What do you think?
Rate this book
John Milton #2
Saint Death
Librarian’s note: This is a previously-published edition of
Kindle ASIN: B00EZQ2BZC.
John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.
He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.
But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done.
Kindle ASIN: B00EZQ2BZC.
John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.
He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.
But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2013
4303 people are currently reading
1366 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,848 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
January 31, 2023
*Pulse Racing*
‼️Triggers - Gruesome Murders‼️
John Milton is still trying to evade “Command” who is in hot water after his last agent he sent after John failed and that agent came back the worse for wear. Now after 6 months John is in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico working as a cook in run of the mill restaurant. The pace seems a little slow but the area is rife with The Cartel who have been committing heinous crimes and as they have many of the law enforcement and heads of companies and more in their pockets, their crimes go unpunished.
There is a journalist who is trying to expose them and one of the things the Cartel hate is being written about in the press negatively. She manages to get a young escaped victim to meet her with her fellow writer in a restaurant. The very restaurant that you guessed it where John is working. Trouble follows him everywhere!!
As the trio sit having dinner and talking the young girls face disappears as the diners all hit the deck as the cartel have come to add to their kill lists. While everyone tries to hide John runs towards trouble. He slides across the restaurant floor throws a butterfly knife and he hits its target and he saves the journalist’s life who sustains a minor gunshot wound the trio are now one.
While this is going on a Mexican cop days away from retiring has been keeping his head down and letting things go unpunished. He is at the scene as one of the cartel aims at him and he freezes while watching the gun in slow motion. Milton acts and he comes to life and realises John is more than a cook.
We see the ramifications of John’s mistake of being fingerprinted with one of Command’s top analyst’s tracking him down. Will they capture him as John faces the cartel and he gets into a near death situation and one thing about John, is when all is lost and you think that is the end of him, as he “utters we can do this the easy way or the hard way” as they laugh thinking they have the upper hand, he always keeps his promises, underestimate him at your own cost…..
I found it hard to put down, definitely not a bedtime read.
‼️Triggers - Gruesome Murders‼️
John Milton is still trying to evade “Command” who is in hot water after his last agent he sent after John failed and that agent came back the worse for wear. Now after 6 months John is in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico working as a cook in run of the mill restaurant. The pace seems a little slow but the area is rife with The Cartel who have been committing heinous crimes and as they have many of the law enforcement and heads of companies and more in their pockets, their crimes go unpunished.
There is a journalist who is trying to expose them and one of the things the Cartel hate is being written about in the press negatively. She manages to get a young escaped victim to meet her with her fellow writer in a restaurant. The very restaurant that you guessed it where John is working. Trouble follows him everywhere!!
As the trio sit having dinner and talking the young girls face disappears as the diners all hit the deck as the cartel have come to add to their kill lists. While everyone tries to hide John runs towards trouble. He slides across the restaurant floor throws a butterfly knife and he hits its target and he saves the journalist’s life who sustains a minor gunshot wound the trio are now one.
While this is going on a Mexican cop days away from retiring has been keeping his head down and letting things go unpunished. He is at the scene as one of the cartel aims at him and he freezes while watching the gun in slow motion. Milton acts and he comes to life and realises John is more than a cook.
We see the ramifications of John’s mistake of being fingerprinted with one of Command’s top analyst’s tracking him down. Will they capture him as John faces the cartel and he gets into a near death situation and one thing about John, is when all is lost and you think that is the end of him, as he “utters we can do this the easy way or the hard way” as they laugh thinking they have the upper hand, he always keeps his promises, underestimate him at your own cost…..
I found it hard to put down, definitely not a bedtime read.
May 14, 2023
Well, Saint Death is the second in the John Milton series by Mark Dawson, and I did not read the first However, this is quite a fast-paced crime novel, centered on the drug cartels in Mexico. While Milton is British he has found his way to Mexico by disappearing off the grid. A top-level spy an assassin for a secret division in the British military, Milton quit and disappeared...... I can only assume the reason was the plot line of the first book.
The action in Mexico reads like any other drug cartel/narco novel plot line. Good guys are seemingly in an unwinnable position versus bad guys that have corrupt politicians and police in their pockets. Shootouts, border crossings, cartel rivalries, nothing new here but the plot extends passed this. The British can't allow a former operative like Milton, who knows so many secrets, simply vanish. They want him back. The Soviets know he is missing and they want him too, and as for Milton, he wants to be left alone but of course, that can't happen.
