them to life.

The Toymaker is a wealthy, patriotic tycoon from Texas who dedicates his life and wealth to inventing and building the gadgetry and weapons that enable the forces of good to vanquish the forces of evil. This story is about how the Toymaker’s specialized gear is used on covert missions conducted with full deniability. Along the way, justice is dealt to evildoers, hostages are rescued, and empires served.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story opens with Jake Pendleton on a mission that doesn’t end with optimal results, primarily due to his anger issues leaving him slightly out of control. This results in his reassignment to The Toymaker, a gadget maker for the CIA and allied agencies. This is a sort of “shape up or ship out” kind of assignment for Pendleton.
There is a lot of action, lots of clever spy toys, and two villains that could each be a story of their own. I truly believe having read The Savannah Project, Pendleton’s first story, helped make this a more enjoyable story. Otherwise, Jake Pendleton would not be a particularly likable character. Having that knowledge explained a lot of why Jake, and one of the villains, behaved the way they did.
I enjoyed the introduction of The Toymaker character and his operation, which expanded possible future opportunities for Pendleton. I believe I will at least eventually give the next story in the series a try.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man known as The Toymaker.

Jake’s first assignment reunites him with Gregg Kaplan in a daredevil mission to rescue a fellow agent held captive in Yemen. He risks his life to stop the first attack of an al Qaeda mastermind. But now, with no one to trust but himself, can Jake stop the terrorist from destroying what is most precious to the free world?
Unfortunately, more trouble comes his way as a killer from his past threatens something more important to Jake than his own life, leaving him to make the hardest decision any man ever has to make—
Who to sacrifice.
I had read one of this series and decided to read how Jake became an emissary of Wiley's. I wasn't disappointed as this keeps you riveted, it has everything one would expect and more. I do like the factual military parts and can relate, I look forward to the next in this series.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "The Savannah Project," and was excited to get on with the adventures of Jake and Gregg. While scanning for the next few books in the series, I discovered that Jake and Gregg had their own series -- separate from each other -- and wondered how Chuck Barrett was going to do that. Well, you find out in this book; and I believe it will be exciting to follow both of them. This book continues some of the story from the first book, and throws in a few curves of its own. The new direction that Barrett is taking Jake Pendleton will be exciting. Looking forward to the next one.

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of the Pendleton series moves at a fast pace. Jake is able to stop a terrorist attack, while "Shamrock " is still out to kill him, and he is unknowingly sent on a suicide mission by his own boss. The toymaker is like "Q" in the Bond stories and his toys are what save Jake. This book completes The Savanah Project story and sets Jake on a new journey working for the Toymaker.

[C. Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

How refreshing to read a stirring, "can't put it down" thriller like "The Toymaker", that has no foul, crude, or blasphemous language in it!
Well done, Chuck Barrett. Your Jake Pendleton is now up there with Lee Childs' Jack Reacher.
Thank you for one of the best reads I have had in a long time.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read...Excellent Adventure

An excellent book that built on the first novel. The scenario continued the excitement and tension from book one. Finished it in one session...hard to put down.

[John Dew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action That Never Takes A Break...

But plenty of other things, mostly bones , break throughout. It's a non stop thrill ride from first page to the last. Move over Jack Reacher there's a new action hero named Jake in town.

[Kevin Stumpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than The Savannah Project. Non spoiler - the shamrock explanation (those that read The Savannah Project will understand) was nonsensical, as was Jake being “cured” in two days by Wiley, but those were my only major issue with this book.

[Roberta Bell Hourigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put down

I do most of my reading at night when I go to bed. I found myself
going to bed earlier and earlier so that I could pick up where I had left off, often reading later into the night than I had planned. I'm eager to start Barrett's next book!

[Karen greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was a great read! Read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. Action packed! Love the characters and the action. It's a winner!

[Carol Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thriller with Jake Pendelton and the introduction of Me Wiley. This author has the reader unable to put book down will continue to follow This talented author

[Robin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting instalment in the Jake Pendleton series, keeping the excitement level high. Well worth reading and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. Recommended!

[Linda Look · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kind of burnt out on CIA/Black Ops books but this was well written, had good, strong characters and was a fast read. I rate this a 4.8

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

This is an easy read, a bit formulaic but a decent way to pass a plane ride. I am unlikely to read more from this series.

[Nicholas Rump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Enjoyed this - suspense and great characters. Look forward to more books in this series for sure. Already ordered the next one.

[John Gannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Just awful.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A finalist in both the 2013 International Book Awards for Mystery/Suspense and Thriller/Adventure categories, "The Toymaker" was a fabulously written thriller that continued with Jake Pendleton and Gregg Kaplan. I wish I'd written the review soon after reading it, and I vow to do a better job at that going forward, because I rarely remember details other than if I liked a book or not later. (This is not always a bad thing - it means I can re-read a book later if I'm ever lacking something new!)

Knowing how much reviews help writers attract new readers is why I'm going back and taking a few minutes to at least let others know which authors/books are worth reading, and Barrett is one of those authors who has the touch. Some people may have been turned off because "The Savannah Project" wasn't tied up in a neat bow with a pretty conclusion that answered every question. Knowing that there was a book two and three when I first started TSP, I had an advantage over readers who read it right out of the gate: I knew there was definitely going to be a book two and three. I can see their point - it's not unlike watching a new series on TV only for it to be canceled mid-season. That, however, is not the case here, so don't fear. Your questions will be answered, and because the books are already written, you don't even have to wait the typical year between books.

It is true what the blurb says, if you like writers such as Brad Thor and David Baldacci, you'll probably gonna like Chuck Barrett. I would say his books more along the lines of Baldacci in that we're not in Washington DC dealing with the alphabet soup so much. Yes, Jake is with the NTSB, but he's not a black ops operator or the like. He's easier to relate to than a Mitch Rapp or Scot Harvath. (Not that there's anything wrong with those characters, I love them, but I'd never meet anyone like them, whereas Jake could be my neighbor.)

[Dick Aichinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Barrett was unknown to me but it fit into my genre preference (thriller, mystery) so I thought I would give it a try. I understand this is the second book for him and takes off from the first but this could be easily read independently. As a result, I will be looking for his first book to read, also. In the espionage, thriller mind frame the title of the book is descriptive of the nature of the book. The main character (espionage type) comes into cooperation with a mysterious older man who has the ability and resources to develop all manner of useful gadgets and equipment for "black ops" work. The story follows this character across the US and parts of the world after a couple of terrorists. Lots action to keep you going.

[Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 out of 5.0
This was a good, but not great book. That said, there is enough gold in those pages to convince me that Mr. Barrett will continue to hone his skills and I expect that future books will rival the best in the genre. There were many passages that completely engaged me, especially those describing cutting-edge technologies that already exist or will very soon. It was enjoyable pondering on the what-ifs and the back story on the Greenbrier was also appreciated. It was a satisfying read and there is nothing in the book that is terrible. However, there were more cliches and predictable plot elements than I would have liked.

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Audible; Scott Brick, narrator) Plot-driven thriller (naturally) with every cliche in the book to describe man-woman relationships. Worse still, oh no, Not manly man narrator, Scott Brick!? Is this book worse than The Selkie? One star for this clunker because the author managed to put fingers to keys. This is the last time--the last time!--I fall for Audible's buy-one-get-one offers without further research although, to be fair, I did discover Nele Neuhaus with one of their BOGO offers led to my discovery of

[Kathi Defranc]

Really liked this book,action,romance and black ops,what's not to love!

This is a great ride with wonderful characters and awesome storyline. Jake Pendalton has worked intelligence for the navy,keeping our country safe. But when things become a little too hot he is handed off to a man in intelligence for 50 years and who can make anything needed for an opportunity. So called 'The Toymaker',his knowledge and abilities are exposed to the amazement of Jake. The adventures are wonderful and whole story is a fun ride!