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Jack Calder #3
Savage Payback
A series of coordinated lethal bomb attacks on a dozen jewelry stores in London’s West End drag former SAS officer, Jack Calder and his specialist security firm, International Security Partners, into a deadly mesh of murder and international drug running.
A black ops explosives expert, an ex-colleague turned renegade mercenary with a twisted lust for revenge, emerges from the past to join forces with a powerful and dangerous drug baron from Eastern Europe.
A major cocaine trafficker from South America compounds the threats as competitive turf issues straddle international territories.
Attacks close to home heighten the urgency for Calder and his team to find and deal with each of the three sinister adversaries in a final savage payback.
A black ops explosives expert, an ex-colleague turned renegade mercenary with a twisted lust for revenge, emerges from the past to join forces with a powerful and dangerous drug baron from Eastern Europe.
A major cocaine trafficker from South America compounds the threats as competitive turf issues straddle international territories.
Attacks close to home heighten the urgency for Calder and his team to find and deal with each of the three sinister adversaries in a final savage payback.
300 pages, ebook
First published January 26, 2015
5 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Seumas Gallacher
13 books452 followersSEUMAS GALLACHER escaped from the world of finance over ten years ago, after a career spanning three continents and five decades.
As the self-professed 'oldest computer Jurassic on the planet' his headlong immersion into the dizzy world of eBook publishing opened his eyes, mind, and pleasure to the joys of self-publishing. As a former businessman, he rapidly understood the concept of a writer's need to 'build the platform', and from a standing start began to develop a social networking outreach, which now tops 50,000 direct contacts.
His first five crime-thrillers, in what has become the 'Jack Calder' series, THE VIOLIN MAN'S LEGACY; VENGEANCE WEARS BLACK; SAVAGE PAYBACK; KILLER CITY; and DEADLY IMPASSE have blown his mind with more than 100,000 e-link downloads to date. He celebrated that landmark with a Fried Mars Bar and a glass of Irn Bru.
In 2019, having ghostwritten several autobiographies for subjects in the Middle East, he decided to write his own life story, which is captured in 'STRANGELY, I'M STILL HERE'.
As the self-professed 'oldest computer Jurassic on the planet' his headlong immersion into the dizzy world of eBook publishing opened his eyes, mind, and pleasure to the joys of self-publishing. As a former businessman, he rapidly understood the concept of a writer's need to 'build the platform', and from a standing start began to develop a social networking outreach, which now tops 50,000 direct contacts.
His first five crime-thrillers, in what has become the 'Jack Calder' series, THE VIOLIN MAN'S LEGACY; VENGEANCE WEARS BLACK; SAVAGE PAYBACK; KILLER CITY; and DEADLY IMPASSE have blown his mind with more than 100,000 e-link downloads to date. He celebrated that landmark with a Fried Mars Bar and a glass of Irn Bru.
In 2019, having ghostwritten several autobiographies for subjects in the Middle East, he decided to write his own life story, which is captured in 'STRANGELY, I'M STILL HERE'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 2, 2013
Savage Payback by Seumas Gallagher is a SGC publication, released in October 2013.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jack Calder and the ISP ( International Security Partners), are called in when a deadly bomb goes off in London's West End, taking out a slew of jewelry stores. This crack team of men and women begin putting the pieces together of how and why this happened. But before they can catch their breaths, the case takes on a personal tone. They begin to suspect that someone they know is behind this, but he's shadow. No one knows where he is and until now didn't know if he was even still alive. This is a guy trained as well as they are.
Mix in two powerful crime lords that decide to join forces, and the team is in for one wild ride. Even though they have dealt with murder and death before, when all is said and done, none of them will ever be the same again.
I believe there are two other books in this series, but you don't have to read those first. I haven't read them YET, and I still enjoyed the book.
The story starts off with a literal bang and just never slows down. The attraction for me was that the plot was very well crafted. The author provided plenty of action without depending on that to carry the story. The reader bonds with the characters and starts to care about them. There are a few major kicks in the stomach along the way, and too many "near misses". The bad guys are pretty clever as well as ruthless and seem to always be one step ahead.
But, never count out the ISP team. Jack especially takes the this case to heart. He becomes a beast in his drive for justice, HIS brand of justice. Believe me, you'll be cheering him on the whole way.
I loved the ending of the book as well. For a thrill ride of a book, the ending was really sensitive and special. I didn't know if I should smile or cry. I sort of felt like doing both. This one gets an A+
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jack Calder and the ISP ( International Security Partners), are called in when a deadly bomb goes off in London's West End, taking out a slew of jewelry stores. This crack team of men and women begin putting the pieces together of how and why this happened. But before they can catch their breaths, the case takes on a personal tone. They begin to suspect that someone they know is behind this, but he's shadow. No one knows where he is and until now didn't know if he was even still alive. This is a guy trained as well as they are.
Mix in two powerful crime lords that decide to join forces, and the team is in for one wild ride. Even though they have dealt with murder and death before, when all is said and done, none of them will ever be the same again.
I believe there are two other books in this series, but you don't have to read those first. I haven't read them YET, and I still enjoyed the book.
The story starts off with a literal bang and just never slows down. The attraction for me was that the plot was very well crafted. The author provided plenty of action without depending on that to carry the story. The reader bonds with the characters and starts to care about them. There are a few major kicks in the stomach along the way, and too many "near misses". The bad guys are pretty clever as well as ruthless and seem to always be one step ahead.
But, never count out the ISP team. Jack especially takes the this case to heart. He becomes a beast in his drive for justice, HIS brand of justice. Believe me, you'll be cheering him on the whole way.
I loved the ending of the book as well. For a thrill ride of a book, the ending was really sensitive and special. I didn't know if I should smile or cry. I sort of felt like doing both. This one gets an A+
October 25, 2013
This book got hold of me right from the start and didn't let go. There is a lot to admire about the style of Seumas Gallagher. The main characters are succinctly introduced in the first few chapters in a way that makes them easily accessible if the reader has never met them before. The skill lies in the short precise language used about the protagonists. There is no description per se, rather the use of phrases that enable the reader to draw their own conclusions. For example one character comments "usual damage from a Semtex explosion" and from these simple words you grasp his expertise. At another point a character is introduced as a colleague who has survived a firefight with one of the IPS team with the other side being removed & no casualties. He is then described as having "movie star looks", and from this you pick up the ruthlessness but also the ability to not look like a stereotypical agent.
The same ploy is employed to great effect in descriptions of scenery. A market for example is described with "crammed into", "peddling", "trinkets", "contraband", "hoardes", as opposed to the more mundane but less evocative "small" "selling" or "wares" for example.
The book itself starts ( literally) with a bang, and the tension is slowly ramped up. The stakes become increasingly high as it becomes clear that payback is aimed at ISP and it's personnel and the reader senses the increase in focus and imperative. Team members are threatened directly. Things ratchet up another notch when things go wrong for the bad guys and admirably executed contingency plans come into play. Ruthlessness becomes the key, and the lead characters execute eats of violence as, again, payback, without turning a hair.
The notion of payback runs through the book like an invisible thread, it is never explicitly stated except once, but is a motif that ties everything together. The ending is simply superb, an exercise in contrasts that I can't describe for fear of "spoilers". I loved every bit of this superbly crafted thriller. Well done Mr Gallagher.
The same ploy is employed to great effect in descriptions of scenery. A market for example is described with "crammed into", "peddling", "trinkets", "contraband", "hoardes", as opposed to the more mundane but less evocative "small" "selling" or "wares" for example.
The book itself starts ( literally) with a bang, and the tension is slowly ramped up. The stakes become increasingly high as it becomes clear that payback is aimed at ISP and it's personnel and the reader senses the increase in focus and imperative. Team members are threatened directly. Things ratchet up another notch when things go wrong for the bad guys and admirably executed contingency plans come into play. Ruthlessness becomes the key, and the lead characters execute eats of violence as, again, payback, without turning a hair.
The notion of payback runs through the book like an invisible thread, it is never explicitly stated except once, but is a motif that ties everything together. The ending is simply superb, an exercise in contrasts that I can't describe for fear of "spoilers". I loved every bit of this superbly crafted thriller. Well done Mr Gallagher.
November 1, 2013
My husband and I have a deal. He'll go to my relationship driven movies with me and I'll go to the shoot 'em ups with him. It works. However when it comes to reading, I stick with cozy mysteries, historical romance and a few others of that ilk. So, when I considered reading Savage Payback, I was hesitant. It took me a few pages to get into it, just to acclimate myself to the new-for-me genre, but then I was hooked. And here's why: I cared about the characters. For me that is paramount in a book of any genre. Gallacher made me care about each and every character. Now, don't get me wrong; this is not a touch-feely novel. As the title clearly states there is indeed a good bit of savagery, but it was well written. And while graphic enough, it did not belabor the gore.
I won't bore you with a play by play of the action or story, you can read that in the blurb, I will, however recommend that you give Seumas Gallacher's books a try. I have a feeling you'll go back for me. I know I will.
Great job, Mr. Gallacher. Keep them coming!
*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I won't bore you with a play by play of the action or story, you can read that in the blurb, I will, however recommend that you give Seumas Gallacher's books a try. I have a feeling you'll go back for me. I know I will.
Great job, Mr. Gallacher. Keep them coming!
*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2013
An all action and violent thriller from Seumas Gallacher, who's quickly making his mark in this genre.The story twists and weaves from beginning to end.
Jack Calder and his team from "International Security Partners," get another outing in this new tale from the flamboyant Scot. If you like your action thick and fast paced, I can thoroughly recommend this book. SAVAGE PAYBACK
Jack Calder and his team from "International Security Partners," get another outing in this new tale from the flamboyant Scot. If you like your action thick and fast paced, I can thoroughly recommend this book. SAVAGE PAYBACK
January 7, 2014
Seumas Gallacher…Author Background
Seumas Gallacher was born in the cradle of the Govan shipyards in Glasgow in the so-called ‘bad old days’, which were really the greatest of days, where everybody was a true character of note. An early career as a trainee banker led to a spell in London, where his pretence to be a missionary converting the English fell on deaf ears. Escape to the Far East in 1980 opened up access to cultures and societies on a global scale, eventually bringing the realisation that the world is simply one large, extended village. The lifelong desire to write resulted in THE VIOLIN MAN’S LEGACY, the first in a planned series. Seumas’ sequel novel, VENGEANCE WEARS BLACK was launched in early July 2012. The third, SAVAGE PAYBACK, was released in late 2013 with at least two other books to follow in the same vein. Ebook downloads on his novels exceed 70,000 to date. Seumas lives in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. wall copy 2 …Authors…why bother doing a Blog?... …yeez can slice and dice umpteen different approaches to maintaining a Blog… as a writer, the conventional wisdom tell yeez it helps to get yeez ‘presence’… well, I think there’s also as many definitions of ‘presence’ as yeez can think of… this ol’ Jurassic’s been scribbling away at this Blog thing for a coupla years now, and must confess the driving force for maintaining it has gradually changed… initially I knew as much about blogging as I did about Mexican knitting patterns or Persian Hieroglyphics… in pursuit of extending readership reach, the Blog was an addendum to the other SOSYAL NETWURKIN channels I dabble with… Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and LinkedIn… I laptop-tapped maybe twice a week, with no rhythm or purpose, no base, no direction… then a few things started to click, mentally, not just on the Mac… the content, which the cognoscenti will tell yeez is paramount, began to take shape… a regularity of style evolved… the crime thrillers lived in the novels, and that can be pretty heavy-duty violent stuff… and any quill-scraper knows it’s vital to have your ‘Author’s Voice’ in the books… I found the Blog forming into an intrinsically different kind of writing… much like cartoons cater to short-term attention from readers, so also, most Blogs attract the same probable eyeball time… ideally for me, anything between 300 and 400 WURDS is plenty, but that’s not set in stone… the Blog becomes the ‘Author’s Brand’… a brand is by definition recognizable… mine attempts to be the tongue-in-cheek, humorous, reflective flow of consciousness of a comparative newbie… an independent, self-publishing plume-pusher… an old f*rt from a separate career, stumbling through the maze that is the new-fangled reality called the Internet… and somehow coming out the other side, still bewildered, but surviving, hopefully successfully… populating the Blog occasionally are a couple of characters, Mabel, and Matron… Mabel is best described as an almost imaginary presence, somewhat akin to the invisible rabbit, Harvey, that the great actor James Stewart conversed with in the movie of the same name… that allows for ‘asides’ and commentary to flow… Matron is the character who keeps the writer in check occasionally by the administering of a huge syringe loaded with no-one quite knows what, and it’s impossible to tell whether or not she’s also a figment of the writer’s addled brain… the biggest change in the impact the Blog has on me is that it permits me to indulge another kind of writing from the novels, and doing it almost daily dictates a discipline I welcome… it now also connects automatically with all my other SOSYAL NETWURK linkages, hitting a possible 14,000+ readers for every Blog Post… and most importantly… IT’S FUN and I’m LUVVIN IT!... Blog : seumasgallacher.com Twitter : @seumasgallacher Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/seumasgallacher Email : seumasgallacher@yahoo.com Amazon Links for SAVAGE PAYBACK UK http://amzn.to/1gTgJh0 US http://amzn.to/16hKHci Savage03-1
Savage Payback - Review
I must confess to the fact that I have not read many crime/thrillers in a while and have never reviewed one. This is not to say I don't enjoy the genre, I do, but find most of my reading is taken up by historical-fiction. I am pleased to report that Savage Payback has rekindled my interest. The story revolves around a huge explosion/robbery in London's jewelry district and the subsequent involvement of Jack Calder and the ISP team as they are hired by the insurance companies to investigate. From the very first page the reader is immersed in a never ending cycle of action that spans the globe and involves multiple intelligence agencies, drug lords and a mysterious shadowy bomber. The story also contains some very nice twists and turns as the major player's attempt to solve the various problems that crop up. Vengeance and retribution are prime motivators in this Jack Higgins like write up, not only from the point of view of the 'good guys' but also from the 'baddies' as well. A thoroughly enjoyable page turning read. 4 stars and an excuse to visit more of Seumas Gallachers' writing.
Seumas Gallacher was born in the cradle of the Govan shipyards in Glasgow in the so-called ‘bad old days’, which were really the greatest of days, where everybody was a true character of note. An early career as a trainee banker led to a spell in London, where his pretence to be a missionary converting the English fell on deaf ears. Escape to the Far East in 1980 opened up access to cultures and societies on a global scale, eventually bringing the realisation that the world is simply one large, extended village. The lifelong desire to write resulted in THE VIOLIN MAN’S LEGACY, the first in a planned series. Seumas’ sequel novel, VENGEANCE WEARS BLACK was launched in early July 2012. The third, SAVAGE PAYBACK, was released in late 2013 with at least two other books to follow in the same vein. Ebook downloads on his novels exceed 70,000 to date. Seumas lives in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. wall copy 2 …Authors…why bother doing a Blog?... …yeez can slice and dice umpteen different approaches to maintaining a Blog… as a writer, the conventional wisdom tell yeez it helps to get yeez ‘presence’… well, I think there’s also as many definitions of ‘presence’ as yeez can think of… this ol’ Jurassic’s been scribbling away at this Blog thing for a coupla years now, and must confess the driving force for maintaining it has gradually changed… initially I knew as much about blogging as I did about Mexican knitting patterns or Persian Hieroglyphics… in pursuit of extending readership reach, the Blog was an addendum to the other SOSYAL NETWURKIN channels I dabble with… Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and LinkedIn… I laptop-tapped maybe twice a week, with no rhythm or purpose, no base, no direction… then a few things started to click, mentally, not just on the Mac… the content, which the cognoscenti will tell yeez is paramount, began to take shape… a regularity of style evolved… the crime thrillers lived in the novels, and that can be pretty heavy-duty violent stuff… and any quill-scraper knows it’s vital to have your ‘Author’s Voice’ in the books… I found the Blog forming into an intrinsically different kind of writing… much like cartoons cater to short-term attention from readers, so also, most Blogs attract the same probable eyeball time… ideally for me, anything between 300 and 400 WURDS is plenty, but that’s not set in stone… the Blog becomes the ‘Author’s Brand’… a brand is by definition recognizable… mine attempts to be the tongue-in-cheek, humorous, reflective flow of consciousness of a comparative newbie… an independent, self-publishing plume-pusher… an old f*rt from a separate career, stumbling through the maze that is the new-fangled reality called the Internet… and somehow coming out the other side, still bewildered, but surviving, hopefully successfully… populating the Blog occasionally are a couple of characters, Mabel, and Matron… Mabel is best described as an almost imaginary presence, somewhat akin to the invisible rabbit, Harvey, that the great actor James Stewart conversed with in the movie of the same name… that allows for ‘asides’ and commentary to flow… Matron is the character who keeps the writer in check occasionally by the administering of a huge syringe loaded with no-one quite knows what, and it’s impossible to tell whether or not she’s also a figment of the writer’s addled brain… the biggest change in the impact the Blog has on me is that it permits me to indulge another kind of writing from the novels, and doing it almost daily dictates a discipline I welcome… it now also connects automatically with all my other SOSYAL NETWURK linkages, hitting a possible 14,000+ readers for every Blog Post… and most importantly… IT’S FUN and I’m LUVVIN IT!... Blog : seumasgallacher.com Twitter : @seumasgallacher Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/seumasgallacher Email : seumasgallacher@yahoo.com Amazon Links for SAVAGE PAYBACK UK http://amzn.to/1gTgJh0 US http://amzn.to/16hKHci Savage03-1
Savage Payback - Review
I must confess to the fact that I have not read many crime/thrillers in a while and have never reviewed one. This is not to say I don't enjoy the genre, I do, but find most of my reading is taken up by historical-fiction. I am pleased to report that Savage Payback has rekindled my interest. The story revolves around a huge explosion/robbery in London's jewelry district and the subsequent involvement of Jack Calder and the ISP team as they are hired by the insurance companies to investigate. From the very first page the reader is immersed in a never ending cycle of action that spans the globe and involves multiple intelligence agencies, drug lords and a mysterious shadowy bomber. The story also contains some very nice twists and turns as the major player's attempt to solve the various problems that crop up. Vengeance and retribution are prime motivators in this Jack Higgins like write up, not only from the point of view of the 'good guys' but also from the 'baddies' as well. A thoroughly enjoyable page turning read. 4 stars and an excuse to visit more of Seumas Gallachers' writing.
October 26, 2013
I finished the book in two days, there was not walking away from it. This intricate, realistic thriller will have your heart racing from the first page as the story open with an almighty explosion. The complex plot twists and turns as the tale unfolds, and the body count grows, and when the threat becomes personal the twists take some unexpected turns.
It has been described as violent, realistic and very fast but it will also make you laugh as the characters reveal themselves and the banter between friends lightens the mood before you take the next great dip down this roller coaster ride. I love the way Seumas develops his characters. We don’t find out about them immediately, we grow to know them, respect them, love them and fear them. He made me irked at the irksome, I just wanted to slap Lang, and feel the pain of Jack when he took a moment to fall apart. It bought me to tears, this strong and dependable man showing, just for a minute, his pain. It was gut wrenching.
Seumas doesn't need, or use, long descriptions he managers to convey the picture with a few well-chosen words. My favourite line in the book, ‘The hangover dressed his face.’ What more needs to be said?
As I read the line, 'The sun broke through the dark-tinged morning rain clouds making the glare of reflected sunlight from the dampened street intrusive to the eye.' I felt myself squint and I cringed as I read, 'The layered, reinforced entrance shattered into hundreds of pieces of malicious, glass shrapnel.'
As I got closer to the end of the book I found myself wanting to slow down. I wasn't sure I was ready for the story to be over but I needed to know how it was all to be resolved. I feel I got to know the characters well and I needed to know they were all going to be OK but I wasn't sure I wanted to walk away from being a part of their lives just yet.
This book really is a great read and I am so happy I have discovered this fabulous author. He has two other Jack Calder books out and so I can spend some time catching up on Jack's life while hoping that Seumas is working on the next installment.
It has been described as violent, realistic and very fast but it will also make you laugh as the characters reveal themselves and the banter between friends lightens the mood before you take the next great dip down this roller coaster ride. I love the way Seumas develops his characters. We don’t find out about them immediately, we grow to know them, respect them, love them and fear them. He made me irked at the irksome, I just wanted to slap Lang, and feel the pain of Jack when he took a moment to fall apart. It bought me to tears, this strong and dependable man showing, just for a minute, his pain. It was gut wrenching.
Seumas doesn't need, or use, long descriptions he managers to convey the picture with a few well-chosen words. My favourite line in the book, ‘The hangover dressed his face.’ What more needs to be said?
As I read the line, 'The sun broke through the dark-tinged morning rain clouds making the glare of reflected sunlight from the dampened street intrusive to the eye.' I felt myself squint and I cringed as I read, 'The layered, reinforced entrance shattered into hundreds of pieces of malicious, glass shrapnel.'
As I got closer to the end of the book I found myself wanting to slow down. I wasn't sure I was ready for the story to be over but I needed to know how it was all to be resolved. I feel I got to know the characters well and I needed to know they were all going to be OK but I wasn't sure I wanted to walk away from being a part of their lives just yet.
This book really is a great read and I am so happy I have discovered this fabulous author. He has two other Jack Calder books out and so I can spend some time catching up on Jack's life while hoping that Seumas is working on the next installment.
February 4, 2014
Review of SAVAGE PAYBACK
Written by Seumas Gallacher
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
Action packed is what I call SAVAGE PAYBACK. With revenge in his mind, an ex-SAS agent puts into motion a crime wave the leads to the theft of a major jewelry district and the death of a many good people.
This thriller keeps you trying to stay ahead of ISP, International Security Partners, and Interpol’s endeavors to curtail or eliminate the vengeful perpetrator and his paymaster, who wants ISP destroyed man by man.
There are enough moves made based on greed and payback by the participants that the reader will be entrenched in the story.
Mr. Gallacher has presented his followers, of which I’m one, with a good follow up to other ISP novels that reveal what may be happening in the world of international crime – human, drug, and the diamond trade. He takes the “What if?” and makes it seem plausible.
Do the governments of the world have their own outside groups to take care of business like ISP? If they don’t, is one needed? In this and other novels with ISP being the enforcer of the law, using unconventional means, the job gets done. And, Mr. Gallacher makes it entertaining with little melodrama.
SAVAGE PAYBACK is a quick read. I read it in one sitting last night while on my sick bed. It kept my mind on the story and not on my flu. I’m better for it.
Written by Seumas Gallacher
Reviewed by Author Roy Murry
Action packed is what I call SAVAGE PAYBACK. With revenge in his mind, an ex-SAS agent puts into motion a crime wave the leads to the theft of a major jewelry district and the death of a many good people.
This thriller keeps you trying to stay ahead of ISP, International Security Partners, and Interpol’s endeavors to curtail or eliminate the vengeful perpetrator and his paymaster, who wants ISP destroyed man by man.
There are enough moves made based on greed and payback by the participants that the reader will be entrenched in the story.
Mr. Gallacher has presented his followers, of which I’m one, with a good follow up to other ISP novels that reveal what may be happening in the world of international crime – human, drug, and the diamond trade. He takes the “What if?” and makes it seem plausible.
Do the governments of the world have their own outside groups to take care of business like ISP? If they don’t, is one needed? In this and other novels with ISP being the enforcer of the law, using unconventional means, the job gets done. And, Mr. Gallacher makes it entertaining with little melodrama.
SAVAGE PAYBACK is a quick read. I read it in one sitting last night while on my sick bed. It kept my mind on the story and not on my flu. I’m better for it.
October 25, 2013
Martha Compton is the manager of a Swiss Based Jewellery shop, Moertens, in Bond Street.
Her day starts much like any other except for the unusual stillness of the empty street. At eight thirty she unlocks the door to the shop and her day continues as normal until ten o`clock when an explosion rocks the area around the shop. Into the chaos of burning buildings and dead and injured bodies four ambulances arrive and a number of men, dresses as doctors and carrying an assortment of weapons, begin the biggest gem haul in history
Meanwhile across town, ex S.A.S. Commander, Jack Calder and his colleagues at ISP a specialist security company soon get wind of what’s happened and we readers are off on one of the best crime chases I’ve ever read.
I have to confess that this genre of novel isnt my usual read, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.
Its a "Boys Own" sort of read full of cops, SAS, Private Security toughies, and villains.
Throw in Seamus's unique style and we have a winner.
Well done Mr Gallacher, I salute you.
Her day starts much like any other except for the unusual stillness of the empty street. At eight thirty she unlocks the door to the shop and her day continues as normal until ten o`clock when an explosion rocks the area around the shop. Into the chaos of burning buildings and dead and injured bodies four ambulances arrive and a number of men, dresses as doctors and carrying an assortment of weapons, begin the biggest gem haul in history
Meanwhile across town, ex S.A.S. Commander, Jack Calder and his colleagues at ISP a specialist security company soon get wind of what’s happened and we readers are off on one of the best crime chases I’ve ever read.
I have to confess that this genre of novel isnt my usual read, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.
Its a "Boys Own" sort of read full of cops, SAS, Private Security toughies, and villains.
Throw in Seamus's unique style and we have a winner.
Well done Mr Gallacher, I salute you.
October 20, 2013
‘Savage Payback’ is the third thriller in a series about a private security firm created by Seumas Gallacher. Like its predecessors, the storyline is solid and believable and the pace relentless. The author immerses the reader in a world of deadly violence as the protagonists encounter two old enemies bent upon vengeance, one of whom possesses skills on a par with the ex-Special Forces soldiers that make up the aforementioned security firm. From an explosive start, the protagonists find themselves battling adversaries on two continents as Gallacher piles on the surprises. Things don’t go well for them as a third front is opened, and the resulting mortal consequences strike near to home.
Of the three novels in the series, this is certainly the most fast-paced. Its overlapping storylines keep the reader on the edge of the seat and flipping pages constantly; I read it in two sittings.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who reads the thrillers by Chris Ryan or Andy McNab – you won’t be disappointed!
Of the three novels in the series, this is certainly the most fast-paced. Its overlapping storylines keep the reader on the edge of the seat and flipping pages constantly; I read it in two sittings.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who reads the thrillers by Chris Ryan or Andy McNab – you won’t be disappointed!
November 8, 2013
Savage Payback, Seumas Gallacher's third entry in his Jack Calder series, sees the former SAS officer thrown up against the international drug trade and a renegade former special ops operator with a thirst for revenge against Calder's specialist security firm, International Security Partners.
Coordinated attacks are made against some of London's most elite jewelry merchants— many of them ISP clients. The subsequent murders of ISP employees in Europe and Asia soon makes it clear both the jewelry heists and murders are part of a planned program of revenge aimed at ISP for its earlier interference in a major drug operation. But when the revenge attacks hit too close to home, the victims become the avengers. From the U.S./Mexico border frontier to Turkey to Bosnia, Calder and his team of extreme measures experts burn a path of savage revenge through the drug cartels and their mercenary henchmen.
Savage Payback is an explosive ride through the shadowy world of the international drug trade. A word of advice—expect the unexpected.
Coordinated attacks are made against some of London's most elite jewelry merchants— many of them ISP clients. The subsequent murders of ISP employees in Europe and Asia soon makes it clear both the jewelry heists and murders are part of a planned program of revenge aimed at ISP for its earlier interference in a major drug operation. But when the revenge attacks hit too close to home, the victims become the avengers. From the U.S./Mexico border frontier to Turkey to Bosnia, Calder and his team of extreme measures experts burn a path of savage revenge through the drug cartels and their mercenary henchmen.
Savage Payback is an explosive ride through the shadowy world of the international drug trade. A word of advice—expect the unexpected.
November 26, 2013
"Cinematic, Thrilling, Action-Packed Adventure Tale"
'Savage Payback' is the third novel in the Jack Calder series. For those of you (unlike me) who have not read the first two books in this action/adventure franchise, Seumas Gallacher's tales are about ISP, an international security firm manned by ex-SAS and other police/special forces personnel who can boldly go where other more conventional authorities cannot.
This is the best of the bunch so far (and that's saying something). In the first two books, the good guys for the most part had things their way. This time they are not so lucky. Pitched against two major drug lords and an ex-SAS explosive expert with a grudge, Jules Townsend's organisation is at full stretch worldwide, and there are casualties and tragedies along the way. 'Savage Payback' is a page-turner of the first order - I gobbled it up in record time.
If you like your action thick and fast and with plenty of international locations, you'll really love this book. Cinematic, or what? Movie directors, are you listening?
'Savage Payback' is the third novel in the Jack Calder series. For those of you (unlike me) who have not read the first two books in this action/adventure franchise, Seumas Gallacher's tales are about ISP, an international security firm manned by ex-SAS and other police/special forces personnel who can boldly go where other more conventional authorities cannot.
This is the best of the bunch so far (and that's saying something). In the first two books, the good guys for the most part had things their way. This time they are not so lucky. Pitched against two major drug lords and an ex-SAS explosive expert with a grudge, Jules Townsend's organisation is at full stretch worldwide, and there are casualties and tragedies along the way. 'Savage Payback' is a page-turner of the first order - I gobbled it up in record time.
If you like your action thick and fast and with plenty of international locations, you'll really love this book. Cinematic, or what? Movie directors, are you listening?
July 23, 2014
Seumas Gallacher has done everything right with this book: The story pulls you in from the first page, carries you along throughout at a great pace, and never lets go - right up to the final page! It's very engaging, the characters are believable and the storyline appears to be authentic (Gallacher apparently has first-hand knowledge of the subject and the international stage on which it's set). The writing is accomplished; this book is very well-written and can stand as an example of how to write a successful thriller. If you're a writer, you would be wise to read Seumas Gallacher's writing to see how it's done - properly.
If you're a reader who loves action-packed thrillers that you can't put down, Savage Payback is the one to read! I highly recommend it, and I would definitely read any of Seumas Gallacher's books. An excellent writer!
If you're a reader who loves action-packed thrillers that you can't put down, Savage Payback is the one to read! I highly recommend it, and I would definitely read any of Seumas Gallacher's books. An excellent writer!
October 21, 2013
The reader is swept along in this International Security Partners deadly assignment. The seamless weaving together throughout of the principle characters lives and their missions whether it be for good or evil Make for an absorbing read. Yes, it is savage,violent, ruthless and brutal at times. But, loyalty, love, pain suffering and sacrifice are there too, leading to Revenge. This novel is action packed with vivd descriptions illuminating the read. The plot is a masterpiece, surprising, intriguing and shocking. Can't wait for the next J.C.Calder novel Seumas Gallacher.SAVAGE PAYBACK
October 29, 2013
SAVAGE PAYBACK by Seumas Gallacher
Set in London’s West End Jack Calder, a former SAS officer is witnessing bomb attacks, murders and international drug trafficking. As the attacks get closer to home Jack and his team are in a race for time to stop the attacks while facing some of the most powerful Drug lords. Soon he finds the crimes are occurring international, as far away as South America.
Action backed, suspense filled thriller. I really enjoyed this read and would like to read more by Seumas Gallacher.
Set in London’s West End Jack Calder, a former SAS officer is witnessing bomb attacks, murders and international drug trafficking. As the attacks get closer to home Jack and his team are in a race for time to stop the attacks while facing some of the most powerful Drug lords. Soon he finds the crimes are occurring international, as far away as South America.
Action backed, suspense filled thriller. I really enjoyed this read and would like to read more by Seumas Gallacher.
January 21, 2014
Another fantastic thriller in the Jack Calder series, Seamus Gallagher is one of the best British crime writers of his generation.
ISP are hired to recover jewellery stolen in a coordinated attack in London's new bond district. This is more than just a jewel heist as Jack Calder and the rest of ISP soon discover in this cat and mouse thriller.
If you haven't already started the series you are missing out big time, so go on get reading the books or you'll regret it!
ISP are hired to recover jewellery stolen in a coordinated attack in London's new bond district. This is more than just a jewel heist as Jack Calder and the rest of ISP soon discover in this cat and mouse thriller.
If you haven't already started the series you are missing out big time, so go on get reading the books or you'll regret it!
January 24, 2014
An amazing must read for thriller lovers..!
Yet another outstanding thriller from the great Seumas Gallacher. Unfortunately do some heros die as well. There are no words to describe this action packed page turner. ISP is facing the greatest challenge yet, taking Jack Calder and his team to the limits, but as before, they manage very well. You really wished, that International Security Partners would not only be fiction. Looking forward to the next master piece of this fantastic author..!!!
Yet another outstanding thriller from the great Seumas Gallacher. Unfortunately do some heros die as well. There are no words to describe this action packed page turner. ISP is facing the greatest challenge yet, taking Jack Calder and his team to the limits, but as before, they manage very well. You really wished, that International Security Partners would not only be fiction. Looking forward to the next master piece of this fantastic author..!!!
January 7, 2015
Chapter One and I was hooked. This was a gripping, heart pounding tale. I haven't read any of the other books, but now I must. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I, unwittingly, read this book first. Time to start with book 1.
October 19, 2013
Absolutely brilliant!
November 9, 2013
Much anticipated 3rd book in the Jack Calder series. It had me hooked from the start, fast paced thriller, lots of action and killings all make for a great read. Couldn't put it down.
January 11, 2014
A fast paced international thriller. This is the third in a series that is turning my friend Seumas into a star.
September 16, 2016
Plausible Title!
Good thriller, action-packed, well written. It definitely shows creativity and imagination. Not exactly thought-provoking implications or real-life comparisons.
Good thriller, action-packed, well written. It definitely shows creativity and imagination. Not exactly thought-provoking implications or real-life comparisons.
April 26, 2015
Savage Payback is a crime thriller and the third book in the Jack Calder ex-SAS series who now run ISP (International Security Partners) The book opens with a brutal jewellery heist on London's New Bond Street, when a well planned hit stole gems from 12 stores. As 3 of those stores were clients of Jack's business he makes it his top priority to get involved with catching the thieves.
There follows a globe-trotting story of revenge and counter revenge as Jack and his team follow the trails leading to past adversaries and major dealers in drugs and crime across the world. There is a large cast of characters thrown at the reader early in the book and although the pace of the book isn't hampered by large amounts of back story it was hard to decide which characters were major players and which could fade into the background.
The opening scenes were great, but then my attention was lost with all the planning, decisions and meetings, I felt the large amounts of dialogue told the reader the story rather than showing us with interestingly paced passages of writing, so rather than be drawn into the book I watched from behind a window.
The action picked up around half way through when each side took it's share of attack and counter attacks, but by then I had lost my initial engagement with the storyline. I needed more emotions, it is an action book and men don't "Do emotions" but it would help add a depth to the book and lift this to a popular series it has the potential to be.
There follows a globe-trotting story of revenge and counter revenge as Jack and his team follow the trails leading to past adversaries and major dealers in drugs and crime across the world. There is a large cast of characters thrown at the reader early in the book and although the pace of the book isn't hampered by large amounts of back story it was hard to decide which characters were major players and which could fade into the background.
The opening scenes were great, but then my attention was lost with all the planning, decisions and meetings, I felt the large amounts of dialogue told the reader the story rather than showing us with interestingly paced passages of writing, so rather than be drawn into the book I watched from behind a window.
The action picked up around half way through when each side took it's share of attack and counter attacks, but by then I had lost my initial engagement with the storyline. I needed more emotions, it is an action book and men don't "Do emotions" but it would help add a depth to the book and lift this to a popular series it has the potential to be.
March 24, 2014
Anyone who likes Action Thrillers is going to LOVE this book as much as I have!
Unwittingly, I read this THIRD book in the Jack Calder series BEFORE reading the other two, but that's not going to stop me from rushing out to get them and rectify my mistake, in fact, it's made me all the more determined to do so!
One of the many things I liked about the story was the short chapters - they kept the action going at a fast pace AND made it easy to quickly get back into the story if something forced (and I MEAN forced) me to put the book down for a time.
See my review also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...
http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...
Unwittingly, I read this THIRD book in the Jack Calder series BEFORE reading the other two, but that's not going to stop me from rushing out to get them and rectify my mistake, in fact, it's made me all the more determined to do so!
One of the many things I liked about the story was the short chapters - they kept the action going at a fast pace AND made it easy to quickly get back into the story if something forced (and I MEAN forced) me to put the book down for a time.
See my review also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...
http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...
February 20, 2015
Savage Payback will keep you reading well into the night. Gallacher takes us into the world of intrigue, international crime, and of course pairs us with a strong Scottish Character named Jack Calder, so we can make things right. When a jewelry heist in London's business district nets the highest take in history, Jack and his team take on the hunt for the murderous gem thieves. We tag along as the book brings us to places world wide, from Hong Kong to Colombia, to Canada, United States, and of course the UK and most of Europe.
I reserve my 5 star ratings for books that are not just good, but exceptionally good. I can't wait to read the previous books in this Jack Calder series.
I reserve my 5 star ratings for books that are not just good, but exceptionally good. I can't wait to read the previous books in this Jack Calder series.
October 14, 2016
A jewellery heist, a marvellous hero and a plot that never failed to keep me interested. What more can a reader want - except maybe some of the jewellery?!!
June 28, 2017
Did I like it?
Very. Yes, there’s violence in it. Even a lot. It’s not over descriptive. And you get what you pay for. This book, the theme of the Jack Calder series without violence? Don’t think that would be possible. It came at the right moment. Although it was already waiting for 12 months on my Kindle app. It’s just good. A perfect distraction
What I didn’t like
With a little spoiler alert. One of the members of ISP gets killed by a car bomb. Near the end of the book. He’s not checking his car before starting. Although he knows that their main enemy at the moment is quite ‘handy’ with explosives. And that he will attack them again. It’s possible but with the description of all the guys from ISP. It’s kind of hard to swallow. Sure, the guy made a mistake. It’s just a bit complicated to accept that he made this, let’s call it a ‘beginner’s mistake’.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re even just a bit interested in thrillers. Give it a go. Seumas knows exactly what he’s writing about. And not like his blog, it’s in plain English. ;-). 17 out of 20 points
Very. Yes, there’s violence in it. Even a lot. It’s not over descriptive. And you get what you pay for. This book, the theme of the Jack Calder series without violence? Don’t think that would be possible. It came at the right moment. Although it was already waiting for 12 months on my Kindle app. It’s just good. A perfect distraction
What I didn’t like
With a little spoiler alert. One of the members of ISP gets killed by a car bomb. Near the end of the book. He’s not checking his car before starting. Although he knows that their main enemy at the moment is quite ‘handy’ with explosives. And that he will attack them again. It’s possible but with the description of all the guys from ISP. It’s kind of hard to swallow. Sure, the guy made a mistake. It’s just a bit complicated to accept that he made this, let’s call it a ‘beginner’s mistake’.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re even just a bit interested in thrillers. Give it a go. Seumas knows exactly what he’s writing about. And not like his blog, it’s in plain English. ;-). 17 out of 20 points
October 17, 2019
Better novel than the title
While the title is a bit hokey, the book itself is not. Not exactly a spy novel, it's more a good mercenary tale. These guys don't have the restraints that the good guys are supposed to have. Interesting premise that leads to loads of dead bad guys.
While the title is a bit hokey, the book itself is not. Not exactly a spy novel, it's more a good mercenary tale. These guys don't have the restraints that the good guys are supposed to have. Interesting premise that leads to loads of dead bad guys.
July 22, 2017
Good fast paced read. Exactly the kind of thing to open at the start of a flight.
I read it in 3 hours without putting it down
Murder, mayhem, double dealing and great action scenes.
I read it in 3 hours without putting it down
Murder, mayhem, double dealing and great action scenes.
July 29, 2018
Well up to his usual standard. If you haven't read him you must if you like adventure/crime/suspense/mystery & the like.
March 18, 2024
This is a fast-paced engaging novel. Though some longer passages of back story slow it down a little, short chapters and plenty of action keep us turning the pages.
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