Licensed to Thrill: Volume 1

Jess Kimball Thriller

by Diane Capri

Licensed to Thrill: Volume 1 (Boxed Set) contains the full text of one novel, three short stories and bonus materials:

Don't Know Jack : Jack Reacher, friend or enemy? Hunting Jack Reacher is a dangerous business, as FBI Special Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar quickly find out. Otto and Gaspar are by-the-book hunters who know when it's necessary to break the rules, but they Don't Know Jack. Do you?

Jack In A Box : After Margrave, Otto and Gaspar tried to take a weekend break, but Jack Reacher had out of the box plans. Where do Otto and Gaspar turn next?

Jack and Kill : FBI Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar get a lead on Jack Reacher. New Hope, Virginia, welcomed him yesterday. What trouble does he find there and who will end up dead?

Bonus! - Licensed to Thrill: A Diane Capri Sampler: Contains the full text of Diane’s Bestselling short story Fatal Enemy , hefty samples you can't get anywhere else without buying the books for all of Diane’s novels; Behind the Books scoop, original interviews with Lee Child, and more!

Enjoy great characters, mystery, suspense, thrills, a few laughs, and loads of atmosphere that will leave you wanting more!

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon, Detective, Action

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

Bestselling author Diane Capri is a recovering lawyer. She’s a snowbird who divides her time between Florida and Michigan. An active member of Mystery Writers of America, Author’s Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime, she loves to hear from readers and is hard at work on her next novel.

Connect with her online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/@DianeCapri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-...

Here’s the Long version, if you’re looking for more info:

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author Diane Capri’s work is what the #1 worldwide publishing phenomenon Lee Child calls “Full of thrills and tension, but smart and human, too.” Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award-winning MWA Past President, says: “Expertise shines on every page.” And Library Journal raves: “….offers tense legal drama with courtroom overtones, twisty plots, and loads of atmosphere. Recommended.”

Diane’s new Jess Kimball series kicked off with Fatal Distraction, opening as the #3 Bestselling Legal Thriller, behind John Grisham. Diane’s new Hunt for Jack Reacher series began with Don’t Know Jack, which garnered #1 Bestseller spots on Mystery, Hard-boiled Mystery, Police Procedural, Women Sleuths, and Legal Thriller lists both in the U.S. and U.K. Don’t Know Jack was followed by two bestselling short stories in the Hunt for Jack Reacher series, Jack in a Box and Jack and Kill. Diane’s Judge Wilhelmina Carson mysteries were praised by Romantic Times and garnered the coveted “Top Pick.” Diane’s savvy, spunky character, attorney Jennifer Lane, stars in her own romantic suspense series, which kicks off with Annabelle’s Attack.

Diane is the past Executive Vice President of International Thriller Writers, past member of the Board of the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and active in Sisters in Crime and other writing organizations. She comes to writing after a successful legal career and is married to her college sweetheart. She loves her nomadic snowbird existence preferring perpetual summer migrating from Florida to Michigan each year.

Diane says she writes mystery and suspense for the same reason she reads: to find out what happens, why people do what they do, and how to bring justice to an unjust world.Her books are translated in twenty territories. Diane loves to hear from readers. Contact her at: DianeCapri.com/Contact to receive notice of new releases, subscribe to Diane’s blog, or simply connect with her.

Reviews

[David Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a fraud. I was very disappointed. I am a Jack Reacher fan and I expected more than only his name being mentioned a few times in each chapter. He was also miscategorised which I found annoying. The pair of Agents had many adventures but they were unbelievable. Anyone who has ever worked in Government knows that travel budgets are not bottomless. This pair traveled all over the USA without consulting anyone and the idea that they were able to just jump on a jet to Geneva was ludicrous.

The second story followed the same idea of mentioning Reacher by name but it did go a step further; there was a big man in the shadows. This time however he was supported by big security agencies. So not Jack Reacher.

The third story had a big person who the Agents decided was Reacher killing a road rager. A waste of paper if the book was printed.

I will stick to Lee Childs for my next Jack Reacher update.

[Liz Warwick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel the writer is using Jack Reacher's name to draw in an existing pool of readers.

This is a book that could have been good enough to stand on its own. The Reacher usage seems like a lazy way to grab a lot of readers for no purpose other than to make money. Won't be reading any more. Won't be reading any more of Lee Child either sadly, as he seems happy to pimp out his brainchild to anyone (just think Tom Cruise).

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this to be a very confusing read it was all over the board, new characters introduced without enough explanation. Although I found the writing style interesting and I finished reading the book I am still not sure what I read. Basically had nothing to do with Jack Reacher just a rip off to get you to buy the book.

[Gerald Kubicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sexy FBI agent is hunting for Jack Reacher, but there seems to be many other things going on here. Gets a little confusing as you attempt to identify the bad guy. They never find Reacher, but maybe that's the plan.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor at best. When I buy or read a book I expect an ending. This book was confusing and disjoint. I kept reading because I expected an end. It did not happen. Stuff popped up that had no explanation. It ends with sort of a "buy more of my books and maybe there will be an ending and maybe not." No thanks. I am done with this author. I'll read a Lee Child book if I want to read anything about Jack Reacher.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Moving Adventure Mystery

I know Jack Reacher. You do, too. What an adventure. Those that know Jack protect him. Those that don’t don’t. Otto & Gaspar are learning that both sides will fill their FBI file. Will they know the real Jack (none) Reacher and will they protect him, too?

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Know Jack
Detroit, MI. FBI SA Kim L. Otto (Asian, SPTF) was headed to Atlanta, GA.
She had been given 4 files: FBI SA Carlos M. Gaspar (44, Cuban, SPTF, Miami, FL.), Beverly Trent (nee Roscoe), Lamont Finlay (Trinidad, PhD, Harvard), & Jack Reacher (retired US Army Major, sniper, WestPoint).
Margrave, GA. FBI SA Otto & FBI SA Gaspar stopped in to see Chief Beverly Roscoe (Margrave PD).
Sergeant Harry Black (husband, Margrave PD) was shot/killed by his wife Sylvia Black (2nd. wife, secretary, nee Kent).
L. Mark Newton is Silvia’s attorney.
What was found at the car bomb scene?
Why had a GHP Aviation Unit UH-1H Huey landed on Harry’s front lawn?

Jack in a Box
Frankenmuth, WI. FBI SA Kim L. Otto, went to see her Grandma Louisa Otto. She was in very poor health.
Next stop for her to see Susan Duffy (DEA, Houston, TX.).
Jack & Kill
Will FBI SA Otto & FBI SA Gaspar find Jack?

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.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written crime 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 great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; AugustBooks; ebookstage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Russell Stickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story for thriller lovers

Great characters in this very suspenseful opener. Really enjoyed getting to know the main players in this cat and mouse search for Jack Reacher. Looking forward to reading the series.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

As uninformed at the end as at the beginning.

After reading You Don’t Know Jack, I decided not to spend any more time on this series. There were lots of good things about the writing and the plot and the characters. Unfortunately, there was one negative thing that killed the story and the series for me... I couldn’t understand what was really going on from beginning to end! Too much innuendo, guesswork motivations, and elaborate unspecified personal plots. Felt like the Emperor’s new clothes. Still hardly clear on who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. No clue about why protagonists were sent into the fray nor what the big mysterious plan behind the scenes was. Must be written for FBI insiders - James Comey et al?

[Aravind · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like everyone else, Jack Reacher's name attracted me to this collection of three stories, one of novel length and a couple of far shorter ones. In fact, these stories just feel like three chapters of a novel which is under construction and which will get finished God-knows-when. Jack Reacher doesn't make an appearance in this book as anything more than just a name taken by various people with varying emotions or a shadow, or an image in some surveillance footage. The novel doesn't work even as a standalone story as there are many gaps left wide open by the author.
In short, this collection leaves the reader feeling sort of cheated in spite of having an interesting concept.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like the writing. Felt like Diane was writing to best buddy Lee instead of just writing a story.
Maybe it was my imagination but there were a couple times I felt like what was written was something just the two of them understood about Reacher and the story line. Maybe I should have read a lot more of the Reacher books first, perhaps this would have made her writing resonate better for me.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a Lee Child/Jack Reacher fan. I was excited to find these new books featuring
Jack Reacher. However, I was very disappointed in the ending of the first book. I was very surprised to find that the second “book” picked up where the first one ended. To me, these are not separate books in a series, but rather separate chapters being sold as a book and I am angry that I have a o buy this book a chapter at a time. A book should stand alone, even if it’s part of a series. These “books” do not.

[Bryce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this thinking that is was three books. Book one was 74% of the set. Book two and three were short stories at best. I was disappointed at that. The series has potential but it really isn't about Jack Reacher.

[Don McKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay

Didn't keep me interested. Barely made it through. Not really another 12 words to bother. D d d d duh

[Savsandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack Defines Justice: Kim Otto Still Doesn’t Get It

In “Licensed to Thrill 1” author Diane Capri’s plot premise is flawed from its beginning, in the Hunt for Jack Reacher Series Thrillers Books 1 - 3, where it slowly unravels at the feet of her primary protagonist, FBI Agent Kim Otto and her new (one time only?) partner Carlos Gaspar. They’re given vague instructions by
a shadowy “boss” in the storied FBI building that includes creating a file on Reacher. They’re to accomplish this feat sans the bureau’s help from its official resources. How? Maybe wave their magic wands to make them appear? Seems when Reacher officially separated from the U.S. Army sixteen years ago, he ceased to exist, at least on paper. Even his fingerprints had been scrubbed from his records.

Well. As all Reacher fans know, that’s his doing and his reason for it is simple. The army has guided his every move from birth to separation and now he no longer has to answer to anyone about his comings and goings and he treasures that freedom.

However, Otto and Gaspar know nothing of Reacher and what little of him is revealed throughout this three book series couldn’t fill a thimble. Since they begin with a flawed premise they waste a lot of time, energy and resources trying to make their “facts” fit and wind up with what amounts to a jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces. None of which made much sense along the way. By the end, I was tired of them trying to make their flawed logic fit and sorely disappointed to catch no more than a quick glimpse of our beloved Reacher. IMHO, Diane Capri is simply trading on Lee Child’s success and not doing even that very well. Oh well. Lesson learned. Two stingy stars.

[Nancy Hudson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this to see what it was about. Lee Child has allowed others to use the character of Jack Reacher in their books and that’s fine but other than stealing the setting of the first Reacher novel, this story had zero to do with Reacher. Any reference to Reacher was imbued with falsehoods which others did not really care to correct and that was frustrating. The story started out really well though and I thought it would have an interesting ending but I was wrong. The story made no sense in its entirety and Capri had a hard time laying it out in an understandable manner. The story jumps all over the place and I couldn’t understand why two FBI agents were even sent on this mission in the first place. The guy who sent them was some secretive FBI Charley’s Angels type character (also named Charlie who seemed to have a crystal ball and knew everything they did even before they did it!) If I had been one of these agents once I found out what was really going on I would have been seriously pissed off. He put their lives in danger over and over. Lots of plot holes, lack of resolution in some parts…just ludicrous. Very disappointing. If there was a real Jack Reacher I think he would be pissed too.

I wanted to and then I read the two short stories following the novella and they were worse than the novella. I honestly don’t know why Lee Child allowed this author to write this nonsense. She’s not even a good writer. Her words are confusing, dialogue is inane and Jack Reacher is lost in the shuffle. Just no.

[Frank Kelso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Reacher. Kudos to Diane Capri for "novel" way to piggyback on a well-known author's success. (And kudos to Lee Child for acknowledging her and allowing her to use the Reacher character in her book.) Kim and Otto are a mismatched (and Improbable) pair of FBI agents going nowhere in their FBI "career," until a cryptic phone call from the Supreme Leader in the Hoover Bldg (you can tell my thoughts of FBI and it's senior leadership are NOT positive, and the author must share my view of FBI corruption, given her portrayal of FBI leadership in her novel.)
On the surface Kim and Otto are to find Jack nmi Reacher in Georgia and be on scene by 10 AM the next morning. As the dead bodies pile up, Kim and Otto fly around tracking leads in the form of bodies searching for Reacher and how he connects to the nationwide mayhem.
Did I mention Kim has a fear of flying? or Otto, injured on duty earlier, is supposed to be on light-duty and can barely walk, let alone cover his partner, Kim??
I enjoyed the book. It's is well-written, fast-paced, and entertaining.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!

I am a big Reacher fan and started reading this trilogy because of that. Before long I was as big an Otto and Gaspar fan. They are FBI agents assigned to stay under the radar and find Jack Reacher. Instead they find the town where his brother was murdered and got involved in the same fifteen year old crimes Joe Reacher was investigating...and here I thought Jack Reacher had solved them. Following that they go to D.C. where they run into Reacher's DEA friend. Then they go to Virginia and get involved in the former Vice President's grandson's kidnapping. Many complex plots, lots of action and great characters. And Reacher continually in the background. We fans know Reacher and Otto and Gaspar are learning to know him. Fun reading!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join the Hunt!

If you love Jack Reacher books, you'll love this series about two FBI agents, Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar, assigned by their shadowy boss, to build a file on the elusive retired Army veteran. Diane Capri's novel approach complement's Lee Child's out standing series, giving us an alternative view of Jack, what an "outsider" might see following in his wake. She also gives us a look at the aftermath of Reacher's escapades, often long after the dust has settled. If you haven't read the Jack Reacher books, not to worry, you can read the hunt books as stand alone books. But if you want the inside track, you should read both! If you like action/adventure novels with a touch of mystery, you have to get to know Jack, and his pursuers, Otto, and Gaspar!

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agents Kim Otto and Carlos Gaspar are assigned to find Ex-Army Jack Reacher. No one has told them why, but like good little agents, they are going to do their best. With incomplete Army records other than an honorable discharge, Jack Reacher is off the grid. Records that are supposed to be kept are missing or incomplete before 1997, and nothing except rumors afterwards.

This is a fun set of stories, the first being the best as it is a full novel. The other two stories, although just novella's and not nearly as satisfying. Are still well written, and if you look hard enough, you may find some clues in them.

[John Vonhof · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Jack Reacher fan and read many of his books. I love the excitement and action. This book, Licensed to Thrill, by Diane Capri, is an excellent companion series of books about what happens to Jack Reacher between the stories in the actual Reacher series. Ms. Capri does a great job of drawing readers into the search for Reacher by two FBI Special Agents Otto and Gaspar. Will they be successful? Why are they searching for him? Is he really a killer? Why does he kill? During their search, they face many obstacles and people who are out to get them. The story is believable and full of twists and turns. I'll read more in this series.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is made up of three parts. The first one is the actual stand alone book about agents looking for Jack Reacher. There’s quite a bit of drama, unexplained reasons why things are going the way they are, and two agents not really knowing exactly what they’re to do. The second short story continues and they’re working only on finding Reacher. The third (and most boring to me) part has them going to a small town, typical of one Reacher might stop at, and it ends quickly, leaving you dangling. Hopefully the next book will help tie things together. The actual book is very Reacher like and worth putting up with the rest of it.

[LucyMayBR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. What a waste of time. The book is so disjointed. And it is NOT 3 books. Maybe one short book and two novellas or short stories. Unfortunately there is no suspense or conclusion. Characters are not well developed at all. Some characters appear out of nowhere and disappear never to be seen again. Example: Her cousin that was in the military . . . and what happened to grandma. Did she die? etc. etc. etc. Pretty bad stuff. Maybe I should have given it one star but I was trying to be nice.

[beverly barker · Rating 2 out of 5]

hummmmmm. When starting this i thought it was great, revisiting Jacks old haunts and finding out what happened after he left town. The first book does that quite well, but then the first town JR ripped apart was an interesting plot to revisit. Sadly the books do not really have a plot of their own. The rational for trying to track down Jack is thin - the man at the end of the phone! The lead investigator and her sidekick are very shallow and the technique of building character by repeating certain traits is too limited - an why does she dislike him so much? - we all love him.

[Keith Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A taste of things to come

This is just a taste of the whole story. It builds up as it moves forward and the mysterious character of the former honourably discharged army soldier seems to be hidden in a mountain of disappeared data which some senior government official is purloining much to the chagrin of the two FBI agents. Well worth reading the whole series of books by Diane Capri.

[John Anthamatten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew there were seven books in this series so I didn't think there would be any sort of conclusion. i really enjoyed the read but I gave it 4 stars because it was difficult to keep up with who's-who among all the super-duper higher ups that seem to know everything before it happens. Big question is, and maybe I missed it, just who wants to know where Reacher is and why? I probably will read # 4 and maybe more when I get caught up on 6 others I am currently reading.

[Mairi Krausse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jack Reacher!

I love Jack Reacher and all books that involve him, such as this one. Two FBI agents are sent to locate Jack, but as all his fans know, this is easier said than done. The struggling hunt and tracking of Jack is very exciting and entertaining, keeping me enthralled for the entire day that was required to read this. Plus, this version contains two short stories about the hunt for Jack also. Very good book!

[Jim Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A never ending series

What more could you ask for in a series. Two authors who have the same character. Both writers almost equally gifted in suspense. I'm not sure where to begin and how long to stay on board. However, Kim Otto is a great character and a perfect partner woth Gaspar. These stories are really spellbinding. I hope you enjoy the fast pace a suspense as well as I.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another side of the Reacher tales

I just finished the first 3 books of this series and truly was spellbound by the author's writing style. I really didn't care for the way Reacher is portrayed as a bad guy though. I am a fan of the partnership of Otto and Gaspar and would like to see them work other cases and get off this one! I am a fan of the books by Lee Chi!d on Jack Reacher and maybe a fan of Diane Capri's books as well except for the Reacher portrayal.

[Ted Pasek · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the World

These three thrillers are interesting & fast packed. The FBI partners seem like "Mission Impossible" characters who get these strange calls to leave a crime scene, then to go from small town to exotic European locations. I found those somewhat disjointed, as they followed clues or did what they were told to do. Yes, strange. The two novellas, books 2 & 3 did not add much.