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Sean Dillon #13
Without Mercy
"In Jack Higgins's acclaimed bestseller Dark Justice, intelligence operative Sean Dillon and his colleagues in Britain and the United States beat back a terrible enemy, but at an equally terrible cost. One of them was shot, another run down in the street. Both were expected to survive - but only one of them does." As Detective Superintendent Hannah Bernstein of Special Branch lies recuperating in the hospital, a dark shadow sent by a figure from the past steals across the room and finishes the job. Consumed by grief and rage, Dillon, Blake, Ferguson, and all who loved Hannah swear vengeance, no matter where it takes them. But they have no idea of the searing journey, both physical and emotional, upon which they are about to embark - nor of the war that will change them all.
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First published August 23, 2005
138 people are currently reading
978 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
487 books1,283 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
August 5, 2018
In the last book, which I didn't read, bad things happened. Dillon and Co. hit the vengeance trail. They don't really know what they're getting themselves into.
A book that should be right down my alley, but I just couldn't get into it.
A book that should be right down my alley, but I just couldn't get into it.
October 14, 2013
Quality of this series has definitely been on a downhill slide for the last 4 novels. Without Mercy is moderately better than the last three, but not by much.
Reading about Sean Dillon flying about with one or two other people in a near supersonic (972 km/h) Citation X jet sipping champagne whilst calling home base on his magical codex secure mobile phone to look up the next plot development in "cyberspace" has certainly devalued the thrill of this espionage thriller series.
Gone are the days of standing in the rain at a street corner, properly tailing people and proper hard work. Now it's all just call Roper and have him look it up on the computer, or use this handy pre-arranged plane/car/boat. It's all just a bit silly really; you can tolerate a certain amount of deviation from reality in fiction but when everything starts verging on fantasy in a supposed 'real life' book I find my interest waning.
If I didn't already own books 14-18 I wouldn't be bothered to buy them after the quality level of the last four books. I really hope it improves, either that or I get trapped in an airport with no alternative but to read them or die of boredom... either/or really.
Reading about Sean Dillon flying about with one or two other people in a near supersonic (972 km/h) Citation X jet sipping champagne whilst calling home base on his magical codex secure mobile phone to look up the next plot development in "cyberspace" has certainly devalued the thrill of this espionage thriller series.
Gone are the days of standing in the rain at a street corner, properly tailing people and proper hard work. Now it's all just call Roper and have him look it up on the computer, or use this handy pre-arranged plane/car/boat. It's all just a bit silly really; you can tolerate a certain amount of deviation from reality in fiction but when everything starts verging on fantasy in a supposed 'real life' book I find my interest waning.
If I didn't already own books 14-18 I wouldn't be bothered to buy them after the quality level of the last four books. I really hope it improves, either that or I get trapped in an airport with no alternative but to read them or die of boredom... either/or really.
January 2, 2017
The book starts as if it was being continued from somewhere else. There is a gunfight between Dillon & the Russians, as well as some IRA thugs but you don't really know why. Then it falls on the Russians & their IRA pals to get revenge. So Superintendent Hannah Bernstein who is already injured in hospital after this melee is targeted. At this point, Dillon reaches a boiling point along with his British friends & it's their turn for revenge. And basically that is the story line sprinkled with a little espionage. If it was done right like Tom Clancy's Without Remorse that would be different. But it's fairly lame for a Higgins novel at least until the last 40-50 pages where it picks up. A strong ending can give back some respectability. I've read other Higgins novels with a more solid plot. Much of the dialogue with the first two-thirds of the book seems cliche. So far my favorite Jack Higgins novel is Thunder Point. A story with a strong plot.
May 26, 2009
This is just one of many in the Sean Dillon Series. They are all exciting and plot driven and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The locations of this series are not set strictly in Ireland, but there is always some time spent there as well other countries, usually England. Dillon and his team are up against Russian spies in this adventure and seeking revenge for their fallen team member.
April 17, 2007
If you are a quick reader like me (aka tend to skim alot) the common names of good guys and bad guys and get lost in your head and confuse you! But the story was interesting! Quick read, good for the spy genre type of person.
July 28, 2010
This was one of Higgins' better books. I like most of them, but this one had many different interlocking stories and plots. It was a very quick read and well worth it. Exciting and emotional if you are a Higgins fan.
June 26, 2009
The number of characters in this book were overwhelming, it was hard to keep track of them all. It had a little action & some twists & turns, but nothing fancy.
May 27, 2011
Found the narrative a bit naive at times.
February 20, 2017
Detective Superintendent Hannah Bernstein of Special Branch is in a hospital
recuperating from being badly hurt in another little caper with Sean Dillon.
The IRA manages to get one of their undercover people into the hospital as a
nurse and she kills Hanna. All of Special Branch is deeply disturbed with this
and no one more so than Sean Dillon. From here to the end he vows to kill any-
one who had anything to do with this. This book is from 2005 and is number 13
in the Sean Dillon series. I've read ll of this series and I enjoyed this one as well
as the others. I gave it a 4
recuperating from being badly hurt in another little caper with Sean Dillon.
The IRA manages to get one of their undercover people into the hospital as a
nurse and she kills Hanna. All of Special Branch is deeply disturbed with this
and no one more so than Sean Dillon. From here to the end he vows to kill any-
one who had anything to do with this. This book is from 2005 and is number 13
in the Sean Dillon series. I've read ll of this series and I enjoyed this one as well
as the others. I gave it a 4
February 8, 2009
I was totally disappointed with this novel. The plot is weak and predictable, the story jumps all over and it looses continuity and rhythm. I found the characters plain silly and unbelievable and the whole story lacks originality, not very inventive and out dated. Not one of Higgins best.
February 25, 2018
Whats the point in having a 'safe house' if every bugger knows where it is??
July 20, 2018
Not for me. Was way to predictable.
February 29, 2024
İrlanda'da olan çatışmada Greta Novikova son anda kurtulmuş, Ashimov çelik yeleği sayesinde kurtulmuş ancak diğerleri ölmüştür. Kremlin'de Volkov, yüzbaşı Igor Levin'e Putin imzalı bir yetki belgesi vererek onu Greta yerine Londra'ya yollar. Belov'un yerine annesi de büyük bir oyuncu olan, aktör Max Zubin geçmiş ve Sibirya'daki tesise gitmiştir. Herkes onu Belov zanneder. Volkov'un görevlendirdiği Ashimov, eski IRA mensubu Liam Bell ve ekibi ile anlaşır. Ferguson ve ekibine saldıracaklardır. İlk olarak Hannah seçilir ve Mary Kilbane adlı hemşire sayesinde yattığı hastanede aşırı doz ilaçla öldürülür. Mary'yi öldüren IRA ajanı Ibiza'ya gönderilir. Sean Hannah'ın haberini alınca çıldırır. Ferguson onun yerine ekibe resmi olarak Billy Salter'ı alır. Roper'a saldırması için Levin bir elemanı tutar ama o da işi batırır. Böylece Sean kamera kayıtlarından olaya h kimin dahil olduğunu anlar. Greta ve ekibi Sean, Ibiza'daki elemana ulaşamasın diye yola çıkar. Sean da yoldadır. Adam Cezayir'e kaçmıştır. Burada çatışma olur. IRA elemanını öldüren Levin kaçar. Greta ise yakalanır ve Holland Park'a götürülür. Max Zubin İngiltere'ye gelir ve Putin'in yanında Belov olarak boy gösterir. Amaç, Belov olarak şirketi Rusya'ya devretmektir. Sean ve Billy bunu engellemek için onları Rusya'dan kaçıracaktır. Zubin şöförünü etkisiz hale getirir. Annesini de alır ve kaçar. Holland Park'ta Greta ile karşılaşırlar. Volkov Putin'den fırça yer ve Ashimov'u Rusya'ya çağırır. O da Liam Bell ve Levin ile son bir vurgun yapmaya kalkar. Harry'nin evini basıp herkesi öldürmek ister. Kevin vurulur ve nehre düşer. Ashimov ve Bell öldürülür? Acaba iş bitmiş midir? Levin gerçekten ölmüş müdür? Greta elçiliğe dönecek midir? Keyifle soluksuz okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2022
Well, Higgins improved on his previous book by getting Dillon more involved and ending his time with an annoying family.
Unfortunately, this book eliminated an important main character, had one of the villains that Dillon seemed to have killed in the previous book survive, and had an (understandable) mopey Dillon sporadically involved in the story until the end.
Hannah Berenstein was the heart and soul of the Ferguson team. While everyone was planning and following through with killing people, Berenstein was the one that would say, "Wait a minute -- is there a better way to handle the problem?". Sometimes they listened to her, sometimes not, but she always made them think. Hopefully, Higgins added back a similar type of character to his Dillon stories. Plus, she had deeply hidden feelings for Dillon.
Dillon, on the other hand, he hid his feelings for her, but not very well. He was the one always flirting with her -- and it almost worked sometimes. Plus he felt responsible for her death. Thus, his mopeyness. That was no excuse to have him less involved in the story.
And the villain that survived? Well, she was only a "moderate" villain, if there is such a thing. She was on the bad side of the ledger, but by the end of the book, she allowed herself to work with the Ferguson group.
The book was just a downer throughout and had no spark until the end. I hope for another rebound in the next story. Rated it 2.5
Unfortunately, this book eliminated an important main character, had one of the villains that Dillon seemed to have killed in the previous book survive, and had an (understandable) mopey Dillon sporadically involved in the story until the end.
Hannah Berenstein was the heart and soul of the Ferguson team. While everyone was planning and following through with killing people, Berenstein was the one that would say, "Wait a minute -- is there a better way to handle the problem?". Sometimes they listened to her, sometimes not, but she always made them think. Hopefully, Higgins added back a similar type of character to his Dillon stories. Plus, she had deeply hidden feelings for Dillon.
Dillon, on the other hand, he hid his feelings for her, but not very well. He was the one always flirting with her -- and it almost worked sometimes. Plus he felt responsible for her death. Thus, his mopeyness. That was no excuse to have him less involved in the story.
And the villain that survived? Well, she was only a "moderate" villain, if there is such a thing. She was on the bad side of the ledger, but by the end of the book, she allowed herself to work with the Ferguson group.
The book was just a downer throughout and had no spark until the end. I hope for another rebound in the next story. Rated it 2.5
April 1, 2022
If your looking for a quick, fast paced, easy to read novel for a long journey, then this book is great. As for quality of dialogue and characters, "Without Mercy" is a 1 star book.
For me this was a disappointing Jack Higgins book, lacking depth of plot and poor character dialogue.
Conversations were unreal, poorly scripted and rushed. The scenes with the US president were particularly poorly written.
Certainly seemed like Higgins was bored with the characters and was writing to hit a deadline.
While the outcome, as always, is never really in doubt, Higgins has produced a novel that is full of action and with enough twists to keep you reading. I've read a few Sean Dillon books and I'd say this one was probably my least favourite. Still ok though if your bored on a long trip or needing to pass the time.
2 Stars 😐 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇷🇺🇮🇪
For me this was a disappointing Jack Higgins book, lacking depth of plot and poor character dialogue.
Conversations were unreal, poorly scripted and rushed. The scenes with the US president were particularly poorly written.
Certainly seemed like Higgins was bored with the characters and was writing to hit a deadline.
While the outcome, as always, is never really in doubt, Higgins has produced a novel that is full of action and with enough twists to keep you reading. I've read a few Sean Dillon books and I'd say this one was probably my least favourite. Still ok though if your bored on a long trip or needing to pass the time.
2 Stars 😐 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇷🇺🇮🇪
April 30, 2023
The previous instalment ended with one of Sean Dillon’s associates badly wounded and fighting for their life in hospital. ‘Without Mercy’ opens with an assassin finishing the job. The scene is set for Dillon to embark on a 400-page vengeance-crazed rampage … only that’s not how it plays out. Higgins instead goes for the globe-trotting-as-a-stand-in-for-narrative approach, twisting a simple tale into a massively over-convoluted behemoth. Such bursts of action as there are prove deliciously old school, but it’s far too often a dull plod. Interestingly, the self-plagiarism is at a minimum while Higgins borrows instead - bizarrely - from Robert A. Heinlein’s ‘Double Star’.
August 30, 2023
I struggled to finish this book, for I found the conversations to drag on for far too long, to the point of getting monotonous and boring. There was some action throughout, but the descriptions of scenes were not graphic enough to make me feel the violence, the shootings, the killings, and the danger the characters were in. Another thing was the too many characters; I had to write down each one of them and reference the page in case I'd forget who's who, which I did. To summarise, Jack Higgins is not on my list of favourite writers. This is the first book by Jack Higgins that I have read, and possibly the last.
August 30, 2019
Jack Higgins book, "Without Mercy", has his main character, Sean Dillon, searching out and eliminating all those responsible for the killing of a Superintendent Detective of the Special Branch. Dillon feels personally responsible for the Detectives demise and will stop at nothing to track down all those responsible. Ex IRA assassin, Sean Dillon, with the help of friends, follow the many twists and turns to reach their objective. The book was another enjoyable read from Jack Higgins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
A well-written fast paced action book having a plot essentially to get even for past espionage and acts of violence. Not the greatest plot but done well. First Jack Higgins book I have read and this one was interesting in that it was published in 2005 with Vladimir Putin in the early stages at the helm of Russia. As I read this in 2023 it appears Higgins’ portrayal of Putin is more believable given current events in history and the war with Ukraine.
January 26, 2025
I read 2 or 3 Higgins books each year, in no particular order but as I find them at the library or used book sales. I enjoy the way of doing things which Ferguson and Dillon follow. Casual but serious. Daring, ruthless, and conniving. Food and drink. Lots of food and drink. Without Mercy has all of these characteristics and a plot that pits the English versus the Russians in a battle of wits. This is a good read.
April 17, 2020
This was a random book on my bookshelf, not sure how it got there so thought I would give it a go. Found this book confusing and with the many characters it was hard to remember who was fighting for what side. I did later find out there a number of books in this series and it would have been beneficial to read those first. Still an okay read, help pass time during lockdown.
September 16, 2021
After the death of Dillon's friend the group swears vengeance. It becomes quite a battle with some pretty good adversaries. The characters are interesting and the story line is action packed. It was an exciting and quick read by an author who is very skilled in this area. I enjoyed the book and others I have read by the Author, Jack Higgins
April 1, 2022
Hannah Bernstein is murdered & Dillon feels he is responsible, but he discovers the Russians are involved. Dillon, Ferguson, the Slaters pursue IRA thugs, a Russian double & highly placed members of the Russian government. Dillon is out to avenge Hannah's death & punish the Russians.
Not one of Higgin's best.
Not one of Higgin's best.
May 16, 2022
Well as usual the Prime Ministers private problem solvers do it again. and do it well. A bit disappointing was that my favorite kinda guy, Sean Dillon is a bit ghostly in this novel, he lacked his normal robust Irish presence of Himself. But readers who want a quick paced action novel bent toward the spy intelligence genre cannot go wrong, Jack Higgins just keeps on keepin on.
June 15, 2017
Oh dear, not one of Mr Higgins finest hours i'm afraid, could not really get into this one, a lot of preambling around the characters, lots of them too, and the story did not really go anywhere. A shame, because i have enjoyed the other Sean Dillon series of books!!
December 11, 2018
Still the Master!
Jack Higgins is still a master storyteller. Charles Ferguson, and crew, keep you guessing what they will pull off next. Just when you think they can't get out of the situation they're in, they do.
Jack Higgins is still a master storyteller. Charles Ferguson, and crew, keep you guessing what they will pull off next. Just when you think they can't get out of the situation they're in, they do.
October 26, 2020
I made it almost to the end but I gave up. I don't know if you need to follow the series to understand it, but I found it confusing, boring and jumps around a lot. I give up, I didn't root for anyone in this book.
March 7, 2021
I enjoyed the pace of this book.
The premise of the book is Russia wanting to get a piece of legislation passed that will give them a lot of control. UK and USA trying to stop this happening.
There are also Irish connections.
A quick paced thriller.
The premise of the book is Russia wanting to get a piece of legislation passed that will give them a lot of control. UK and USA trying to stop this happening.
There are also Irish connections.
A quick paced thriller.
January 26, 2022
As expected a very fast paced page turner, I am familiar with most of the characters so for me I know what to anticipate. The death of Hannah Bernstein was unexpected and her killers paying was a major part of the story.
June 8, 2023
Really enjoyed the book. Since I've been reading Higgins book out of order, it was great to see what happened to Berstein. Characters are interesting; lots of twist and turns, but then, I really like Higgins writing style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews