Last Shot

Tim Rackley #4

by Gregg Hurwitz

A seemingly impossible prison escape. A powerful and corrupt company. And a little boy's life hanging in the balance. Three startling plot threads come together as deputy U.S. marshal Tim Rackley faces the most deadly adversary of his career—a man whose lethal skills, cunning, and single-minded determination make him a mirror image of Rackley himself.

Walker Jameson, dishonored Recon Marine, has pulled off an impossible break from California's Terminal Island Penitentiary. After starting a riot, he literally vanishes from his cell, leaving behind only a cup of mouthwash, a strand of dental floss tied to one cell bar, and the body of a sadistic killer.

Tim Rackley, elite man hunter, must solve the riddle and track Walker down. But uncertainty begins to color the mission as Rackley learns more about his quarry and the death of the escaped prisoner's sister, a suicide that looks increasingly like a murder. Walker, too, has begun a bloody investigation of his own, a mission that propels him through the dark underworld of a big pharmaceutical company and its cutting-edge therapeutic viruses. But the life of Walker's nephew, a young boy suffering from a fatal disorder, hangs in the balance, and if Rackley hopes to stop the bloodshed, he must put the pieces together, even if it means battling a lethal opponent every inch his equal.

A riveting thriller, a shocking look behind the scenes of one of America's most corrupt corporate sectors, and an exploration of the depths of a mother's love, Last Shot is a white-knuckled, complex drama, full of razor-sharp action and startling twists and turns, written by one of the finest suspense novelists working today.

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

432 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Gregg Hurwitz is the critically acclaimed, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of 20 novels, including OUT OF THE DARK (2019). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages.

He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing effort from the "Orphan X" author. 2 of 10 stars

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAST SHOT (Pub. 2006) by Gregg Hurwitz is the author's seventh novel, and the fourth in Hurwitz's Tim Rackley series. I stumbled across this author while perusing the library shelves a couple months ago, and he immediately shot to the top of my favorite-authors list. You know you've found reading gold when you scramble to get every book written by the author, no matter the cost or the hassle. I've blazed through almost the entire 20-book oeuvre, and thoroughly enjoyed every story, but LAST SHOT is possibly my favorite Hurwitz book, and that's saying a lot.

Hurwitz has a magical way of weaving several plot twists and believable character issues into the main story that give all his books many layers. It's impossible to call any of them cookie-cutter thrillers.

This story has everything a thriller reader wants - it starts off with a unique and intriguing bang, and keeps blazing away until the very last page, with the stakes steadily climbing at a relentless pace that kept me turning pages as fast as I could. Multiple story lines running at just the right level, with a strong and believable base plot backed up by great dialogue and fantastic writing that doesn't try to impress, but manages to do so any way. You can't help but marvel a bit at how well this author spins a tale without trying too hard. Hurwitz hits all the right notes all the way down the line. But what makes this one really stand out are the incredibly well-drawn characters that suck you into their lives in a subtle, yet irresistible way. And the brilliant characterization is capped off by a surprising twist on what's supposed to be the bad guy--a man who, at the end of the day, is really a good guy that made some bad decisions along the way. It brings a very interesting slant to the story, and makes this thriller far and above the usual fare.

The protagonist, Tim Rackley, is a Federal Marshall brought in to hunt down a felon who's escaped from a maximum security prison, in what turns out to be a masterfully well-executed plan. The first thing Rack must figure out is why the man would escape when he had only a year left on his five year sentence? And it turns out Walker Jameson is not your average convict - he's a decorated former elite soldier / sniper, with several tours of duty in the Mideast under his belt before the government found a way to kick him out on a dishonorable discharge. Rack quickly realizes he's met his match in Walker Jameson, and it will take everything he's got to bring the man in without getting killed or worse. But what Rack doesn't know until the train's already left the station is, Walker escaped prison to seek revenge on behalf of his sister, and the man wastes not one minute of his hard-won temporary freedom. The blood-letting starts on his first night out, and continues until every man involved in his sister's murder is dead - dead in a big, ugly, public kind of way.

LAST SHOT has such poignancy, real heart-pulling stuff--even while the thrills keep rolling--I have no doubt it will linger in my mind for days.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Shot is sadly the last book about Tim Rackley by Gregg Hurwitz. Although there is a short stoy out there, maybe I will get it someday. This has been a great series and this time it's all about a strange prison breakout and big pharma. It's a really scary book about how the companies don't care about patients only about money. I shouldn't be surprised but it feels like that's the way it is in the real world, not only in fiction. I stongly recommend that those that haven't read this series try it out. It's a quick read. I have really enjoyed it.

[Heidi Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow....that about sums up this book!

Walker Jameson, dishonorably discharged from the special forces military, is now in jail with just a year left to serve. Inexplicably, he starts a prison riot by killing a major player, and escapes. No one can figure out how....or why.

Tim "Troubleshooter" Rackley is the US Marshal assigned to catch him, and it soon becomes apparent that in order to catch him, the team needs to figure out why he escaped. Tim is known for his past unorthodox thought processes and methods of obtaining justice, and when he understands why Walker escaped (and the beauty of how), he feels a kinship and respect for him. That sense of empathy really provides some excellent insight into both Tim's and Walker's characters - there's no perfect 'good guy' or 'bad guy' hat for either of them. Gregg Hurwitz did an excellent job of creating very full characters, and we find ourselves rooting for both....and while both Tim and Walker can't have their way in the end, there's a very small but perfect twist as the final solution.

Probably the only thing that kept this from being a 5-star book is the sideline storyline into big pharma. It definitely provided a polarizing background, and your stomach will turn at some of the horrific ethics involved by people at the top (it's easy to imagine this part of the book was non-fiction), but some of the details distracted from the overall story.

I'm sad to say that this is, as of the moment, the final Tim Rackley book. Hurwitz has moved on to other amazing stories, plus his new Orphan X series, but Tim's character really improved and deepened throughout the 4-book series, and it would be wonderful if he would return us readers to the world of Rackley at some point in the future! Hint hint :)

[Stan Usher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book in the Rackley series. The only negative I have stopping it from getting higher than 4 stars is that usually if there is someone in a book who is a vigilante, I can usually find something to root for with them, but Walker Jameson is a nasty piece of work. Murders a guy for a diversion to begin with, then proceeds to murder just about everyone who he meets up with, some in very gruesome ways. I know he is doing it for revenge, but does he have to seem so excited to kill peeps? Apart from that, thoroughly enjoyable. Very good plot with a very good look into the seedy world of big Pharma.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gregg Hurwitz's "Last Shot" is the 4th installment in the Tim Rackley series, a collection that has consistently delivered heart-pounding action and complex character development. In this audiobook, narrated by the talented Scott Brick, Hurwitz takes us on a journey that is as much about the human spirit as it is about the suspenseful twists of a thriller.

The story picks up with Tim Rackley, a deputy U.S. marshal, who is tasked with tracking down Walker Jameson, a dishonored Recon Marine who has executed an impossible escape from Terminal Island Penitentiary. The narrative is tightly woven, with Rackley's pursuit of Jameson revealing layers of corruption within a pharmaceutical company and raising questions about the justice system itself.

Scott Brick's narration brings a new dimension to Hurwitz's prose. His voice captures the grit and determination of Rackley, the desperation and cunning of Jameson, and the anguish of a mother's love. Brick's pacing is impeccable, knowing when to ramp up the tension and when to give the listener a moment to breathe.

Hurwitz's writing is sharp and focused. He has a knack for creating scenarios that are both extraordinary and believable, forcing us to consider the moral ambiguities of the characters' actions. The plot is a labyrinth of intrigue, with each chapter adding a piece to the puzzle and driving the story forward with relentless momentum.

The audiobook format adds a layer of immersion to the experience. Brick's performance, combined with Hurwitz's vivid descriptions, creates a cinematic soundscape that allows the listener to visualize the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters.

However, no work is without its criticisms. Some readers have pointed out that the portrayal of the pharmaceutical industry as the villain is somewhat predictable and overdone. While this may be a valid point, it does not detract significantly from the overall experience of the audiobook. Another minor critique is the complexity of the title, which may lead to some confusion as it intertwines with multiple storylines.

In conclusion, "Last Shot" is a testament to Hurwitz's ability to craft a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Scott Brick's narration elevates the text, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre. Despite a couple of noted drawbacks, the audiobook stands as a solid piece of storytelling that will keep listeners engaged from start to finish.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Prison Break and big pharma story. Good use of Tim Rackley and a very interesting plot.

[Doris Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I almost stopped reading it after the first two pages which started in prison with rapists, murderers and a guy with razor blades taped to his wrists. The testosterone reeked out of the pages. But quickly the book took off and all the male aggression was totally appropriate. The book got better and better. The characters seemed real and had depth; and the plot twisted and turned unexpectedly when I least expected it.

This thriller kept me hooked and there were times that it was hard to put the book down. The setting was Los Angeles, and the descriptions were well-done. This book was satisfyingly entertaining. The book was well laid out with good editing. This author did a great job. I want to read more of his books.

[Kimba Tichenor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The corruption and greed of the pharmaceutical industry is at the heart of this fast-paced suspense novel. The plot and characters are solid; however, the author is a bit heavy-handed in delivering his message about corporate greed. The end result is that the novel at times descends into self-righteous preachiness and any semblance of nuance disappears.

[Sabrina S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Robert Scragg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prison break, a suicide, a sick child in need of a transplant and a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company - Deputy Tim Rackley is charged with tracking down the escapee, and making sense of the other elements. The man he's hunting, Walker Jameson, is an ex-Recon Marine like Rackley himself, but a younger, fresher version.

It makes little sense to Rackley, as Walker has broken out, with only a year or so left on his sentence, leaving another inmate dead. When he starts to see holes in the case that deemed Walker's sisters death a suicide, Rackley finds himself in a cat and mouse chase to stop Walker from carrying out a series of revenge attacks, against men he believes are linked to his sisters death.

Rackley finds himself knee deep behind the scenes of a huge pharmaceutical company with a lot to lose. Walker's nephew was cut from trials of a drug that could save his life, and Rackley needs to make sense of the chaos if he's ever going to stop Walker.

I'm a fan of Gregg Hurwitz following Orphan X, and this was my first look at his back catalogue via audiobook. We've got a classic stand-off from a distance of Rackley vs. Walker - both highly skilled, highly motivated, and unwilling to back down. Not quite the levels of Orphan X in terms of the story itself, but it pre-dates that, so doesn't detract from what is still a very enjoyable read. It's got action in buckets, lashings of tense moments, and a good supporting cast to help move things along.

Definitely an author I'll be coming back to

[Ross Willard · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, I've read most of Hurwitz's stuff and, by and large, I've greatly enjoyed it. I don't always agree with the views of his characters, or with what I suspect his politics are, but the writing is good, the stories are engaging. I read the first three Tim Rackley books, and I enjoyed them all.

This one pisses me off.

I have two major problems with this book. Number one, if you spend three books establishing that your primary character is well trained, intuitive and intelligent, etc, etc, then do not, in your fourth book, have someone run circles around him like he's a halfwit. A capable opponent, sure, somebody who gets the better of the hero a couple of times, maybe gets lucky a couple of times, it should look like a struggle, not like someone spanking a six year old. The second problem is this: if you want to tell me that two characters are very alike and everyone notices it, sure tell me a couple of times, show me a couple of times, no problem. You don't need to spell it out twice in every damned chapter!

Maddening!

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Shot is the moving, though graphic, story of two strong men of similar backgrounds. Each man has a con-man for a father and each has served his country in the military. One had his daughter raped and murdered, while the other had his sister murdered, leaving a 7 year old son with a fatal disease. Each man has used 'revenge' to motivate his actions.
This is Gregg Hurwitz' 4th novel featuring US Marshall Tim Rackley. Here he does battle with Walker Jameson, a prison escapee out to find the murderer of his sister. Tim, having used revenge in the past, finds a common bond with Jameson, whom he is sworn to capture. Playing a large part in the story is a corrupt pharmaceutical company that has developed two drugs that will cure many folks with a deadly liver (jaundice) disease.
Last Shot is a novel full of human drama, corporate greed, and suspense.

[Frank Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time I've read one of this author's works and I loved it as much if not more than the first.
Tells the story from shifting first person perspectives and constantly challenges the characters and by extension us the readers many very complex questions about morality and what exactly is the right thing.
Ends with a bit of a bittersweet ending, but think anything less would of made the story before somehow hold less of a emotional punch.
Has action, suspense, corporate espionage [of a sort] and more besides, but definitely doesn't leave you short if you like something to make you think.

[Koen Wellens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like its predecessors, Last Shot contains a lot of emotion. But where the previous titles in the series were more about Rackley himself, this book provided an emotional tale about other characters. Apart from that, there was a lot of action and suspense in this story.

I love how Hurwitz was able to tie up some lose ends about Rackley. Where the previous books showed some predictability, this instalment held a lot of unforeseen twists. Like the one at the end. Go and read the book if you want more details.

Read the full review at my blog.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate reading a series out of order, but somehow read #4 before #3. Tim Rackley, back in the good graces of the US Marshal's office, is called in to solve the disappearance of a soldier from a maximum security prison, who has escaped to exact vengeance for his sister's staged suicide. I did not care for the somewhat silly plot line involving a biotech company IPO, with questionable ethics imperiling the life of the escapee's son. Rackley does the right thing. I also liked the title, which has several relevant meanings in the context of various story lines.

[Leda Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Hurwitz books but picked this one up thinking it was a standalone; I've never read any of the other Rackley books, so I can't compare them, I can only compare this to Hurwitz's later books. The story itself was on par with his later work, especially the complexity of it, and I definitely enjoyed the variety of Walker's methods of execution. The reason I'm not rating it higher is that for a book that seems to have the same word count/page length as many of his others, it seemed to drag on and on, and I can't figure out why. It took me weeks to read this, when usually I only take days. As far as the Rackley story, I figured out relatively early that I must have missed something and put it together that this was a part of a series, but I didn't feel like I missed anything character-wise by being introduced to him and his family at this point. However, I don't think I'll go back and read more about Rackley, as he was interesting in relation to Walker to me and not in and of himself. For all the crazy crimes he committed, I would've liked Walker to have a different ending, since the whole sacrificing one's life for a loved one is a very masculine trope but I'm willing to forgive it because of the age of the text.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline, plus brilliant narrating by Scott Brick

4.5 stars

This is one of those, keep-reading-and-ignore-anything-illogical books. As usual, Greg Hurwitz doesn’t disappoint, although I didn’t let disbelief suppress my enjoyment. More, I empathized and cheered for Walker Jamison, the bad guy who engineered a prison escape and began assassinating people. Yes, I was all for the US Marshals, but I loved how Jamison played cat and mouse with US Marshal Tim Rackley & team. Jamison is a combo Bond, Bourne, John Wick & Equalizer, so I knew there was no way Jamison would be caught. If anything, he’d die fighting. I’m a fan of 1950-60s Japanese cinema, so I’m used to heroes and antiheroes dying during denouements.

I docked half a star, because from the get-go, how was a blood-uncle of a dying kid not mentioned or considered as marrow or an organ donor?

[Emz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed chronicle of a cat-and-mouse pursuit to apprehend an escaped convict, who is hell-bent on revenge. U.S. Marshal Tim must delve deep and keep all his wits about him to trace Walker, the super soldier, as Walker always stays two steps ahead of Tim. Walker wreaks havoc in his mission to avenge his sister's suicide. If the greed of big pharmaceutical corporations and morally reprehensible business actions don't elicit support for the antagonist, I don't know what will. Add a terminally ill child to the mix, and you've got an emotionally charged story.

The author skillfully crafts a well-written plot, deftly weaving an intricate web between the action and the emotional facets of the narrative. Toss in a couple of twists and turns, and you're off to the races. The characters are well-developed, the pacing is superb, rendering the story intriguing, enjoyable, and entertaining.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun-filled outing with Tim Rackley! I liked this book a lot but for me it just wasn't as captivating as the other 3. I think that's because this one went deep into science-gene therapy, splicing, etc, and although I love science, reading about it just isn't exciting. I liked the introduction of an equal to Tim; not just a bunch of patsy's he can easily dispatch, but one that is as cold, callous & calculating as Tim.

The story was pretty good. A convict escapes from prison and is going to make all those involved with his sisters death pay with their own lives. Walker Jameson. A hunter of men. Now on the loose, and that my friends is where the story starts...with a prison break...

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were so many themes / layers to this book. Is it alright to take the law into your own hands if your targets are bad people who cause death themselves? Is it fair that the rich can hide behind their wealth and lawyers? What do we owe our family and friends that support and love us? What sacrifice are you willing to make to save the ones you love? However, the biggest and scariest theme throughout the book is Big Pharma. Does Big Pharma have an obligation to save lives even if it will cost them profits? While you are contemplating all these things you have a US Marshal leading a task force to capture an escaped convict from a high security prison.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dishonored Decon Marine, Walker Jameson, makes an amazing escape from prison to avenge his sister’s suspicious death made to look like a suicide. Previously the sister and her son, who is dying from a fatal liver disorder, unknowingly get involved with a corrupt pharmaceutical company promising a cure. U.S marshal Tim Rackley faces his most deadly adversary of his career as he and Walker uncover a dark underworld of corruption and greed. A fast moving, action packed thriller and fitting end to the series.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hurwitz kept up the pace in this thriller of an escaped convict who is very similar to Tim Rackley. In fact, Jameson is younger and possibly more trained than Tim, but they think alike and find a mutual respect as they play the game of Hunter and Hunted, exchanging roles multiple times during the story. Also strong female characters,along with the "greedy corporate types", and the rest of Tim's crew keep the story moving forward. Suspend belief on how much can be accomplished by sleep deprived and but highly motivated men.

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth and presumably the last book in the Tim Rackley series brings the story full circle. In "The Kill Clause," the first book in the series, Deputy Marshall Tim Rackely goes off the rails after his daughter is murdered. In this fourth book, he is on the trail of an escaped convict who goes off the rails after his sister is murdered. This is a high action, fast paced thriller with great characters. Although this can easily be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend starting with the first book, "The Kill Clause" and reading them in order. Highly recommended

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Gregg Hurwitz! He brings his characters to life in a very normal, unconvinced way. Tim RACKLEY is such a character. Book 1 was the tragic murder of his young daughter, and we were taken along the painful journey with Tim and his wife, Dray.
Each new book is the awakening of Tim from this tragedy.
Last Shot is #4 in the series, and Mr. Hurwitz wraps everything together.
One of my top 5 authors.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star read. The fourth and last book in Hurwitz's Tim Rackley series was a good read. Rackley is called in on a prison break. No one knows how he escaped, but Tim figures it out. He's dealing with a man much like himself and he seems to know how he thinks. Trying to find Walker, Tim gets involved in why he escaped and who he is planning to eliminate along the way. An interesting read.

[Sverre Amundsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found after reading the first three books that this one is out of print, no ebooks anywhere, just some Amazon sellers with hard copies. I didn't want to shell out money and storage space for a physical book. I finally found one at the... gasp!.. lokal library.

Its not quite as good as the first two, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might’ve been a little better than the others, I do like some of the characters and some of the storyline. In saying that I wasn’t too thrilled with the whole series. Before midway through the book I already knew how it was going to end. I am glad it was only a few books in this series because usually no matter how bad it is once I put in so much time I’ll complete it.

[Marisia Robus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent
Excellent as always. There is no thriller writer as good as Gregg Hurwitz and the combination of the best narrator Scott Brick makes this a 5 star combination. When the marine breaks out of prison, he starts a journey which is not clear from the beginning. The end is sad and happy at the same time.
Another excellent book by the master

[Phillip Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books from this series that I've read, seem to get better as the characters develop. I wondered how it would be being so long, but all in all it was well done, a little bit technical at one place but that got wrapped up later in the book, wasn't left hanging as I feared it would do.