Unfortunately, I read the second book first so I have missed the background but the ending in this one leaves a lot to be desired. The plot lines all converge towards the end but only one is clearly solved, and perhaps a little too easily, given the dangers of the surrounding drug war. The rest are left as loose ends. I know this is typical in a series but generally, things get tidied up and another event happens in the next book. With Saint Death it feels as though it has been written as one book of 1000+ pages and then just neatly divided into three parts without care for resolutions.
Still a good thriller, just suggest you read the first book, The Cleaner, first
The action in Mexico reads like any other drug cartel/narco novel plot line. Good guys are seemingly in an unwinnable position versus bad guys that have corrupt politicians and police in their pockets. Shootouts, border crossings, cartel rivalries, nothing new here but the plot extends passed this. The British can't allow a former operative like Milton, who knows so many secrets, simply vanish. They want him back. The Soviets know he is missing and they want him too, and as for Milton, he wants to be left alone but of course, that can't happen.
Unfortunately, I read the second book first so I have missed the background but the ending in this one leaves a lot to be desired. The plot lines all converge towards the end but only one is clearly solved, and perhaps a little too easily, given the dangers of the surrounding drug war. The rest are left as loose ends. I know this is typical in a series but generally, things get tidied up and another event happens in the next book. With Saint Death it feels as though it has been written as one book of 1000+ pages and then just neatly divided into three parts without care for resolutions.
Still a good thriller, just suggest you read the first book, The Cleaner, first
June 11, 2021
This is a series that will appeal to fans of Lee Child. John Milton is ex-special forces and a former operative of British intelligence. Now he wants out and it is not that easy to walk away from that type of work.
Int his second book, he is in the backwaters of Mexico and finds himself taking on a large drug cartel. Santa Muerte ( Saint Death) is the psychopathic son of El Pàtron, a sort of Mexican godfather. He has a taste for young girls who he tortures then dumps their bodies. Caterina is a journalist who is trying to expose the cartel and get international media attention. She is now an enemy of the cartel and Milton feels obliged to help her.
Once you are in it is hard to put down. A lot of action and seemingly impossible situations and all while Miltons former employer is closing the loop on finding him.
Int his second book, he is in the backwaters of Mexico and finds himself taking on a large drug cartel. Santa Muerte ( Saint Death) is the psychopathic son of El Pàtron, a sort of Mexican godfather. He has a taste for young girls who he tortures then dumps their bodies. Caterina is a journalist who is trying to expose the cartel and get international media attention. She is now an enemy of the cartel and Milton feels obliged to help her.
Once you are in it is hard to put down. A lot of action and seemingly impossible situations and all while Miltons former employer is closing the loop on finding him.
August 29, 2022
This is my first experience of Mark Dawson and I can imagine this book being turned into a movie featuring Van Diesel or Jason Statham. It is leave your brains at the door sort of stuff and just go with the flow. There is a troubled good guy and some pretty evil bad ones who get their comeuppance. Fast passed and a pretty quick easy read if not a particularly believable one.
May 21, 2016
The second fuller length novel about John Milton. In this series we have learned that although the best at what he does, Milton has had enough of killing for his government and he wants out.
Unfortunately retirement in this line of work means something completely different as Milton falls off the grid to sort out his demons.
Going on the run after narrowly getting out alive he turns up in this book working his way up South America. Control his equivalent of M to Bond but seemingly more ruthless remains concerned that if Milton has gone rougue he knows too much so he needs to be found before a foreign agency captures him.
Unbeknown to London, Moscow has matters in hand to find Milton first.
Another totally engrossing novel that thrills throughout. Milton is going through a bit of a "mid-life" crisis, still not drinking alcohol and realising perhaps even when he tries to do good, he is often toxic and brings death and destruction to people he gets close to in life.
Getting close to the Mexican / USA border he rocks up into perhaps the most violent of towns in Mexico; totally lawless, corrupt and ruled by the drug cartels.
Mark Dawson writes a complex story from different perspectives but it all focuses on Milton and you know if you are not with him then you are potentially his enemy. If you cross him you better kill him when you have your best chance as he doesn't make threats without the real intention of seeing it through.
He is loyal and dependable but he remains a clinical assassin you know as matters build to a dangerous finale, Milton will come out on top. The author brilliantly brings all the strands fittingly to an action filled climax and we are set up for this great series to roll on in some form or other.
The writing is well considered, the violence is realistic and Milton has a way of being both current and cutting edge. In this way you have a modern working of the lone agent in the field and a name in Mark Dawson that guarantees good and exciting fiction.
Unfortunately retirement in this line of work means something completely different as Milton falls off the grid to sort out his demons.
Going on the run after narrowly getting out alive he turns up in this book working his way up South America. Control his equivalent of M to Bond but seemingly more ruthless remains concerned that if Milton has gone rougue he knows too much so he needs to be found before a foreign agency captures him.
Unbeknown to London, Moscow has matters in hand to find Milton first.
Another totally engrossing novel that thrills throughout. Milton is going through a bit of a "mid-life" crisis, still not drinking alcohol and realising perhaps even when he tries to do good, he is often toxic and brings death and destruction to people he gets close to in life.
Getting close to the Mexican / USA border he rocks up into perhaps the most violent of towns in Mexico; totally lawless, corrupt and ruled by the drug cartels.
Mark Dawson writes a complex story from different perspectives but it all focuses on Milton and you know if you are not with him then you are potentially his enemy. If you cross him you better kill him when you have your best chance as he doesn't make threats without the real intention of seeing it through.
He is loyal and dependable but he remains a clinical assassin you know as matters build to a dangerous finale, Milton will come out on top. The author brilliantly brings all the strands fittingly to an action filled climax and we are set up for this great series to roll on in some form or other.
The writing is well considered, the violence is realistic and Milton has a way of being both current and cutting edge. In this way you have a modern working of the lone agent in the field and a name in Mark Dawson that guarantees good and exciting fiction.
July 15, 2019
1.5 Stars - awful
(Included in Kindle Unlimited library)
I had read that this book #2 was better than the previous. But, no. Dawson takes his time painting the main characters with excessive detail. The pacing is awful. Then the action and main plot kick in and you hope it's worth the investment so far.
It's not. There are so many plot holes and stupid behaviour, I've just given up on Dawson completely.
At a gun show, John gets a tool:
Springfield Tactical .45 auto
Full size image here
Anna's bike of choice: Triumph Thruxton
Full size image here
Beaux's rifle, Weatherby Mark V Deluxe
Full size image here
.
(Included in Kindle Unlimited library)
I had read that this book #2 was better than the previous. But, no. Dawson takes his time painting the main characters with excessive detail. The pacing is awful. Then the action and main plot kick in and you hope it's worth the investment so far.
It's not. There are so many plot holes and stupid behaviour, I've just given up on Dawson completely.
At a gun show, John gets a tool:
Springfield Tactical .45 auto
Full size image here
Anna's bike of choice: Triumph Thruxton
Full size image here
Beaux's rifle, Weatherby Mark V Deluxe
Full size image here
.
July 1, 2021
Another good action thriller from Mark Dawson. This offering takes John Milton, an on the run former assassin for the British government, to Ciudad Juarez. While working as a cook in a restaurant, Milton interferes in the attempted murder of two bloggers and a young girl telling her tale of surviving the drug cartel. While two of those are killed in the attack, Milton makes it his personal job to see that the third makes it out of Mexico alive.
As with many good thrillers there are parallel plots involving an honest Juarez cop, a bounty hunter and Milton's former employers who are still trying to kill him.
In The Cleaner, Dawson told the story of the poverty in London's East End. In Saint Death, Dawson weaves the factual disappearances of women that has plagued Juarez over the past few years into his tale.
While reading The Cleaner is not really necessary to enjoy this novel, it does help the reader in understanding why British Intelligence is trying to capture/kill Milton.
As with many good thrillers there are parallel plots involving an honest Juarez cop, a bounty hunter and Milton's former employers who are still trying to kill him.
In The Cleaner, Dawson told the story of the poverty in London's East End. In Saint Death, Dawson weaves the factual disappearances of women that has plagued Juarez over the past few years into his tale.
While reading The Cleaner is not really necessary to enjoy this novel, it does help the reader in understanding why British Intelligence is trying to capture/kill Milton.
March 3, 2022
Fair. Easy enough to read and a bit of a page-turner but the ‘hero’ suffers from a lack of action. May well try the third in the series though….
August 21, 2015
Saint Death is the 2nd full length book in the John Milton series, and to my mind the best one so far. At the end of 'The Cleaner' we saw Milton escaping from the crime ridden East End of London. Now six months later he reappears in South America, for those 6 months Control and Group 15 have been searching for any hint of his location.
Still trying to make amends for his previous 'work', Milton can't stand idly by when a Mexican drug cartel tries to forcibly prevent a journalist from writing about their activities. Aided by an American bounty hunter, and a Mexican policeman (who is reluctant to go up against the drug cartel) Milton sees the only way to save the journalist's life is to smuggle her safely across the border into America. The bounty hunter has his own reasons for getting involved, but do they run parallel or are they at odds with Milton's.
The storyline seems plausible enough, and the seedier side of life is well portrayed. The reader finds out a bit more about Milton's background, from some unlikely sources. There are plenty of twists to the plot to keep the reader guessing, and turning the pages.
Still trying to make amends for his previous 'work', Milton can't stand idly by when a Mexican drug cartel tries to forcibly prevent a journalist from writing about their activities. Aided by an American bounty hunter, and a Mexican policeman (who is reluctant to go up against the drug cartel) Milton sees the only way to save the journalist's life is to smuggle her safely across the border into America. The bounty hunter has his own reasons for getting involved, but do they run parallel or are they at odds with Milton's.
The storyline seems plausible enough, and the seedier side of life is well portrayed. The reader finds out a bit more about Milton's background, from some unlikely sources. There are plenty of twists to the plot to keep the reader guessing, and turning the pages.
December 19, 2019
John Milton has been working his way North from South America. The British are still hunting for him. As are the Russians behind the scenes.
He arrives in Juarez, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Of course, he gets involved with a Mexican journalist that the cartel wants to delete. At the same time, the mafia has sent a bounty hunter to take the son of the Cartel leader.
It all comes together in a suitably explosive ending.
Pretty good stuff. A lot different than the first book.
He arrives in Juarez, one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Of course, he gets involved with a Mexican journalist that the cartel wants to delete. At the same time, the mafia has sent a bounty hunter to take the son of the Cartel leader.
It all comes together in a suitably explosive ending.
Pretty good stuff. A lot different than the first book.
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
October 17, 2017
Review to come ...
Audiobook - 8:24 hours - Narrator: David Thorpe
An OK novel set in Mexico with its drugs cartels, massively wealthy drugs bosses and many, many killings. The storyline was also OK but it was all pretty much predictable and had the novel been a book I may have flicked through a few pages at times, but this is a difficult way to listen to an audiobook.
David Thorpe's narration was very good and his Spanish characterisations sounded pretty authentic, but never having been "south of the border", this is a compliment qualified by ignorance.
I gave up on "John Milton" #1, placing it on my 'try-again' shelf, so I intend to re-load #1, add a couple more and see where this reasonably interesting character takes me.
Audiobook - 8:24 hours - Narrator: David Thorpe
An OK novel set in Mexico with its drugs cartels, massively wealthy drugs bosses and many, many killings. The storyline was also OK but it was all pretty much predictable and had the novel been a book I may have flicked through a few pages at times, but this is a difficult way to listen to an audiobook.
David Thorpe's narration was very good and his Spanish characterisations sounded pretty authentic, but never having been "south of the border", this is a compliment qualified by ignorance.
I gave up on "John Milton" #1, placing it on my 'try-again' shelf, so I intend to re-load #1, add a couple more and see where this reasonably interesting character takes me.
January 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this fast-moving thriller, the second in Mark Dawson's John Milton series. It is the literary equivalent of a Jason Statham movie, and that's not a bad thing - the Stathe is very good at what he does, John Milton is very good at what he does, and Mark Dawson is proving very, very good at what he does.
This time round, Milton, recovering from his 'quitting' the British Secret Service, and his less than successful attempt to help those in need in 'The Cleaner', turns up in Mexico just in time to face off against the Cartel and, all the while, his employers are trying to track him down and possibly 'retire' him for good. This is not the war on drugs epic of Don Winslow but it is not trying to be. It is a breathless thriller, easily the equal of Lee Child (although I admit I find Reacher hard to relate to).
Milton is Bond gone rogue and trying to do the right thing. I loved it and I'm going straight into the third novel, 'The Driver'.
This time round, Milton, recovering from his 'quitting' the British Secret Service, and his less than successful attempt to help those in need in 'The Cleaner', turns up in Mexico just in time to face off against the Cartel and, all the while, his employers are trying to track him down and possibly 'retire' him for good. This is not the war on drugs epic of Don Winslow but it is not trying to be. It is a breathless thriller, easily the equal of Lee Child (although I admit I find Reacher hard to relate to).
Milton is Bond gone rogue and trying to do the right thing. I loved it and I'm going straight into the third novel, 'The Driver'.
October 20, 2015
Several characters are introduced in the beginning: the intrepid journalist; the honest Mexican cop due to retire in five days; the bad guys who are really, really bad members of the drug cartel, and, gradually your continuing character, John Milton, now in Mexico. He’s been traveling light after leaving Britain to hide from his former employers. Throw in an MI5 operative who happens to be a Russian agent and things get complicated when Milton interferes in a cartel hit and gets fingerprinted by the local cops. And then Milton agrees to help an American mercenary deliver the cartel’s leader’s son to his enemies. Things get messy.
I’m glad I stuck with Dawson. This 2nd book in the series is so much better than the first. (There were a couple of proofing errors of content, however.) Make no mistake, this stuff is not literature, so the way the plot develops becomes key and this one is above average.
I’m glad I stuck with Dawson. This 2nd book in the series is so much better than the first. (There were a couple of proofing errors of content, however.) Make no mistake, this stuff is not literature, so the way the plot develops becomes key and this one is above average.
November 5, 2018
The first book in the series (The Cleaner) got me hooked...mainly because I wanted to see how this character continued to play out. He's intriguing to me, finding a conscience after a decade of being a hired killer, and seeking to quiet his all-of-a-sudden guilty conscience. Hmmm...I don't know if that type of personality would ever do an about-face like that, but even tip-toeing around that nearly unbelievable idea, I enjoyed the story.
This is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the action moving and doesn't pay as much attention to
I give the narrator kudos—his impersonations/accents are very good...you know the nationality of the character simply by voice. And his John Milton voice is quite nice...I'm a sucker for a British or Aussie accent!
I’m seeing a bit of Milton’s empathy surfacing....this could get interesting AND might be a fatal flaw...
This is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the action moving and doesn't pay as much attention to
I give the narrator kudos—his impersonations/accents are very good...you know the nationality of the character simply by voice. And his John Milton voice is quite nice...I'm a sucker for a British or Aussie accent!
I’m seeing a bit of Milton’s empathy surfacing....this could get interesting AND might be a fatal flaw...
April 24, 2021
Bit more action than the first book and I did feel like the whole control and MI6 part tied in a bit better. I was a bit disappointed we didn't really see many female characters in the first book, so I was excited to have Catarina and Anna in this one. Catarina on particular was a strong character and I liked that she wasn't just in jt as a romantic interest.
However it did just feel like the author watched a few movies about the Mexican cartel and threw in a bit of that, a bit more research might have made it more authentic.
However it did just feel like the author watched a few movies about the Mexican cartel and threw in a bit of that, a bit more research might have made it more authentic.
September 15, 2020
This is a very well written book and I really enjoyed reading it. A page turner from start to finish and includes mysteries with a Mexican drug cartel, a journalist tracking a story about young girls kidnapped and found dead in the desert, and an ex special forces (British) who went AWOL. Yes, this is a very good read! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
December 20, 2017
I couldn’t wait to read Saint Death after loving The Cleaner. I was wary of whether it would be as good or whether I would enjoy it as much though, after finishing it I think I enjoyed it more than The Cleaner. Mark Dawson has created a fantastic character in Milton and written such a gripping story here and whereas I said The Cleaner was Top Boy in book form, Saint Death is almost like Breaking Bad and Narcos in book form.
Milton is again trying to keep a low profile, this time in Mexico however fate has other plans for him. Milton is a great character and I enjoy reading how he tries to stay one step ahead and keep those in his past from finding where he is. I always wonder how successfully someone could actually fall off the grid and become invisible and Milton does a pretty good job up until one mistake leads those back in the UK to discover where he is. It just shows how one slip up can see you discovered in the middle of nowhere.
Whilst this is a long running series and that obviously indicates that Milton will survive by the end of the story, that’s not to say everybody involved with him will and this is a true adrenaline fuelled read absolutely full of death and destruction but that only serves to add to the story itself, the realism and understand the evilness of some of the characters involved. Mexico is such an intriguing country and the way this part of Mexico operates so close to the US border is fascinating. I can only say that Mark Dawson wrote to me what seemed like a believable story, the cartels being someone you don’t want to get on the wrong side of. That is, unless you’re John Milton then the cartels don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.
As with The Cleaner there were times when certain words resulted in me using the dictionary function and it seemed like Mark had used a thesaurus and chosen the most obscure word on the list but other than that it’s brilliantly written and paced and I couldn’t read the book quick enough, I was picking my Kindle up at every single opportunity because I was loving the story so much. This series is shaping up to be fantastic so far and I can’t wait to continue with it.
Milton is again trying to keep a low profile, this time in Mexico however fate has other plans for him. Milton is a great character and I enjoy reading how he tries to stay one step ahead and keep those in his past from finding where he is. I always wonder how successfully someone could actually fall off the grid and become invisible and Milton does a pretty good job up until one mistake leads those back in the UK to discover where he is. It just shows how one slip up can see you discovered in the middle of nowhere.
Whilst this is a long running series and that obviously indicates that Milton will survive by the end of the story, that’s not to say everybody involved with him will and this is a true adrenaline fuelled read absolutely full of death and destruction but that only serves to add to the story itself, the realism and understand the evilness of some of the characters involved. Mexico is such an intriguing country and the way this part of Mexico operates so close to the US border is fascinating. I can only say that Mark Dawson wrote to me what seemed like a believable story, the cartels being someone you don’t want to get on the wrong side of. That is, unless you’re John Milton then the cartels don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.
As with The Cleaner there were times when certain words resulted in me using the dictionary function and it seemed like Mark had used a thesaurus and chosen the most obscure word on the list but other than that it’s brilliantly written and paced and I couldn’t read the book quick enough, I was picking my Kindle up at every single opportunity because I was loving the story so much. This series is shaping up to be fantastic so far and I can’t wait to continue with it.
February 22, 2023
thrilling addition to the John Milton series of action-packed espionage novels. In this installment, former British intelligence agent John Milton finds himself in the middle of a dangerous mission in the heart of the Mexican drug trade.
Dawson's writing is as sharp and engaging as ever, with a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. The action is intense and expertly choreographed, and the stakes are high as Milton navigates the dangerous world of drug cartels and corrupt officials.One of the strengths of the John Milton series is the complexity of its protagonist, and "Saint Death" is no exception. Milton is a flawed and troubled hero, haunted by his past and struggling to find his place in the world. In this book, he is forced to confront his own demons while also trying to save innocent lives and bring down a powerful criminal organization.
The supporting cast of characters is also well-drawn, with both allies and enemies who are complex and multi-dimensional. The setting of Juarez, with its poverty and violence, is vividly portrayed and adds to the sense of danger and desperation
Overall, "Saint Death" is a thrilling and well-crafted addition to the John Milton series, and fans of action-packed espionage novels will not be disappointed. Dawson's writing is as sharp and engaging as ever, and the book is a great example of the genre.
Dawson's writing is as sharp and engaging as ever, with a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. The action is intense and expertly choreographed, and the stakes are high as Milton navigates the dangerous world of drug cartels and corrupt officials.One of the strengths of the John Milton series is the complexity of its protagonist, and "Saint Death" is no exception. Milton is a flawed and troubled hero, haunted by his past and struggling to find his place in the world. In this book, he is forced to confront his own demons while also trying to save innocent lives and bring down a powerful criminal organization.
The supporting cast of characters is also well-drawn, with both allies and enemies who are complex and multi-dimensional. The setting of Juarez, with its poverty and violence, is vividly portrayed and adds to the sense of danger and desperation
Overall, "Saint Death" is a thrilling and well-crafted addition to the John Milton series, and fans of action-packed espionage novels will not be disappointed. Dawson's writing is as sharp and engaging as ever, and the book is a great example of the genre.
April 26, 2017
I enjoyed this a lot more than the first of the series: I like my heroes strong, smart and noble, and Milton has evolved because of the events of that book, which are referred to briefly, but you don't have to have read that to enjoy this.
After six months travelling up South America, Milton arrives in Juarez, a city controlled by drug cartels on the US-Mexico border. Taking a job as a cook, he is caught up in the attempted assassination of a young reporter determined to expose the frequent rapes & murders of women by the narcos. In order to try and redeem his past actions, he vows to protect her, which means taking on the head of the cartel and his psychopathic son.
This had short chapters, lots of action, bad guys getting their just deserts, and Milton won points with me for not sleeping with the heroine. I look forward to the rest of the series.
After six months travelling up South America, Milton arrives in Juarez, a city controlled by drug cartels on the US-Mexico border. Taking a job as a cook, he is caught up in the attempted assassination of a young reporter determined to expose the frequent rapes & murders of women by the narcos. In order to try and redeem his past actions, he vows to protect her, which means taking on the head of the cartel and his psychopathic son.
This had short chapters, lots of action, bad guys getting their just deserts, and Milton won points with me for not sleeping with the heroine. I look forward to the rest of the series.
March 29, 2014
Great Read
Great Read
After reading the John Milton #1, I was interested. After John Milton #2 I bought all the others. This book, "Saint Death" was terrific, and I can't wait to start the next in the John Milton series.
Great writing Mark, keep the series coming!
Great Read
After reading the John Milton #1, I was interested. After John Milton #2 I bought all the others. This book, "Saint Death" was terrific, and I can't wait to start the next in the John Milton series.
Great writing Mark, keep the series coming!
October 19, 2019
This one would be a 7 out of 10 if I could do 3 1/2 stars. Found the book exciting yet there were a few holes and a few questions that left us asking ourselves. I realize this is a series and the answers will come later on, but the build up to the end left too many other questions... anyways, I'll read book #3.
November 23, 2013
My first read in this series and I found it well written, good action sequences and a good sense of place and atmosphere. Very entertaining, quick read with good character development for the type of book.
July 10, 2016
Saint Death is falling into a category with me of reliable reads these novels are not long reads but they make up for that in being fast paced and non stop gripping thrillers.
I am confident that I will enjoy the whole series the story has planted the seed for
and interesting trilogy
I am confident that I will enjoy the whole series the story has planted the seed for
and interesting trilogy
November 7, 2021
4/5
As a runaway Agent, John Milton has traveled the world to escape. He finds himself in the Mexican City of Juarez, However Juarez is no ordinary city, it is plagued with drugs and a murderous cartel who own almost everyone, even the police. John finds work as a chef, but soon after starting trouble arises at his door once again, and his old habits kick in. Intervening John has saved lives but also made himself visible to those he’s trying to stay away from.
Well written and incredibly easy to read, this book flowed so well the pages seemed to fly by. An engaging story line and very immersive it has great qualities to keep you reading. Having the book in Mexico was a big factor for making this book as good as it was, allowing the reader to picture the city and atmosphere almost to a tee. The dynamic it set was fun but also thrilling with lots of intrigue.
Certain parts of the book lacked a little suspense though. Taking us through the book some major parts missed some key build up, and lacked that real cutting edge to get the heart racing. The ending was also a little bit of a flat one, but being a series I can only imagine that’s to be followed up in the next book.
Mark Dawson did a great job with the character work in this book. Making everyone come across just as they should. Making John come across hard faced from his previous life, but still compassionate and remorseful that he wants to remain away from his past, really adds to his personality. Others were also written with unique traits making them all have an effect on the reader, from respected, to despised this in my opinion is what this book does best.
Overall this book was a really speedy read and one that I truly did enjoy. Lacking at times, it wasn’t quite a five, but the atmosphere and character work was right up there with some of my favourite books.
As a runaway Agent, John Milton has traveled the world to escape. He finds himself in the Mexican City of Juarez, However Juarez is no ordinary city, it is plagued with drugs and a murderous cartel who own almost everyone, even the police. John finds work as a chef, but soon after starting trouble arises at his door once again, and his old habits kick in. Intervening John has saved lives but also made himself visible to those he’s trying to stay away from.
Well written and incredibly easy to read, this book flowed so well the pages seemed to fly by. An engaging story line and very immersive it has great qualities to keep you reading. Having the book in Mexico was a big factor for making this book as good as it was, allowing the reader to picture the city and atmosphere almost to a tee. The dynamic it set was fun but also thrilling with lots of intrigue.
Certain parts of the book lacked a little suspense though. Taking us through the book some major parts missed some key build up, and lacked that real cutting edge to get the heart racing. The ending was also a little bit of a flat one, but being a series I can only imagine that’s to be followed up in the next book.
Mark Dawson did a great job with the character work in this book. Making everyone come across just as they should. Making John come across hard faced from his previous life, but still compassionate and remorseful that he wants to remain away from his past, really adds to his personality. Others were also written with unique traits making them all have an effect on the reader, from respected, to despised this in my opinion is what this book does best.
Overall this book was a really speedy read and one that I truly did enjoy. Lacking at times, it wasn’t quite a five, but the atmosphere and character work was right up there with some of my favourite books.
September 19, 2019
After six months on the run from his former employers, John Milton turns up in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, just in time to become involved when a bunch of cartel killers shoot up a restaurant aiming to kill a journalist named Caterina Moreno who's been publishing stories about the cartel's crimes. Determined to keep her safe until he can find a way to smuggle her across the border to the US, Milton teams up with a local cop a few days short of retirement and an American bounty hunter going after the same man trying to take out the journalist.
Fastpaced action I sped through in one sitting. Anna seems like an interesting character, I'm very much hoping to see more of her in the next book.
Fastpaced action I sped through in one sitting. Anna seems like an interesting character, I'm very much hoping to see more of her in the next book.
November 4, 2023
This series continues to improve - still isn't quite there yet in terms of storytelling but definitely on it's way.
John Milton is hiding out in Mexico. Working as a simple fry cook in a restaurant, he is doing everything he can to stay under the radar and out of trouble - until trouble finds him.
When shooters enter the restaurant he is working in, John's instincts kick in as he attempts to disarm the assailants and keep the targets safe. Unfortunately, Juarez is not just another town - it's a town owned and run by the drug cartels and he's just taken out their enforcers.
Determined to protect the only surviving target, John finds himself drawn into a war with the cartels. With most of the local law enforcement on the cartel's payroll, he hopes he has managed to find at least one honest cop amongst them to assist, but the cartels have a way of dealing with those who can't be bought.
To make matters worse, his involvement in the incident at the restaurant has put him on the radar for the British Government and now the 'Group' are coming for him, too.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - it was ok.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
John Milton is hiding out in Mexico. Working as a simple fry cook in a restaurant, he is doing everything he can to stay under the radar and out of trouble - until trouble finds him.
When shooters enter the restaurant he is working in, John's instincts kick in as he attempts to disarm the assailants and keep the targets safe. Unfortunately, Juarez is not just another town - it's a town owned and run by the drug cartels and he's just taken out their enforcers.
Determined to protect the only surviving target, John finds himself drawn into a war with the cartels. With most of the local law enforcement on the cartel's payroll, he hopes he has managed to find at least one honest cop amongst them to assist, but the cartels have a way of dealing with those who can't be bought.
To make matters worse, his involvement in the incident at the restaurant has put him on the radar for the British Government and now the 'Group' are coming for him, too.
I listed to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to be suited to the story.
Am I glad I read it - it was ok.
Was it a waste of my time - no.
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
December 24, 2017
This was a good book I am rounding it up to 4. Milton is an interesting character but this book was more shooting than character development. Which isn’t normally bad but then is the second book and we should be learning about what guy of guy he is. I will the next one and then decide if I continue with the series.
June 26, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It is the first by Mark Dawson that I have read. I enjoyed the secrecy and the mystery in the plot. It was well written and kept my attention. I will have to read the rest of the series for sure.
April 30, 2024
Getting more towards 4 star territory now but not quite. John feels more fleshed out, and we get to see more of why he’s so good at what he does as opposed to being told this. Starting to build up an interesting array of characters and I smell a few interesting subplots brewing too
November 11, 2020
Carrying on the story of John Milton from the first book. Being on the run after London and trekking through South America, John manage to find some part time work as a chef in Mexico. One night’s action led him down a path where very powerful gangs rule the area. Another very good story once again and a series I will happily carry on reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews