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JM Mystery-thriller #2A
Ascension Day Part 1 of 2
When DEATH is your only hope...
Ascension Day is the most exciting and compelling death-row thriller since
The Shawshank Redemption
** NOTE **
Ascension Day #1 is part of a two-book set. Book #1 has a build up of characters and events with some issues resolved and ends on a cliffhanger. However, Book #2 is required for the full resolution and climax on all issues.
Book #1 is approx 235 pages and Book #2 approx 340 pages. Both parts #1 and #2 are available on Kindle.
Ascension Day #1:
Only 47 days left until Larry Durrant's execution, but lawyer Lac McElroy is determined to save his client's life.
There are only three small the evidence against Durrant is overwhelming, he's made a full confession, and he wants to die...
But Jac's hungry to make his mark and he knows something just isn't right about Larry Durrant's murder conviction. Trouble is, everyone thinks Larry's guilty, from the Louisiana Governor right down to the accused, who has confessed to the crime and now wants to make peace with his maker.
Jac soon discovers that someone doesn't want anyone — especially a lawyer — digging around this case. And they'll stop at nothing to make sure Larry's execution goes ahead on schedule. Now Jac must decide whether he's prepared to risk his career, his reputation and his life to save a man who, by his own admission, is a murderer . . .
'Matthews certainly knows how to keep the reader hungry for the next revelation'.
- Kirkus UK.
Ascension Day is like a narcotic, laced with danger, and totally
addictive. Impossible to put down. This is what thrillers are meant to
be. Jac McElroy is a character I want to read more of.
- Jon Jordan. Crime Spree Magazine.
Goes to the wire... a gripping thriller.
- The Scotsman.
'Move over Grisham, your reign is over! Reminiscent of vintage Grisham, but Matthews has his own distinctive style. Strong, believable characters and a plot that grips from page one and won't let go, twisting and turning its way towards a nail-biting climax - they don't come much better than this. One of the best and most memorable thrillers I've read in years. A winner all the way.'
- Bob Burke. Mystery Readers International.
John Matthews is a leading British thriller writer. His books span genres of crime, action, mystery and legal-thriller and Basikasingo, Crescents of the Moon, Past Imperfect, The Last Witness, The Second Amendment, Ascension Day, The Shadow Chaser, Blind School and The Prophet.
They have been translated into 12 languages with total sales of 1.2 million. In 2007, Past Imperfect was included in a top ten all-time best legal thrillers list in The Times. He was one of only two British authors in the list.
Ascension Day is the most exciting and compelling death-row thriller since
The Shawshank Redemption
** NOTE **
Ascension Day #1 is part of a two-book set. Book #1 has a build up of characters and events with some issues resolved and ends on a cliffhanger. However, Book #2 is required for the full resolution and climax on all issues.
Book #1 is approx 235 pages and Book #2 approx 340 pages. Both parts #1 and #2 are available on Kindle.
Ascension Day #1:
Only 47 days left until Larry Durrant's execution, but lawyer Lac McElroy is determined to save his client's life.
There are only three small the evidence against Durrant is overwhelming, he's made a full confession, and he wants to die...
But Jac's hungry to make his mark and he knows something just isn't right about Larry Durrant's murder conviction. Trouble is, everyone thinks Larry's guilty, from the Louisiana Governor right down to the accused, who has confessed to the crime and now wants to make peace with his maker.
Jac soon discovers that someone doesn't want anyone — especially a lawyer — digging around this case. And they'll stop at nothing to make sure Larry's execution goes ahead on schedule. Now Jac must decide whether he's prepared to risk his career, his reputation and his life to save a man who, by his own admission, is a murderer . . .
'Matthews certainly knows how to keep the reader hungry for the next revelation'.
- Kirkus UK.
Ascension Day is like a narcotic, laced with danger, and totally
addictive. Impossible to put down. This is what thrillers are meant to
be. Jac McElroy is a character I want to read more of.
- Jon Jordan. Crime Spree Magazine.
Goes to the wire... a gripping thriller.
- The Scotsman.
'Move over Grisham, your reign is over! Reminiscent of vintage Grisham, but Matthews has his own distinctive style. Strong, believable characters and a plot that grips from page one and won't let go, twisting and turning its way towards a nail-biting climax - they don't come much better than this. One of the best and most memorable thrillers I've read in years. A winner all the way.'
- Bob Burke. Mystery Readers International.
John Matthews is a leading British thriller writer. His books span genres of crime, action, mystery and legal-thriller and Basikasingo, Crescents of the Moon, Past Imperfect, The Last Witness, The Second Amendment, Ascension Day, The Shadow Chaser, Blind School and The Prophet.
They have been translated into 12 languages with total sales of 1.2 million. In 2007, Past Imperfect was included in a top ten all-time best legal thrillers list in The Times. He was one of only two British authors in the list.
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2012
50 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 8, 2015
Ascension Day - Part 1 is a free book on either Kindle or Nook. In this first part, characters are set up, there is a lot of action and some issues are resolved.
This legal thriller is every bit as good as the best of John Grisham.
The hero is young defense attorney who has made the jump from a good career in Corporate law to being a rookie in a large New Orleans criminal defense firm, consequently he is given the "un-winnables" and other cases for which the Senior and Junior partners don't want to dirty their hands.
This case definitely qualifies. This is a Capital Murder case and the first appeal was a total defeat because, a) there is an eye witness, b) the defendant has confessed and the confession has been confirmed by a Psychiatrist through hypnosis. C) DNA evidence on the defendant's clothing found at the defendant's home (blood drops from the victim) makes the final connection. And D) after 11 years on Death Row, the defendant is ready to die. He doesn't even want to file a final appeal.
The only slight hesitation I had in giving this a solid 5 Star rating is
That the book is written by a Brit, so be alert for the extra "u's" in words like neighbourhood and the "y" in "tyre".
A knowledge of European life philosophy vs American life philosophy is also handy.
"Ascension Day Part 2" is where the pace picks up to blistering and will keep you in your favorite reading spot for maybe a day. I took my Nook to the table and read through meals and took it with me when taking care of the "necessities". At 110,000+ words, it took me a solid four hours to read at my WPM cruising speed of 500-600 WPM.
Part 1 and Part 2 are available separately or combined.
With Matthews giving Part 1 away at no charge and a nominal $2.99 fee for Part 2, I STRONGLY Recommend getting them separately. The combined edition sells for $4.99. Individually you only spend $2.99. I like being able to keep my $2.00 to spend on another book.
BTW, all of Matthews books are sold in this manner, so if the first part of a book doesn't whet your interest, you can just drop it and not be out of pocket for any $$$.
This legal thriller is every bit as good as the best of John Grisham.
The hero is young defense attorney who has made the jump from a good career in Corporate law to being a rookie in a large New Orleans criminal defense firm, consequently he is given the "un-winnables" and other cases for which the Senior and Junior partners don't want to dirty their hands.
This case definitely qualifies. This is a Capital Murder case and the first appeal was a total defeat because, a) there is an eye witness, b) the defendant has confessed and the confession has been confirmed by a Psychiatrist through hypnosis. C) DNA evidence on the defendant's clothing found at the defendant's home (blood drops from the victim) makes the final connection. And D) after 11 years on Death Row, the defendant is ready to die. He doesn't even want to file a final appeal.
The only slight hesitation I had in giving this a solid 5 Star rating is
That the book is written by a Brit, so be alert for the extra "u's" in words like neighbourhood and the "y" in "tyre".
A knowledge of European life philosophy vs American life philosophy is also handy.
"Ascension Day Part 2" is where the pace picks up to blistering and will keep you in your favorite reading spot for maybe a day. I took my Nook to the table and read through meals and took it with me when taking care of the "necessities". At 110,000+ words, it took me a solid four hours to read at my WPM cruising speed of 500-600 WPM.
Part 1 and Part 2 are available separately or combined.
With Matthews giving Part 1 away at no charge and a nominal $2.99 fee for Part 2, I STRONGLY Recommend getting them separately. The combined edition sells for $4.99. Individually you only spend $2.99. I like being able to keep my $2.00 to spend on another book.
BTW, all of Matthews books are sold in this manner, so if the first part of a book doesn't whet your interest, you can just drop it and not be out of pocket for any $$$.
March 20, 2016
Good book, well written. Not crazy about the cliff-hanger ending which requires you to buy 2nd book to finally get to the ending. I cared enough about Jac, Larry and Josh to get the next book, but felt manipulated. I looked at some of this authors books and this looks like his MO. Sad to say I won't be buying anymore, don't like feeling manipulated.
January 11, 2014
Disjointed and confusing
Too many characters, not enough character development. No closure offered without reading the second book, which I won't be doing.
Too many characters, not enough character development. No closure offered without reading the second book, which I won't be doing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews